MLB 2K12 News Post

MLB 2K12 Not Phoning It In, But Will We See MLB 2K13?

07:37 PM - February 11, 2012 by Hajmyis

Kotaku's Owen Good sat down with Mark Little, Senior Producer of MLB 2K12, as they discuss some of the new tools in this years game. Owen also gives his thoughts on whether we will see another 2K Sports baseball game.

Quote:


	In last year's game, we weren't getting enough of the hit types we usually see in baseball," Little, the game's senior producer, tells me. The designers wanted to introduce more of these kinds of outcomes�early swings on outside pitches that actually pull the ball, inside-out swings and the like�but wanted to be sure they happened with the appropriate frequency. So Little and his lead engineer built this tool, which simulates the outcomes in bulk and helps them refine the game's physics. Little clicks a button and, with a whooshing sound effect, the screen becomes a spray of arcs, like a fireworks finale caught in mid-explosion. A pitch outside still strongly goes to the opposite field, but with the better contact rating, more go to the center of the diamond and some even to left field. "We were unhappy with the dice roll," Little says, using the term for the background calculation the game made in determining where and how hard the ball would be hit.

Game: Major League Baseball 2K12 Reader Score: 6.5/10 - Vote Now
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Member Comments

# 1 LastActionHero @ 02/11/12 07:57 PM

Good read. Interesting facts were brought up and makes an interesting but at the same time uncertain future for (Xbox 360) baseball gamers.

# 2 dodgerblue @ 02/11/12 08:18 PM

"Little was showing me the hitting outcomes tool to demonstrate that Visual Concepts wasn't phoning it in on a foregone conclusion this is the last game for MLB 2K. Little and his lead engineer built this tool and another, over the course of about six months"

Now that's the kind of thing I like to read and gives me hope for the way this game will play!

# 3 bigfnjoe96 @ 02/11/12 08:19 PM

Quote:


	Little was showing me the hitting outcomes tool to demonstrate that Visual Concepts wasn't phoning it in on a foregone conclusion this is the last game for MLB 2K. Little and his lead engineer built this tool and another, over the course of about six months, beginning work on it right after MLB 2K11 shipped last March.

I'm glad to hear Owen talk mention this. It shows VC didn't just mail-it in knowing this maybe the end of the road.

# 4 rudyjuly2 @ 02/12/12 06:26 AM

That was a really good read. The part I liked the most was about increasing the hit types.

Quote:


	In last year's game, we weren't getting enough of the hit types we usually see in baseball," Little, the game's senior producer, tells me. The designers wanted to introduce more of these kinds of outcomes—early swings on outside pitches that actually pull the ball, inside-out swings and the like—but wanted to be sure they happened with the appropriate frequency. So Little and his lead engineer built this tool, which simulates the outcomes in bulk and helps them refine the game's physics. Little clicks a button and, with a whooshing sound effect, the screen becomes a spray of arcs, like a fireworks finale caught in mid-explosion. A pitch outside still strongly goes to the opposite field, but with the better contact rating, more go to the center of the diamond and some even to left field.

I really felt that was the one poor direction 2K11 went in last year. The hitting system was far too rigid - every outside pitch was hit to the opposite field. It seems they are tweaking that and this is an area where I have to see how the demo plays. I want the absurd number of opposite field HRs toned down. The vast majority of HRs in baseball are pulled - there is no disputing this - and it's completely the opposite in 2K11.

What I don't quite understand is why the contact rating has to be higher to pull an outside pitch. Power guys will creep/cheat in to pull those outside pitches for HRs. That's why chin music was invented - to keep them more honest. I know the ability to move the batter around the box has been removed from baseball games for quite some time but I can't help but think we need a subtle addition to this area to allow a little more strategy and prevent users from just pitching outside all day long. Currently the only penalty the game has for pitching outside is allowing a crazy number of opposite field HRs.

I'd love to have an option where a user could select "cheat outside" and allow the user to shift his batter's strike zone over 1/2 a zone or a full zone to get more outside coverage but remove a little inside plate coverage. That would force the user to pitch inside more. Either way, I really grew to dislike last year's hitting model and it's the biggest detriment to me buying 2K12. It still sounds too rigid though.

# 5 Paulinho @ 02/12/12 08:11 AM

I plan to give this game a try but i am kinda worried it will be a bad purchase. I usually buy The Show but i recently sold my PS3 leaving me with only a 360. I have a few questions for those who have played both...

1. I hate the fielding in The Show, just simply hate it. I always felt MVP Baseball had the best fielding gameplay, how does 2k compare to The Show/MVP?

2. I enjoy playing GM and simming seasons, building my minors and downloading fully loaded minor league rosters from the fellas over on The Show board. Will i be able to do that in 2K? Is simming years into career mode realistic like The Show or pure garbage like NBA 2k12?

# 6 rudyjuly2 @ 02/12/12 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paulinho


	1. I hate the fielding in The Show, just simply hate it. I always felt MVP Baseball had the best fielding gameplay, how does 2k compare to The Show/MVP?

Mixed bag here. 2K implemented an outfield fly ball system that has less suction and makes it more interesting and I liked it. But the infield still has a lot of suction although I don't mind it. Furthermore, there were very, very few fielding errors in 2K11. Also, if you kept your meter in the green you NEVER made a throwing error. Once you got used to the system every throw was in the green. Overall fielding was bad in 2K11 imo. I hope this was fixed for 2K12.

