How is the AI???? Please be honest

[kingdevin]

I have been reading the pros and cons for 3 days now but few people really talk about the AI which is the foundation of a successful sports sim (coupled w/game play). Please let me know if the CPU is accurate in the various aspects of the game...

[baa7]

Re: How is the AI???? Please be honest

Reading the many posts here on the subject, it's apparent there are once again serious flaws with the AI. Don't know how you could not come to that conclusion after reading the impressions thread, etc...

[DaoudS]

Re: How is the AI???? Please be honest

lol. i would rent the game if you aren't sure about the game.

[baa7]

Re: How is the AI???? Please be honest

lol. i would rent the game if you aren't sure about the game.

Maybe that's what he's really asking... wants you to lend him 10 bucks.

[kingdevin]

Re: How is the AI???? Please be honest

Reading the many posts here on the subject, it's apparent there are once again serious flaws with the AI. Don't know how you could not come to that conclusion after reading the impressions thread, etc...

You have a valid point...but some are saying that slider tweaks have changed their perception about the game. I am trying to be objective here since I am solely basing my opinion on what others have to say. Moreover, in the past, I have heard negative opinions on a game and have later found that I actually liked the game. With that being said, I am more reluctant to even try this game if AI is screwed up beyond slider adjustment (which others have eluded to). I thought that this thread would be good for a compilation of opinions solely focused on this issue of AI.

[baa7]

Re: How is the AI???? Please be honest

You have a valid point...but some are saying that slider tweaks have changed their perception about the game. I am trying to be objective here since I am solely basing my opinion on what others have to say. Moreover, in the past, I have heard negative opinions on a game and have later found that I actually liked the game. With that being said, I am more reluctant to even try this game if AI is screwed up beyond slider adjustment (which others have eluded to). I thought that this thread would be good for a compilation of opinions solely focused on this issue of AI.

Fair enough. But comparing it to 2K5, it sounds like 2K6 has the same basic AI problems: CPU baserunning, CPU pitchers pitching when gassed, infielders not backing up plays correctly, etc. And those issues were built into the programming last year. No sliders fixes, in other words.

From the sounds of it, Kush didn't spend any time at all with the AI, at least with the Xbox version. That's what I'm reading with these posts. And the rule of thumb last year was: if you don't mind the fact that it doesn't really play an awful lot like baseball, then you might enjoy 2K5. Sounds like the same thing this year.

[Jistic]

Re: How is the AI???? Please be honest

I have seen no problems with it. Just one fielding gaffe in 8 games. I am VERY glad I thought for myself and picked it up. I would recommend you rent it and see for yourself. The impressions on this game don't near match my expereinces so far. But I won't tell you to go buy it, just find our for yourself.

[rock85]

Re: How is the AI???? Please be honest

I have seen no problems with it. Just one fielding gaffe in 8 games. I am VERY glad I thought for myself and picked it up. I would recommend you rent it and see for yourself. The impressions on this game don't near match my expereinces so far. But I won't tell you to go buy it, just find our for yourself.

I agree im having fun with this game now the only thing thats bothering me is the fielding(diving)doesn't respond fast enough so i'm hoping this is fixed for the 360 version

[matthewk]

Re: How is the AI???? Please be honest

Here are a couple of AI issues I had last night:

- Pierre p to bat, bases empty. He hits a grounder to the right side. The 2nd baseman gets to it deep in the infield. Instead of either holding onto the ball or trying to get Pierre out, he turns and throws it to sescond. At the time of the throw, Pierre had not yet reacahed 1st base.

- Tried a fantasy draft. After the draft I reviewed the other teams, and one team had drafted Derrick Lee, Konerko, an Thome. It was the Angels, so I could see two of them (1 for DH), but all three??? An NL team had a similar situation with 2 highly rated 1st basemen.

[Jistic]

Re: How is the AI???? Please be honest

Here are a couple of AI issues I had last night:

- Pierre p to bat, bases empty. He hits a grounder to the right side. The 2nd baseman gets to it deep in the infield. Instead of either holding onto the ball or trying to get Pierre out, he turns and throws it to sescond. At the time of the throw, Pierre had not yet reacahed 1st base.

- Tried a fantasy draft. After the draft I reviewed the other teams, and one team had drafted Derrick Lee, Konerko, an Thome. It was the Angels, so I could see two of them (1 for DH), but all three??? An NL team had a similar situation with 2 highly rated 1st basemen.

Just knock down the CPU fielding aggression. They'll go for the safe out more often they risking the lead runner.

[kingdevin]

Re: How is the AI???? Please be honest

Just knock down the CPU fielding aggression. They'll go for the safe out more often they risking the lead runner.

But what about the fact that the bases were empty when the throw was made to second. Are u saying that lowering the aggression would have caused the throw to go to first?

[Jistic]

Re: How is the AI???? Please be honest

But what about the fact that the bases were empty when the throw was made to second. Are u saying that lowering the aggression would have caused the throw to go to first?

My bad didn't see that. It might help though. I have never run into that situation myself so I can't comment. Sounds weird. Is this Xbox or PS2?

[baa7]

Re: How is the AI???? Please be honest

Here are a couple of AI issues I had last night:

- Pierre p to bat, bases empty. He hits a grounder to the right side. The 2nd baseman gets to it deep in the infield. Instead of either holding onto the ball or trying to get Pierre out, he turns and throws it to sescond. At the time of the throw, Pierre had not yet reacahed 1st base.

- Tried a fantasy draft. After the draft I reviewed the other teams, and one team had drafted Derrick Lee, Konerko, an Thome. It was the Angels, so I could see two of them (1 for DH), but all three??? An NL team had a similar situation with 2 highly rated 1st basemen.

The first issue isn't an "issue" in 2K5, in that it's typical for the CPU to throw to the empty lead base if it determines it can't get the runner. Just part of the programming.

The second issue doesn't surprise me, given the programming again isn't that intelligent or fine tuned. Part of the issue here is the game doesn't take into account a player's defensive ratings -- it's all offense oriented. You see this when editing ratings. A player's offensive ratings make up 80% of his overall, while raising or lowering his defensive ratings has very little effect on his overall rating. And certainly they've programmed the game to pick players according to their offensive potential. That's why many people complained last year when they discoved the CPU White Sox had Frank Thomas inserted ar SS. See: the CPU is only interested in offense. Defensive ratings mean very little in 2K baseball, and the program certainly takes that into account.

[matthewk]

Re: How is the AI???? Please be honest

Just played another game and noticed this oddity:

Runner on 1st, 1 out. I hit a grounder to the right side, between second base and the second baseman. The SS dives across 2nd base and collides with the second baseman. The SS comes up with the ball and proceeds to toss the ball underhand to second base. Too bad there is no one there, since the 2nd baseman is still on the ground from the collision :/

I'm not saying any one of these is a killer in and of itself, but I've seen something strange like this happen a couple of times a game. Then there is the roster logic to compound my frustration.