Why did VC/Sega not build upon this game?

[Shakedowncapo]

HOME RUN KING

http://www.gamespot.com/dl_movie/hrk_gc_vr.mpg?s=2857511&c=movie_ftp_537508&site=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fll.lo.download.gamespot.com%2Fd3%2Fgsc%2Fgc%2Fsports%2Fhrk%2Fhrk_gc_vr.mpg%3Frs%3D150%26e%3D1252613728%26h%3Dcbfa5ba0965d228fe83f079e84194989%26file%3Dhrk_gc_vr.mpg

I thought this game had an awesome foundation for building upon. All they had to do was speed up the pitching in the next iteration and they'd have a goldmine on their hands. You guys should check it out if you have a Wii/GC.. Im sure you'll appreciate the batting stances and pitching motions as well as the interface between the two.

WOW Entertainment did a great job. Better than the slop they call MLB2K9.

[bakesalee]

Re: Why did VC/Sega not build upon this game?

I thought I was the only one saying things like this. Home Run King was one of the most solid playing titles of all time. Actually, every year in the "MLB 2kx" suggestions thread, I scream to make the game more like Home Run King.

I have a friend I used to play HRK a lot with. We live across country now and attempt at recreating that magic by playing on Xbox Live with whatever current baseball title is around. One thing I can't explain to him, is why in 2002 we had Home Run King, and many years later, instead of having something good, we don't at all.

I mean, how can you have greatness, and years later not have something at all? It's inexplicable that this game didn't continue as a series, or could be used as a foundation to build upon greatness.

This was the most fun playing baseball game. Although it was regarded as "arcade" by reviewers (no idea why), it featured the most fantastic fielding, the most realistic graphics, and the game was surprisingly deep on the field.

I remember when this came out, all my friends were playing the shht out of it. Just prior to release, I can remember one particular friend complaining that baseball games "weren't fun anymore." I remember thinking on my first day with HRK, "I can't wait until Kyle plays this" - and he did, and he did, and he did. We based our entire nights around playing 3-inning tournaments between 3-5 people. Who'd of thunk - a baseball game that's fun to play, that's NOT over the top with arcadey gimmicks. How come this is so rare? How come we can have something great like this, but never again? Boggles my mind.

This game is far superior to the last 3-4 years of 2k ball.

Actually, I'm kind of depressed that you brought up Home Run King. I used to think that we could tell Sega/2k we wanted this back, and that we'd get it. Remembering Home Run King is like some painful memory of how things used to be, and knowing that no matter what, it's never coming back.

There were so many things innovative about this game that it's just crazy that baseball games are DEvoling. The city stadium shots pre-game intro, the ball tracking during a pop-fly/home run (camera pans way up with the ball), the batter walk ups, the realistic skies/weather. This was in 2002(!), but I remember on more than one occasion, a passerby seeing me and friends playing this, but thinking we were watching a real game on TV.

Believe it or not Sega, this game got me into baseball! I began buying a baseball game every year in hopes of recreating the times with HRK. Basically Sega, you got me hooked on your drug, then you proceeded to give me nothing but placebos every other time after that. I should never of even bought HRK.

One thing I've learned in gaming is that there always must be a sacrifice. It's a shame. We get better technology, and online, yet the games suck in comparison to games like this. What's the effing point?

PS: I forgot to say this. But I remember sometime in 2002, I had to send in my Gamecube to Nintendo because we played HRK so much, that the laser in my console broke.

This game exemplifies gaming beauty. Simplicity at it's finest. Simple enough for a new user to try. Fun and engaging enough for the experienced user to play so much that your console breaks.

[Shakedowncapo]

Re: Why did VC/Sega not build upon this game?

Good post man... Agree completely. Just picked this up @ Gamestop for $2.99 and had a blast looking through all the detail they added. I'm telling you, a boost in graphics, pitching speed, online capabilities and this game takes off for VC. But of course, the higher ups never think like us and we're left wondering "what if"

And oh yea, this game has splash HR's @ AT&T park. Something a certain game in 2009 still doesn't have.

[bakesalee]

Re: Why did VC/Sega not build upon this game?

I bought this game on day for for $50. My initial reaction upon first firing it up was that it was going back to the store. My first 3 pitches thrown to my opponent (friend I talked about in first post) were home runs. I then realized that I was throwing straight down the middle and that I wasn't aiming my pitches. I didn't think you could even aim pitch location because of stupid reviewers "arcade" comments. I think it was ignorantly judged as "arcade" by the title alone. If "arcade" means fun, I'm in -- and no, not "The Bigs" style "fun."

[tommydepp]

Re: Why did VC/Sega not build upon this game?

I am with u guys.

2ksports should fire VC teams, and let Wow entertainment(japan) make the game.

I really enjoyed WSB 2K1, home run king. (both developed by wow)

[daflyboys]

Re: Why did VC/Sega not build upon this game?

Bad link.

Ok searched. I can see what you mean. But those camera in-game angles would need to be toned down. I'm dizzy.

[Shakedowncapo]

Re: Why did VC/Sega not build upon this game?

I'll upload some videos tomorrow.. See what I can do making new rosters.