Feature: MLB 2K6: Payoff Pitching

[Peter_OS]

On IGN later tonight.

Stay tuned.

[Peter_OS]

Re: Feature: MLB 2K6: Payoff Pitching

http://xbox.ign.com/articles/685/685091p1.html

It's up!

[SPTO]

Re: Feature: MLB 2K6: Payoff Pitching

That's very interesting. I guess this will mean that users will have to pitch more in tune with the pitcher's tendencies.

At least it should make playoff time VERY interesting.

[RGmoney]

Re: Feature: MLB 2K6: Payoff Pitching

This has me intrigued. I like the theory behind it. Can't wait to try it out.

[ehh]

Re: Feature: MLB 2K6: Payoff Pitching

This game sounds like it's got a shot to be great again. This series was fantastic before 2K5, hopefully 2k6 will get it back on track.

[baa7]

Re: Feature: MLB 2K6: Payoff Pitching

From the interview:

"The whole idea behind Inside Edge is that when playing previous baseball video games, I never knew what I was supposed to throw against a guy because I didn't know what those players actually knew about each other. I had no guidance, no reference as to how to be successful against them. I was basically just picking pitches at random because I didn't know how to approach a hitter. Having the Inside Edge is meant to remedy that problem and give users actual, useful information about how to attack a hitter to increase their odds of success. If you don't have the Inside Edge you can still be successful, but your odds are not as good because you won't know how to go about exploiting their weaknesses. You might make a pitch that a hitter is strong against in a zone they're strong against, but you won't know this because you won't have that information."

.........

I'll definitely be trying out Payoff pitching first thing. Sounds very good. That said, I still think they're going about Inside Edge the wrong way. "Purchasing" Inside Edge info and then having it projected up on the screen along side each batter is the brain-dead way of implimenting it. Do you see pitchers pulling out a notebook from their back pocket, every time a new batter comes to the plate: "Let's see... throw this guy curveballs away..."

First off, Inside Edge info should be available for ALL players, BY DEFAULT. Anything else is arcade nonsense. And it should ONLY be available before the game starts, so I have to actually study and read up on each player, before the game starts. Also, it should be available in-game for the specific batter I'm facing (or maybe the next 2-3 batters) ONLY when the coach comes to the mound for a visit... comes to the mound to make sure I know how to pitch to a guy in a tight situation.

[shttymcgee]

Re: Feature: MLB 2K6: Payoff Pitching

Coaches signal in pitches to the catcher, who then signals it in to the pitcher. I'm pretty sure the manager has access to his scout's info in the dugout.

[backbreaker]

Re: Feature: MLB 2K6: Payoff Pitching

Coaches signal in pitches to the catcher, who then signals it in to the pitcher. I'm pretty sure the manager has access to his scout's info in the dugout.

Thank you.

[mjb2124]

Re: Feature: MLB 2K6: Payoff Pitching

Coaches signal in pitches to the catcher, who then signals it in to the pitcher. I'm pretty sure the manager has access to his scout's info in the dugout.

Not often at the MLB level. From talking to a few scouts, the manager typically only signals in pitches when he feels he REALLY wants something called or has a very strong feeling about what the batter is looking for.

9 times out of 10, what they're signalling is either defensive alignment, pickoff signs/pitchout signs (which have to occur every pitch as to not tip off the other team) and other things.

[mjb2124]

Re: Feature: MLB 2K6: Payoff Pitching

From the interview:

"The whole idea behind Inside Edge is that when playing previous baseball video games, I never knew what I was supposed to throw against a guy because I didn't know what those players actually knew about each other. I had no guidance, no reference as to how to be successful against them. I was basically just picking pitches at random because I didn't know how to approach a hitter. Having the Inside Edge is meant to remedy that problem and give users actual, useful information about how to attack a hitter to increase their odds of success. If you don't have the Inside Edge you can still be successful, but your odds are not as good because you won't know how to go about exploiting their weaknesses. You might make a pitch that a hitter is strong against in a zone they're strong against, but you won't know this because you won't have that information."

.........

I'll definitely be trying out Payoff pitching first thing. Sounds very good. That said, I still think they're going about Inside Edge the wrong way. "Purchasing" Inside Edge info and then having it projected up on the screen along side each batter is the brain-dead way of implimenting it. Do you see pitchers pulling out a notebook from their back pocket, every time a new batter comes to the plate: "Let's see... throw this guy curveballs away..."

I thought the same thing when I read it, but didn't post because I knew people would freak out. This was implemented because this guy had no idea what pitch to throw. He had no idea how to setup a hitter? He just picked pitches at random? Does he know nothing about baseball/pitching? Does he even watch the game?

Maybe I have a problem because I was a pitcher at a pretty high level and know how to pitch to batters. I know how to setup a hitter in a game without it telling me "Here's how to do it!". Nothing is random when I pitch and there is always a meaning behind EVERY pitch.

The line that struck me was "If you don't have the Inside Edge you can still be successful, but your odds are not as good because you won't know how to go about exploiting their weaknesses.". Sooooo, in other words, last year it was way too easy to get CPU hitters out and they add a feature this year to make it easier. Great.

