WSB 2k3 vs 2k6 - another thread

[UkTribe]

Guys

Please try and keep off the flame wars. When I saw the title of the other thread I really wanted to make a comment as I feel really strongly about this. It's a meaningful discussion.

2k3 was so good I bought an XBOX with a chip (i'm in the UK) specifically so I could play it. I played about 3 years in franchise mode and never noticed what I would call a "bug". The trading AI was a bit soft and swing animations were allegedly horrible (altho it never bothered me) but it played a great game of baseball and areas that have been complete fiascos in the last 2 releases (lineups, depth charts, fatigue, setting percentages as ways to rest players worked PERFECTLY).

I dont recall who developed this game but they obviously TESTED IT. It therefore played a very robust game of baseball and franchise and whether you loved it or not depended on style type issues. MVP 05 was the same.

What we have seen since is developers biting off more than they can chew. They seem to have devoted all their resources to a single innovation (all new engine in 2k5, inside edge in 2k6) but failed to test the basic gameplay. This causes people to completely lose faith in the series.

I was always a SEGA fan. I loved WSB since the mid 90s and have bought every release before 2k6. But I've stopped now. I may or may not like the style but I can't tolerate a buggy game that isnt tested properly. the lineup bug in 2k5 was a complete joke (at least the passed balls was fixable) and the 2k6 freezing.......well.

They need to find out whoever owns the test plan from 2k3 or MVP 05 and buy it from them. Until they get the basics right then a whole bunch of gamers will be left to keep modding MVP 05 on the PC (like I am).

The exclusive licence situation clearly hasnt helped here. If The Show were available on the 360 then 2k would not be getting away with this so much.

Whilst there is some logic in saying that ne wgames on new consoles will always have issues I dont accept that this is an excuse to skip basic testing.

Seems like we are always "waiting for next year" with this series.

[Klownpoet]

Re: WSB 2k3 vs 2k6 - another thread

This series hasn't been the same since "World Series" was removed from the title. I am glad I am not the only one who remembers just how great that game was for the XBOX. It took a little tweaking, but it was by far the best baseball game released on the XBOX at that point and one of the best baseball games ever.

I am not sure exactly why the series degenerated the way that it has, but someone working up there has to realize that they screwed with a good formula.

I actually went and purchsed MLB 06: The Show which is something I hadn't even considered until just a few days ago. I really hadn't planned on purchasing any PS2 games other than a few RPG's, but I wanted a good baseball game so much that I was willing to take a big leap back in graphics in order to have a deep solid game.

I really hope someone takes over this franchise, puts the World Series title back in this game and restores it to its former glory.

[UkTribe]

Re: WSB 2k3 vs 2k6 - another thread

Yo Klown

The problems appear to crop up when a brand new engine is built. Sega Sports were better at it than 2k / Kush as their only real aberration was WSB 2k2. That happened as a knee jerk reaction to the auto fielding in 2k1 and they ludicrously included "catchup" functionality. I'll never forget going 5 runs up and then watching the pitcher hit a grand slam homer on a pitch that was actually a ball. Even so I dont remember any blatant "bugs".

We seem to be stuck in a vicious cycle now as follows:

- Game is terrible
- Clamour for a brand new engine
- Rush development of a flawed engine that isnt tested properly
- Game is terrible
- etc

I'm really not sure where this is gonna end. It seems that the game engines are now so flawed that they elect to junk it rather than repair it. If they do that again this time then we'll all be saying "2k8 should be great" this time next year.

[Klownpoet]

Re: WSB 2k3 vs 2k6 - another thread

Yo Klown

The problems appear to crop up when a brand new engine is built. Sega Sports were better at it than 2k / Kush as their only real aberration was WSB 2k2. That happened as a knee jerk reaction to the auto fielding in 2k1 and they ludicrously included "catchup" functionality. I'll never forget going 5 runs up and then watching the pitcher hit a grand slam homer on a pitch that was actually a ball. Even so I dont remember any blatant "bugs".

We seem to be stuck in a vicious cycle now as follows:

- Game is terrible
- Clamour for a brand new engine
- Rush development of a flawed engine that isnt tested properly
- Game is terrible
- etc

I'm really not sure where this is gonna end. It seems that the game engines are now so flawed that they elect to junk it rather than repair it. If they do that again this time then we'll all be saying "2k8 should be great" this time next year.

I just don't understand why the World Series Baseball Engine was scrapped in the first place. It was such a staple of Sega gaming for so long that it just doesn't make sense to me as to why they dumped it and tried to create something new and flashy.

[UkTribe]

Re: WSB 2k3 vs 2k6 - another thread

If I recall Blue Shift was replaced with Kush after the 2k4 was a disappointment and overhauled by MVP.

Even with the benefit of exclusive licences they are still reeling from that move.

The only good thing is that at least the World Series Baseball brand has not been tarnished by this brouhaha.

