MLB 2K8 interview

[JackB1]

I haven't really ever had the swing stick be non-responsive, but I have an issue with it in that I think it's too easy to make contact. Even lowering contact all the way, the bat still connects with the ball way too much. Sure, the quality of the resulting hits is lessened quite a bit, but the bat simply hits the ball far too much for my liking when I swing at pitches in the zone.

Absolutely agree with you on too many strikes. The way the umps call things strikes on the corners adds to the issue as well. Big negative, IMO.

I really haven't had the framerate affect me at all in the gameplay department, but it is certainly unpleasant to see.

You hit on most of the major issues I have with the game. The other big one is that I think your success (or lack of) with the pitching system has *too* much of an effect on how the CPU offense does. There should be some sort of balance. I know comparison's are frowned on in individual threads, but in the Show, you pretty much can't influence the cpu's output much at all with your pitching performance. The meter is too easy, and you aren't really punished that much if you miss. Classic pitching will get you more varied location results, but there you allow the cpu to locate for you. I'm also not even sure that pitch location matters all that much in The Show. Far more weight is based on your pitcher's stats.

In 2k8, on the other hand, it seems like almost everything is based on the player's performance with the pitching system. You screw up, and even scrubs will be going yard on you. I wish I got something in between the two systems, where the user had more impact than in the Show, but less than in 2k8. I feel like I'm pressing a button to view 100+ 5 second cutscenes when pitching in the Show, and yet I sometimes feel like I am playing an 'insert quarter' arcade machine with 2k8.

Web...you could raise up pitching speed to make it harder to make contact? Although it's relatively easy to make contact with proper timing, you really need to wait for good pitches to get quality hits and extra base hits. I like to use the 'batters eye" and try to wait for a pitch close to my hitters eye and crush it if it comes. I do this until I have 2 strikes. Ease of contact IS a con with this game, but raising pitching speed can help alleviate some of this. Also, raising the "AI Change Speeds" slider, will help to mess up your timing more and cause more misses.

About your pitching meter proficiency having too much impact on your success, that is something I really like! If I screw up, I WANT the AI to punish me for it. I think lowering the "Total Control" slider will reduce this, but so far I like the balance I have on PRO. I love how you have to concentrate on EVERY pitch (just like real life).

[webdanzer]

Web...you could raise up pitching speed to make it harder to make contact? Although it's relatively easy to make contact with proper timing, you really need to wait for good pitches to get quality hits and extra base hits. I like to use the 'batters eye" and try to wait for a pitch close to my hitters eye and crush it if it comes. I do this until I have 2 strikes. Ease of contact IS a con with this game, but raising pitching speed can help alleviate some of this. Also, raising the "AI Change Speeds" slider, will help to mess up your timing more and cause more misses.

These may help some as workarounds, Jack, but they still don't solve the issue of too much contact in the zone. Increasing pitch speed 'change speeds' would definitely lead to more swinging strikes, yep, but in the 'increased speed' case it would be at the expense of recognizing pitches in and out of the zone. (at least for me) I have pumped the change speeds slider up, though. And I agree with you that it is better to hit a 'good' pitch (close to the eye) in the zone than just any pitch in the zone. I think maybe player's abilities should come into play more here.

About your pitching meter proficiency having too much impact on your success, that is something I really like! If I screw up, I WANT the AI to punish me for it. I think lowering the "Total Control" slider will reduce this, but so far I like the balance I have on PRO. I love how you have to concentrate on EVERY pitch (just like real life).

I want the AI to punish my mistakes too, Jack, but I don't necessarily want Julio Lugo to be able to put as much hurt on me as David Ortiz or Manny Ramirez when I leave one up in the zone. Again, I just wish players stats had more of an impact than they do. Too much relies on the player, which deseredly gives the game more of an 'arcade' feel.

I freely admit that I'm asking for a lot, by the way, by looking for a balance of user input and player stats that gives me the exact balance to suit my tastes....

[GTHobbes]

Many thanks for the impressions, Dan. I haven't played the game yet, but I'd say the things you are seeing have less to do with graphics and more to do with the feeling that the developers just don't get the small things about baseball, the way that the Show's developers do. The fact that the Show's developers DO know the game of baseball is what I love most about their game...though this year's graphical upgrade is icing on a mighty fine cake.

I'm looking forward to giving 2k8 a try when things become less busy but, in the meantime, you're impressions have given me a better idea of what I'm missing.

[webdanzer]

No doubt that the Show pays more frequent and better attention to the 'little things,' GT. No contest.

