MLB '08 news and info

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 9:07 pm

Maybe some of you should mess with hitting window (maybe called timing window).

It's one of the very last options for the sliders.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 9:09 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:
Leadfoot5 wrote:
TheGamer wrote:he was on the mets on 2k8 on the 2/29 roster update.
I think 10spro just got served.
Except the roster update that the Show had available on release date had him on the Mets as well. So no one got served. Just a whole 'lotta nothing going on.

That's interesting. I played a Twins game early today with Santana pitching and that's what made me go online to see if there was an update. There is... and the first thing I checked was to see if he was on the Mets team. Unless you have to load the latest updates each time that you play an exhibition game which would explain why he was still playing for the Twins.

GameSeven · Post by **GameSeven** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 9:28 pm

10spro wrote:That's interesting. I played a Twins game early today with Santana pitching and that's what made me go online to see if there was an update. There is... and the first thing I checked was to see if he was on the Mets team. Unless you have to load the latest updates each time that you play an exhibition game which would explain why he was still playing for the Twins.

Yes, I had to remind myself when I saw Phil Hughes number was incorrect, unless there's an option I haven't seen yet, you must load rosters/settings after loading the game.

Slumberland · Post by **Slumberland** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 9:58 pm

Hitting window is my next target. Hit quality is useless.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 11:36 pm

Just had a fantastic game.

Col v StL at the New Busch.

Box looks like this.

Col 3 Runs 5 Hits
StL 2 Runs 7 Hits.

Manny Corpas struck out the side to get the save in the 9th. I was finally able to control Francis.

Just a great game.

btmmayor · Post by **btmmayor** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 12:15 am

Slumberland wrote:Hitting window is my next target. Hit quality is useless.

Thats interesting. I was just about to post that with Hit quality at +3 along with power at +2 and CPU foul percentage at -10 I've seen the CPU offense really take off. I've gone from constant 2-4 hitters to giving up 13 and 9 in my last two since the adjustments. I thought perhaps the hit quality was the biggest reason why.

Leadfoot5 · Post by **Leadfoot5** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 12:47 am

Just wanted to mention that I am 300 AB's into my RTTS Career, and I haven't touched a single slider on All-Star. Maybe this will change when I start up a franchise later, but I've never had such a fantastic "out-of-the-box" experience...

Leadfoot5 · Post by **Leadfoot5** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 12:49 am

dbdynsty25 wrote:
Leadfoot5 wrote:
TheGamer wrote:he was on the mets on 2k8 on the 2/29 roster update.
I think 10spro just got served.
Except the roster update that the Show had available on release date had him on the Mets as well. So no one got served. Just a whole 'lotta nothing going on.

Wow... just kidding around... Didn't mean for anyone to take it seriously.

Slumberland · Post by **Slumberland** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 12:50 am

Oh, I don't mean useless for the CPU... just useless as a way to limit human offense.

I didn't get to finish but I just played an exhibition, Rays vs. Yanks on default All-Star. Was losing 2-0 after the 6th, walked 3 unintentionally. Could be the Rays, could be an aberration, or maybe there's something to the whole All-Star vs. Hall of Fame thing. I wish there was a playoffs mode. It'd be fun to play through with a bunch of different teams.

GameSeven · Post by **GameSeven** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 11:25 am

Well, started my RTTS as a shortstop for the Halo's. As a Yankee fan it may be somewhat antipathetic, given the recent rivalry between the teams, but there seemed to be thin competition at SS and their lineup more palatable then some of the other choices.

A few hours later at 3AM, I stumbled to bed. I didn't expect this mode to be so addictive. On the other hand, perhaps it was a consequence of the late hours but I am only hitting about .180 in through 16 games (yikes).

Unfortunately, I think a side-effect of Sky's sliders is that RTTS has a glaring weakness in the SB department. I know there is some talk about SB being too easy in general and worsened by his sliders, but in RTTS as a SS, it is glaringly bad. As a recipient of the throw down to second, runners must have swiped 15 bases without even a close result. Further, my mid-rated speed SS can swipe second at will and took third once albeit on a closer play. This is without extending the lead as well.

