Do you use the L-stick when batting?

[Jgainsey]

Re: Do you use the L-stick when batting?

I don't feel "better" or "superior" for using the L stick, I prefer video games to be somewhat challenging. Just timing the pitch is not challenging to me. You do get a more realistic batting experience using the L stick since you are both locating and timing the pitch, that's what you need to do when batting in real life. I'm not at all implying the skill set of hitting in a game is similar to real baseball. The game is trying to recreate hitting as best as possible with a controller and if you are just timing the pitch and not locating, IT IS A LESS REALISTIC EXPERIENCE; that's just a fact. And, just timing the pitch is just like playing a 15 year old game with a different camera angle from a gameplay perspective. You only had to timing the pitch in games like RBI baseball, Griffey baseball, etc. I just don't understand why you wouldn't play with the left stick unless you just don't have the hand-eye coordination or whatever to use the left stick. Just on a being a gamer, I want challenging gameplay mechanics in my games.

The amount of realism a gamer gets out of a particular gameplay mechanic is completely subjective. To say one way is more realistic than the other is not only wrong, but it is really only going to spark a bunch of mindless arguing over how people are playing their video game.

I like to use the left stick, but this game will yield results that are just as realistic with out using the left stick.

Why is it that certain people feel the need to prove their personal preference is the best way to play this game?

[Braves Fan]

Re: Do you use the L-stick when batting?

The following is what I require from the hitting aspect of a baseball video game:
First and foremost, I want a gameplay mechanic that recreates both aspects of hitting. Then, secondarily, I want to realistic stats to be the result of using that gameplay mechanic. If the first isn't present, I don't want to be playing the game even if the stats are realistic because I might as well just be playing a game like Out of the Park Baseball since it'll give me those realistic stats.

That's great for you, not everyone feels that way. So why say stuff like why would you want to play the same way as we did 15 years ago, or we are dumbing down the gameplay experience, or our skill isn't up to par to use it?

If we simply don't want to use it what's the problem? That's my main problem with these posts from you and others. It's not that you use it, it's you put down those of us that don't.

[Boltman]

Re: Do you use the L-stick when batting?

There is absolutely no way to prove this. You can get the same hit variety through slider manipulation as using the L stick.

I have proven it, by playing 11 seasons so far in my RTTS. I tried both for multiple seasons. The answer is yes, absolutely and emphatically. You do get many more variety of user controlled hits by using the L stick. It is not really debatable.

I have done both and seen the difference first hand. Again, for the third time or so. I am by no means saying that you do not get a variety by simply pressing a button. I am saying that the hit variety is not up to the user with this method. By using it (the L stick) you do have input as to your outcome.

[Phoenixmgs]

Re: Do you use the L-stick when batting?

The amount of realism a gamer gets out of a particular gameplay mechanic is completely subjective. To say one way is more realistic than the other is not only wrong, but it is really only going to spark a bunch of mindless arguing over how people are playing their video game.

I like to use the left stick, but this game will yield results that are just as realistic with out using the left stick.

Why is it that certain people feel the need to prove their personal preference is the best way to play this game?

First, the realism you get out of a gameplay mechanic is objective. If you are only timing the pitch, it IS LESS REAL than locating the pitch along with proper timing. Again, I don't understand how you can't understand this simple logic. Another example is the Tiger Woods golf swing with the right stick versus the Hot Shots Golf three button tap gameplay mechanic (not the new swing mechanic introduced in the last game). The Tiger Woods swing mechanic mimics a real golf swing more than the Hot Shots Golf mechanic. Additionally, a Wii golf game mimics a real golf swing more than Tiger Woods' right stick swing mechanic. So, just based off gameplay mechanics, the Wii golf games are the most realistic, then Tiger Woods (on PS3 and 360), and lastly the Hot Shots Golf three button tap mechanic. That does not mean a Wii golf game is better than a PS3 golf game, it just means the gameplay mechanic is more realistic. See what I did there, I'm not saying my way of playing is better than yours. I'm just saying using the left stick is more realistic is all. To me, it is better but that doesn't mean it's best for everyone.

I'm not arguing about the results yielded by using the left stick or just timing only. I'm not saying my results are more realistic than yours.

[Phoenixmgs]

Re: Do you use the L-stick when batting?

There is absolutely no way to prove this. You can get the same hit variety through slider manipulation as using the L stick.