[MizzouRah]

Many thanks for the impressions, Dan. I haven't played the game yet, but I'd say the things you are seeing have less to do with graphics and more to do with the feeling that the developers just don't get the small things about baseball, the way that the Show's developers do. The fact that the Show's developers DO know the game of baseball is what I love most about their game...though this year's graphical upgrade is icing on a mighty fine cake.

I'm looking forward to giving 2k8 a try when things become less busy but, in the meantime, you're impressions have given me a better idea of what I'm missing.

Are you saying 2k knows nothing about baseball? That is one of the most rediculous statements I've read yet. PS3 owners are not going to like this game over The Show, in fact most of you bought your ps3 just for The Show and that's fine. I can honestly say I'm VERY happy with MLB 2k8, it does do alot right, whether you agree or not. Lets not turn this into an OS thread please...

Back to 2k8 impressions.

Hitting one in the gap at Busch is something of beauty on "aerial", I love that cam. Anyone else put some batter walkup music in their game yet?

[sportdan30]

Many thanks for the impressions, Dan. I haven't played the game yet, but I'd say the things you are seeing have less to do with graphics and more to do with the feeling that the developers just don't get the small things about baseball, the way that the Show's developers do. The fact that the Show's developers DO know the game of baseball is what I love most about their game...though this year's graphical upgrade is icing on a mighty fine cake.

I'm looking forward to giving 2k8 a try when things become less busy but, in the meantime, you're impressions have given me a better idea of what I'm missing.

Without a doubt, play the game at the very least. I think you will see the potential with the game play. IMO, if they took MVP's player models, animations, and presentation, they'd have a very competitive game next to The Show. As it stands, and this is just my opinion, the poor graphics, animations, and dismal presentation hurt the overall replay value of the game. There's some fun to be had with this game no doubt. I just don't think there's a season's worth of enjoyment though.

[brendanrfoley]

Wow... I should have come here a long time ago. As someone who's on the verge of buying a 360 (as soon as my wife and I get back from London), the OS threads had me mildly concerned.

Between people who insist on criticizing 2K in every post, or those who feel the urge to bring up The Show in every post, it's hard to get a good "feel" for what 2K8 really is over there.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I get the impression 2K8 plays a pretty good game of hardball, but it's marred by some presentation issues. But, if someone is able to look past the presentation, they should have a pretty good time... right?

[JackB1]

There is no doubt that 2K8 is more "arcade" than The Show and The Show is more of a baseball sim.

I think the decision on which game to get is real easy this year. If you prefer a "pure" form of baseball that plays out on your screen almost like a real game, then get The Show. If you like to be more in control of the action on the field and prefer more interaction with the controls and can handle some visual flaws and a more "arcade" brand of baseball, then pick up 2K8.

The posts about which is "better" are kind of pointless. It all depends on what you are looking to get out of your baseball gaming experience.

[JackB1]

Anyone else put some batter walkup music in their game yet?

I really want to try that. Is it easy? There are lots of guys over at OS making custom batter walkup music packs to share with others. You just download the files...burn them to CD....rip to your 360...and put them in the game.

Did you just add random music for all the players? I play as the Braves and would like to add the same music that the players actually use in real life.
I might have to go to a game when the season starts to make notes on all their walkup songs.

[webdanzer]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I get the impression 2K8 plays a pretty good game of hardball, but it's marred by some presentation issues. But, if someone is able to look past the presentation, they should have a pretty good time... right?

I think there is reason for 'concern,' brendan. The presentation issues are many and appear often, IMO. Even being a 'gameplay' guy, they bother me quite a bit.

But yes, I think it plays a decently solid game of baseball, if a bit more arcade-leaning than I personally prefer. It does have it's own gameplay flaws, though.

I have both 2k8 and the Show (ps2) right now, and though every part of me actually wants to be playing the show to enjoy the presentation, atmosphere, little things, etc at the moment I'm probably going to be playing 2k8 a little more because of the difficulty (it's more challenging than the Show) and greater level of user interactivity, especially while pitching.

I enjoy them both, but I'm not ultra-excited about either one.

[brendanrfoley]

I have both 2k8 and the Show (ps2) right now...
I enjoy them both, but I'm not ultra-excited about either one.

That's my issue as well. I could just pick up The Show for the PS2, but it looks identical to last years. And to be honest, the game is beginning to bore me.

Yes, it does many things well. But the pitching interface has been largely unchanged for 3 years, the hitting interface has been the same for about 4, and the fielding (outside the meter) hasn't changed much either.

The Show does many things well. But outside presentation, I'm not sure it does anything "great" or "unique."

