MLB 2K8 News Post

Major League Baseball 2K8 360 Impressions

02:24 AM - February 26, 2008 by Steve_OS

Matt Blumenthal had an opportunity to demo Major League Baseball 2K8 this afternoon. His official writeup of the event will be up later this week, but we wanted to get some quick thoughts up here for you guys.

This game looks beautiful, the player models have improved but the real leap is in the animations. The animations move silky smooth and there is no need to worry about herky jerky animations of the past anymore.
I'm impressed with how intuitive and fresh the analog controls are. The pitching takes a little time to get the hang of but the new mechanics add a whole new dimension to the pitching model.
The baseball cards feature is surprisingly cool, expect me to have more on that later on this week.
In-game saves are officially in the game this year.
Check swings don't seem to be a chore anymore. They are now accomplished by pulling back on the right analog stick - no more right trigger necessary.
Stadium-specific animations are in. The Yankee Roll Call was mentioned specifically.
There should be plenty of foul balls this year. I saw several in the few at-bats I played.
No spring training games this year.
I counted eight unlockable classic stadiums. I think more might be available by default as well.
No co-op play
You will have the option to make trades for CPU-controlled teams in franchise mode, but you won't be able to edit their rotations and lineups.
It was suggested to me that the demo is done and has been submitted. If that's the case, it's in Microsoft's hands now.
I will hit on a few of the big questions from the forum here.

Game: Major League Baseball 2K8Reader Score: 6/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS2 / PS3 / PSP / Wii / Xbox 360Votes for game: 74 - View All

Member Comments

# 201 Motown @ 03/03/08 06:33 PM

What version? 360/PS3?
How's it compare to 2K7?
" " Game play
Is it running @ 60fps?
how's the gfx?
how's the animations?

thanks

# 202 therizing02 @ 03/03/08 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiz5


	I have it now. Total control throwing is going to take a while to get used to I think. Pitching, I'm getting rocked -- with Halladay. For whatever reason with fielding, the players feel too small for the field, but it's not a bad thing with how it is. I haven't played 2K7 in months, so it could just be myself being used to other games. Still going through my first game though.

Maybe try a different camera angle to see if that helps the look of the players.

Any stuttering?

# 203 ChicagoChris @ 03/03/08 06:41 PM

Can we leave the questions about eye black, socks, and facial hair out of this conversation? Love to hear about game play, atmosphere, and game play!

# 204 lived @ 03/03/08 06:45 PM

The following comes from a guy who has confirmed he has it on the gamespot forums

"The Resolution isn't as high as it was last year

atleast when it comes to the grass textures,

the new controls are totally different, I 've already given up 2 long balls against
the Yanks pitching with Burnett on the ALL STAR difficulty, but the homers were caused
by my early inability to adapt to the new pitching controls."

# 205 Motown @ 03/03/08 06:54 PM

Hmm, looks as if Canada gotta jump start w/ 2K this year.

# 206 kiz5 @ 03/03/08 06:56 PM

- XBox 360
- Frame rates seem to be around 25 fps a lot of the time, I'm going to try playing down at 720p
- Still stutters on the intros to the stadiums
- Batting intros are great -- saw an option for customization of them!
- Something that I don't remember from 2K7, is signals are given from the catcher (ie. 1 - fastball, etc.)
- Shirts can be unbuttoned, rather than always 'picture perfect'
- Players throw the ball around after the play, like real life (Around The Horn -- has an option to be turned off)
- Random camera flashes in the stands can be annoying!
- Moving left, then right while fielding can sometimes give Madden-like movements, where physics doesn't look to be a part of how they move
- Fielding ratings actually matter this year!
- Pitching is hard, even on default settings. You mess up, and say good bye. I'm sure sliders will help out, as will experience with the pitching ways.
- Stances seem fine. Those that I know, seemed right. I'm sure people will still have some issues with some, and will have them adjusted accordingly.
- Graphics seem similar to last year. Nothing that has really had me say 'wow' yet.
- Stadium sounds seem good enough, even though they'll be repetitive within a month.
- Skydome looks exactly the same as last year as far as I can tell.

I've still only played a bit of this game so far, but I'll answer anything and everything that I can.

# 207 Mr.Wednesday @ 03/03/08 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiz5


	I have it now. Total control throwing is going to take a while to get used to I think. Pitching, I'm getting rocked -- with Halladay. For whatever reason with fielding, the players feel too small for the field, but it's not a bad thing with how it is. I haven't played 2K7 in months, so it could just be myself being used to other games. Still going through my first game though.

Interesting, keep them coming.

Kiz, you are the man of the hour. The spotlight is on you.

Edit: this thread is going to help me make it through class.