You can get better hit variety through the use of the left stick concerning pitches in the strike zone, and here is my line of logic:

Premises:
1. The PCI doesn't need to be touching the ball to make contact.
2. If you don't move the left stick, the PCI covers a large area of the strike zone. Therefore, when you make contact with any ball within the strike zone, the PCI is pretty close to the pitch.
3. With using the left stick, you can aim high on a low pitch (say a curveball) and make contact.
4. The further the PCI is from the ball, the weaker your contact will be.
Conclusion:
Using the left stick allows for you to make contact with the PCI further away from the ball than with just timing only, which results in the left stick user being able to get worse contact than the timing only user.

[Jgainsey]

Re: Do you use the L-stick when batting?

First, the realism you get out of a gameplay mechanic is objective. If you are only timing the pitch, it IS LESS REAL than locating the pitch along with proper timing. Again, I don't understand how you can't understand this simple logic. Another example is the Tiger Woods golf swing with the right stick versus the Hot Shots Golf three button tap gameplay mechanic (not the new swing mechanic introduced in the last game). The Tiger Woods swing mechanic mimics a real golf swing more than the Hot Shots Golf mechanic. Additionally, a Wii golf game mimics a real golf swing more than Tiger Woods' right stick swing mechanic. So, just based off gameplay mechanics, the Wii golf games are the most realistic, then Tiger Woods (on PS3 and 360), and lastly the Hot Shots Golf three button tap mechanic. That does not mean a Wii golf game is better than a PS3 golf game, it just means the gameplay mechanic is more realistic. See what I did there, I'm not saying my way of playing is better than yours. I'm just saying using the left stick is more realistic is all. To me, it is better but that doesn't mean it's best for everyone.

I'm not arguing about the results yielded by using the left stick or just timing only. I'm not saying my results are more realistic than yours.

Yeah man, I can see what you did there...

Obviously, the gameplay mechanic in and of itself is objective. And yes, in a nutshell, timing + location is more realistic than just location. I'm not trying to argue that. Here's the main thing that I took issue with in your previous post:

You do get a more realistic batting experience using the L stick since you are both locating and timing the pitch...

There are dozens of options in MLB '10 that can all lead to what an individual would consider a realistic experience. Depending on who you are, using the left stick may or may not lead to the most realistic experience. That's up for the user to decide, and work out for themselves.

[cardsleadtheway]

Re: Do you use the L-stick when batting?

First, the realism you get out of a gameplay mechanic is objective. If you are only timing the pitch, it IS LESS REAL than locating the pitch along with proper timing. Again, I don't understand how you can't understand this simple logic. Another example is the Tiger Woods golf swing with the right stick versus the Hot Shots Golf three button tap gameplay mechanic (not the new swing mechanic introduced in the last game). The Tiger Woods swing mechanic mimics a real golf swing more than the Hot Shots Golf mechanic. Additionally, a Wii golf game mimics a real golf swing more than Tiger Woods' right stick swing mechanic. So, just based off gameplay mechanics, the Wii golf games are the most realistic, then Tiger Woods (on PS3 and 360), and lastly the Hot Shots Golf three button tap mechanic. That does not mean a Wii golf game is better than a PS3 golf game, it just means the gameplay mechanic is more realistic. See what I did there, I'm not saying my way of playing is better than yours. I'm just saying using the left stick is more realistic is all. To me, it is better but that doesn't mean it's best for everyone.

I'm not arguing about the results yielded by using the left stick or just timing only. I'm not saying my results are more realistic than yours.

This thread is really starting to get to me. Unless you pick up a freaking bat and swing, you have no right to tell anyone that your way of video game batting is more realistic than anyone else.

[Dook517]

Re: Do you use the L-stick when batting?

Under some circumstances, it seems like the L stick works as a "guess pitch" where you get to change your guess after the pitch is thrown.

[Phoenixmgs]

Re: Do you use the L-stick when batting?

There are dozens of options in MLB '10 that can all lead to what an individual would consider a realistic experience. Depending on who you are, using the left stick may or may not lead to the most realistic experience. That's up for the user to decide, and work out for themselves.

On a pure gameplay level, the hitting experience is more realistic with the left stick.

This thread is really starting to get to me. Unless you pick up a freaking bat and swing, you have no right to tell anyone that your way of video game batting is more realistic than anyone else.

I just did and no one is attacking my logic, which is air tight.

[cardsleadtheway]

Re: Do you use the L-stick when batting?

On a pure gameplay level, the hitting experience is more realistic with the left stick.

I just did and no one is attacking my logic, which is air tight.