[Pete]

Boy, I have played many baseball games over the years, back to Al Michaels on the Genesis and Tony LaRussa on the CPU up to MLB2K8 today and many in-between. To me, this plays a fine game of baseball.

Also, visually, it looks great to me. Maybe it is my set-up, maybe it is because this is the first next-gen baseball game and first baseball game on a DLP 50" screen I have played. It looks damn good to me.

I guess it really just is a subjective impression. To each his own.

Mizzou, Did you have to shorten the length of the song or did the game take only a portion? I definately want to work on this this weekend.

[GTHobbes]

Are you saying 2k knows nothing about baseball? That is one of the most rediculous statements I've read yet.

Todd, I didn't say that at all...I haven't even played 2k8 yet and said that I am looking forward to giving it a try.

[Inuyasha]

I have both 2k8 and the Show (ps2) right now...
I enjoy them both, but I'm not ultra-excited about either one.

That's my issue as well. I could just pick up The Show for the PS2, but it looks identical to last years. And to be honest, the game is beginning to bore me.

Yes, it does many things well. But the pitching interface has been largely unchanged for 3 years, the hitting interface has been the same for about 4, and the fielding (outside the meter) hasn't changed much either.

The Show does many things well. But outside presentation, I'm not sure it does anything "great" or "unique."

Ok, you said it and broke the ice. I apologize if I am offending anyone, but The Show is boring the hell out of me right now. Maybe I just suck at the game, but the cpu or I cannot generate any offense. After the initial glitz wears off, it plays a good game of baseball, but nothing THAT special. I hate to make this 2k vs the Show, but I'll be picking up 2k over the weekend. If it reeks, than I'll probably have to look at trying Power Pro's this year.

[pigpen81]

I have both 2k8 and the Show (ps2) right now...
I enjoy them both, but I'm not ultra-excited about either one.

That's my issue as well. I could just pick up The Show for the PS2, but it looks identical to last years. And to be honest, the game is beginning to bore me.

Yes, it does many things well. But the pitching interface has been largely unchanged for 3 years, the hitting interface has been the same for about 4, and the fielding (outside the meter) hasn't changed much either.

The Show does many things well. But outside presentation, I'm not sure it does anything "great" or "unique."

Ok, you said it and broke the ice. I apologize if I am offending anyone, but The Show is boring the hell out of me right now. Maybe I just suck at the game, but the cpu or I cannot generate any offense. After the initial glitz wears off, it plays a good game of baseball, but nothing THAT special. I hate to make this 2k vs the Show, but I'll be picking up 2k over the weekend. If it reeks, than I'll probably have to look at trying Power Pro's this year.

I have the PS2 version of the sbhow and I am feeling the exact same way....it is a terrific game...but I have been there done that with it.

Ther are little differences bu not enough to make me want to play it religously.

I have no MLB2K8 impressions yet as my 360 when RROD on me right after I put the game in last week.

I am dying to play it....especially with spring break next week. (I never played 2K7)...it is time for something different...at least I still have Power Pros.

[HipE]

Since this thread has gone off topic and there is no general baseball games discussion thread, I'll post in here.

What exactly does everyone get enjoyment from in a baseball game? Is it all presentation and graphics and atmosphere, rather than actual gameplay? It seems that people don't really care about actually playing games anymore, since The Show is so highly praised despite being a pretty non-interactive experience. Seriously, out of the 60-90 minutes a game takes to play, how much time is actually spent directly controlling and playing the game, vs watching animations play out and cutscenes? Does everybody enjoy the actual gameplay and want to keep playing more, or has everyone turned into a total graphics and presentation whore?

And I'm not trying to knock The Show as a means of promoting MLB2K8, I've never even played it and have no interest in playing it. It is more that I don't understand how so many people initially reacted so positively to Power Pros, a game that is all about gameplay, and then just completely dismissed it now that the next gen graphical masterpieces have been released for whatever reason. I'm feeling a total disconnect with what sports gamers want and where sports games are headed now, which is probably why I spend all of my non Power Pros gaming time playing non sports games. I'd much rather watch a real MLB broadcast than a computer generated one, but I must be the exception rather than the rule.

[JackB1]

Ok, you said it and broke the ice. I apologize if I am offending anyone, but The Show is boring the hell out of me right now. Maybe I just suck at the game, but the cpu or I cannot generate any offense. After the initial glitz wears off, it plays a good game of baseball, but nothing THAT special. I hate to make this 2k vs the Show, but I'll be picking up 2k over the weekend. If it reeks, than I'll probably have to look at trying Power Pro's this year.

