I really, really want to like this game.

[cts50]

Re: I really, really want to like this game.

its something with the hitting.
its just not fun.
i honestly havent played this game in a month.
i play super mega baseball almost every day.

the hitting in that game has more variety and its way more fun.

I think what you are trying to say is "Easier=Fun".

That is fine, but just be honest.

This game is challenging and requires you to think. Some people dont like that...which is ok. Others would rather face a realistic challenge instead of super ultra mega ball.

[cts50]

Re: I really, really want to like this game.

I agree 100%. This game is like playing Stat-O-Matic with graphics, bottom line, cut and dry, end of the story.

When we make contact it is no different then rolling the dice and looking on the hitters or pitchers card for the results period!!!

If we don't use auto fielding, so what, the result is still GB to SS based on the dice roll the CPU chooses when contact is made.

The game is scripted, but I don't care because playing Stat-O-Matic with graphics was always something I wanted to try.

The Show is that game.

Not true at all.

I need to make good contact, have good timing, anticipate what pitchers are going to be thrown to me, and square the ball up.

It is a great representation of how real hitting works. Especially if you use Pure Analog hitting. That is the best interface to hit with. It is just like hitting in real baseball, physics-wise.

[cts50]

Re: I really, really want to like this game.

I've been feeling like this game has been scripted for years now, but at this point I just play it for what it is. Like many others I don't feel like the gameplay feels organic and sometimes it feels like an RPG. This game has so much potential to be great. To me the gameplay sometimes feeling scripted is the biggest problem I have with it because this is a quality game. I have fun playing this game with friends and in leagues, but I wish we had more control of the actual outcomes. Again, that's just me. Just like there's many who feel this way there are many who feel the game isn't scripted.

What does "scripted" mean, and why dont you like it?

Is part of the problem have to do with most baseball games in real life feeling the same? Maybe you just dont like baseball? lol


If you dont like the CPU to comeback, dont let off the gas pedal when you get ahead. Dont get predictable. You will say that you do not, but go back, check your pitch charts, and be honest with yourself.

This game is so deep and engaging in the way you attack hitters/pitchers. So much strategy takes place on the higher difficulties.

[cts50]

Re: I really, really want to like this game.

And don't worry guys. I only hit in to 7 DPs in this game. Lost it. Played as the Braves v Oakland later. Gave up a pair of solo shots to Eric Sogard, yet Freddie Freeman gets hangers that I hit on the nail. Those promptly dribbled to Billy Butler at 1b.

This part I can actually agree with.

At times, it sure feels like I square the ball up, yet I ground into to double play, and then I watch the CPU hit a bomb to the opposite field on a pitch with bad timing off the outside corner.

It is usually my timing and bat control with my swings though. It is frustrating, but there is a clear method to the madness and you can see your improvement as you hit/pitch.

[jackbquick]

Re: I really, really want to like this game.

I'm genuinely curious as to why some of you guys feel the game is scripted. I've had seemingly unrealistic comebacks but I've also had comebacks that the CPU would feel were most unrealistic e.g bottom of the ninth, two outs, I get 3 singles and then walk-off. I've even seen a developer say that no such code exists.

By "unrealistic comebacks", do you mean the kind that feel like the computer let you win...the CPU dominated you all game and then all of sudden in the 8th or 9th the CPU starts grooving fastballs, balls you didn't time well or square up on start falling in or even leave the yard, and the CPU starts booting and throwing balls away to extend innings...is that the type of comebacks you are talking about?

I've experienced a lot of games like that. I've also experienced the reverse where I'm pissing on the ball but it's inexplicably landing in someones glove or dying out on the warning track and my players start kicking the ball around.

It's repeated experiences like this that make people say the game is scripted. Even when not experiencing the "unrealistic comebacks" or the artificially close games, there are a lot of little events that occur which give the feeling of it being scripted, such as a "Good" timed and perfectly centered PCI that results in a lazy fly ball to shallow right field.

[jackbquick]

Re: I really, really want to like this game.

Not true at all.

I need to make good contact, have good timing, anticipate what pitchers are going to be thrown to me, and square the ball up.

It is a great representation of how real hitting works. Especially if you use Pure Analog hitting. That is the best interface to hit with. It is just like hitting in real baseball, physics-wise.

