Major League Baskeball 2K9 Features List

[sask3m]

Quote: Originally Posted by Skyboxer

Exactly! If the pitch is in a location that no matter what it physically could never be hit in the air in "real life" and yet I "influence" it to the air then we have a problem. Also is it true zone hitting or like the Shows zone hitting?

i think that is a mistake about the show having zone hitting, at least i sure don't see it, getting back to 2k9 having zone hitting i hope its like espn2k4 where it was a true zone hitting (variable) and not simplistic zone hitting like hh had (9 zones).

[EnigmaNemesis]

Quote: Originally Posted by sask3m

i think that is a mistake about the show having zone hitting, at least i sure don't see it, getting back to 2k9 having zone hitting i hope its like espn2k4 where it was a true zone hitting (variable) and not simplistic zone hitting like hh had (9 zones).

I know if a pitch is pretty low in The Show, and I try to "influence" a fly ball, 99% of the time I hit in in the dirt for a ground ball.

[FocusYoMindOnDis]

i will buy it, hopefully it is playable...thats all i ask for...i have both next gen systems, and variety is the spice of life...so if i have 2 good games im happy.

[brendanrfoley]

The feature list shows a back-to-basics approach. I liked 2K8, that it was a B+ game under a D+ presentation. This list gives me hope Visual Concepts is going to even out the experience and deliver a solid baseball title.

Quote:

Pitching * Pitching – Unique pitching controls with increased accessibility for pick-up-and-play users. * Improved pitching controls - Simplified controls to 2-step pitching – hold and gesture * Catcher’s will call for pitches according to the hitter’s weaknesses

It sounds like they kept Total Control Pitching, which is fantastic. "Meatballs" may have been misguided or implemented incorrectly, but the pitching gestures themselves were a blast. It kept the game fresh, and each pitcher's motion had it's own timing. I loved it and I'm glad they kept it.

Quote:

Hitting * Influence hit – The users will be able to influence a fly ball or groundball with new controls. * New bunting controls – Improved bunting will make it easier to lay down a bunt. * Zone hitting – Users will be able to put the bat on the ball with our new zone hitting feature. * Hit distribution – Improved hit distribution for a wide variety of hits.

Bunting needed an overhaul, especially in drag situations. I am also encouraged that VC is selling "improved hit distribution" as a feature. That one isn't for the casual baseball fan, that is a nod to people like us. It seems the developers are working on tuning the core experience and making sure 2K9 feels "right" in the field.

Quote:

Fielding * Fielding – Upgraded fielding system with new ability to quick throw when in a rush. * Fielding AI – Improved fielding AI will highlight the player’s true ability. * Quick Throws – Quick throws will allow the user to throw on the run or start a double play quicker. * Hold the ball – Users will be able to cancel a throw and throw to a different direction on the fly.

I'm interested in what the fielding changes actually are. I never had a problem snapping off throws in 2K9.

Quote:

Signature Style * More than 300 new signature animations, making MLB2K9 the most realistic baseball sim to date.

MLB 2K8 was loaded with stances and pitching motions, 300 more is ridiculous. Every opening day player on the Red Sox had their own batting motion... how many more were there to add? Signature Styles is one of 2K's best features, and I'm jazzed to see more.

Quote:

Real-time Living World * Anything that happens in a baseball stadium happens in 2K9 in Real Time. * Players will move from the dugout to the batter’s box and from the bullpen to the mound. * Umpire, ball boys, coaches – All onfield personnel will be moving naturally to and from their positions. * Vendors move in the crowd * Fans react to home runs and foul balls

I'm with Blzer on this one. I interpret "real time" to mean the end of "scripted" cut scenes.

For example, a pitcher recording the third out while covering first in 2K8 would be shown seconds later walking off the mound in the "end of inning" scene. There was no awareness of what happened on the field.

In 2K9, players will head straight from where they are to the dugout. I'm sure we'll get different camera angles, but it will all be real time. There is nothing for the game to "load," the engine will just switch cameras. This will make the game much smoother.

As for vendors in the crowd? I doubt that would work with 2K8's crowd logic/presentation. My guess, they went back to the more robust crowd of 2K7 or re-worked the crowds completely.

We also know that, by the time 2K8 was about to ship, a new art director was already in the process of redoing all the stadiums.

I, for one, am excited!

[sask3m]

Quote: Originally Posted by EnigmaNemesis

I know if a pitch is pretty low in The Show, and I try to "influence" a fly ball, 99% of the time I hit in in the dirt for a ground ball.

most likely thats simply because of ball location, what i want to see is if the ball is low in the zone and i hold up on the L stick i want to see my player swing at the top of the zone not at the bottom where the ball is, thats zone hitting to me but not the case in mlb08.

[CMH]

As long as there are no meatballs, I'm game.

[wsu_gb23]

Quote: Originally Posted by YankeePride

As long as there are no meatballs, I'm game.

so you're hopin for just plain spagettios?.... haha

[slickzeus]

i also like how it seems that vc is focusing on what is already in the game and improving upon that. IF they can improve the presentation and refine the gameplay then it will be a step in the right direction finally. give me 60 fps and some nice zone hitting and i will be pleased with 2k9