Don't apologize for having an opinion! I think you will like 2K8. Did u try the demo? The full game is much better than the demo, but if you enjoyed the demo at all, then you will probably like the full game. Once you make some basic slider adjustments and guess used to the new mechanics, it really is fun.

[Slumberland]

I like gameplay foremost, but also something that gets across (at the risk of sounding cheesy) the visual majesty of baseball. I rented Power Pros and was really bored by the pitching, and the visual style did nothing for me.

Sporadic user input doesn't bother me too much. Baseball in real life requires somewhat sporadic user input from the players themselves, which is why a lot of people I know find it painfully boring.

[MizzouRah]

Are you saying 2k knows nothing about baseball? That is one of the most rediculous statements I've read yet.

Todd, I didn't say that at all...I haven't even played 2k8 yet and said that I am looking forward to giving it a try.

Ok, not word for word, but you said The Show's developers DO know baseball.

Anyhow.. I don't really care. We each like one or the other game for various reasons and this is an impressions thread not Show vs 2k8.

[MizzouRah]

Anyone else put some batter walkup music in their game yet?

I really want to try that. Is it easy? There are lots of guys over at OS making custom batter walkup music packs to share with others. You just download the files...burn them to CD....rip to your 360...and put them in the game.

Did you just add random music for all the players? I play as the Braves and would like to add the same music that the players actually use in real life.
I might have to go to a game when the season starts to make notes on all their walkup songs.

Confusing at first, but pretty easy after you figure out what to do.

I have it set to randomly choose 1 of 100 songs when a home player is batting or a home pitcher comes into the game. You can definitely have it so each Brave has his own intro music though.

[JackB1]

Since this thread has gone off topic and there is no general baseball games discussion thread, I'll post in here.

What exactly does everyone get enjoyment from in a baseball game? Is it all presentation and graphics and atmosphere, rather than actual gameplay? It seems that people don't really care about actually playing games anymore, since The Show is so highly praised despite being a pretty non-interactive experience. Seriously, out of the 60-90 minutes a game takes to play, how much time is actually spent directly controlling and playing the game, vs watching animations play out and cutscenes? Does everybody enjoy the actual gameplay and want to keep playing more, or has everyone turned into a total graphics and presentation whore?

And I'm not trying to knock The Show as a means of promoting MLB2K8, I've never even played it and have no interest in playing it. It is more that I don't understand how so many people initially reacted so positively to Power Pros, a game that is all about gameplay, and then just completely dismissed it now that the next gen graphical masterpieces have been released for whatever reason. I'm feeling a total disconnect with what sports gamers want and where sports games are headed now, which is probably why I spend all of my non Power Pros gaming time playing non sports games. I'd much rather watch a real MLB broadcast than a computer generated one, but I must be the exception rather than the rule.

Hip....you bring up an interesting discussion. To me, baseball games or any game for that matter, is all about having fun and a diversion from the stresses and problems in everyday life. Nobody can tell you what's "fun" for you. You just know it when it happens. I love the sport of baseball in general and I play it in real life and I watch it, but when it comes to a game, I want something that makes me feel like I am part of the action.
If I feel "detached" from the game, I won't have "fun". That is the reason I never enjoyed Madden or video football games. I always feel like it's too hard to control what 11 guys are doing and that I am such a small part of what's going on...more like just a coach and not the players. Baseball is great in the sense that it's a team game, but everyone moves one at a time. You pitch...you run...you hit...you throw...but all at separate times for the most part. That is why it translates so well to a video game. It lets you do all those things yourself, if you want to. The more involved I am with the action, the better I will like it. There are some baseball purests that will reject a game if it doesn't do most things realistically, even though it is in fact, just a game. There's a balance between realism and making a game fun that the game makers have to hit. For some, there is fun in just picking a pitch, a location and watching the rest play out in front of them. It's a very individual thing. To me, The Show was more like watching a game play out. If I want that, I will just flip on the Braves on TBS. That's why I am really enjoying 2K8 right now. It keeps me involved all the time. It's the first game where I actually look forward to pitching just as much as hitting. That's never happened before.

Hope some of my ramblings made sense.

[webdanzer]

What exactly does everyone get enjoyment from in a baseball game? Is it all presentation and graphics and atmosphere, rather than actual gameplay? It seems that people don't really care about actually playing games anymore, since The Show is so highly praised despite being a pretty non-interactive experience. Seriously, out of the 60-90 minutes a game takes to play, how much time is actually spent directly controlling and playing the game, vs watching animations play out and cutscenes? Does everybody enjoy the actual gameplay and want to keep playing more, or has everyone turned into a total graphics and presentation whore?