I want this to be true, but I don't believe this to be true. I've repeated it a number of time on these forums already but I've experienced a number of "Good" timing and perfectly squared up PCI swings that have resulted in lazy fly balls. I've also experienced a lot of homeruns where the PCI wasn't on the ball and had late timing. I don't know what the algorithms are doing but it sure seems a lot more like a dice roll than it does real physics.

[cts50]

Re: I really, really want to like this game.

I want this to be true, but I don't believe this to be true. I've repeated it a number of time on these forums already but I've experienced a number of "Good" timing and perfectly squared up PCI swings that have resulted in lazy fly balls. I've also experienced a lot of homeruns where the PCI wasn't on the ball and had late timing. I don't know what the algorithms are doing but it sure seems a lot more like a dice roll than it does real physics.

Timing is not meant to be "Good" for every pitch speed/location.

If you swing at a change-up off the outside corner, you dont want "Good" timing. You want "Late" timing. This will hit the ball oppo and go with this pitch.

If you swing early or good on an outside/off-speed pitch, you will likely roll over the pitch and ground out weakly.

Likewise, you arent trying to square up the PCI with the ball if you are trying to hit a home run. You will usually get line-drive/low angle flyballs.

The physics play a huge impact. I 100% know this. I experience it every time I play.

[jackbquick]

Re: I really, really want to like this game.

Timing is not meant to be "Good" for every pitch speed/location.

If you swing at a change-up off the outside corner, you dont want "Good" timing. You want "Late" timing. This will hit the ball oppo and go with this pitch.

If you swing early or good on an outside/off-speed pitch, you will likely roll over the pitch and ground out weakly.

Likewise, you arent trying to square up the PCI with the ball if you are trying to hit a home run. You will usually get line-drive/low angle flyballs.

The physics play a huge impact. I 100% know this. I experience it every time I play.

Again, I want this to be true, but I don't believe it is.

Good timing does result in an outside pitch being hit the other way.

I agree that a perfectly squared up PCI should result in a line drive. What I'm saying is it doesn't always result in a line drive. I've seen it on a number of occasions result in a lazy fly ball. I stopped keeping an exact count somewhere around the tenth occurence. I've also seen it result in home runs and ground balls. And I'm speaking purely of scenarios with good timing. I check the swing feedback religiously after each pitch.

Home runs occur without the PCI touching the ball. This I completely fail to understand. Home runs with the ball on the upper half of the PCI makes sense, but not touching it all does not.

[Splitter77]

Re: I really, really want to like this game.

I think what you are trying to say is "Easier=Fun".

That is fine, but just be honest.

This game is challenging and requires you to think. Some people dont like that...which is ok. Others would rather face a realistic challenge instead of super ultra mega ball.

not really.
im saying when i hit the ball in both games. the ball flight is better in super mega baseball. its just more random. you see different types of hits all the time in super mega baseball. the show is boring because all hits seem the same to me.

[jackbquick]

Re: I really, really want to like this game.

I think what you are trying to say is "Easier=Fun".

That is fine, but just be honest.

This game is challenging and requires you to think. Some people dont like that...which is ok. Others would rather face a realistic challenge instead of super ultra mega ball.

This wasn't addressed directly to me, but being I also share the feeling that something is off with hitting this year that is reducing the enjoyment I wanted to be clear that I'm not requesting easier. I don't have complaints with the volume of hits I'm currently generating. My problem is with how they are occurring. I'm not being rewarded for good timing and PCI placement as I should and too many hits are coming when one or both are off. I want to be rewarded for my successes and penalized for my failures. I'm not saying I should receive hits on all my successes, but the ball coming off the bat should reflect my success and it currently often does not.

These are the changes I would like to see made to hitting:

• Consistent results and real physics - Every hit should be reproducible. For example a centered PCI with good timing should always result in a line drive. The path of the ball after contact should be a result of timing and PCI location, plus any weather and park adjustments. At present there are clearly adjustments being made, I'm assuming based on player attributes, to the hit path and velocity off the bat that don't reflect the physics of PCI location and timing.
• Custom camera available across all modes or new default cameras added. The addition of dynamic pitch breaks has exposed just how bad the cameras and angles really are. The defaults are either too low or too zoomed in. With some camera angles the pitcher release point is located outside the batters eye, which is a clear indication the angles are off. Strikes should never travel up out of the pitchers hand, which is the case with most of the catcher cameras. The wide angle is the one camera I find palatable, but it is over rated up making it nearly impossible to judge balls and strikes low in the zone. I would like to see a version of wide, zoomed in to where half the plate isn't visible and rotated down to where the angle is between the current wide and catcher classic cameras.
• Pitch speeds fixed to match the real life speeds. No more 17MPH differences between FB and change, unless the pitcher actually has that difference in real life.
• Pitch breaks that better represent the real life pitcher. There is currently little noticeable difference in pitch breaks between the best and worst pitchers. Every pitcher in the game seems to have drop off the table stuff. This isn't the case in real life. In the game I would rather face Kershaw or Bumgarner then many pitchers rated in the 70's or low 80's.
• Return to 14 exit velocity. In 14 the ball seemed to explode off the bat. In 15 I often feel like I'm hitting pillows. Well struck balls just aren't coming off like they should and it is severely impacting the experience.

Should any of the above result in the game becoming easier, I'm on board with other changes being made to increase the difficult. For example the timing window and PCI could be made smaller. I do think the PCI is too large as it is right now.

[cts50]

Re: I really, really want to like this game.

Again, I want this to be true, but I don't believe it is.

Good timing does result in an outside pitch being hit the other way.

I agree that a perfectly squared up PCI should result in a line drive. What I'm saying is it doesn't always result in a line drive. I've seen it on a number of occasions result in a lazy fly ball. I stopped keeping an exact count somewhere around the tenth occurence. I've also seen it result in home runs and ground balls. And I'm speaking purely of scenarios with good timing. I check the swing feedback religiously after each pitch.

Home runs occur without the PCI touching the ball. This I completely fail to understand. Home runs with the ball on the upper half of the PCI makes sense, but not touching it all does not.

Well that all depends on the player swinging the bat and where the pitch is.

If Ryan Theriot squares up a pitch right down the middle with the PCI, it will likely result in a line-drive back up the middle.

A squared up pitch up in the zone will likely be a lazy fly ball for Theriot.

A squared up pitch down in the zone will probably be a hard grounder up the middle.


Now, if you are using Willie Mays, a squared up pitch right down the middle will probably be a hard liner that falls in, or a liner that makes it all the way to the CF'er for an out.

A pitch up in the zone that gets squared up will probably get taken out of the yard.

Also, understand that some ballparks have large dimensions. So it could feel like a lazy fly ball to CF, but if the wall is 400 feet to CF, it should be tough to take it out.

[cts50]

Re: I really, really want to like this game.

not really.
im saying when i hit the ball in both games. the ball flight is better in super mega baseball. its just more random. you see different types of hits all the time in super mega baseball. the show is boring because all hits seem the same to me.

I dont know what to tell you here. If you feel that you get the same hits all the time, then honestly there is little that I can say to change that thought in your mind.

All I can say is that I see hits to all fields depending on how I made contact, and those hits get played differently all the time depending on the fielder playing against me.

[cts50]

Re: I really, really want to like this game.

This wasn't addressed directly to me, but being I also share the feeling that something is off with hitting this year that is reducing the enjoyment I wanted to be clear that I'm not requesting easier. I don't have complaints with the volume of hits I'm currently generating. My problem is with how they are occurring. I'm not being rewarded for good timing and PCI placement as I should and too many hits are coming when one or both are off. I want to be rewarded for my successes and penalized for my failures. I'm not saying I should receive hits on all my successes, but the ball coming off the bat should reflect my success and it currently often does not.

These are the changes I would like to see made to hitting:

• Consistent results and real physics - Every hit should be reproducible. For example a centered PCI with good timing should always result in a line drive. The path of the ball after contact should be a result of timing and PCI location, plus any weather and park adjustments. At present there are clearly adjustments being made, I'm assuming based on player attributes, to the hit path and velocity off the bat that don't reflect the physics of PCI location and timing.
• Custom camera available across all modes or new default cameras added. The addition of dynamic pitch breaks has exposed just how bad the cameras and angles really are. The defaults are either too low or too zoomed in. With some camera angles the pitcher release point is located outside the batters eye, which is a clear indication the angles are off. Strikes should never travel up out of the pitchers hand, which is the case with most of the catcher cameras. The wide angle is the one camera I find palatable, but it is over rated up making it nearly impossible to judge balls and strikes low in the zone. I would like to see a version of wide, zoomed in to where half the plate isn't visible and rotated down to where the angle is between the current wide and catcher classic cameras.
• Pitch speeds fixed to match the real life speeds. No more 17MPH differences between FB and change, unless the pitcher actually has that difference in real life.
• Pitch breaks that better represent the real life pitcher. There is currently little noticeable difference in pitch breaks between the best and worst pitchers. Every pitcher in the game seems to have drop off the table stuff. This isn't the case in real life. In the game I would rather face Kershaw or Bumgarner then many pitchers rated in the 70's or low 80's.
• Return to 14 exit velocity. In 14 the ball seemed to explode off the bat. In 15 I often feel like I'm hitting pillows. Well struck balls just aren't coming off like they should and it is severely impacting the experience.

