MLB 2K8 News Post

Three Point Thursdays: Major League Baseball 2K8

02:10 PM - February 28, 2008 by RaychelSnr

Matt Blumenthal from Operation Sports has posted his inagural Three Point Thursday article which discusses what he discovered in his early look at the game.

"MLB 2K8 taps into the right analog stick’s potential in ways that no baseball game has before. The new pitching mechanic employs the right analog stick which allows you to come closer than ever to feeling as if you’re pitching in the majors -- or the playable minor leagues the game also boasts. Each pitch type has a unique motion (or “gesture”) and divides the windup and delivery into three parts, represented visually on the screen."

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

Member Comments

# 1 ehh @ 02/28/08 02:13 PM

Quote:


	While complicated in theory, these mechanics take only a few pitches to learn and give you more input and feedback than ever before. The controls bring a greater sense of authenticity to a game that already has solid presentation. The new pitching stays fresh with a different challenge every game as the exact gesture depends on the pitch type and the handedness of the pitcher, while the speed of the moving circle varies based on the pitcher’s windup, stamina, and composure.

That is awesome, similar to sig-style jumpshot timing in 2K's bball games with additional variables.

EDIT: I also didn't know the R-Stick would control throwing in the field as well, that's very cool. Beats using pressing the four face buttons and will hopefully lead to more variety.

# 2 bigfnjoe96 @ 02/28/08 02:24 PM

I am really looking forward to the NEW Total Control Analog System. I kept hearing the REALISM from Matt, which always a good thing..

# 3 boomhauertjs @ 02/28/08 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scott4171


	I work from home. I checked out the marketplace. Spiderwalk Chronicles was the only demo up. Now they took that down and it seems like they maybe be updating today. Lets see if we get MLB 2k8 today or tomorrow.

Hmmm, could be good news. Nice catch Scott.

# 4 Blzer @ 02/28/08 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehh


	That is awesome, similar to sig-style jumpshot timing in 2K's bball games with additional variables. EDIT: I also didn't know the R-Stick would control throwing in the field as well, that's very cool. Beats using pressing the four face buttons and will hopefully lead to more variety.

The only problem with the R-stick is for us people with HDTV lag (or "ghosting"). I sure hope this isn't too big of a problem.

# 5 pistonpete @ 02/28/08 02:36 PM

its good that the stick maneuvers change with the handedness of the pitcher. IDK that. also, the fact that every pitcher on a team doesn't have the same repertoire means there will be a challenge every game. these two things, not to mention the analog throwing interface as well as other things 2K has, like switching to baserunner, make this game fun to play. its not a strict sim but still fun and fresh. Come on now, MS and Sony get that demo up!!!!

pete

# 6 ehh @ 02/28/08 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blzer


	The only problem with the R-stick is for us people with HDTV lag (or "ghosting"). I sure hope this isn't too big of a problem.

At the start it will be but I think after a while you'll get a hang of it so you don't even need to look at the throw meter ala MVP.

# 7 GnarlyKing @ 02/28/08 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scott4171


	I work from home. I checked out the marketplace. Spiderwalk Chronicles was the only demo up. Now they took that down and it seems like they maybe be updating today. Lets see if we get MLB 2k8 today or tomorrow.

If you're talking about the new arrivals section, items only stay in there for a set period of time. Taking something down doesn't necessarily mean they're getting ready to put something else up. Sometimes there are several demos in there when lots of them are being put up, some times there are none for a while during slow times.

# 8 lived @ 02/28/08 04:21 PM

It's come to the point where Information is just not exciting anymore. WE NEED THE DEMO

# 9 HealyMonster @ 02/28/08 04:35 PM

I cant wait to see "five point friday"

# 10 123456dan @ 02/28/08 04:35 PM

Very good read with some new info, and it's really encouraging that he enjoyed the game. One thing i wasn't aware of is that for dives, you have to actually be in the right spot with good timing rather than hitting it when you feel and relying on an animation.