[CaptainZombie]

Re: WSB 2k3 vs 2k6 - another thread

If I recall Blue Shift was replaced with Kush after the 2k4 was a disappointment and overhauled by MVP.

Even with the benefit of exclusive licences they are still reeling from that move.

The only good thing is that at least the World Series Baseball brand has not been tarnished by this brouhaha.

Blue Shift were the developers on 2K3 and 2K4. Then 2KSports decided to switch over to KUSH. I can't remember, but I think that 2K4 was using the 2K2 engine and not 2K3 from an interview that I had read, that's why there were all these problems w/ 2K4.

I think personally that KUSH needs to be dumped and that they should bring back Blue Shift and the World Series Baseball name.

[Fiddy]

Re: WSB 2k3 vs 2k6 - another thread

ahh the good old days, world series was awesome. in our dorms we had a whole 2nd floor toruny at least twice a week, good stuff!!

class or WSB?

hmm answer WSB

dang it maybe thats why i dont have my degree yet dang games lol

[Blzer]

Re: WSB 2k3 vs 2k6 - another thread

I don't get it... there isn't any such thing as "good ol' days" unless those days are forever gone. As far as I know, the game is still available for purchase (I rebought it 6 months back for $3.00).

If you guys honestly like that game more, then I don't see why people aren't converting back to it. I tell ya, if I like one game more than the other, I'll play it before the other. For instance, I'll take Madden NFL '98 for PSX over Madden 2006 for the 360 any day of the week, and this is the case. I indeed play Madden '98 OVER Madden '06.




I played out WSB 2K3, too. But, I also played out ESPN MLB and MLB 2K5. Fact is, I enjoy playing MLB 2K6 over WSB 2K3. The game was solid, but it still had the lineup issues and the double-switch bug just like it does now. And I just couldn't get over the blandness of the atmosphere and presentation... something that they had really outdone themselves in with 2K5 and 2K6.

[Fiddy]

Re: WSB 2k3 vs 2k6 - another thread

those days are long gone for me....... b/c like u stated we played the game out.

[Klownpoet]

Re: WSB 2k3 vs 2k6 - another thread

those days are long gone for me....... b/c like u stated we played the game out.

I don't really have much desire to track down this old game, though it might actually be worth it. I remember ESPN taking over the title for 2k4 and that the game was actually a step back graphically and in terms of gameplay which doesn't make any sense to me.

There is hope though.. remember when triple play was actually considered to be pretty good? It continually degenerated over time until it was considered to be beyond redemption and thus the birth of MVP, which to this date I have yet to play 05, pretty much because I was always a Sega Sports guy. I am very impressed with MLB The show however, but I keep wishing it sported the type of graphics seen in the best 360 titles. Is it too much to ask for a baseball game with amazing graphics, features and gameplay?

[ehh]

Re: WSB 2k3 vs 2k6 - another thread

I was playing a dynasty with the Yankees in 2k4 up until I purchased The Show a few weeks ago. I had never sold it, so instead of re-buying 2k3 I just fired up 2k4 because I had somewhat updated rosters.

I haven't resorted back to it fully because.

A) I bought a PS2 and The Show
B) The rosters are very out of wack - tons of guys need to be created and edited. It's a major, major project.
C) The schedule in franchise mode
D) The lack of the new stadiums that have opened since '02/'03.

However, I still love the batting cursor in 2k3 and 2k4 and if I ever happen to get bored with The Show I may repurchase 2k3 and undertake the daunting roster project. Because, IMO, 2k3 or 2k4 are both better games than 2k5, 2k5 WSE or 2k6.

If the "exclusive" license was truly exclusive and The Show could not be made, I absolutely would have stuck with 2k4 this year over MVP '05 or 2k6.

[Fiddy]

Re: WSB 2k3 vs 2k6 - another thread

Is it too much to ask for a baseball game with amazing graphics, features and gameplay?

seems like it.

i love graphics just like everyone else for the most part, but i'd take a game (any sports game) with solid gameplay and features over graphics. thats just me though.

[Pared]

Re: WSB 2k3 vs 2k6 - another thread

Seems like we are always "waiting for next year" with this series.

And that's the main problem a lot of people who enjoyed the series in the past see with the current versions.

As bad as it is, if you took 2k3, fixed some animations (like transitions, swings, and "in-betweens"), fixed the issue with steals (you could never be thrown out with over a two step lead... no matter the runner), and updated the stadiums... you'd still have a solid baseball game that would warrant a purchase TODAY.

I mean... some of the things in this series are just silly... SlamZone, anyone?

Leave the arcade games where they belong... don't try and mix the two.

[Fiddy]

Re: WSB 2k3 vs 2k6 - another thread

I mean... some of the things in this series are just silly... SlamZone, anyone?

Leave the arcade games where they belong... don't try and mix the two.

another choice for quote of the year in my books. great comment!!

[UkTribe]

Re: WSB 2k3 vs 2k6 - another thread

get MVP 05 for the PC and get modding my friend !