Should any of the above result in the game becoming easier, I'm on board with other changes being made to increase the difficult. For example the timing window and PCI could be made smaller. I do think the PCI is too large as it is right now.

I dont want to become redundant, but I strongly feel that your first bullet is incorrect. I have just seen the physics in play when hitting, and there is a clear system behind it. I know how to hit the ball to all fields, use timing correctly, and attempt to directional hit with Pure Analog, or Zone hitting. However, you can read the other posts I've made about that so that this does not take over the entire post.

I agree 100% that custom angles should be allowed in every mode (I assume you are referring to the lack of custom angles in on-line play). I switch up my camera a lot because I am always looking for a better way to see the ball. The custom camera setting should excuse them for the lack of angles presented as defaults, and the ability to customize is great, but we need that in DD games, and head to head games online.

Pitch speeds is definitely an interesting topic this season. I have noticed that I am WAY early on anything off-speed unless I make a concentrated effort to stay back.

Off-Speed pitches should be a challenge, but I agree that the difference is kind of drastic this season. It might even have more to do with pitch movement than speed. I cant hit a change-up to save my life because they start at the letters and end up below my knees. Changeups should break *slightly* down, not break 3 feet.

And your last bullet kind of ties into what I was just saying regarding off-speed pitches. Too many pitchers are "nasty". Kershaw, Bumgarner, etc should feel tougher than Jason Marquis.

You can see that guys like Kershaw are more consistent than guys like Marquis, and they have more command on their pitches, more control, more speed, more break, etc....but the difference in pitch speed can make them tougher to hit than they really are compared to a Kershaw or a Bumgarner.

[jackbquick]

Re: I really, really want to like this game.

Well that all depends on the player swinging the bat and where the pitch is.

If Ryan Theriot squares up a pitch right down the middle with the PCI, it will likely result in a line-drive back up the middle.

A squared up pitch up in the zone will likely be a lazy fly ball for Theriot.

A squared up pitch down in the zone will probably be a hard grounder up the middle.


Now, if you are using Willie Mays, a squared up pitch right down the middle will probably be a hard liner that falls in, or a liner that makes it all the way to the CF'er for an out.

A pitch up in the zone that gets squared up will probably get taken out of the yard.

Also, understand that some ballparks have large dimensions. So it could feel like a lazy fly ball to CF, but if the wall is 400 feet to CF, it should be tough to take it out.

The batter or location of the pitch should not matter if the pitch is squared up. A squared up well timed hit should result in a line drive. The trajectory and distance traveled will change depending on location in the zone and the hitter, but a squared up is still a line drive. It is illogical that squaring up a pitch in the zone results in anything but a line drive. A fly ball would indicate the batter was under the pitch and did not square it up. A ground ball would indicate the batter hitter on top of the ball and did not square it up.

[jackbquick]

Re: I really, really want to like this game.

I dont want to become redundant, but I strongly feel that your first bullet is incorrect. I have just seen the physics in play when hitting, and there is a clear system behind it. I know how to hit the ball to all fields, use timing correctly, and attempt to directional hit with Pure Analog, or Zone hitting. However, you can read the other posts I've made about that so that this does not take over the entire post.

You are wrong in this regard. I encourage you to start checking the swing feedback each and every time you put the ball in play. More often than not it does reflect real physics. But there are many occurrences where it does not.

The specific issue that has me fired up about this is the good timing squared up PCI resulting in lazy fly balls. I'm not talking the sort that is in between a fly ball and line drive and it could be classified either way. I'm talking sky high fly balls caught in the shallow outfield where the outfielder has plenty of time to camp under it. The PCI is perfectly centered on the ball with the labels for timing and pitch overlapping. It has happened numerous times and is the smoking gun that it isn't just physics controlling the outcome.