MLB 2K8 interview

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 2:54 pm

I'm going to try to use some music off my 360 HD and import into the game tonight.

Gangrel · Post by **Gangrel** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 3:12 pm

I keep struggling with hitting. AFter I thought I had "it", I then went some games where I couldn't hit at all. Then finally near the end of another beating, I got "it" again, realizing the best step timing is just BEFORE the pitcher is releasing the ball, not AS he's releasing the ball.

I also need to stop swinging at everything, but I find every year I go through the same thing with baseball games........

Oh, and once i start my REAL franchise (once the opening day rosters come out) I think I might have to turn on the "CPU won't trade anyone rated over 80", as I'm a month into one now, and Carl Pavano was traded for some guy I can't remember who, but worth far less then the $10 million Pavano is getting.

It makes me think these kinds of trades will be common, such as seeing Crosby being traded in NHL2k8.....

GameSeven · Post by **GameSeven** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 3:56 pm

Gangrel wrote:Oh, and once i start my REAL franchise (once the opening day rosters come out) I think I might have to turn on the "CPU won't trade anyone rated over 80", as I'm a month into one now, and Carl Pavano was traded for some guy I can't remember who, but worth far less then the $10 million Pavano is getting.

That's OK. As a Yankees fan, I'd trade Pavano for any player with a pulse. Actually, Ill take that back, the pulse is optional. This guy has been the biggest mistake in Brian Cashman's career. The team offered to drop him and re-sign him to a minor league contract just to clear his roster spot and he refused. I'm sure they'd accept any trade for him...

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 4:11 pm

Gangrel wrote:I keep struggling with hitting. AFter I thought I had "it", I then went some games where I couldn't hit at all. Then finally near the end of another beating, I got "it" again, realizing the best step timing is just BEFORE the pitcher is releasing the ball, not AS he's releasing the ball.

I also need to stop swinging at everything, but I find every year I go through the same thing with baseball games........

Oh, and once i start my REAL franchise (once the opening day rosters come out) I think I might have to turn on the "CPU won't trade anyone rated over 80", as I'm a month into one now, and Carl Pavano was traded for some guy I can't remember who, but worth far less then the $10 million Pavano is getting.

It makes me think these kinds of trades will be common, such as seeing Crosby being traded in NHL2k8.....

Yes, you should pull back the stick right before the pitcher releases the ball. I love this as when a new pitcher comes in with a different delivery, it throws you off somewhat at the beginning.

I'm definitely turning on the CPU won't trade anyone rated over 80 when I start my franchise.

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 4:24 pm

MizzouRah wrote:I'm going to try to use some music off my 360 HD and import into the game tonight.

there are a lot of threads on OS about importing the same walk up music that those players actually use. If it's not too difficult, I might try that at some point. Would be a pretty cool feature if it works.

pigpen81 · Post by **pigpen81** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 6:14 pm

Gangrel wrote:I keep struggling with hitting. AFter I thought I had "it", I then went some games where I couldn't hit at all. Then finally near the end of another beating, I got "it" again, realizing the best step timing is just BEFORE the pitcher is releasing the ball, not AS he's releasing the ball.

Sounds just like hitting in real life

Gangrel · Post by **Gangrel** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 6:17 pm

Tell me about it, i have zero power in my softball swing!

greggsand · Post by **greggsand** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 10:36 pm

Finally got this today. I LOVE the pitching in this game. It took a few games, but it's great once u get the hang of it. I esp dig how to can't "take any pitches off". In 'button pitching', you can just "point & press" the button & get away with a few things. The new mechanic makes you really focus on what you're doing - and if your pitcher isn't that great, you really have to work it. Good stuff.

Gangrel · Post by **Gangrel** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 10:53 pm

I have yet to win a game, but I'm impressed by the variety of my losses.

I used Shawn Hill one game and was dominating, holding the Braves scoreless thru 6 (and earning my first card!) before giving up a solo HR and eventually losing 2-0.

The next turn through the rotation, I was using Hill again, against the Mets, and they almost hit around in the first inning, with me giving up 2 walks!

I think by the 4th inning I was at 80 pitches!

