"Swing Stick Advanced!"
 

Oh f*(@. Last week when I read zone-hitting was back I imagined the button based hitting system that 2k3-5 employed. I hate swing stick!

Re: "Swing Stick Advanced!"
 

No offense, but does this need it's own thread? It's been discussed in the features and preview threads. Not my call though, so I'll play along:)...lol

Sorry you hate it, but i think it's a good idea. One thing I (and others) have been critical of is how 2K is constantly changing their controls rather than refining the ones they have. Now they are at least trying to refine what they have in place. Swing Stick can work if done correctly.

To me, the only knock on it was the lack of any "aiming" or bat placement through the zone. Now, that problem appears to have been addressed (time will tell to what degree). If they pulled it off, it will be an excellent system (as the swing stick already better captures the total timing-including step and pivot) and might actually be the innovation some were thinking it would be.

I guess, other than the limitations of the older swing stick systems, I don't understand the hatred for swing stick.

Re: "Swing Stick Advanced!"
 

I'm sorry, but I think pushing buttons is boring, but it'll probably still be an option to use most likely. Later

Re: "Swing Stick Advanced!"
 

To be fair, the Swing Stick in 2K8 was an improvement over 2K7. You could "aim" your hits by pushing up at a left or right angle if you wanted to pull or push the ball, which wasn't an option in 2K7. It actually worked quite well once you got the hang of it and provided a lot more control than 2K7's Swing Stick.

So they have been refining it. I'm guessing this year will be even better.

Re: "Swing Stick Advanced!"
 

You could influence...not aim. There's a difference...a big one for me. When I say aim, I'm talking bat placement;).

In 2K8, swing stick worked "ok" IMO, but it was incomplete for me (as it missed the zone hitting type elements). The advertised additions this year have me anticipating how well the mechanic will work. It should take away that incomplete feel it had for me.

And I do agree they've been refining it. They have had a habit of switching controls every year for a while now though (speaking generally, not specifically to the hitting mechanic). That was my point...I'm glad they're sticking with it and continuing the refinements rather than once again scrapping and going to an older zone system:).

Re: "Swing Stick Advanced!"
 

Oh, gotcha. When you said aim, I thought you were talking about aiming the ball ;)

Re: "Swing Stick Advanced!"
 

You should wait until the game comes out before jumping to conclusions. Could be both. And it might be neither: as someone else mentioned, it might not even be true zone hitting with the swing stick. The 2K write-up says you can now "aim", and doesn't actually call it zone hitting.

Re: "Swing Stick Advanced!"
 

Swing stick + zone hitting is the one reason I'm even thinking of picking this game up. I'd already decided I wouldn't even bother renting it this year if they were going with timing-only hitting again. This one feature (along with step-influence) could revolutionize baseball games in the same way the skill stick has for video hockey.

Re: "Swing Stick Advanced!"
 

I'm sorry but I've never been a fan of swing stick. You can't just bring analog joystick controls to every sport and expect it to work. There's something very satisfying about hitting a button and crushing a hot liner down the 3rd base line. Even more important---the Swing stick doesn't result in high hit variation. It just feels wrong, I hate it with a passion.

But that's just my opinion. :-D

Re: "Swing Stick Advanced!"
 

i'd really like to see how easy it would be to step and swing with the R stick all the while trying to aim the bat at a fastball using the L stick, while some might be able to manage this i think would be way to hard for me.

Re: "Swing Stick Advanced!"
 

I understand the preference for the "feel" of the button system...everyone has their thing. I disagree about the hit variation though (when speaking of the potential for the new system...I do agree about previous systems, however;)).

The hit variation was at least partially a product of hit stick's limitations when it came to bat control. Yes, you got better timing mechanics, but your ability to "aim" or put your bat through a specific zone was nullified.

It's that limitation (poor control of the bat in your hands) that lead to (again, at least in part) poor hit variety. The hit variety might also partly be a result of a limited "under the hood" system...which means it wouldn't matter what control mechanic you toss in.

The potential the new system holds could change all that, and baa's right, could revolutionize the baseball hitting mechanic if done right. That's the key though of course, it has to be done right:).