HipE, I agree with you about the show, especially when pitching. In baseball games you are on the moung a BIG portion of the time playing, and I want more interactivity than I get out of the show.

For me personally, though, here is (paraphrased) what I posted on another site on what I want in a baseball game. In order:

1)The pitcher-batter duel. This is the core of baseball to me. Strikes, balls, fouls, getting fooled, fouling off pitches, working for a K, out-guessing or being outguessed. I want this to mirror real baseball as much as possible, down to the pitch count. This needs to be the most involving and interactive part of the game. I can handle non-sim stuff everywhere else...fielding, stealing, types of hits, etc...but not here. How often do I get this? Never, of course.

2)Getting a tough, competitive, fair game out of the cpu. Here's where Power Pro failed for me, (and the show is failing). Yes, I use the yankees. Yes, I expect them to win a lot of games. No, I don't want to throw a shutout every other game or hit 100+ HRs with three of my guys.

3)Getting good (realistic) end of game box totals. I notice if there is not enough walks, too many HR's, not enough doubles, etc.

Absolutely everything else is secondary for me.

[sportdan30]

Not surprisingly, it's different strokes for different folks. What's weird is that I don't get that detached feeling whatsoever from The Show like many of you do. I feel part of the game which is one thing I love! It looks and plays so eerily real the majority of the time.

While I find the 2K8 pitching interface to be innovating and I'm glad we're seeing developers try something new, I still look at the pitching interface of The Show as fairly deep. If you hold the button too long, it has a tendency to move out of the zone but have more velocity. By a just a touch press, you lose velocity but enhance your accuracy, but also endure a greater chance of the pitch being hit hard.

Now mind you, pitching in The Show as 2K8 is indeed new and somewhat enjoyable, but I still see problems with the 2K's pitching. Throwing fast balls and change ups are pretty straight forward, but once you throw in wacky circular motions to throw sliders and curves, then in my opinion it becomes more tedious and less enjoyable. I'm concentrating more on the big circle than I am on the batter. I don't know. There's too many icons, circles, rectangles, different colors, etc. going on that I feel like I'm watching a computerized version of baseball, rather than real baseball.

I definitely prefer zone hitting in The Show to time based hitting. As Web touched upon, all you have to do is time your swing. That's pretty dang easy IMO, and sliders don't seem to make that much of a difference. Therein lies the differences between sim and arcade. How anyone could feel more detached playing The Show than 2K in regards to batting, please explain.

Fielding I agree is more intuitive and fun with 2K8. The Show needs to improve upon this. Then again, they have made some strides in this department over the last few years. I remember when there was no control over the fielders whatsoever.

If I had played The Show for the past few years, then I could understand how you might become bored of the series. Heck, I might be looking elsewhere next year for my baseball fix. I wish I had that choice with football, as Madden has zapped my interest.

In the end, it all comes down to preference. Right now, I prefer my baseball games to be sim. I prefer my golf games to tilt more on the arcade side, which is why I can't wait for Hot Shots Golf (and why TW bores me). I want my tennis games to be sim, and interest in TS3 is quite high at this time. I prefer my hockey games to be somewhere in between, and NHL is on the right track...but not there quite yet.

[JackB1]

I definitely prefer zone hitting in The Show to time based hitting. As Web touched upon, all you have to do is time your swing. That's pretty dang easy IMO, and sliders don't seem to make that much of a difference. Therein lies the differences between sim and arcade. How anyone could feel more detached playing The Show than 2K in regards to batting, please explain.

My favorite method of hitting is the cursor based system that was used in the All Star Baseball series.....Line up the bat (cursor) with the ball and swing. Second to that was the MVP system...kind of a hybrid timing system. I do like The Shows "zone hitting" better than 2K's, but I don't hate 2K's system. It is kind of like MVP's, where you try and look for a pitch in a certain spot and then go with the pitch for best success. There's something very rewarding about timing a high/inside pitch just right and pulling it down the line into the cheap seats. 2K's system shines when you use the stick to aim towards certain parts of the field. Last night I did a hit and run where I put a grounder right through the vacated spot where the 2nd baseman was and got my man all the way to 3rd perfectly.

[sportdan30]

Yeah, I agree cursor based hitting was the best at delivering that rewarding feeling of the bat meeting the ball. Only problem, is that I sucked at it! The Show is a much better compromise for me. However, I do understand your reasoning behind 2K's hitting interface.

All of this truly is in the eye of the beholder.