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Author Bio
Carlos M. Hernandez

Home Town: Bronx, NY
Sports: Baseball, Football, Basketball, Tennis
Games: Out Of The Park Baseball, Tony La Russa Baseball Series, NBA 2K, MLB: The Show, NFL 2K, Top Spin
Teams: Yankees, Knicks, Jets
OS Username: OS: YankeePride
Tags: PS3: TBD
Friday, August 15, 2008
Video Game Passing Needs to be Reworked
12:53 PM - August 15, 2008. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Carlos M. Hernandez
Carlos Hernandez checks in today with an article discussing an issue he believes is a huge problem for football games today: the passing game. Hernandez offers up what he believes is wrong and also talks about what can be done to fix the problem. Check out his thoughts and be sure to add your own in his article Video Game Passing Needs to be Reworked.

Quote:
"The pocket is one of the most pressured areas of a playing field in all sports. The pocket requires a near uncanny ability to maintain both rushed patience and concentrated hastiness, both skill sets which separate the able from the unable. It only takes a matter of seconds, but within that time quarterbacks are expected to make decisions quickly and immediately react to their surroundings. Yet, despite the pocket's pressing nature, passing has somewhat become an afterthought in football video gaming. A requirement of the sport that has received fewer updates and improvements than running, catching, or defensive skill sets. It has become the dribbling of football video games."

Thursday, August 7, 2008
MLB Life Does The Career Mode Right
03:52 PM - August 7, 2008. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Carlos M. Hernandez
Anyone who has played MLB Power Pros will vouch for the MLB Life mode that is within the game. Carlos Hernandez is no different, as he offers up his own opinions and suggestions for developers of the game's mode in his article, MLB Life Does the Career Mode Right.

Quote:
"Growing up to be a Major League Baseball player is every young fan's dream. It is probably why baseball fans today enjoy the opportunity to take their created players from the minors all the way up to the big show. But, while these game modes have now been available in sports gaming for a number of years, only MLB Power Pros 2008 has taken it one step further by immersing you in a world of decisions that include friendships, marriage, and the occasional game of golf."

Game: MLB Power Pros 2008Reader Score: 6.5/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS2 / Wii / NDSVotes: 11 - View All
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Why I Have Not Made the Leap To Online
11:56 AM - July 30, 2008. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Carlos M. Hernandez
Our very own Carlos Hernandez checks in today with a look at why he hasn't made his own leap to online play just yet. Check out his thoughts and let him know your own thoughts in his article, Why I Have Not Made the Leap to Online.

Quote:
"Over the past number of years, as online gaming has become the embodiment of sports gaming, I have caught some heat for being one of the only serious gamers to not get involved in online competition. Friends of mine routinely ask me to sign up for a Xbox Live Gold subscription and join a world of gamers connected world wide under one network. Yet, still to this day, I have avoided the online community. My reasons are straight forward, though they've always received criticism that I do not expect to see go away."

Friday, July 25, 2008
What Happened to Playing for the Love of the Game?
03:35 PM - July 25, 2008. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Carlos M. Hernandez
Whatever happened to the good old days of just picking up a game and playing it to have fun? The days where graphics weren't such a big deal? Carlos Hernandez looks at a game many have looked over, MLB Power Pros for the Wii, and asks a very significant question: What Happened to Playing for the Love of the Game?
Quote:
"In this age of advanced computer technology and increased focus on delivering true-to-life specs, we gamers have grown accustomed to expecting graphical realism in any sports game attempting to replicate reality. When we play our favorite sports game we expect the images on-screen to compare favorably to those we see on a sports channel. So I ask, with this expectation in mind, how can any sports gamer be excited about the release of MLB Power Pros -- a baseball video game with characters so "cartoonish" their arms and legs are nowhere to be seen? Do you see the problem with even having to ask that question?"

Monday, July 14, 2008
On the Fence About NCAA Football 09
01:33 PM - July 14, 2008. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Carlos M. Hernandez
Are you on the fence about buying NCAA Football 09? If so, you are not alone. Our very own Carlos Hernandez is as well and you can check out his thoughts in his article, On the Fence About NCAA Football 09.

Quote:
"While getting ready to play NCAA Football 09, I had an epiphany. An epiphany not simply about NCAA Football, but the sports video game genre as a whole.

Sadly, I have discovered I’m unsatisfied with the overall quality of sports games. Even fan favorites like MLB: The Show and College Hoops 2K8 have left me desiring a richer product."

Game: NCAA Football 09Reader Score: 7/10 - Vote Now
Platform: Xbox 360 / PS2 / PS3 / Wii / PSPVotes: 95 - View All
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Top Spin 3 Tips
03:50 PM - July 3, 2008. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Carlos M. Hernandez
As we continue our unofficial Top Spin 3 day here at Operation Sports, staff writer Carlos Hernandez has penned a strategy article dealing with general tips for Top Spin 3. If you are having problems adjusting to the new control scheme or if you are new to the game of tennis, this guide is probably for you. Check out Carlos' article, Top Spin 3 Tips.

Quote:
"To play like tennis champions Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova the average gamer would have to practice day and night. Thankfully with Top Spin 3, 2K's latest installment of the highly rated tennis franchise, gamers can take the court as their favorite stars without the demanding schedule and early morning practice routines. But, as you'll soon discover within seconds of playing your first set, even living the fantasy of controlling some of tennis' best comes with a price."