[RoyalBoyle78]

Re: Feature: MLB 2K6: Payoff Pitching

I thought the same thing when I read it, but didn't post because I knew people would freak out. This was implemented because this guy had no idea what pitch to throw. He had no idea how to setup a hitter? He just picked pitches at random? Does he know nothing about baseball/pitching? Does he even watch the game?

Maybe I have a problem because I was a pitcher at a pretty high level and know how to pitch to batters. I know how to setup a hitter in a game without it telling me "Here's how to do it!". Nothing is random when I pitch and there is always a meaning behind EVERY pitch.

The line that struck me was "If you don't have the Inside Edge you can still be successful, but your odds are not as good because you won't know how to go about exploiting their weaknesses.". Sooooo, in other words, last year it was way too easy to get CPU hitters out and they add a feature this year to make it easier. Great.

WHy don't you wait to play it first, before you say it's easier, it's only fair

[mjb2124]

Re: Feature: MLB 2K6: Payoff Pitching

WHy don't you wait to play it first, before you say it's easier, it's only fair

I'm going to play it since it's the only game for the 360, but I have my concerns.

I guess I just prefer not having the game tell me what I should be doing. I'd rather go about it with the knowledge that I have and see what happens. Just me though... I don't expect everyone to think/feel the same way.

[Blzer]

Re: Feature: MLB 2K6: Payoff Pitching

From the interview:

"The whole idea behind Inside Edge is that when playing previous baseball video games, I never knew what I was supposed to throw against a guy because I didn't know what those players actually knew about each other. I had no guidance, no reference as to how to be successful against them. I was basically just picking pitches at random because I didn't know how to approach a hitter. Having the Inside Edge is meant to remedy that problem and give users actual, useful information about how to attack a hitter to increase their odds of success. If you don't have the Inside Edge you can still be successful, but your odds are not as good because you won't know how to go about exploiting their weaknesses. You might make a pitch that a hitter is strong against in a zone they're strong against, but you won't know this because you won't have that information."

.........

I'll definitely be trying out Payoff pitching first thing. Sounds very good. That said, I still think they're going about Inside Edge the wrong way. "Purchasing" Inside Edge info and then having it projected up on the screen along side each batter is the brain-dead way of implimenting it. Do you see pitchers pulling out a notebook from their back pocket, every time a new batter comes to the plate: "Let's see... throw this guy curveballs away..."

First off, Inside Edge info should be available for ALL players, BY DEFAULT. Anything else is arcade nonsense. And it should ONLY be available before the game starts, so I have to actually study and read up on each player, before the game starts. Also, it should be available in-game for the specific batter I'm facing (or maybe the next 2-3 batters) ONLY when the coach comes to the mound for a visit... comes to the mound to make sure I know how to pitch to a guy in a tight situation.

How many times have I said this?


First of all, I agree with you. It's great that you stepped up to say the same thing. Like I said once before... pitchers read up and study before games and series'. Between innings they'll sometimes get a chance to look at something, and finally... this is what will make mound visits meaningful. You'll get 25 seconds to review up on whomever you desire, and this will take up some time for the bullpen to get loose. But, to have the stuff in front of you? I mean, I guess it's sort of cool that they went with that... but I don't quite know if I like that as much.

[Graphik]

Re: Feature: MLB 2K6: Payoff Pitching

I like baa's version of implementing it. But I'm all for having some meaningful features that affect my franchise. If it was implemented with having all scouting reports availible, then there would no risk/reward in buying them. No risk/reward, no depth in franchise mode. As I mentioned before, you can ethier buy scouting reports and risk losing your budget money for FAs and re-signing or keep your money and have loot to pick up key acquisitions.

By buying scouting reports, it may help you win key games thus taking you futher in the playoffs and maybe on to the world series but when the off-season comes, you may not have the loot to re-sign your big players. I like how its implemented now. It provides some depth to the franchise mode because you have more micro-managing to take care of.

I understand it may not be realistic but its a worthy video game feature that will force more thinking out of you. Think of it like that.

[Graphik]

Re: Feature: MLB 2K6: Payoff Pitching

First off, Inside Edge info should be available for ALL players, BY DEFAULT. Anything else is arcade nonsense. And it should ONLY be available before the game starts, so I have to actually study and read up on each player, before the game starts. Also, it should be available in-game for the specific batter I'm facing (or maybe the next 2-3 batters) ONLY when the coach comes to the mound for a visit... comes to the mound to make sure I know how to pitch to a guy in a tight situation.

BTW, I meant to say I love this idea. This is what I was reffering to in my last post. But think about ppl who wont be able to memorize each players scouting report. I could see ppl hating this mode if it was implemented that way because it would be to much like school work with the studying and all. Some ppl barely spend much time scouting players at all in sports games. They just go to the next game and play it.

I would love to see it implememted like that, I dont mind the extensive studying and scouting because I like to stretch my brain as much as I possibly can in sports games. Especially sports games. It feels rewarding when you beat a tough team through proper scouting.