The bad commentary thread

[Buckeyes_Doc]

Re: The bad commentary thread

I think their best year of commentary was the year before they brought Hudler on board. When it was just Matt and Soup it was fantastic... Hudler doesn't add anything except really stupid comments.

Also, they've really gone bare-bones with a lot of it. They used to detail the whole lineup rather than just pointing out one player... I loved that! I know it took a long time but they should've made it possible to skip through that without skipping straight to the first batter. It was awesome hearing how many times a guy was an all-star, or hearing so and so in his usual 3 spot... the only time that got annoying was when Matt would be shocked a dead tired player was in the lineup (when he was only in because fatigue in this game is unrealistic).

They also used to introduce the pitcher and actually talk about him, rather than just giving a one sentence introduction.

Again, these were really repetitive sometimes but the solution wasn't to take them out, the solution was to make more generic ones based on franchise performance - i.e., for a pitcher say his name and instead of a generic "the key for him will be to keep the ball low" say "leading his team in wins so far, has really established himself as the staff ace this year...", or tell us where his ERA ranks in the league, stuff like that. For batters in the lineup, talk about streaks - "in the number 2 spot, riding a 5 game hitting streak" or performances "looking for his 30th home run of the year tonight."

The fact they took these out, and reduced the presentation - we used to see a player's stats to date every time they came up to the plate (even subsequent ones that would say 0 for 1 would have the season stats in small print at the bottom), now we only get that for the first at-bat. Plus, they should take a page out of ESPN's playbook and show more than average and counting stats - show me OBP, SLG, OPS, stuff like that. Why their scoreboards show SLG but not OBP or OPS is beyond me.

Anyway, you can probably tell I loved this game's presentation in years past and hate that it took such a huge step back... and no, the fact that the scoreboard says "great hit!" occassionally does not count as a huge addition to me.

Completely agree. The only thing I feel like SCEA took a step back on this year was in the presentation department. I also loved the presentation in previous years such as going through the whole line-up, talking about individual players stats and history, discussing the SP's and showing batting stats every at-bat instead of just the 1st AB.

Really confused on why SCEA took all this out and added generic scoreboard things like you pointed out such as "GET LOUD" I mean that really does nothing to the presentation. Hopefully next year SCEA adds a lot of their old stuff back in, it's not like they dont have enough space for it,

[SoxChamp]

Re: The bad commentary thread

Completely agree. The only thing I feel like SCEA took a step back on this year was in the presentation department. I also loved the presentation in previous years such as going through the whole line-up, talking about individual players stats and history, discussing the SP's and showing batting stats every at-bat instead of just the 1st AB.

One of the reasons they removed the breakdown of individual players during pre-game could have to do with the fact that it didn't advance as you moved through a Franchise. You would be 5 years into your Franchise, and they are still talking about that player's 2008 season. The commentary didn't (and probably couldn't, realistically) advance as the years advanced. "Aaron Harang had a disappointing 2008 season". Great, but it's 2011, Matt.

So instead, they now give you generic breakdowns (such as "facing the hard throwing right hander") while letting the on-screen statistics tell the story.

[jetercanoturn2]

Re: The bad commentary thread

I love Matty V, Soup is alright, Hud is god-awful. I would love Vin Scully and Orel Hershieser commentating, that would be awesome, not gonna happen, but it would be butter to my ears if it did

[Gagnon39]

Re: The bad commentary thread

They need Vin Scully. That would be awesome. And overall, I agree with the original post. The commentary in this game has always been top notch. Until this year. I still do not understand why they took out the opening lineup routine. Now all the announcers talk about is the same guy, every, single time. I loved when the announcers would go through the entire lineup and talk about what each player has been doing.

[Tomahawk Jam]

Re: The bad commentary thread

I hate when they talk about umpires bad calls. That NEVER happens in real life. If it did a lot of people would be fired.

I know this was already addressed earlier in the thread, but I just got an idea. I think it would be cool if they would incorporate some kind of umpire history into the game, like a certain umpire that a team always seems to have a problem with. As a Mets fan, the name Angel Hernandez immediately leaps out, but some fans of other National League teams may be very familiar with him as well. This guy always seems to be behind some of the most bewildering calls and Gary Cohen (the Mets play by play man) will usually make a point to make a tongue-in-cheek comment about his umpiring.