We don't know what the specifics are on the "aiming" function. Given that when I said aiming earlier someone misunderstood me and though I meant influence, it quite possible could be that it's not what some of us are hoping it will be. It could be just a more detailed "influence" system.

I think many people who see hit stick and say "oh no" are looking at the past functions of the mechanic rather than the mechanic itself.

Now, as I said, this doesn't account for the people who simply just don't want to use a stick over buttons. Not sure what I think about that little debate. I personally have no preference...I just want whatever yields the best results...regardless of the mechanic.

EDIT: To the OP: If, by some chance, you are musing on the irony of me opening with a comment like "does this really need it's own thread" and then posting like crazy in it...umm...well...hurray unintended hypocracy...lol:)

Re: "Swing Stick Advanced!"
 

I find button hitting to be very boring. Atleast with the Swing Stick there's some actual motion in involved and it's more natural for influencing, which makes the hit variety less random.

Re: "Swing Stick Advanced!"
 

I don't care for either the stick based pitching or hitting, but is it required to use if you play online? I really hope not.

Re: "Swing Stick Advanced!"
 

Sorry about making a lone "I Hate Swingstick Thread." I later realized it was being discussed in the "new features" thread. I thought that was the "new features" thread from last week (the one that got me excited with "zone hitting," not the one with the simliar title announcing my dreaded swing stick).

I don't want to take swing stick away from those who like it. But I just feel jipped. I got hooked on baseball video games (and actually became a fan of the actual sport because of the games believe it or not) because of Sega/2k baseball in the early 2000's. Now I'm like a drug addict craving something that no longer exists.

Why remove the hitting system? Add swing stick - fine. But don't gimp and remove the hitting system we've all been accostomed to. I have friends who don't like video games who got addicted to Sega/2k baseball. It was totally easy/pick up and play, yet deep when you got the hang of things. That's just not how it is anymore. This isn't football where the casual fan is put off to play because it's straight up daunting. That's the beauty of a baseball game.

Re: "Swing Stick Advanced!"
 

Even though they are promoting Swing Stick Advance, I'm pretty sure they will have the option for Classic Hitting. They offer Classic Shooting in their NBA Series even though they promote using the Analog Stick.

I'm really intrigued by the new Zone Hitting if that's what were really getting. Pasta Padre stated Zone Hitting, yet 2k calls it Swing Stick Advance.

Re: "Swing Stick Advanced!"
 

Maybe the full name is the Zone Hitting Option of Swing Stick Advanced... you know, like the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim?

Re: "Swing Stick Advanced!"
 

Oh baa, you just made a funny....

Re: "Swing Stick Advanced!"
 

I'm giddy with delight that zone hitting is back, regardless of what they end up naming it!

Re: "Swing Stick Advanced!"
 

Would this gif describe your giddiness?

Re: "Swing Stick Advanced!"
 

As pathetic as it sounds given I should know better, once I heard zone hitting was in, I decided I'm buying the game on release day. So yeah, dancing with glee is about where I'm at.

The other thing though is I haven't bought a 2K game in a couple years now, except from the bargain bin. I'm thinking with all the money I've saved I can afford to toss $60 their way. My way of supporting them, given it would be a bad day for video gaming if they went under.

Re: "Swing Stick Advanced!"
 

I thought I saw some pigs flying on my drive into work.

Re: "Swing Stick Advanced!"
 

Yea, I'm still trying to pick up my jaw from the floor.

Re: "Swing Stick Advanced!"
 

baa, on his way to Gamestop on release day...

Re: "Swing Stick Advanced!"
 

That was me last year. Except I went on a (donut-less) fast and lost 60 pounds -- I can wear size 30 pants again. But the jumping for joy part is pretty acccurate.

And to the "haters" in the previous two posts ;) ... you saying you're not a little bit excited, to the point where you just might go buy this game when it comes out???

Okay, maybe that is extreme behavior on my part...

Re: "Swing Stick Advanced!"
 

Man...one feature did this to you? WOW!

lol...now I REALLY hope it works as advertised:)

Re: "Swing Stick Advanced!"
 

Ha-ha! Look, I haven't bought a new baseball game for my 360 in three years... in the entire time I've owned the thing! And after renting 2K8 last year, I made the decision that I wouldn't even bother renting 2K9 if zone hitting wasn't back in the game. What can I say? I'm a fan of zone hitting!

