MLB 2K9 News Post

Major League Baseball 2K9 Developer Diary: Franchise

01:15 AM - February 19, 2009 by Steve_OS

Hey everyone, my name is Erick Boenisch and I am the Lead Feature Designer here at 2K Sports. Many of you may be familiar with my work in NBA 2K’s The Association mode. I’m here today to talk to you about the exciting changes we have made with MLB 2K9’s Franchise mode.

As many of you already know, MLB 2K9 is now being developed at our Visual Concepts studio. This is the same studio that has been responsible for bringing you the NFL 2K and NBA 2K franchises. As a new developer taking over the game, I was presented with the unique opportunity of making a major transformation to the game’s aging Franchise mode. And make a major change we did; we decided to build to the Franchise mode from the ground up. That’s a big statement to make, and I’ll go into those details momentarily. First, I want everyone to understand our philosophy on MLB 2K9’s Franchise mode. We’re looking to create the deepest franchise mode on the market, while still making it very accessible for casual gamers who want to play a season with their favorite team. Ultimately, I believe franchise modes shouldn’t only be for the hard-core gamer, they should be for everyone to enjoy.

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Member Comments

# 61 Alai @ 02/23/09 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingdevin


	anyone know what fielding cam options are available this year

Just one. Aerial.

# 62 JBH3 @ 02/23/09 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixthgradetyrant


	Feature set and player progression are two key elements that make up the lifeblood of franchise mode. Great news. The other essential ingredient is CPU-created prospects/rookies. This, for me, has rarely if ever been done correctly by any game. How will the generated prospects hold up in the game? How will the game look 10 years into franchise mode? No mention of that in the write up does not bode well...

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoxFan01605


	I wouldn't really call that a tell-tale sign or anything. Most reviewers/previewers don't think to dive that far in because the average game won't either. That's not to say I wouldn't like to know this as well. I'm also one who likes to move things forward in a franchise a bit and get multiple years. Hopefully the reworked progression will play into the generated prospects proper development as well. Editing options (if they're sufficient) and CPU roster control should be able to help with this as well if there are any quirks.

I do believe that this years franchise will be a step in the right direction.

However, temper your expectations on certain things.

For instance SIM stats...NBA 2K has some whacky sim stats. Mostly when it comes to PPG and RPG. You're lucky to see the leading league scorer over 24 ppg, and the leading rebounder over 11 boards a game.

MLB2K might suffer a similar fate.

I never had an issue w/ the progression of prospects for the NBA 2K series...You could really beef up guys too given the development drills you could put them through, or the offseason camps you could send them to.

Didn't they say Spring Break was in? Was there any mention about development drills too? I can't remember.

My biggest want for franchise are injury sliders similar to NBA 2K titles. One for frequency and severity.

The biggest issue for me is to see pitchers get injured. To the tune that at almost any given point you should be able to look at any teams disabled list, and find at least on injured pitcher.

Not to sound crass, but I want to see torn labrums, shredded up elbows; real injuries to pitchers other than pithcer X gets hit by a line drive, pitcher X now suffers a bruised knee, concussion, blah blah blah.

# 63 milkman41 @ 02/23/09 10:00 AM

My only concerns about the game are the injuries and the draft - I want a realistic baseball draft, I don't want players being drafted and then being 90OVR and starting for their teams on opening day, damnit, thats why I could never get past a season or two in 2k8, it was infuriating. But yeah, injuries too, I had to intentionally injure my players sometimes just to have to deal with injuries. I want injuries, I want to see if Ive constructed a deep ballclub or not, thats part of the fun.

# 64 JBH3 @ 02/23/09 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman41


	My only concerns about the game are the injuries and the draft - I want a realistic baseball draft, I don't want players being drafted and then being 90OVR and starting for their teams on opening day, damnit, thats why I could never get past a season or two in 2k8, it was infuriating. But yeah, injuries too, I had to intentionally injure my players sometimes just to have to deal with injuries. I want injuries, I want to see if Ive constructed a deep ballclub or not, thats part of the fun.

Agree 110%.

# 65 BamaBoy88 @ 02/24/09 08:45 PM

Can't wait to start a franchise with next seasons champs the Chicago Cubs.

# 66 DC @ 03/17/09 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SimBaller


	When I say you have control over all 30 teams, you are making every decision for every team. That includes trading, player re-signing in the offseason, dealing with injuries, etc. As for uniform selection in franchise, you can put either team in whatever uniform you want (including home uniforms when they are away and vice-versa).

Please make sure this is in NBA 2k10

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