MLB 2K11 Preview: Franchise Mode, My Player and More... (Destructoid)

[Wavebird99]

I brought up 2K10’s messed-up manager AI for pitchers, and Bailey freely acknowledged that it was awful; he told me I was being too nice about a system where a manager left my starter in for twelve innings. But 2K11 doesn’t go by pitcher stamina or energy, concepts that are “too videogamey,” according to Bailey. “If it says ‘52 energy,’ what does that mean to me? Can I pitch three more innings? One more inning?” Instead, in-game managers will focus on your pitch count, just like real MLB coaches. On the pause screen, you’ll see your current and expected pitch count, and when you reach the upper limits of the expected range for the day, you’ll probably get pulled.

Holy crap, now I'm excited. The Manager AI was seriously such a problem for me last year. The CPU had no idea how to manage a bullpen. This is great news.

[JoeMimic]

Sounds good but where are the gameplay videos? 20 days until release and not a whole lot of actual video of the game.

[Cardinals602]

does anybody know if you can use a created team in your franchise mode? I was excited when I saw the created team feature on 2k10 and then disappointed when I realized I couldnt use my team in franchise mode. so Im hoping that they make it so you can use a created team in franchise, whether you have to replace an existing team or not.

[mwjr]

Ugh. So close. Sounds really enticing, but I want to know more about the front office goings-on. Is the free agent thing fixed? Are players offered market-value contracts? Roster expansion? Rule 5 draft?

[rudyjuly2]

Zoomed out camera angle, no HR give away, better manager AI with regards to pitchers. I'm getting excited. Trying to keep my hopes in check but everything is sounding really good.

[Money99]

Quote: Originally Posted by JoeMimic

Sounds good but where are the gameplay videos? 20 days until release and not a whole lot of actual video of the game.

I think that's 2K's marketing mission statement "We promise to keep our consumers in the dark 3 minutes before release".

The info's starting to trickle in, but it could be faster. But I wonder if they're trying to coordinate info releases between SCEA's?

[SPTO]

It's nice to hear that the AI will manage pitchers better. This has been a major issue for YEARS on this game. I'm hoping for this game to be uber realistic in that it would take quite a while to get a game done (1 hr+)

I'm really looking forward to this game.

[bonannogiovanni]

When the previewer is talking about the hitting camera, does he really mean a fielding cam? I'm confused....