I've saved $180 by not buying 2K6, 2K7 or 2K8. The way I look at it, I can buy 2K9 and still say I saved 120 bucks. :)

Re: "Swing Stick Advanced!"
 

no...I see where you're coming from. My interest in 2K9 was mostly mild amusement until I read about the new system and the "living ballpark" feature. I will definitely give it a rent now.

I'm just not quite ready to give 2K my money before I know anything...they don't deserve it...lol.

You do realize if you keep saving you'll eventually have enough for a PS3 and The Show...Just in time for it to become a "last gen" experience...lol.

Jokes aside, I hope 2K9 is a good enough game where you (and anyone else) can enjoy the purchase:).

Re: "Swing Stick Advanced!"
 

If they couple zone hitting with no meatballs, I might join the club, but I've kind of been brainwashed by you "buyer be ware" philosophy.

As far as that giddy feeling you have, just remember the utter feeling of dissapointment you've felt the last two years after renting it...maybe that will help calm you down....sounds like 2K-aholics anonymous.

Re: "Swing Stick Advanced!"
 

I am with you. the swing stick is the worst thing that has ever made its way into a Baseball video game.

Re: "Swing Stick Advanced!"
 

Hmmm. Hadn't thought of that. Interesting way of looking at it. :)

Actually, I've got a PS2, so I'm set as far as The Show goes. Maybe next year when they redo the player models, I'll look at getting a PS3, maybe.

Re: "Swing Stick Advanced!"
 

Oh man I laughed out loud when I read that, LOL! :) Hey, I wasn't all that disappointed with 2K8. It ran perfectly on my CRT television, so no framerate issues. And I thought the hitting was very good -- swing stick and step-influence are brilliant -- especially after playing The Show which had the problem of a huge contact window.

Something else 2K games have going for them is the player ratings usually make a huge difference when edited. The first day I played the game, I lowered Jason Giambi's fielding ratings down so he'd muff every other throw to first. 1B's in The Show can't make errors -- it's hard-coded into the game. So I had fun watching the Giambino running around the first base dugout looking for balls he'd dropped.

As for the rest... yeah, it was disappointing, you're right. ;)

Re: "Swing Stick Advanced!"
 

You know someone has to buy it first here so we'll all know if it's worth our so heck, if he wants to do it why not? It may save us $60 bucks lol. :)

Re: "Swing Stick Advanced!"
 

Ha! That's usually what I do -- let other poor saps fork out the dough, and then wait for the online weeping and wailing in the Impressions thread.

Re: "Swing Stick Advanced!"
 

You have to understand that Baa's been the leading advocate of the BBW and the RIBYBI (Buyer Be Ware and Rent It Before You Buy It) programs over the last few years and has converted many former 2K followers to his dark side when it comes to the MLB 2K series.

This shocking news would be the equivilent to Tom Cruise denouncing Scientology.

Re: "Swing Stick Advanced!"
 

Jeezus, lol... :)

Anyway, I was just reading about EA's MVP series, and I understand that game had some sort of aim system that wasn't zone hitting. Is that correct? Because I'm suddenly thinking maybe 2K's going with something other than a real zone system, seeing they didn't call it zone hitting in their game features writeup. In which case BBW, and this game would definitely be something you'd want to RBYBI. ;)

Re: "Swing Stick Advanced!"
 

then i would have to say you are afraid of change my friend, swing stick is great for baseball, button mashing is in the past(i would play nintendo if i wanted to pull off button mashing). Now do I think swing stick could have been done better and should be done better? YES!!! the timing actually gets you involved in hitting in the game and is great, now if they add some sort of zone aiming/hitting to go with the great timing then this will be the best ever usage of a hitting mode in a baseball game ever, next gen games are great because they can add so much to playing a game and not having to rely on a d-pad and 2 buttons like the nintendo did, i love analog controls and i just wish they would perfect them to make versions of games better

Re: "Swing Stick Advanced!"
 

I don't think you can say that, given you don't know the fellow. Maybe something along the lines of "You have a flair for the dramatic", or "You have a penchant for hyperbole." Because calling the swing stick "the worst thing that has ever made its way into a Baseball video game" is, and let's face it, more a gross overstatement than anything else.