MLB 2K11 News Post

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

02:41 PM - January 14, 2011 by jeffy777

2K Sports just posted their first MLB 2K11 developer insight. Not a lot of information here, just marketing looking back at MLB 2K10.

Quote:


	"Traditionally speaking, our Developer Insights are written by a member of the development team. But this time around 2K Sports is kicking off the year with an update from marketing on the heels of announcing that we have brought back the $1 Million Perfect Game Challenge. My name is Mike Rhinehart and I am a senior brand manager at 2K Sports. I am fortunate enough to have been working on our sports lineup since the launch of the Dreamcast in 1999 (yes that makes me one of the salty, old marketing guys here) and I can say hands down, 2010 was my absolute favorite year in marketing for 2K Sports. Specifically, the MLB 2K10 Perfect Game Challenge was by far the craziest, most challenging and rewarding promotion that I have ever been a part of. And, I can say without a doubt, we could not have pulled this off without tremendous help from several groups of people. So many, that if I listed everyone involved it would take up a good portion of this diary, so I�ll leave it as a huge thank you to everyone involved in making this happen, including Twin Galaxies for being our third party judging entity and to everyone that participated in the challenge to make it the success that it was."

Game: Major League Baseball 2K11Reader Score: 5.5/10 - Vote Now
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Member Comments

# 1 BlackBetty15 @ 01/14/11 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffy777


	http://www.facebook.com/notes/mlb-2k...0/495451278193 Ummmmmm, not much of a "developer" insight at all.......and it tells us absolutely nothing about 2K11...

By far the most ridiculous and most disappointing insight EVER! LOL I mean, I dont know. The other game as we all know has given us more than enough info to make us riot over buying their product and the only thing we still have info on on mlb2k11 is the cover boy and few screenshots? Bad show...

# 2 Blzer @ 01/14/11 03:23 PM

I really, really want this company to succeed. They have to throw us a bone though. If this was the "info" for the weekend that Ronnie tweeted about, well... you know...

# 3 NINJAK2 @ 01/14/11 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffy777


	http://www.facebook.com/notes/mlb-2k...0/495451278193 Ummmmmm, not much of a "developer" insight at all.......and it tells us absolutely nothing about 2K11...

That insight = Huge Failure

# 4 Mercury112491 @ 01/14/11 03:28 PM

the responses on that page are priceless. All that is, is an advertisement for the stupid million dollar challange. I have always loved 2K and with the exception of baseball thought they made superior sports games to EA. But my patience with them is really thin at this point. I'm almost at the point where I hope they announce they won't renew their contract so that when the 2013 season comes around we'll have an MVP Baseball that EA has had 3 years to work on.

# 5 econoodle @ 01/14/11 03:28 PM

thats the insight?
I could have provided more insight about what he talked about.
2k man, 2k.
also, what was that an actual insight into? lol

plus i ove the part where he says 'hurry up and preorder'. With ZERO info revealed he wants people to preorder?

# 6 BigBlue @ 01/14/11 03:59 PM

This game has got to stop highlighting the good about the past (what little of it there was) and start delivering the goods for 2K11. We need major WOW factor. C'mon 2K, BLOW US AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BigBlue

# 7 Jamin23 @ 01/14/11 04:06 PM

I wasn't expecting this for the first insight.

# 8 Shakedowncapo @ 01/14/11 04:11 PM

This is setting up to be a tremendous year for 2K baseball.

# 9 PVarck31 @ 01/14/11 04:12 PM

What the........ You're better than this 2k.

# 10 GrandMaster B @ 01/14/11 04:20 PM

Pretty weak 2K...pretty weak

# 11 DJ @ 01/14/11 04:32 PM

2K, you've really got to step your game up. I know there's a lot of guys like myself that have been playing videogames for a long, long time and we want to see you succeed, but you've got to give us more -- a lot more -- than this.

# 12 DaveDQ @ 01/14/11 04:37 PM

They gave someone ONE MILLION DOLLARS! Does that not resonate some type of positive vibe among gamers?!? And they're doing it for a second year in a row! We know from not just MLB 2K, but also with NBA 2K, the Developer Insights are a strength with pre-release material. Why not make the first one a quick look back at what no other sports game has done before?