Your logic is far from air tight my friend. Using your thumb to move a joy stick couldn't be further from a realistic bat swing, no matter how much you want to believe it to be so. And batting from a third person perspective is also taking a step way away from realism. Unless you are in a holodeck, you will never replicate a realistic swing of the bat, even with the Wii. I would assume that you knew this if you have ever played real baseball.

[Dook517]

Re: Do you use the L-stick when batting?

If you use guess pitch (with or without feedback) and say you guess inside, and are correct, doesn't you batter's PCI expand on the inside part of the plate (negating the need for the L stick )? At that point doesn't your timing determine if you will pull it (swinging early) or knock it opposite field (swinging late). Even without guess pitch, can't proper timing alone determine whether you can make contact with a pitch you think you need the L stick to get to (ie, trying to time a pitch at a certain point in its trajectory where you can at least foul it off before it's too far outside your PCI range.

[MLB01]

Re: Do you use the L-stick when batting?

There is absolutely no way to prove this. You can get the same hit variety through slider manipulation as using the L stick.

Yea, OK, people like you aren't worth arguing with. I don't mess with sliders. I always leave 'em default. You tell me there's no way to prove what I'm sayin' ? I proved it to myself already cause I used to not use the left stick and now I do. I've seen the hit variety increase a ton, so if you don't wanna believe me, that's fine, but why not ?

[coreyhartsdaughter]

Re: Do you use the L-stick when batting?

Yea, OK, people like you aren't worth arguing with. I don't mess with sliders. I always leave 'em default. You tell me there's no way to prove what I'm sayin' ? I proved it to myself already cause I used to not use the left stick and now I do. I've seen the hit variety increase a ton, so if you don't wanna believe me, that's fine, but why not ?

Not trying to argue chap. It's a moot debate in my opinion.

The descriptions of what the L Stick does render it so. The description itself alludes to the impact it has on lower difficulties is nil.

If L Stick advocates want to soap box its usage (and successes), so be it.

But be fair in your comparisons. All things being equal, sliders are relevant, yes the strike zone display is relevant, pitch speed, guess pitch is relevant, swing influence is important.

You can't take the effect and make it the cause.

I may see the exact same hit success and variety on any given level through slider manipulation as a individual using the L stick on HOF with strike zones on, and pitch speed at 2. Who cares.

If you're seeing a good game, good on you! But decrying others for thinking they're not getting the most out of a game, or that you're doing something better is ignorant.

[Phoenixmgs]

Re: Do you use the L-stick when batting?

Your logic is far from air tight my friend. Using your thumb to move a joy stick couldn't be further from a realistic bat swing, no matter how much you want to believe it to be so. And batting from a third person perspective is also taking a step way away from realism. Unless you are in a holodeck, you will never replicate a realistic swing of the bat, even with the Wii. I would assume that you knew this if you have ever played real baseball.

Wow dude, I'm in no way saying batting in this game is like real life so please stop using this argument because I'm not arguing that. I completely agree that batting in the game with the left stick is far from real life batting. However, just playing the game with pressing X is even further from real life batting than using the left stick. THAT IS MY POINT. I played real baseball, I don't actually think I'm playing real baseball when I'm playing this game.

This is my argument:

Premises:
1. Hitting in real life requires you to locate the pitch and time the pitch properly to hit the ball. You have to be successful on both ends to hit a ball, not just one.
2. Hitting with the left stick recreates the 2 aspects of real life hitting.
3. Hitting without the the stick recreates only the timing aspect of real life hitting.
Conclusion:
Therefore, hitting with the left stick is more realistic because it requires you to locate and time the pitch while just pressing X only requires you to just time the pitch.

In order for you to win this argument, you have to prove any one of those premises wrong. All of those premises are completely factual, which is way I said my logic is air tight. Proving that batting in this game with the left stick isn't anything like real life batting doesn't make any of my premises untrue.

On a realism scale this what I am saying:

(most real) Real life batting >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> using the left stick > using timing only (least real)

[Phoenixmgs]

Re: Do you use the L-stick when batting?

I may see the exact same hit success and variety on any given level through slider manipulation as a individual using the L stick on HOF with strike zones on, and pitch speed at 2. Who cares.

That doesn't make sense. Slider manipulation does allow more/less hit variety. However, you can set the sliders to offer the highest possible hit variety. Then, both people (the L stick user and the timing only user) can use that same slider set. If one person sees greater hit variety, there's nothing the other user can do to get more hit variety since everything that could be done to increase hit variety has already been done.