OS Staff Roundtable - MLB '11: The Show Demo Impressions

[Two Seamer]

Quote: Originally Posted by sink4ever

Can we all just agree that different people want different things? And just because you didn't see much change in your narrow range of desires doesn't mean that nothing changed.

I don't actually see any of the "disappointed" commenters personalizing their comments or criticizing the statements made by those who are excited about the demo. They seem to be doing what everyone else should be: giving their personal impressions - which happen to be a lot less enthusiastic.

For some reason, a lot of Show cheerleaders here feel the need to criticize impressions that are negative, and that's where the exchanges you're talking about begin.

As you said, different people want different things. Different people expected different things of the game. So they have different impressions. That is literally the purpose of this thread, to get those impressions out there. Most if not all of the their criticisms have been valid.

It seems to me the thread could do without the "are you serious?!?! how can not love this game!?? what do you expect?!?!" defense posts.

[Pared]

The game has cursor hitting right now.

I really don't know what guys are referring to. True PCI is cursor hitting, in a sense. The only difference is you would prefer to move an imaginary bat to a spot and have it stay there... which isn't real baseball.

And for all the individuals asking for cursor hitting, it's actually a very antiquated hitting mechanic, given the controls we have now compared to in the past.

2k's 360 degree hitting mechanic, which was my favorite one until recently, essentially does the same exact thing as True PCI.

[sink4ever]

Quote: Originally Posted by Two Seamer

I don't actually see any of the "disappointed" commenters personalizing their comments or criticizing the statements made by those who are excited about the demo. They seem to be doing what everyone else should be: giving their personal impressions - which happen to be a lot less enthusiastic. For some reason, a lot of Show cheerleaders here feel the need to criticize impressions that are negative, and that's where the exchanges you're talking about begin. As you said, different people want different things. Different people expected different things of the game. So they have different impressions. That is literally the purpose of this thread, to get those impressions out there. Most if not all of the their criticisms have been valid. It seems to me the thread could do without the "are you serious?!?! how can not love this game!?? what do you expect?!?!" defense posts.

That's fine, I'm okay with people not liking the demo or whatever. It just seems to me that there's a common theme of "they didn't do X to Y, therefore nothing changed". I don't get the impression that many people are aware that there own personal wishlist doesn't trump everyone else's.

[metallidevils]

The biggest problem with this series is that the devs take their time out to come here and listen to the small group of people that would rather spend $60 on a roster update and a few tweaks rather than something that actually makes the game look and feel a little different from year to year. This is happening with the NHL series as well.

Quote: Originally Posted by DickDalewood

So because YOU can't get the hang of analog controls, don't care about better lighting, player models and scroeboards, weather being added, and a completely revamped RTTS, they were on a tight budget and wasted their time??? Do you know why all those things are in the game this year? I'll tell you why; because last year, this board was filled with multiple threads about "where are the analog controls??? Button pressing is outdated!!" and "WTF, RTTS is exactly the same as it was last year!" and "I can't handle these player models and their t-Rex arms anymore! CMON SCEA!!!" So, because they are the only dev team that TRULY takes the time to get community opinions and inprovements from THIS website, those are the areas where they spent the most of their time. And guess what? A lot of that pressure and feed back came from our Community Day guys. So, my suggestion to you, a member who is new THIS MONTH; learn exactly how things work and why, before spouting off nonsensical guarantees that you know nothing about.

[Knight165]

Quote: Originally Posted by Two Seamer

I don't actually see any of the "disappointed" commenters personalizing their comments or criticizing the statements made by those who are excited about the demo. They seem to be doing what everyone else should be: giving their personal impressions - which happen to be a lot less enthusiastic. For some reason, a lot of Show cheerleaders here feel the need to criticize impressions that are negative, and that's where the exchanges you're talking about begin. As you said, different people want different things. Different people expected different things of the game. So they have different impressions. That is literally the purpose of this thread, to get those impressions out there. Most if not all of the their criticisms have been valid. It seems to me the thread could do without the "are you serious?!?! how can not love this game!?? what do you expect?!?!" defense posts.

