Major League Baseball 2K10 First Look (Gamespot)

[JayhawkerStL]

Quote: Originally Posted by Scottdau

I look at it this way. They look for a pitch to drive. They even try to work count to get that pitch. That is why you have a power swing. That makes those power hitters stand out more. I agree they need to do it with a reward and risk feature, but I like the power swing.

Actually, it's not the swing. It's the ability to predict what you are going to get with far more accuracy. They don't swing differently with a 3-1 count. They turn their focus to the one pitch they think they will see, and can safely take any pitch, even a strike, that is not what they were expecting.

It's so much easier to drive the ball when you can focus on one pitch, in one spot. Once you get 2 strikes, most guys do not alter their swings, but don't have the luxury of focusing on just one pitch.

This is actually why I liked the 2K8 technique of a variable sized zone that a batter could predict a pitch would thrown into. Better hitters had larger zones that would reult in a bonus. Weaker hitters had a very small zone. The zone was also variable depending on the count, as it would be smaller with two strikes.

That seemed like a better way to reward the better hitters, and did a pretty good job illustrating how guys hit.

[SoxFan01605]

Quote: Originally Posted by Craigsca

The key for me was the beginning of the preview, when Bishop discusses their culling of statistics like day vs. night, pre-All Star vs. post-All Star performance. My next question is, "What kind of sample sizes are we talking about here?" I mean, these statistics, unless they're shown to be replicated from year to year for that individual is nothing more than trying to find some kind of pattern in random data. To me, this is so typical of 2k Sports - hanging their hat on some kind of dubious statistical information and quoting it as fact. That's not the way it is - and it's not part of simulation of baseball. Even the Pettitte vs. Longoria thing. He's 2 for 16 lifetime against him. 16 at bats?! So what! So, the game is going to ding Longoria because of 16 at bats? I understand trying to add a little statistical atmosphere to the game, but in this context it makes no sense and it just the typical asinine drivel you hear from the same recycled announcers who don't quite understand the game. 16 at bats does not a pattern or trend make.

Yeah, this is exactly what I thought when I read this. They always seem to overcompensate. We take issue with the pitcher/batter matchup and they go nuts with every statistical split they can think of. As you said, the fact that they specifically referenced Longoria and his limited matchup numbers to go by, is an example of how this could backfire.

I don't mind all that being considered in more abstract ways (managerial decisions, strategy, approach, or even a hit/boost to something more arbitrary, like confidence), but a direct ratings hit/boost for some of these things is a bad idea IMO. Still, it's good news that they seemed to spend so much time looking at the pitcher/batter matchup...and it gives me hope that the whole experience might at least feel less disjointed. We'll see.

As for the rest, it sounds fine. I do like the additions to franchise mode and if they've also cleaned up the bugs there and expanded the roster/player editing ability, it should make for a very good franchise mode. I also like that they specifically addressed fielding animations...hopefully base animations (particularly running) are fixed as well.

Obviously, it's tough to get excited as a lot of the issues many of us had are more core things that won't necessarily stand out in these quick "first looks." Personally, I won't know what to think until I see it in action and, of course, try it for myself. Not a bad early breakdown though...and it's good to see some legitimate info finally start to seep out.

[rudyjuly2]

I think the concept of Batter's Eye could be really good. I like the fact that it doesn't show up all the time and that pitcher and batter ratings factor in. I'm obviously a Show guy but I was surprised by how much I liked the 2K9 demo (real time presentation, commentary, analog fielding) and look forward to trying out the 2K10 demo. Hopefully the pitcher-batter duel is more realistic this year.

[bigfnjoe96]

Quote: Originally Posted by Bahnzo

Wonder if that's online, or just a 2nd player at the same console?

I'm pretty sure that means inviting people from your Friends List or anyone to take a team & play during your franchise

[bonannogiovanni]

Correct, you can invite whoever you want to take a team in your offline franchise.

[Trevytrev11]

Quote: Originally Posted by Art1bk

What about A-rod, Manny, Pujols, etc?? I don't buy your theory sorry..

They're just better at it.

They have better reflexes, faster hands, better coordination, better pitch recognition skills, better pitch anticipation, better eyes which mean they are better at putting themselves in favorable hittters counts, which mean better pitches to hit, etc. All hitters aren't created equal and just because two guys swing just as hard, doesn't mean the results will be the same.

Jack Cust swings as hard as he can every time up...so does Vladamir Guerrero. It doesn't mean the results are going to be the same. Vlad is better at it. It's why he is going to strike out less, get more hits and hit more HR's.

It's not cause Jack Cust uses a power swing more often, he's just not as talented as Vlad. All hitters are not created equal.

It's like two pitchers with different arm strength. Both can throw their regular fastball and pitcher A can throw 85 and pitcher B can throw 95. Pitcher B isn't doing anything different than pitcher A, he just is built to throw harder. Guys that hit home runs don't try harder, it's just not everyone is built to be a HR hitter, but the majority of the time, all hitters are trying to hit the ball as hard as you can't.

Why wouldn't you?

In a normal at bat early in a game why wouldn't you go into every single at bat and not try to hit the ball as hard as you possibly can? Why would any player come to the plate with bases empty or bases loaded looking to get a hit and not try and hit the ball as hard as he can? Why would they swing softer and hit the ball softer? What advantage is there to hitting a ball softer than harder?

Now if you're telling me he's trying to hit for a certain situation with a certain goal in mind, I agree 100%, but in every situation that this is not the case the hitter is trying to hit the ball as hard as he can.

And if you're telling me with 2 strikes his approach changes to be more defensive, I agree as well with certain hitters, but definitely not all.

[Blzer]

Here's my only issue with the statistical breakdowns affecting performance (for those who were talking about it): if it's not dynamic and progressive, it's weak. Say you have that Longoria/Pettitte set up mentioned earlier. If he strikes out, he should now be 2-for-17, and those calculations should be made on the fly in-game. Likewise, if he goes 10-for-10 against him, he should be 12-for-26, and those calculations, again, should be made. If they are static during an entire career and nothing actually changes from how they are now, then how do rookies get that advantage/disadvantage when owning certain pitchers, etc.?

That would be unfortunate if it doesn't change as the seasons go on, but if this is the case, hopefully this will be one of the first things on the agenda for 2K11.

[bulls23]

Quote: Originally Posted by Trevytrev11

I don't know man, hitters pick up pitches by reading the rotation of the seams or spin of the ball...you don't get that in a baseball video game. Everything is a fastball at first until it changes direction and you react. Now I'm not saying I can't ever distinguish one pitch from another, but it's later than a hitter actually would and if you're playing at faster pitch speeds becomes more of a guess than a recognition. They're just trying to add a real life element to it. Now adding texts, IMO, is not the direction I'd prefer. I liked the color coding of the MVP series and suprised they didn't stick with that.

I didn't like the text flashing idea at first, but then I remember how confused I got trying to remember what color meant what pitch in MVP.

Glad 40 man rosters/Sept Call ups made it in to the game.

Excited about MLB Today commentary. Love that feature in NBA2k10.