MLB 2K11 Developer Insight #1 - Marketing Looks Back at MLB 2K10

[Zastrin]

I have high hopes for this game, especially after the release of NBA 2K11, there should be no reason why this game wont be as good.

[JayhawkerStL]

Quote: Originally Posted by Crash Davis

Gross just Gross, I really try and stay optimistic with any baseball game, but this is very annoying. Its like its the first inning and 2K's starter just gave up a grand slam.... Not a good start.

I can understand the disappointment. But can you tell me how this affects the quality of the game you will play in March?

[YanksFan4Life]

i betcha 2k11 is just 2k10 with new lighting and player models.....

[EnigmaNemesis]

Quote: Originally Posted by jeffy777

I wouldn't read too much into it. They do this with NBA too. For some reason, they just like to save all the real info for the last few weeks. As we've discussed several times before in other threads, it's a pretty lame marketing strategy, but it's just 2K's way. Here's how Ronnie put it on twitter: Yeah it sucks, but it's just how their marketing does it, no matter what the game is like.

Yes, but every year with the baseball game... And he says not give everything away? They are giving nothing away at all. While the competition has created head way.

I think it is more the fact that they know their sales are the 360, thus they have no push.

If The Show was on the 360 too, you bet your *** the information would have to come out.

They get away with it with Basketball as well, cause there again, is no competition.

They have done this with the jump to next gen (same time the exclusive deal they nabbed), because they are only on the 360, last gen they had to compete with everyone, so their competition forced their hand.

I find it ironic it all started with the exclusive deal, because when there was 5 baseball games on the market, they were not this sloth.

I am not saying it has to be the level of The Show, not at all... but at least something, seriously. Not tooting your horn from a $60 lottery ticket. Almost like you think that sells your game more, than what content you put in it. That is the impression most are getting judging by this thread.

This is the information era, not the 1980s-90s where it was not as prevalent. They need to adapt.

[jeffy777]

Quote: Originally Posted by bigfnjoe96

This is how 2K Markets. It's been this way every year since the Next-Gen jump. Why are people acting surprised? That's why yesterday I posted "It is what it Is"

Yup. This is nothing new. I dislike their marketing strategy as much as anyone, but we'll have plenty of info soon enough. Once Febuary rolls around, they'll be a steady stream of solid info, just like last year.

Quote: Originally Posted by EnigmaNemesis

This is the information era, not the 1980s-90s where it was not as prevalent. They need to adapt.

I agree, but I doubt they ever will unless their marketing division gets a total facelift or something. But again, as long as the game is good, I can live with the poor marketing.

[DaveDQ]

Quote: Originally Posted by EnigmaNemesis

Yes, but every year with the baseball game... And he says not give everything away? They are giving nothing away at all. While the competition has created head way. I think it is more the fact that they know their sales are the 360, thus they have no push. If The Show was on the 360 too, you bet your *** the information would have to come out. They get away with it with Basketball as well, cause there again, is no competition. They have done this with the jump to next gen (same time the exclusive deal they nabbed), because they are only on the 360, last gen they had to compete with everyone, so their competition forced their hand. I find it ironic it all started with the exclusive deal, because when there was 5 baseball games on the market, they were not this sloth. I am not saying it has to be the level of The Show, not at all... but at least something, seriously. Not tooting your horn from a $60 lottery ticket. Almost like you think that sells your game more, than what content you put in it. That is the impression most are getting judging by this thread. This is the information era, not the 1980s-90s where it was not as prevalent. They need to adapt.

I agree with what you are saying. 2K's MLB franchise has been a very messy experience on current gen consoles. MLB 2K6 had the terrible freezing problem. It was hit or miss, but I remember these forums being lit up because of it. 2K7 showed promise but was still lacking. then there was the Ben Brinkman situation, where he spoke of a multi-year process, and because he had success with the MVP franchise, people expected great things. It never happened with MLB 2K. Their game has improved since moving to VC, but those 3-4 years really hurt the franchise. Especially with the game across the street (the show) doing so well.

Now this year you have comments from Take 2 that the semi-exclusive deal was probably a negative. No one from PR/marketing cleaned that up, and I have seen several times here on the boards where people make comments about 2K coasting with this game and not really caring. That's not what they meant but that's the image they created. Even though they have the 3rd party exclusive, this game is an uphill battle for them. It just doesn't have a theme of quality.

[BlackBetty15]

Quote: Originally Posted by Spanky

Great insight there, guys. I can't help but feel they are hiding something. Or trying to. Like they have a disaster on their hands and they keep delaying information. And quit patting yourselves on the back for this $1 million nonsense. Except for the guy who won, nobody cares. A 1 in 10,000,000 chance of winning of $1 million isn't going to make me want to buy some piece of junk game, if that's what this title turns out to be.

^^^^This

Rememebr how we were all hopeful after 2k7? The question of the year was that this game was great...did you guys fix the framerate. He kinda gave this feeling like he avoided the question and didnt say anything about it. We when the game shipped we found out why. The graphics were so bad I thought it was a mid cycle game, the framrate was bad, I think you had to turn off the profile tracking system to get it to play, and the lighting in stadiums were broke...so much in fact when 2k9 came out that was a main feature!!!! Whatever...competition needs to be in the market for 2K. Its why I bought a PS3 honestly.

[EarlyBaba]

Let's talk about (and bring back) a good marketing gimmick to cover up a bad game.