I think you're confused.
You seem to be reading into posts a bit further than there actual content.
I don't think anyone has said...."what? you don't love this game?.....you're nuts"....when they refer to something that might not have been worked on to THEIR particular liking. I will comment negatively on posters who will insist that because their particular wish was not taken care of....either the game is "the same as 'XX" or "the devs wasted their time" ...or posts of similar nature.

...and I'm again going to call out the nonsense of this time you saying that anyone who likes the game and is happy with it's improvements are "cheerleaders" and those that are only going to complain about the game are what?...the "level headed truthers"? Yeah, okay.

What this thread can do without is B.S.(so can O.S. ....but it's starting to permeate again unfortunately)...but hey it's a message board, so I guess it's open season, so I can deal with that....(oh...not really, you don't want the cheerleaders commenting...I forgot)

M.K.
Knight165

[ped3328]

Quote: Originally Posted by Knight165

No need to make the point again....I understood it perfectly the first time. It's not the same...not even remotely the same. There is simply no way to re-do everything year in and year out. You're focus on something that may or may not have been added to simply does not mean it's the same game as last year. I'm sorry. No way...no how. The list of changes is quite extensive. If you choose to look past them that's not a problem of the game. I see that ....that is becoming the norm though. Unfortunate. M.K. Knight165

I'm very impressed with the demo. The animations, by and large, are better. The analog thing is most welcomed as it gives you a new way to play the game. Lighting, player models are way better. But I keep coming back to what Russell said on a different thread : the demo was built in December. Which means it was actually made BEFORE the community day event took place? I believe the CD was sometimes in January, right? It seems strange that the demo was built even before you guys had a chance to give SCEA devs your inputs. Wha's the point to invite you over if you ideas and suggestions will not reflect in the demo? Unless the final version is quite a bit different and does take into account whatever ideas and suggestions you brought over to improve the game. Just wanted to clarify.

[winonastate03]

Hey guys, I got a good night's sleep and am not in such a bitter or pessimistic mood this morning. As I could expect, I was ripped on pretty good and didn't expect anything less. Haha. I will buy and play this game and enjoy it. It will obvioulsy have things that will bug me, ie, sometimes slow fielding animations, outfield catch and throw animations, but it will still be a solid game.

I didn't mean to call out the Community Day guys as I am sure they give great insight to the game.

I just am hoping that animations will be a top priority next year instead of new features.

I am looking forward to the baseball season and this game. I am going to be more positive moving forward.

Oh yeah, great impressions from the writers in this article. Good to see fresh views and opinions.

[Pared]

Quote: Originally Posted by metallidevils

The biggest problem with this series is that the devs take their time out to come here and listen to the small group of people that would rather spend $60 on a roster update and a few tweaks rather than something that actually makes the game look and feel a little different from year to year. This is happening with the NHL series as well.

Quite honestly, you don't understand the sports video game business model then.

Why would you completely ignore your loyal customers and try and capture new ones, at the risk of alienating those that actually ENJOY the way the game is?

You made this same claim in the Madden forum a while back. I remember because it was off the mark then as well.

You simply don't ignore the individuals that buy your game every year - you cater to them and add items to capture the external market as well.

SCEA did that this year with the inclusion of Co-op, the PSMove, etc. You won't see this on the demo, but there's a lot in the game to make it more accessible to just the "hardcore" market.

They also spent a ridiculous amount of time catering to individual fans on their specific nitpicks, such as ad placement and wall colors in stadiums.

I hate the "me too" posts that follow someone's tirade. Mob mentality at its finest here. Instead of taking a step back and objectively viewing what has been done this year, they focus on that one thing that they wanted and whether it met their expectations.

People did this same thing in the NBA 2k11 forum despite that game being the best it has ever been.

Simply put... unbelievable.