What in the hell have we become that we can't even appreciate things for what they are and not moan and groan our way around every single bit of information that these developers release? And I can't help but laugh at how so many talk about how wonderful NBA 2K is and how 2K has merely written MLB 2K off because "it's just not worth it." Do you not think 2K Sports, like they have with their more popular titles, has a deep concern about the quality of product they put out? Or, do you think there is this odd bi-polar disorder that kicks in when MLB Dev time kicks in?

There's a guy 1 million dollars richer and they'll be another this year. Being a part of that was probably very exciting. Being able to give that guy that much money and see him receive it was probably a highlight. Why not take a look back real quick before going deep into the insights?

# 13 Blzer @ 01/14/11 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveDQ


	There's a guy 1 million dollars richer and they'll be another this year. Being a part of that was probably very exciting. Being able to give that guy that much money and see him receive it was probably a highlight. Why not take a look back real quick before going deep into the insights?

I don't mind that, I'm just saying that Ronnie tweeted there would be more info this week. This shouldn't qualify as info, if this actually is what he was referring to.

Besides, it's all about questioning their schedule. They could have done this months ago, for all we are concerned. They do not want to lose customers at the helm for "showing lack of concern" for the customers. I understand the Internet crowd is a small bit of moving sales, but the important thing is tiding people over for all that I know. Having that feeling that this community is involved with the game even just a little bit really woos us in the end. For the past three years I haven't come close to getting that vibe from 2K or Ronnie. That's what I think most people are getting out of this Developer Insight.

# 14 DaveDQ @ 01/14/11 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blzer


	I don't mind that, I'm just saying that Ronnie tweeted there would be more info this week. This shouldn't qualify as info, if this actually is what he was referring to. Besides, it's all about questioning their schedule. They could have done this months ago, for all we are concerned. They do not want to lose customers at the helm for "showing lack of concern" for the customers. I understand the Internet crowd is a small bit of moving sales, but the important thing is tiding people over for all that I know. Having that feeling that this community is involved with the game even just a little bit really woos us in the end. For the past three years I haven't come close to getting that vibe from 2K or Ronnie. That's what I think most people are getting out of this Developer Insight.

Believe me, sometimes I question if Ronnie is a self-proclaimed 2K rep and they have no affiliation with him. My thing here though is if you look at the context of 2K's past Developer Insights, given the depth they offer there, it's fitting to have a quick look back at what they did with the $1M giveaway. That's now out of the way and they can focus on future insights.

You have to look at what they have to work with too. I thought 2K did exceptional with NBA 2K11's release. But even then many started with, "I sure hope the insights aren't all about Jordan." They weren't and the rest is history. I just don't see how touching on giving away $1M is something to be shaking our heads at and claiming 2K is oblivious.

# 15 chiodos @ 01/14/11 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveDQ


	They gave someone ONE MILLION DOLLARS! Does that not resonate some type of positive vibe among gamers?!? And they're doing it for a second year in a row! We know from not just MLB 2K, but also with NBA 2K, the Developer Insights are a strength with pre-release material. Why not make the first one a quick look back at what no other sports game has done before? What in the hell have we become that we can't even appreciate things for what they are and not moan and groan our way around every single bit of information that these developers release? And I can't help but laugh at how so many talk about how wonderful NBA 2K is and how 2K has merely written MLB 2K off because "it's just not worth it." Do you not think 2K Sports, like they have with their more popular titles, has a deep concern about the quality of product they put out? Or, do you think there is this odd bi-polar disorder that kicks in when MLB Dev time kicks in? There's a guy 1 million dollars richer and they'll be another this year. Being a part of that was probably very exciting. Being able to give that guy that much money and see him receive it was probably a highlight. Why not take a look back real quick before going deep into the insights?