It was cool to see that some games the hitters just "get it", hitting singles and dobules, while other games are homer fests, and others are scratching runs across.

Once I hit consistently, maybe I can finally win one!

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 10:58 pm

finally played my first game with the FULL game....

The full game plays a lot better than the demo. The strike zone seems tighter and after I adjusted down all the "AI Throw Strikes" sliders...I am getting a realistic percentage of balls/strikes. I LOVE the "wide-zoom" camera for hitting and am switching between the arial or the pole for fielding.
The arial is a little tough for fielding in the infield. But it makes the game feel "fresh" with the new camera perspective. I log out of my XBL profile and get ZERO stutter....no problem there.

My main issue after just one game on ALLSTAR is that it was a HR Fest. Me (braves) hit 3 and the AI (Mets) hit about 6 HR's. I will lower the power sliders and that should help....but that is my only gripe so far. Are ypu guys seeing lots of HR's?

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 10:59 pm

fresh review on OS:
http://www.operationsports.com/review.php?id=407[url][/url]

kicko · Post by **kicko** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 11:49 pm

that review was junk.. All the issues he had were crashes, audio, and framerate.

I have played about 30 games and personally not one crash, I know it could but if it happens that often then i think his dvd drive is reading poorly or something.

the audio is not the best but i never said to myself this sucks! i hate it.

the framerate is semi fixed and the patch is coming.

Odd thing is he actually says he liked the game play and new controls, Isn't that the important stuff?

This is 2k people you have to deal with some bugs

Looking past those small things, which is pretty easy if you ask me, then is game is pretty enjoyable.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 12:22 am

kicko wrote:This is 2k people you have to deal with some bugs Looking past those small things, which is pretty easy if you ask me, then is game is pretty enjoyable.

I find it sad that if you look back at all the good games from 2K that aren't shelved, few of them are bug free.

When you compare their end product to EA's end product and you have a company that either can't pay attention to detail or doesn't want because of reasons unknown to us.

I look back at games like FIFA, Madden, MVP, and others -- what I don't see are games that have a series of bugs like 2K's games. EA Games are not bug free and generally have glaring AI issues but they are highly polished.

I don't think in the next generation of gaming, that we should have too fiddle with camera angles and sound to get a smooth game. They know when they go gold this is a problem and they also know that the online capabilities allow them to release with problems but hit their projected release dates.

It seems the company needs a bit more discipline in their games.

Anyway, this is a long way of saying, I think many people aren't going to look past the graphical hiccups to find a good game. This isn't like HH where you had to look past the poor graphics to find a good baseball game. Now, these glitches get in the way of a decent baseball title.

Gangrel · Post by **Gangrel** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 8:01 am

JackB1 wrote: My main issue after just one game on ALLSTAR is that it was a HR Fest. Me (braves) hit 3 and the AI (Mets) hit about 6 HR's. I will lower the power sliders and that should help....but that is my only gripe so far. Are ypu guys seeing lots of HR's?

I have games where the AI will hit 2 or 3, usually on bad pitches by me. But I see more games where there is either none, or only one, so I wouldn't base any slider tweaks on just one game.

I'm finding with a lot of sliders on default, there is variation in the games I play. The only sliders I've touched so far are the AI ptiching, step influence, and the perceived pitch speed (because I have crappy reflexes!)

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 8:35 am

I am playing on Pro with mostly default sliders and do not see a ton of HR's.

What I have noticed, though, is you really have to be careful with the next few batters after you give up a HR as I have had numerous instances where the CPU has gone back-to-back. Detroit hit 3 in a row off of me.

Gurantsu · Post by **Gurantsu** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 10:17 am

I've seen that also. I guess the pitcher gets rattled. Although sometimes the catchers choice of location following a HR is less than optimal. I make sure to take a breath and take my time after serving one up.

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 10:46 am

What difficulty level are you guys all playing on?

I tried my 1st game on AS and gave up 7 HR's and then tried
the second on PRO and didn't give up as many HR's but lost by over 10 runs.

I am thinking I am not getting enough "effectiveness" in my pitches. The manual says maximum effectiveness is right when you see the "flash", which is right at the outer edge of the circle. Problem is, you have to be really quick after that, with your gesture and release, because the meter swings back so fast. I practiced some more in the tutorial and I was able to let the meter go further and still hit the release point OK. I also think I was throwing too many strikes and not "setting up" the hitters enough.