# 11 RedLine @ 02/28/08 05:10 PM

Nice article, thanks.

I noticed that dives are performed with the R trigger too but there is no mention of jumping other that it's automatic if you are in the right place at the wall in the outfield. I didn't like the sound of this, I thought we would still have to do something to climb the wall or jump for it.

Looking at the screenshots for controls posted today, there is no mention of jumping either. So is the R trigger context sensitive so that if the shortstop wants to leap to catch a ball you can use the R trigger?

Thanks for any clarification.

# 12 rjdtex @ 02/28/08 05:40 PM

Matt,

Why would you write an article about features that everyone on this site already knows about. You are dealing with an audience that knows nearly every facet of the game already. Give us some specifics about the game or don't write about anything at all. It's a nice idea to have a regular feature, however, you should consider whether or not your article adds to what has already been a lengthy conversation on OS.

Change is great, but please don't just pile on to the ever mounting pile of poor PR that is the game industry.

Also, if you want to see a great article concerning this game then you need to check out Jeff Robinson at Gametap. I understand you have a theme of "Three point Thursdays" which is great, I guess, but you need to bring the originality man.

Ciao

# 13 Blzer @ 02/28/08 06:05 PM

He might as well have called him "Mark".

# 14 bigfnjoe96 @ 02/28/08 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blzer


	He might as well have called him "Mark".

...

# 15 Heelfan71 @ 02/28/08 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjdtex


	Matt, Why would you write an article about features that everyone on this site already knows about. You are dealing with an audience that knows nearly every facet of the game already. Give us some specifics about the game or don't write about anything at all. It's a nice idea to have a regular feature, however, you should consider whether or not your article adds to what has already been a lengthy conversation on OS. Change is great, but please don't just pile on to the ever mounting pile of poor PR that is the game industry. Also, if you want to see a great article concerning this game then you need to check out Jeff Robinson at Gametap. I understand you have a theme of "Three point Thursdays" which is great, I guess, but you need to bring the originality man. Ciao

Why would your write a long post of nothing but crying, something OS already knows about. You are dealing with an audience that has heard every complaint possible. It's a nice idea to whine about free info, however, you should consider whether or not your crying adds to what has already been a lengthy cry session on OS.

Change is great but please don't just pile onto the ever mounting pile of whining on a message board.

Also, if you want to see something great, check out Blzer's swing video clip. I understand you have a theme of "crying when you don't get something you want", which is great, I guess, but you need to bring some originality when you whine on OS

# 16 Blzer @ 02/28/08 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heelfan71


	Also, if you want to see something great, check out Blzer's swing video clip.

I mean you can't say I wasn't heard.

MLB 2K6

# 17 Sully @ 02/28/08 06:23 PM

The analog pitching and throwing controls sound similar to what was used in the NCAA MVP series. How do they compare?

# 18 Blzer @ 02/28/08 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sully


	The analog pitching and throwing controls sound similar to what was used in the NCAA MVP series. How do they compare?

Analog throwing is probably a direct rip. Maybe a different overhead graphic and some subtle differences in coding, but the exact same idea.

Pitching is quite different. In fact, pitching in MLB 2K8 is much closer to MLB 2K7 than MVP NCAA Baseball. Think of the same ol' "hold as it grows for more effort, then time your execution properly as the reticule shrinks for maximum accuracy." The main difference here is how the pitch is executed, however. You've seen what it looks like I assume, so basically each pitch has its unique "windup" and "wrist snap". This is not the case in MVP. In MVP, you do your pull back with the right stick, and based on how far inside/outside you're pitching it will determine how far to the left or right you'll launch that right stick forward. The interface sort of looks like a curved trapezoid, getting fatter at the top (where you locate). In MLB 2K8, you also have full control of where you're attempting to locate in both height and width (?), and your execution should be the same every time depending on what pitch you throw.

I don't really know if that made sense. I guess we can just look at the gameplay videos of both games and compare.

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Three Point Thursdays: Major League Baseball 2K8