Now I am wondering if I should undo the slider settings on RTTS or just restart it with All-star defaults. I think leaving it the way it is would be badly broken. Anyone else having similar experience as a middle infielder in RTTS?

Nozzleman_216 · Post by **Nozzleman_216** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 12:29 pm

same problem at 2B, The CPU steals often and has only been thrown out a handful of times and I am probably 45 games into the season. Default All-Star has no baring on it as thats what I started with for RTTS. Its a shame because thats about the only flaw I see with this mode other than a few camera issues I have

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 4:13 pm

Well, this game is boring me to death now.

I suck at hitting and the cpu has a problem scoring runs. Most games are like 1-0 , 3-2, etc.. I avg like 2 runs a game if I am lucky.

I will mess with the sliders.

lexbur · Post by **lexbur** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 4:51 pm

Inuyasha wrote:Well, this game is boring me to death now.

I suck at hitting and the cpu has a problem scoring runs. Most games are like 1-0 , 3-2, etc.. I avg like 2 runs a game if I am lucky.

I will mess with the sliders.

I sucked at hitting too but all I did was lower the pitch speed halfway (5 notches), and that helped alot. Didn't need to touch any other sliders.

And at the same time I switched to Classic pitching. The CPUs run totals increased. Not sure if switching to Classic would make that big of a difference, or if there's a little rubberband AI going on, since I was scoring more, but either way, I'm getting more realistic scores now.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 4:58 pm

I also think once the roster edits are completed by Knight over @ OS, the game will open up big time. Right now, it seems like a station to station game, because the outfielders reactions are too quick. There's a need for extra base hits in this game. I think I average maybe 1 double a game. Yes, the variety of hits are there, but they don't seem as plentiful as last year.

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 5:07 pm

I know a bunch of you don't really use the power swing, but I've gotten plenty of doubles lately by doing so with increased frequency. The catch is, you get overall less hits that way, and why bother doing so when you can single your way to double-digit scores?

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 5:22 pm

It has to be so hard to code this game and keep it balanced since there are so many different ways to play, so many user skill levels, and maybe too many options and sliders. I'm not seeing the abundance of hits, lack of power, and station-to-station problems at all. However, I am using the power swing when ahead in the count and I use all the guess pitch bells and whistles at my disposal (not really because I *want* to but the pitches are too fast for my aging eyes and I'd hit about .200 without them). I'm seeing a good amount of doubles, have at least 1 or 2 homeruns every game (CPU does too), and maybe even too many "2 star" singles with outfield arms down 2 notches.

Leadfoot5 · Post by **Leadfoot5** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 5:46 pm

Playing on default All-Star settings, I'm not seeing any of these issues, so maybe I am in the "sweet-spot" of target-gamers as Leebo points out.

For example, I NEVER have problems turning a gapper (that gets by the OF and rolls to the wall) into a double or triple. I just make sure to make the decision to go for 2 (or three) early enough so that my runner makes the correct turn... Same goes for hits into the corner, although with slower runners I have held up at first a few times as it looked like the play would be too close to chance it.

I *do* play with guess pitch, and that's where most of my doubles, triples and homers come from - when I am locked on with the left stick and use the contact swing. I have very little success with the power swing. I've also hit lots of extra base hits without guessing the pitch or location, but it's critical to get the location of the left stick correct in those instances or the best you will do is a single most times.

As for CPU offense, again, no issues. I use the meter (because I like feeling like I have some control over the outcome - it keeps me more engaged in the gameplay), and I have good games and bad games. I certainly haven't seen a lack of CPU power or contact, and I do my best to pitch all over the place to keep the AI guessing. I usually walk anywhere from 0-3 batters a game, and I average 0-2 drawn walks a game.

My only observation, as others have pointed out, is that stealing (for both the user and AI) is too easy. Other than that, I'm completely satisfied with the game and the way it plays.

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 5:46 pm

Leebo33 wrote:It has to be so hard to code this game and keep it balanced since there are so many different ways to play, so many user skill levels, and maybe too many options and sliders.

