Major League Baseball 2K9 Developer Diary: Gameplay

[ronnyballgame]

This game is SO Money! I cannot wait until March 3rd, I believe we are going to get a worthy game that we will play longer than a few weeks! I am excited!

[porkchop]

Eh... sounds good, but all the jazz they were blowing out their butt trumpets sounded great this time last year too. Color me super skeptical on this one. Sure I guess I'll buy it but that doesn't mean I necessarily have to like it. If I feel it's as bad as 2k8 was then I'll probably get a PS3 for the Show. I mean... if the game's a flop like 2k8 it's only $60 wasted which isn't that huge a deal, but the thought of paying over $500 just to play video game baseball without making the Kermit face does kind of make me a little upset to think about.

[baa7]

Quote: Originally Posted by The Living Legend

I agree with you to an extent. I liked the hitting system, though i think to the vast majority it didnt fly to well, maybe more people found it to hard hit. Removing it completely and not making it a option is rediculous and never should of happen, maybe im wrong.

Put it this way: One of the mods on the 2K forum brilliantly pointed out that removing the step influence feature reduces the swing stick to a glorified button hitting system. Think about it. There's really no difference:

Push the stick up when the pitch arrives = push a button when the pitch arrives.

The difference -- the thing that set swing stick hitting apart from button hitting -- is the leg kick/timing mechanism component. And now that's gone. Now the batter in 2K stands at the plate, and you simply push a particular control to activate the swing animation... which is EXACTLY the same way The Show's button hitting system operates.

[brendanrfoley]

Quote: Originally Posted by baa7

Put it this way: One of the mods on the 2K forum brilliantly pointed out that removing the step influence feature reduces the swing stick to a glorified button hitting system. Think about it. There's really no difference.

I never looked at it that way. I don't disagree with it, but I won't be upset if there is greater hit variety in 2K9. I liked the Hit Stick in 2K8 because it offered improved hit variety due to the timing mechanism. If we see choppers, liners, bloops and blast with the tweaked hitting model... I won't need the hit stick.

It is too bad Visual Concepts didn't keep it, however. It's always nice to have options.

[BadKermit]

They're really saying everything I want to hear. I sure hope it all comes together as well as it sounds like it is.

[Cardot]

As a casual baseball fan, I have a question on "Influencing" hits. I have wondered this with other baseball games as well.....But when would you press down for a grounder?

[Radja]

Quote: Originally Posted by stlstudios189

I will wait and see before I buy but, this is looking great

same with me. i eventually came to really enjoy 2k8 after the patch, but will not be burned for $60 day one again. OS impressions will have a great influence on my decision this year.

[BadKermit]

Quote: Originally Posted by Cardot

As a casual baseball fan, I have a question on "Influencing" hits. I have wondered this with other baseball games as well.....But when would you press down for a grounder?

If you have a slap hitter up with no one out and a runner on second base, you might want to try to hit a ground ball to the right side of the infield to move the runner to third with one out.