# 7 lnin0 @ 02/12/12 01:11 PM

If you add it up it does indeed sound like the end of MLB2K

and maybe MLB on the 360, period.

# 8 queensbomber @ 02/12/12 01:57 PM

I dont think it will be the end of MLB on 360 period...Someone will end up making a game for the 360 or maybe that good old MLB videogame competition will be back like in the early 2000's when we had a slew of games to choose from.
Either someone will get the exclusive rights again or everyone will be in on making games. I doubt its the latter but we'll see. Technology wise its a great time to make baseball games but just like everything else in this country, competition is going down the drain.

# 9 jeffy777 @ 02/12/12 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bosnian19


	swing button? i thought on 2k you could only hit with the analog?

No, there's classic button controls too.

# 10 jimmyl008 @ 02/12/12 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peigone


	For button hitting, the check swing works PERFECTLY FINE. Push the swing button as the pitcher is winding up and then -- very important here -- push it quickly again BEFORE he releases the ball. The 2K devs DID NOT mess it up like everyone says, they simply designed 2K11 for the psychically adroit.

Not only do you have to press the button insanely quickly (or pull the stick back on analog), but even if the swing is checked all pitches are called strikes. Even those clearly far from the zone. Maybe by MLB 2K15 we'll have a working check swing mechanism.

# 11 Hajmyis @ 02/12/12 06:48 PM

Why do all threads get off topic. Back to what the article was taking about, it good see that VC is not calling it in. And IMO they not renew the contract but will have a 2k13 and we won't see EA join in intill 2014

# 12 dodgerblue @ 02/12/12 07:05 PM

I think whether 2k13 gets made will depend on how well 2k12 sells and how much competition there may be next year.

If the MLB license is open to more than one 3rd party game maker, then I would think 2k still will have a leg up on any of the competition in that they have been making baseball games on the next gen systems for several years. Even EA or another game co. would only be in the first year and likely be behind in production.

Also, if there is no exclusive license (not saying there won't be, but just in theory) 2k could continue to make a game and be more profitable in '13 and beyond because they won't have the licence as part of the costs of making the series.

So unless someone else steps up and buys exclusivity with MLB (EA possibly?) I can see the 2k series continuing.

# 13 metal134 @ 02/12/12 08:24 PM

I don't think there will be a 2K13. I think that Take-Two would still be open to making another game, but the only way Take-Two makes an 2K13 is without an exclusive license and it seems the MLBPA doesn't want that.

# 14 truintellectplaya @ 02/13/12 12:07 AM

One of the better reads I have seen from this site in some time. Sounds like this is the end to me, but on the other hand, if 2K has hurt the baseball market by having such a bad product to the point the MLB may not want to deal with them, I don't see why the same does not go for the football market and the owners of it. The general gaming public is saying they want something other than 2K baseball and something other than football games made by the people that make them.

# 15 DetroitStyle @ 02/13/12 11:45 AM

I think the scariest thing about this article and 2K's baseball future is a lack of post-release support. Just like the NHL series died off with a single, late-coming, patch that only went to the 360 and not PS3. I can see the same thing happening. Unless the game sells like hot cakes this year I think their mind is already made up. Which means once the game hits shelves the developers are going to pack it in and leave us hanging should a patch be desperately needed.

# 16 Cardot @ 02/13/12 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peigone


	The NFL is reportedly very happy with Madden, and it's expected they will gladly continue their exclu$ive partner$hip with EA for year$ to come.

I agree. I just can't see Roger Godell and Bob Kraft battling each other in Madden and saying, "Hey, the line interaction in this game isn't as good as it should be, lets explore what other developers out there might be able to do it better". I would guess MLB is the same...just looking for the highest bidder.

# 17 buckeyedawgtribe @ 02/13/12 04:47 PM

I personally dont care if this is the last in the installment. As long as it is a good game I can deal with 2K share roster updates for two years until the next gen systems come out..I could understand for the die hard baseball fans how this could be a killer for them. Each year I tell myself I am gonna buy a PS3 just for the show but I can never bring myself to do it.

# 18 truintellectplaya @ 02/13/12 05:21 PM

I will definitely buy it, and I imagine a lot of people will also with this bundle thing. It is the last edition though. When you bundle a game you basically are admitting it can not stand alone and be profitable or that it would be more profitable if attached to some other game. I could be wrong, but that is just how I see it.

# 19 truintellectplaya @ 02/13/12 05:24 PM

By the way, we live in a world where things always get blown out of proportion rather positive or negative and even more with the negative. Saying that, I would not doubt that people will be saying how improved the last edition of MLB 2K was 5 years from now rather it is or is not. Live, watch, and learn.

# 20 SoxFan01605 @ 02/17/12 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kpkpkp


	Check swings are completely bugged in 2K11. They always result in a strike, how can you say 2K did not mess this up? Have you ever succesfully checked your swing and been rewared a ball? Even once? Sure... check swings are possible... you are able to do it. Thats not the problem. The problem lies with the Umpire being bugged... in 2K11 Umpires always call a "strike" even when you succeed in holding up on a pitch outside the zone. This effectively means check swings are bugged and therefore useless. Go ahead, try checking your swing. See if you EVER get a ball. And then post the video of yourself doing it on Youtube and I will give you $100 through PayPal. They NEED to fix check swings for 2K12. If check swings dont work in the demo Im not wasting $60 on this game.

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