Game: Top Spin 3Reader Score: 7.5/10 - Vote Now
Platform: Xbox 360 / PS3 / NDSVotes: 10 - View All
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Closing the Gap Between NBA Live and NBA 2K
05:57 PM - June 26, 2008. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Carlos M. Hernandez
NBA Live has thus far not translated well to next-gen consoles. Carlos Hernandez checks in today with an article talking about how Live can begin to close the quality gap between itself and NBA 2k so hardcore gamers will consider it again. Check out his article, Closing the Gap Between NBA Live and NBA 2k.

Quote:
"Whether fair or not, the differences between Live and 2K are obvious. EA has a way of dramatizing their new features that turn off basketball enthusiasts, making them wonder how long before the online community abuses the new addition in game play. Whereas Visual Concepts pours in so little information, which is vague at most, that gamers become more receptive to their motives and new game play enhancements."

Game: NBA Live 09Reader Score: 7/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS3Votes: 38 - View All
Friday, June 20, 2008
Turning a Digital Passion into a Real Love
05:42 PM - June 20, 2008. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Carlos M. Hernandez
Have you ever played a digital representation of a sport you had no idea about what you were doing? Operation Sports' Carlos Hernandez has, and he wants to share his experiences with playing a digital sport without knowing the rules to the real game. Check out his article, Turning a Digital Passion into a Real Love.

Quote:
"Despite all that, somehow many of us have a deep appreciation for a sport we may never consider out favorite. But, due to a great sports game emulating the likeness, intensity, and enjoyment of this particular sport, we have grown fond of it. For me, that sport is hockey. And all it took was the SNES version of NHL '94 by EA Sports. Before I opened the cardboard box holding my SNES cartridge I knew very little about the sport of hockey. My understanding of hockey was extremely limited and my skill at the game was non-existent."

Friday, June 13, 2008
Why OOTP Baseball Needs Head to Head
02:11 PM - June 13, 2008. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Carlos M. Hernandez
Carlos Hernandez checks in today with a look at a controversial topic among Out of the Park Baseball diehard fans, head-to-head. Check out Carlos' take on the topic in his article, Why OOTP Baseball Needs Head to Head.

Quote:
"Let's get this out in the open: Out of the Park Baseball needs head-to-head. Every year, the popular game has added and enhanced new and existing features. Yet, even while it brought back detailed scouting reports, improved its stat-simulation by relying on DIPS, and included pitch-by-pitch mode over the years, the one big omission has been head-to-head."

Game: Out of the Park Baseball 9Reader Score: 9/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PCVotes: 7 - View All
Friday, June 6, 2008
Moving Up the Ladder
03:38 PM - June 6, 2008. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Carlos M. Hernandez
This week, Carlos Hernandez checks in with a look at how important it is for sports game developers to focus on the coaching ladder. Check out his article, Moving up the Ladder.

Quote:
"The list of great coaches in professional sports is a short one when compared to the number of men and women that have led teams in the past century. Each of these coaches, whether good or bad, started off somewhere. Either as players in professional sports working their way to the coaching ranks or coaching their small alma-mater into the media's attention and jumping ship for more prestige and a bigger paycheck. Every coach has a past."

Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Top Five Exciting New Features in Top Spin 3
08:32 PM - May 21, 2008. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Carlos M. Hernandez
Operation Sports' Carlos Hernandez penned a preview of Top Spin 3 listing what five new features he is looking forward to. Check out his article here.
Quote:
"2k Sports is hoping to change the popular opinion of tennis video games with the release of Top Spin 3 for the 360, PS3 and Wii. Up until this point, most tennis video games usually have became a tedious game of back-and-forth. Once you master the title, it becomes a boring task of setting up the AI by hitting a shot toward one line, forcing the opponent to hit weakly back to you, and then lining a hard shot to the other side of the court. 15-Love. Rinse, repeat. If, ever, you found yourself losing a point it was mostly because you tried experimenting with something else and miscalculating a swing."

Game: Top Spin 3Reader Score: 7.5/10 - Vote Now
Platform: Xbox 360 / PS3 / NDSVotes: 10 - View All
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Analyzing Commentary in Sports Games
03:54 PM - May 14, 2008. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Carlos M. Hernandez
Operation Sports' Richard Chavez has penned an article discussing how important commentary really is for sports games. Check out the article here.

Quote:
"High fly ball into right field, she is gone!" Those are the famous words spoken by legendary commentator Vin Scully. Those words made one of the biggest home runs hit in World Series history memorable to every baseball fan. There is no doubt, even without the commentary, Kirk Gibson's shot off of Dennis Eckersley would be remembered today and replayed numerous times every October. But there is something about the calmness as the bat connects, the excitement as the ball leaves the park, and the silence as Gibson rounds the bases. The entire moment was handled perfectly by Scully."

Friday, May 9, 2008
Text Sims: Making the Jump from Niche to Mainstream
12:01 PM - May 9, 2008. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Carlos M. Hernandez
Carlos Hernandez (aka YankeePride here at OS) makes his rookie debut on the writing staff by looking at the future of text sims and how they are just now finally making their way into the mainstream. Check out his article here.

Quote:
"When "casual" gamers hear the words "text-sim" their thoughts immediately search for an understanding of the text-sim sports gaming genre. Most of the time, their research leads them astray. The interesting aspects of a text-simulation are left undiscovered as the "casual" gamer overlooks the genres depth concentrating only on its lack of graphical representation."