MVP NCAA Impressions

[Diablo25]

Anybody know what's the difference in rules between summer ball and NCAA ball?

With NCAA rules you can't take out the catcher on a play at the plate or middle infielders during a double play.

[James_E]

My biggest gripe after just a few games is that it is not on my PC.

I know I am odd, but I just can't ever seem to enjoy playing a baseball game on my console.

You and me both.

Interesting.. I wonder if it's because to you guys, baseball (even videogame version) is a serious, more cerebral thing.. not a "videogame", but more like a chess match. Playing on the PC (same environment where you probably use your brain the most while working) might fit that better than sitting with a console which makes it feel like a videogame instead of a more serious thing.

Maybe a dumb theory... who knows. Figured I'd throw it out there anyway.

[tjung0831]

One gripe so far. My #3 pitcher went eight innings in my dynasty last night, never tired and through 88mph the entire game. Also I've seen the CPU bring in a reliever in only 1 game out of 3 in my dynasty...that's hardly college baseball. I guess sliders will fix this

[fsquid]

Anybody know what's the difference in rules between summer ball and NCAA ball?

With NCAA rules you can't take out the catcher on a play at the plate or middle infielders during a double play.

pussies

[JRod]

Jack has perfectly summed up my feeling on the game.

>>>>>if u arent going to use the new features, why not just stay with MVP05?

There's nothing in this game that makes me want to play it over MVP. I probably the only one that like the old batting system. I just don't get the new batting system. Instead of pressing A, now you just have to time it correctly the R-Stick. It's still timing based. I'm glad they add another dimension to hitting in that you need to press out or in depending on location.

The throwing system I'm less enthused about. First off, I'm having a hell of a time turning double plays. It seems that if you start to throw early it never registers with the game. So you just stand there. I've had a couple throws from the outfield that I pressed to throw too early only to stand like a goofball in the outfield.

I'm going to stick with the new features as I think it might be fun to build an AF dynasty. But there is a steep learning curve with the hitting system.

[Danimal]

One gripe so far. My #3 pitcher went eight innings in my dynasty last night, never tired and through 88mph the entire game. Also I've seen the CPU bring in a reliever in only 1 game out of 3 in my dynasty...that's hardly college baseball. I guess sliders will fix this

That's odd, my #3 has a 69 stamina and he barely makes it to the 6th inning before he is down under 35%. I've also gone about 8 games into Dynasty and the CPU is brining in relievers a lot.

How many ptiches are being throw by you and the opposing pitcher? If you're throwing all strieks and swinging at every 1st or 2nd pitch, then I wouldn't expect a guy with a 60 pitch count to be tired in the 8th inning.

[Danimal]

My biggest gripe after just a few games is that it is not on my PC.

I know I am odd, but I just can't ever seem to enjoy playing a baseball game on my console.

You and me both.

Interesting.. I wonder if it's because to you guys, baseball (even videogame version) is a serious, more cerebral thing.. not a "videogame", but more like a chess match. Playing on the PC (same environment where you probably use your brain the most while working) might fit that better than sitting with a console which makes it feel like a videogame instead of a more serious thing.

Maybe a dumb theory... who knows. Figured I'd throw it out there anyway.

I wish I could say what it was, your theory is interesting. But it wouldn't explain my loathing of text based games like OOTP and Diamond Mind. What is funny, I used to love those games, but text games have not evolved and I got tired of feeding the beast, but that is an argument for a different topic.

The biggest gripoe for me is the lack of Mods. Growing up I went through all the years of games like Microleague Baseball and SSI Computer baseball, then getting modable games like HH and MVP.

Now in 2006 I have squat, the PC has officially (and quietly I might add) been abandoned by the arcade / sim baseball genre and I think it sucks.

[Danimal]

Ok after my last post this is going to seem weird, but a funny thing happened last night. After deciding to give this game a good shot before returning it, I started to fall for it.

I still would rather have it on the PC, but after I got by the muddy graphics and the stuttering and started my Uconn dynasty. I started to do something I haven't done in a very long time. I started to actually care about the players.

Like my 4 tool Senior Center fielder Gene McGowan, they guy is fast and has 5 stolen bases through eight games. My slugging first baseman Frances "Lighting" Boit who has a knack for hitting clutch dingers. Even my horrible Sophmore 3B Ken Vitura (37 / 35 - Man no trades in college, two more years of this guy..yikes!) who couldn't hit a ball if it was on a tee.

My teams is fast, plays great defense (A) and has decent pitching. After dropping are first 2 on the road to East Carolina, we went to Arkansas and took them in two close games. Then went to #14 Clemson for 2 games and split.

Somewhere in those 4 or 5 hours I really started to dig what this game brings to the table, once it becomes BC, hopefully the graphics will get a little boost.

BTW I found this at OS, but apparently it is the email to the BC Team, so I sent a request for this game and a few others. Probably won't do dick, but I figured it took 2 mintues to send.

Backcomp@microsoft.com

[Inuyasha]

Played more games since my initial impressions and really have only one gripe with the game.