You're really missing the point. If all they have to talk about first is the marketing side of this game, chances are it's gonna be as bad as it was last year. If they had fixed a lot of the problems and made substantial progress, the developer would be giddy with anticipation to let everyone know about all the new features. But alas, they want to try to swoon people into buying the game again this year with the hope they'll be the next one million dollar winner. Sad.

# 16 rudyjuly2 @ 01/14/11 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ


	2K, you've really got to step your game up. I know there's a lot of guys like myself that have been playing videogames for a long, long time and we want to see you succeed, but you've got to give us more -- a lot more -- than this.

2K just finds ways to annoy people that are trying to like the game. Let's face it, these dev blogs are for the hardcore and yet they suck. Where is the feature list, impressions, community day, etc? The Show is out there and impressing people with their changes and this is the first response? Give me a break.

You need to wow people early and at the end. That's what people remember most. Instead the company just whines about the money they are losing on the MLB deal and ignores us. I'm really unimpressed at this point.

# 17 NINJAK2 @ 01/14/11 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveDQ


	They gave someone ONE MILLION DOLLARS! Does that not resonate some type of positive vibe among gamers?!? And they're doing it for a second year in a row! We know from not just MLB 2K, but also with NBA 2K, the Developer Insights are a strength with pre-release material. Why not make the first one a quick look back at what no other sports game has done before? What in the hell have we become that we can't even appreciate things for what they are and not moan and groan our way around every single bit of information that these developers release? And I can't help but laugh at how so many talk about how wonderful NBA 2K is and how 2K has merely written MLB 2K off because "it's just not worth it." Do you not think 2K Sports, like they have with their more popular titles, has a deep concern about the quality of product they put out? Or, do you think there is this odd bi-polar disorder that kicks in when MLB Dev time kicks in? There's a guy 1 million dollars richer and they'll be another this year. Being a part of that was probably very exciting. Being able to give that guy that much money and see him receive it was probably a highlight. Why not take a look back real quick before going deep into the insights?

See your point Dave. It's great that they gave away a million bucks and will be doing it again but people want to hear info about this year's title. It's cool that people will get a chance to purchase a $60.00 lottery ticket, it would just be cool to know that if people don't win they won't just be stuck with a losing ticket and average game. It's still early and all but they need to be coming hard this year with game info.

# 18 rudyjuly2 @ 01/14/11 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveDQ


	Believe me, sometimes I question if Ronnie is a self-proclaimed 2K rep and they have no affiliation with him. My thing here though is if you look at the context of 2K's past Developer Insights, given the depth they offer there, it's fitting to have a quick look back at what they did with the $1M giveaway. That's now out of the way and they can focus on future insights. You have to look at what they have to work with too. I thought 2K did exceptional with NBA 2K11's release. But even then many started with, "I sure hope the insights aren't all about Jordan." They weren't and the rest is history. I just don't see how touching on giving away $1M is something to be shaking our heads at and claiming 2K is oblivious.

That's sort of our point about Ronnie. The guy talks big about releasing info and then the info is delayed or lame. He's as good at marketing as Lucy is as a holder for Charlie Brown and it's very annoying.

# 19 Solid-Hock @ 01/14/11 05:41 PM

You know, I really want to not hate this game, but 2K isn't giving me any reason to like it.

I would like to have two great baseball games this year, but I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

# 20 ryan36 @ 01/14/11 05:43 PM

Yeah, disappointing insight. I enjoyed the content but not as a "dev insight." I understand their reasons for opening with this, they just should've called it something else.

Also, I too wonder why they aren't hitting their features HARD. I mean, the competition has lifted the one thing that stood out about this game (control scheme, even though it's slightly different), and therefore , where I was thinking of buying only 2k11 this year, I'll probably stick with the competition even thought 2k11 wins in other areas.

They need to tell us something substantial about this game FAST, if they want to sell, at least to ps3 users.

Also, let's not turn this into "flame 2k11"...although I agree with Rudy; they do seem to simply find ways to irk people who are looking for ANY LITTLE reason to buy this game. Like me, I'm a baseball freak, when there were 4 games, out I'd buy 4. If 2k11 does at least one thing that's innovative/new, or that I liked in an older game, I'll probably buy it used later on.

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