I agree, and this is the problem when you have multiple swing types in a baseball game. How does the game handle the guy that always uses the power swing? How does the game handle the guy that always uses contact? For realistic results in The Show, I believe the game operates on the assumption that you will be using both fairly regularly.

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 6:02 pm

lexbur wrote:
Inuyasha wrote:Well, this game is boring me to death now.

I suck at hitting and the cpu has a problem scoring runs. Most games are like 1-0 , 3-2, etc.. I avg like 2 runs a game if I am lucky.

I will mess with the sliders.
I sucked at hitting too but all I did was lower the pitch speed halfway (5 notches), and that helped alot. Didn't need to touch any other sliders.

And at the same time I switched to Classic pitching. The CPUs run totals increased. Not sure if switching to Classic would make that big of a difference, or if there's a little rubberband AI going on, since I was scoring more, but either way, I'm getting more realistic scores now.

Thanks I will try this. I have pitching speed all the way to max. I did this because at default, I was always swinging too early.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 1:30 am

I think a lot of the guys at OS and those that want to see more doubles, triples and homeruns aren't thinking about how often these occur in a baseball game.

lexbur · Post by **lexbur** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 8:52 am

Inuyasha wrote:Thanks I will try this. I have pitching speed all the way to max. I did this because at default, I was always swinging too early.

The funny thing is, I posted that right before I left work yesterday and then went home and played a game last night and lost 1-0, in 11 innings! HA! Figures.

Oh well, *in general* the scores seem to have gone up since making those slight adjustments.

But I keep thinking, wasn't it in The Show last year where everybody around here kept tweaking sliders for a few months after the game came out, then all of a sudden it dawned on all of us that after all that screwing around, the default sliders were actually the best way to go?

That's why I'm trying not to mess with them too much and just get on with my season.

Slumberland · Post by **Slumberland** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:08 am

I think there's something fishy going on when I can set the baserunner speed slider all the way down and still steal second with Jose Reyes, on a fastball, with no lead, by the same easy margin as on defaults.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 11:53 am

I'm having great results with Skybox's sliders. The CPU in two games scored 5 and 7 runs against me last night.

I started toying around with the batting camera angle, primarily because I'm struggling a bit at the plate. Moreso, at times I have a hard time diferentiating between balls and strikes.

So, first I tried behind the pitcher. However, I felt as though it gave me an unfair advantage. I could see where the catcher was positioning his glove. It did remind me fondly of Bases Loaded. Then, I switched to Wide, and in an instant I found my new batting camera. This camera angle lowers your view just a bit, and it also makes the pitcher appear further away. These two reasons for me at least make it easier to judge balls and strikes. I feel as though I have a bit more time to react to the pitch as well. I just see everything much better. So, for now I'm going to give this angle a go. I'm having very good results thus far (deeper pitch counts, less guessing, more time to react to the pitch, increase variety of hits as I'm making more solid contact with the ball, etc.).

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 12:18 pm

I just decided to use Sky's sliders as well and the end result was an entertaiting 6-4 loss to the Redsox. R. Halladay was hot the first three innings and from then on he lost his control. During the entire game I was switching between wide and default camera angle and while it did seem that I could see the ball better with the wide camera, I realized that I was still hitting OK on default and I left at there as I seem to be able to see the entire field better. I managed to hit a couple of dingers by just pressing X, haven't tinker witht he square button at all.

A couple of costly running mistakes ended up costing me the game and I still have some odd time on in-field hits (catches) as the ball seem to run just past the fielder's legs at times.

Slumberland · Post by **Slumberland** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 1:12 pm

I should try Sky's at some point. I have a funny feeling about All-Star. Maybe some of the conditions that are supposed to make HoF more difficult end up adversely affecting the computer as well. I tried Pared's sliders and was encouraged by a leadoff single, but as things progressed it seemed the same as ever.

Thing is, I really liked playing with the Rays on All-Star defaults. It might just be really tough to normalize 'challenge' with all the various player ratings, team talent levels, user skill and whatnot. I could see myself just starting a franchise with an awful team at some point.