The new features are great and everything, but when playing the game, I don't know who any of these guys are. At least with ncaa football, even if you don't edit the real names , I still know who the players are. This has to do with me not being a college baseball fan. So sometimes when I play, I feel like I am playing a mvp05's minor league game just with college uniforms.

I'll probably end up keeping this game but right now for me it may be a game to keep me busy until the mlb games come out. One nice thing is the seasons in college baseball are shorter than the majors so it'll be faster to play through seasons in dynasty.

[bkrich83]

I can't stop playing this game. I absoultely love it. First game in a long long time to really keep my attention for long periods of time.

And like Dan said, as weird as it sounds, I actually am caring about my players too.

[kicko]

ok ok i broke down and bought it. I must say it is a very nice game. I can't seem to adjust to the new hitting and throwing yet but it's still nice game and it brings me back to older days of video gaming.

[Bill_Abner]

My biggest gripe after just a few games is that it is not on my PC.

I know I am odd, but I just can't ever seem to enjoy playing a baseball game on my console.

You and me both.

Interesting.. I wonder if it's because to you guys, baseball (even videogame version) is a serious, more cerebral thing.. not a "videogame", but more like a chess match. Playing on the PC (same environment where you probably use your brain the most while working) might fit that better than sitting with a console which makes it feel like a videogame instead of a more serious thing.

Maybe a dumb theory... who knows. Figured I'd throw it out there anyway.

I know what it is for me -- IMO baseball games require, almost demand, a very intuative interface, one that allows you to quickly gather info about players, change rosters, etc. It's why the spreadsheet style of High Heat on the PC remains to this day the best GUI of any baseball game, ever and why no console game will be anywhere near as polished.

I enjoy a good console baseball game but I really miss my mouse when I want to dig deep into my team, look at stats, and so on. I can get past this in any other sports game but in baseball I really miss my PC.

[icvu42]

I have played a few games and am really enjoying the game.

One thing that is happening that is really frustrating... whenever I have runners on base, they constantly take off stealing. 3 times Ive had guys on 3rd base try to steal home. I played over 100 games of MVP last year so Im familiar with the controls. Ive switched from assisted baserunning to manual, and it doesn't seem to help.

Any ideas what Im doing wrong?

Rick

[kicko]

I have played a few games and am really enjoying the game.

One thing that is happening that is really frustrating... whenever I have runners on base, they constantly take off stealing. 3 times Ive had guys on 3rd base try to steal home. I played over 100 games of MVP last year so Im familiar with the controls. Ive switched from assisted baserunning to manual, and it doesn't seem to help.

Any ideas what Im doing wrong?

Rick

your pushing UP on the left stick, if you want to lead its just LEFT on the left stick and right to move back

the game has a learning curve but after watching the videos and playing one game on default level it becomes easy. it's been so long since i played a generic sports game that it's almost refreshing in many ways. It works better to see what a player can do then to already know (in real life) and expect the game to translate perfectly. It allows me to focus on what i can do rather then what i want to do.

[Dave]

I started my ND dynasty this morning and started with two games at Rice.

The Owls beat the sh*t out of me, even beating me by the 10-run rule in the second game of the series. Quite a difference from playing the IUs of the baseball world...and this is on Varsity level.

Recruiting will be interesting, I don't seem to have many points to use at this point, plus my coaching staff and scouts stink. A lot of the top prospects require higher-level coaches, which makes sense. Hopefully I can knock a HR in my upcoming series with GT and move up to Level 1 hitting.

[ScoopBrady]

Does college baseball have some sort of slaughter rule or do they only play 8 innings? I picked it up and have only had the chance to play one game. I was getting my ass kicked and the game ended after 8-innings. I lost 12-0. I only had 1 hit and the cpu had 20 hits.

So far I'm not very impressed but I don't totally understand hitting yet. The atmosphere is very bland and boring (though I do like Patrick's play-by-play), the graphics seem to have taken a step back as well (though playing nothing but 360 for the past month could have something to do with that).

On the funny names front, the Bradley Braves have a middle relief pitcher named Lefty Haverton. He's a right-handed pitcher.

[pk500]

And like Dan said, as weird as it sounds, I actually am caring about my players too.

You guys are coming down with the affliction that us Championship Manager/Football Manager players have had for years. I scream at my players when they f*ck up and wince when they get hurt all the time in FM.

But that's a text management sim. It's even cooler that a console game is causing this phenomenon to happen.

Take care,
PK

[Dave]

Does college baseball have some sort of slaughter rule or do they only play 8 innings? I picked it up and have only had the chance to play one game. I was getting my ass kicked and the game ended after 8-innings. I lost 12-0. I only had 1 hit and the cpu had 20 hits.

They are typically 9-inning games. Not sure when the slaughter rule starts, Rice blasted a 3-run shot in the bottom of the 8th to finish out my game. It was kind of funny when Patrick's announcing mentioned a walk-off HR to win the game.

Scoop, what level were you playing? It is good to hear someone else gave up a lot of hits and I'm not the worst pitcher ever.

[ScoopBrady]

Scoop, what level were you playing? It is good to hear someone else gave up a lot of hits and I'm not the worst pitcher ever.

Um... well... um... default.