Since Matt is taking on the role of a regional commentator, because he'll say things like "fortunately no advance" on a passed ball as well as make comments on the strike zone, they could probably find a way to incorporate this.

[jim416]

Re: The bad commentary thread

One thing that SCEA may need to rethink. The commentary doesn't stop. I would love to hear Matt say something without it being automatically followed up by Rex and his nonsense, or even Dave. There needs to be quiet at times during the broadcast.

I'm hoping for a two man booth, less silliness, some quiet in between so I can listen to the sounds of the crowd.

As far as Scully (in real life), I respect the guy, but he's another one who WON'T SHUT UP, lol.

[Dirkules]

Re: The bad commentary thread

i dont like the Commentators in the Game.
the worst , for me, is Jack Vergasian or so...
he has an arrogant voice..... dont like him.

better is the older Man, dont know the name.

[cardsfan2222]

Re: The bad commentary thread

I hate when Matt says "welcome to a sold out Busch Stadium" when the attendance shows 28,000. I find Rex to be extremely annoying this year, but I think part of it is because the pitching coach cut scenes play all of the time, and he says the same thing every time. I think the commentary would be better if they reacted more to each other, instead of how it sounds like they're all in separate booths calling the games

[Garrett67]

Re: The bad commentary thread

Do you wanna hear something funny?

I've played "The Show" '06 (PS2,PSP), '07 (PSP, PS3), '08 (PSP , PS3) '09 (PS3) and to this day, I cannot tell which is Dave and which is Rex. Perhaps its Matt and Dave I can't tell apart .. I know for sure who Matt is and I know who Rex is (annoying) .. So, apparently I can't tell who Dave is.

[wrigleyville33]

Re: The bad commentary thread

They need Vin Scully. That would be awesome. And overall, I agree with the original post. The commentary in this game has always been top notch. Until this year. I still do not understand why they took out the opening lineup routine. Now all the announcers talk about is the same guy, every, single time. I loved when the announcers would go through the entire lineup and talk about what each player has been doing.

I don't understand why everyone wants and loves Scully. He bores me to death! I tried watching a Dodger's game one day, and I changed the channel in two minutes. He is so monotone, and it is so boring hearing that man talk. How about Mark Grace and Daron Sutten. I wouldn't mind Harold Reynolds either. Just get some excitement in there!

[jim416]

Re: The bad commentary thread

Do you wanna hear something funny?

I've played "The Show" '06 (PS2,PSP), '07 (PSP, PS3), '08 (PSP , PS3) '09 (PS3) and to this day, I cannot tell which is Dave and which is Rex. Perhaps its Matt and Dave I can't tell apart .. I know for sure who Matt is and I know who Rex is (annoying) .. So, apparently I can't tell who Dave is.

Dave is the taller guy.

[Cubfan]

Re: The bad commentary thread

I would be happy to see the announceing go back to Matt and Dave and dump Rex. We still don't need new player models atleast not at the cost of something that is working correctly. The models look good to me.

[loogs]

Re: The bad commentary thread

i had a thread like this and i was told that i was nitpicking. i totally agree with you. the commentary is putrid at best. they need to REDO THE ENTIRE COMMENTARY for this game. id rather have a strong 2 man booth, that an ignorant 3 man booth.

[dave_sz]

Re: The bad commentary thread

But I'm not seeing all this praise you're swearing you see anymore. I guess that's your 2K agenda coming through again.

WHat 2k agenda? Seriously, you read a post I made 2 months ago and now you're bringing it back into play? Get over yourself bro, move on. The commentary in this game is bad, inaccurate, repetitive and there is nothing natural about it. I'm tired of hearing something along the lines of "and if they hold on to the lead they'll be back to .500" or "if they don't catch up they'll fall to 2 under .500", while my team's record was 7-2.

[Tyking]

Re: The bad commentary thread

You'd think they would've tested stuff like this too.

Sort of like how when it shows the linescore after the side is retired, right before it cuts away a zero magically appears for the upcoming half inning, which just looks silly. It happens 16-17 times every game so how didn't they notice such obvious things?