# 208 lived @ 03/03/08 06:58 PM

Aaron Hill's rating??

# 209 PVarck31 @ 03/03/08 06:59 PM

How is it compared to last year? Does it feel different? Hows the fielding?

# 210 jorge380 @ 03/03/08 07:01 PM

hows the collision detection when ball goes into stands?

# 211 kiz5 @ 03/03/08 07:01 PM

I think the fielding / pitching is going to take a few games before you really get it down. Until then, it's a learning curve that might make the opinion biased.

I like the idea of the throwing, and how it is ... once you get used to it, I think it'll really be a great addition.

I remember jumping into the game last year, and having success right away. This year, well, nothing near success! Lol.

# 212 Damanjinx @ 03/03/08 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiz5


	- XBox 360 - Frame rates seem to be around 25 fps a lot of the time, I'm going to try playing down at 720p

This is a Big problem and i was worried about this, if this game runs that bad i will not be getting the game the low FPS in last years ruined it for me, if theres the ocassional hicup i wont mind but not running that low. Wasnt it in a interview that he said it would not dip below 50fps i mean 25fps is HUGE DROP. is it really that bad Kiz?

# 213 lived @ 03/03/08 07:02 PM

Just to confirm, Ben said it would not drop below 30 fps.

# 214 Damanjinx @ 03/03/08 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lived


	Just to confirm, Ben said it would not drop below 30 fps.

really? my god that is a huge drop how can you release a game like that if actual gameplay runs that bad.

# 215 dmbfan1970 @ 03/03/08 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiz5


	- XBox 360 - Frame rates seem to be around 25 fps a lot of the time, I'm going to try playing down at 720p - Still stutters on the intros to the stadiums - Batting intros are great -- saw an option for customization of them! - Something that I don't remember from 2K7, is signals are given from the catcher (ie. 1 - fastball, etc.) - Shirts can be unbuttoned, rather than always 'picture perfect' - Players throw the ball around after the play, like real life (Around The Horn -- has an option to be turned off) - Random camera flashes in the stands can be annoying! - Moving left, then right while fielding can sometimes give Madden-like movements, where physics doesn't look to be a part of how they move - Fielding ratings actually matter this year! - Pitching is hard, even on default settings. You mess up, and say good bye. I'm sure sliders will help out, as will experience with the pitching ways. - Stances seem fine. Those that I know, seemed right. I'm sure people will still have some issues with some, and will have them adjusted accordingly. - Graphics seem similar to last year. Nothing that has really had me say 'wow' yet. - Stadium sounds seem good enough, even though they'll be repetitive within a month. - Skydome looks exactly the same as last year as far as I can tell. I've still only played a bit of this game so far, but I'll answer anything and everything that I can.

I am glad you made the comment about fielding attributes matter this year! Thats good news.

If you have time can you check out the online features such as can you change your batting camera and maybe other options when you hit pause in a game? Also, have the online lobbies and navigation to get where you want improved?

Thanks!

# 216 Motown @ 03/03/08 07:05 PM

Quote:


	- Moving left, then right while fielding can sometimes give Madden-like movements, where physics doesn't look to be a part of how they move

Quote:


	- Frame rates seem to be around 25 fps a lot of the time, I'm going to try playing down at 720p - Still stutters on the intros to the stadiums

wow...hope this runs better @ 720

# 217 PVarck31 @ 03/03/08 07:08 PM

Are you running it in 1080? It might be optimized to run at 720p just like the show. If you run the show in 1080 the fps drops to 30.

# 218 kiz5 @ 03/03/08 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pjv31


	Are you running it in 1080? It might be optimized to run at 720p just like the show. If you run the show in 1080 the fps drops to 30.

Yeah, I have been. I'm going to switch down now. Hopefully that helps.

# 219 ehh @ 03/03/08 07:08 PM

Ugh, the FPS thing is definitely going to be annoying. Does it still lag like crazy when throwing the ball across the diamond?

# 220 Hoos @ 03/03/08 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damanjinx


	This is a Big problem and i was worried about this, if this game runs that bad i will not be getting the game the low FPS in last years ruined it for me, if theres the ocassional hicup i wont mind but not running that low. Wasnt it in a interview that he said it would not dip below 50fps i mean 25fps is HUGE DROP. is it really that bad Kiz?

I've always wondered this, but how in the world can you tell exactly how many FPS a game is running at?? Is there something I'm missing?? I know that it affects the smoothness of animations and it would be easy to see it being sluggish or smooth but how can someone/anyone tell exact FPS??

I'm not arguing what you said or trying to be an ***. I'm seriously curious on how the exact number is being derived....especially for us, the gamers ???????????????????????????????

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