[Dave]

That's Varsity, right? I'm in the same boat. I feel like Terry Mulholland against Manny Ramirez...

[icvu42]

I have played a few games and am really enjoying the game.

One thing that is happening that is really frustrating... whenever I have runners on base, they constantly take off stealing. 3 times Ive had guys on 3rd base try to steal home. I played over 100 games of MVP last year so Im familiar with the controls. Ive switched from assisted baserunning to manual, and it doesn't seem to help.

Any ideas what Im doing wrong?

Rick

your pushing UP on the left stick, if you want to lead its just LEFT on the left stick and right to move back

the game has a learning curve but after watching the videos and playing one game on default level it becomes easy. it's been so long since i played a generic sports game that it's almost refreshing in many ways. It works better to see what a player can do then to already know (in real life) and expect the game to translate perfectly. It allows me to focus on what i can do rather then what i want to do.

Actually ive been using zone and classic hitting so I need the left analog stick to swing. Maybe Im hitting the right stick and not realizing it.

Thanks for the comment it will give me something to think about.

Rick

[bkrich83]

And like Dan said, as weird as it sounds, I actually am caring about my players too.

You guys are coming down with the affliction that us Championship Manager/Football Manager players have had for years. I scream at my players when they f*ck up and wince when they get hurt all the time in FM.

But that's a text management sim. It's even cooler that a console game is causing this phenomenon to happen.

Take care,
PK

For some reason, I think the use or Random Names and not really knowing who any of these guys are when I started my dynasty has something to do with it.

I know what you are talking about with Champ Manager. I had the same thing with Front Office Football. I remember feeling so hurt when a QB I had drafted and developed demanded more money than I could possibly offer him, and went the FA route.

[kevinpars]

10 run lead is the slaughter rule. Not sure whether it goes into effect after 5 innings or earlier.

While I am not much for the new innovations with the right stick, I still think this game is better than last year's version. More variety in what can happen. But I like playing with different teams. Actually I had more fun playing minor league games with last year's game.

For example, I was in the 10th inning last night and had a mediocre hitter up with 2 outs. He hit a blooping fly ball to center that looked like it would fall for a base hit. I was thinking to myself that this guy was no threat to steal, so that it would probably be a wasted 2 out hit, when the ball hit the ground and bounced over the CF's head. Both the RF and LF had bad angles on the ball so it rolled all the way to the wall. My guy actually came around and scored. And the thing is - it was something that I would expect to maybe happen in a college game. The replay looked true to life. The physics were right, the players mistakes seemed logical. And since I actually got 3 outs from my bullpen in the bottom of the inning, it gave me a win. I will take it.

I wish that this game was backward compatible - and maybe played a little smoother at 720p, but it will stay on my playlist for a while.

I am afraid that I am going to get a lot more gaming out of this game than I will with the 2K game later this year. By the time they release the 360 version, I may be thinking about football anyway.

[Zeppo]

And like Dan said, as weird as it sounds, I actually am caring about my players too.

You guys are coming down with the affliction that us Championship Manager/Football Manager players have had for years. I scream at my players when they f*ck up and wince when they get hurt all the time in FM.

But that's a text management sim. It's even cooler that a console game is causing this phenomenon to happen.

Take care,
PK

This has always been a huge part of my WE obsession. I'm sure it has a lot to do with the fact I keep playing WE in ML mode v. the CPU, while I can hardly get through a game v. CPU in almost any other sports title, especially once I've grown comfortable in the game mehcanics. I'm still playing WE8 a ton with the same ML team I started the day I got the game. I used the default stiffs, so this team is entirely my own unique creation, and with the new (to WE8 ) inclusion of player progression, forget about it. Some players I've loved since the minute I got them, others I didn't like at all at first, but they grew on me, and others I liked quite a bit at first but become more and more frustrating as time goes on. Getting rid of ANY players is difficult for me, even the ones I refuse to play because I hate them so much. Silly.

As to MVP, I am really digging it. I think the online lag is a bit better, but I may be fooling myself. I really like all the new R-stick things. Even if they don't all work perfectly, I think they are heading in the right direction with this stuff. I think there is a ton of unfathomed depth to both the analog throwing and the analog batting. I've had a lot of trouble with both, but I've had enough sweet hits and enough amazing throws from the outfield, or double plays, or long throws from third to keep me coming back. I'll stick with them, even though I do sort of miss last year's hitting. The thing I like the best about the throwing is that it really changes the dynamic of a baseball video game, where it used to be so aimlessly easy to make pointless throw after pointless throw when we knew there were times we'd be better off holding onto the ball. Now, any throw can result in a complete disaster, and so every throw is a bit of a gamble. Bye-bye aimless throwing, hello agressive base running!

[sportdan30]

And like Dan said, as weird as it sounds, I actually am caring about my players too.

You guys are coming down with the affliction that us Championship Manager/Football Manager players have had for years. I scream at my players when they f*ck up and wince when they get hurt all the time in FM.

But that's a text management sim. It's even cooler that a console game is causing this phenomenon to happen.

Take care,
PK

I had that love affair with my players in Bases Loaded. Still have memories of Lemon "The Double Machine" from my Utah team.