I think I am going to stay at PRO (default, except lower all the "AI Throw Strikes" sliders) until I can win consistently.

I am really liking this game so far. When I play with the "Arial Cam", it feels fresh. Also, does anyone see a difference between "Wide" and Wide-Zoom" for hitting camera? I dont see any difference in those 2.

Gangrel · Post by **Gangrel** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 10:48 am

I reselect my catcher's targets a lot of the time. I usually stick with it, as nibbling the corners is ending up in enough walks to be realistic, but when they want a high slider or a belt high fastball to a power hitter, it makes me wonder what crack Lo Duca is smoking!

When it happens on a payoff pitch, i cancel the payoff pitch and just re-pick a safer spot.....

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 11:12 am

Gangrel wrote:I reselect my catcher's targets a lot of the time. I usually stick with it, as nibbling the corners is ending up in enough walks to be realistic, but when they want a high slider or a belt high fastball to a power hitter, it makes me wonder what crack Lo Duca is smoking!

When it happens on a payoff pitch, i cancel the payoff pitch and just re-pick a safer spot.....

How do u "cancel" the payoff pitch? If I click the left stick, he just keeps putting down the same sign over and over???

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 11:19 am

When someone finds a way to unlock all of the stadiums, teams, legends etc., please let us know. With a wifey and two kids, I don't have hours upon hours of time to get points, or whatever, to unlock these things, but would certainly like to play as them.

How do you guys feel about this? I wish they would just give us the option to use these extras without the hoop jumping.

Gangrel · Post by **Gangrel** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 11:24 am

JackB1 wrote: How do u "cancel" the payoff pitch? If I click the left stick, he just keeps putting down the same sign over and over???

To cancel the payoff pitch, hit B on the 360.

To respot the catcther, aim the cursor where you want it to go, and hit A.

Clicking the Left Stick just makes the catcher re-issue the sign and location again I think, which is useful if you turn off the pitch overlay (RT I think) and are playing hardcore, read the signs, as the catcher really does, well, give the signs!

icvu42 · Post by **icvu42** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 11:43 am

Pete wrote:When someone finds a way to unlock all of the stadiums, teams, legends etc., please let us know. With a wifey and two kids, I don't have hours upon hours of time to get points, or whatever, to unlock these things, but would certainly like to play as them.

How do you guys feel about this? I wish they would just give us the option to use these extras without the hoop jumping.

I couldn't agree more. I paid $60 for the damn game I should get to use all the features.

Rick

Gurantsu · Post by **Gurantsu** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 12:21 pm

Have a good game going from this morning, had to save it to get lunch for me and my son, I'll get to finish it later. My Nats are playing the Cubbies at home. I'm trailing 4-2 going into the bottom of the 9th. I bring in Wily Mo Pena to pinch hit, as he was on the bench up to this point being rested. He belts a 2-run pinch hit homer to tie it up! Very cool. Now the bullben shuffle starts as I try to get guys warmed up and keep better hitters coming up to the plate. You can really feel the difference between the good and bad teams. I'm comfortable when playing the Marlins, but when playing the Mets or Cubs (both division leaders in my game) I really have to concentrate and stay on top of my game. Let your guard down for a second and you will get hammered.

Jack, we all were getting shelled at first, it took me a couple of days before I found my rhythm with pitching and hitting. I'm playing on pro at the moment, and the only slider I adjusted was to make the AI throw a few more balls.

The only bad thing is my HDE TV took a dump on me, so I'm back to my standard definition one until they come out to fix it in a couple of weeks. Boo! Of course, at least my frame rate is good!

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 3:43 pm

JackB1 wrote: Also, does anyone see a difference between "Wide" and Wide-Zoom" for hitting camera? I dont see any difference in those 2.

They both start in the same place, but there is a zoom-in motion when the pitch comes in in the -zoom camera options.

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 4:44 pm

Well I'll probably finally pick this one up this Friday.

Sounds like it takes a while to get use to, but once you do, people are really enjoying the game.