Major League Baseball 2K9 Developer Diary: Gameplay

[jeffy777]

Quote: Originally Posted by SoxFan01605

So that's encouraging...especially since it sounds like he's not particularly patient

And I think that's putting it nicely as far as his patience goes

[SoxFan01605]

Quote: Originally Posted by jeffy777

And I think that's putting it nicely as far as his patience goes

lol...true enough. Maybe I should have said "especially since it sounds like the guy couldn't lay off a pitch if his life depended on it"

There, that's better.

[mwjr]

I'm not getting the Real-Time atmosphere. How exactly will that be different from the cut scenes we're used to?

[jeffy777]

Quote: Originally Posted by mwjr

I'm not getting the Real-Time atmosphere. How exactly will that be different from the cut scenes we're used to?

The cut scenes we've seen in past games have been pre-rendered scenes, which is why there was a pause in 2K8 when the cutscenes were loading.

This year, the cut scenes will be actual live views of what's happening on the field. For example, if a bat boy was running out to pick up a bat before someone walked up to the plate, you'll actually see the bat boy running back to the dugout when the camera zooms in on the batter coming to the plate.

So overall, it's going to have a much more realistic feel to it, closer to what it would be like if you were watching a real game.

[SoxFan01605]

Quote: Originally Posted by mwjr

I'm not getting the Real-Time atmosphere. How exactly will that be different from the cut scenes we're used to?

It's the same stuff, but not pregenerated. Everything is (in theory) flowing around you. The fans are moving, the bat boy collects the bat after a hit, the dugout and bullpens are live, etc.

Basically it all fits into the moment naturally rather than an event "triggering" the proper cutscene. It makes the environment seem more "alive" that way, if it's done well.

A good example would be if you played 2K9, to look at he benches. The coach is moving, barking at players, the bench is active and celebrating scores, the guy comes out to mop the floor, etc. All of this happens naturally throughout the game and isn't prerendered to happen...it just does.

Hope that helps somewhat

EDIT: Long-windedness strikes again...lol. Jeffy beat me to it

[drterb]

Quote: Originally Posted by mwjr

I'm not getting the Real-Time atmosphere. How exactly will that be different from the cut scenes we're used to?

I believe another aspect of this is the Virtual Director. Since the events happen real-time and are not pre-rendered, different camera angles and views can be used to show similar shots throughout the game. Plus the timing of the camera switches (if it's implemented like I think it will be) will make every cut-away seem like you've never seen it before.

Everything just flows.....

[Blzer]

To add onto the real time stuff, take things like the crowd, commentary crew, and PA announcer into account as well.

Let's say a player hits a home run. Not only will we finally get to see them rounding the bases the entire way through, but we will get a continuous roar throughout the crowd (perhaps some cuts with them too, cheering and such), the announcers maybe jibber-jabbering about which home run it is for them this season or if the team now tied it up, meanwhile that crowd is still going. Maybe they'll cut to replay while he's rounding the bases so you get the cheering in the background while the commentators are slowing down the pitch and home run, or maybe it will be after he crosses home plate while the crowd is still going and you're hearing the next player being announced as, behind the replay, he is actually walking up to the plate and maybe going through some of his routines, or maybe the catcher went out to talk to the pitcher or something of that nature. As we get away from replay, we can perhaps see the end result of the catcher running back to the plate and the umpire tossing the pitcher a new ball.

Basically, everything happens in real time. I'm not sure about between-inning stuff, but they did say some highlights at the end of innings as well as fading to black like going to a commercial. We'll see on Friday hopefully.

[thegoons21]

Good update. I definitely am excited with VC at the helm.

Just make sure you get Adam Dunn on my Nats....