Graphics ?

[RoyalBoyle78]

Re: Graphics ?

WOW, I can't believe how better 2K7 looked, how do you go backwards, I just don't get it.

[Cj7298419]

Re: Graphics ?

Damn, I was ready to defend 2k8's graphics until I saw those comparison shots. 2k8's grass and textures are laughable compared to last year. Like someone said earlier, the grass just looks like a green slab.

[Sportsforever]

Re: Graphics ?

2K7 is definately a step up graphically (or more appropriately 2K8 a step down). I recall, however, that last year the mantra was "gameplay matters, not graphics" and yet this year we have a game that plays better than last year's and we have folks complaining about the graphics.

[Trevytrev11]

Re: Graphics ?

2K7 is definately a step up graphically (or more appropriately 2K8 a step down). I recall, however, that last year the mantra was "gameplay matters, not graphics" and yet this year we have a game that plays better than last year's and we have folks complaining about the graphics.

I agree with this statement..I just don't think anyone expected to see a step backwards. I'm sure we still would have head some comments had their been no improvement and things would have stayed the same, but to take a step backward is tough to swallow especially when it right after they showed you how good things can actually be.

It makes you ask the question of why did they put so much emphasis and effort on the graphics last year, if they were going to negate everything the next year. It seems as if they overestimated how much they include graphically and still have the game run at 60 fps. But man, how much time was wasted on the graphical improvement last year for a one year benefit?

Unless there is a complete overhaul of a game, I think most people expect improvement in most areas and never a step back, especially now in 2008 on these systems.

[mashaddict]

Re: Graphics ?

To me, on an SDTV, the textures look fine. But hook it up to my friend's LCD and they look washed out and missing something(namely the grass). Is it possible they just never finished tweaking the HD textures?

[brendanrfoley]

Re: Graphics ?

2K7 is definately a step up graphically (or more appropriately 2K8 a step down). I recall, however, that last year the mantra was "gameplay matters, not graphics" and yet this year we have a game that plays better than last year's and we have folks complaining about the graphics.

Amen to this. It seems once people get past the graphic hit (those who can get past it), they rave about how well the game plays. But yet we're still flooded with complaints about a game that looks good on its own merits.

Looking at the comparison shots, two things took an obvious hit. First, the grass. It when from having 'depth' and 'softness' to being flat. The other is the crowds, and lack of chairs. If you count the number of fans behind the plate, it's actually the same. They just got rid of the stadium specific chairs.

To tell you the truth, so many people begged for 60fps. I don't get it. MVP was 30fps, and it played fine. I'd much rather have a little more detail on screen, but have the game "locked" in at 30fps.

[Blzer]

Re: Graphics ?

So last night I did a comparison test. I popped in 2K7 and put in the same exact settings:

- 1:00 PM
- Clear
- 72 F
- Breezy

(if this means anything, I play on a Samsung 23 LN-T2353H LCD HDTV)


Instantly, I saw a difference in visuals. Better? Definitely better detail, lighting intensity, body proportion, and color palette. But I have to be honest... the jaggies and 30 FPS framerate really plagued the screen that I was playing on. I played a full inning before I said "This hurts my eyes."

I played the 2K8 demo again, and while there is a terrible looking undersea-green tone to all of the visuals, bland grass and jersey textures, and awful lighting system (bad at day, terrible at night)... the game just looked a lot cleaner and ran so much smoother. I don't know how anyone can complain about a third-to-first throw in 2K8 if you play 2K7 right before it. A consistent 30 FPS never beats a choppy 60 FPS. Then again, I have the demo, so I don't know how bad it is in retail... but keep in mind the game's framerate doesn't actually slow down; instead, the ball is just going faster than the camera and it does automatic repositioning and locking every eighth of a second, so it has that awkwardness to it.

I know other people have already posted comparison photos and that they will destroy mine, but I'll just post mine anyway. I lowered the resolution for page-loading's sake, and since I just can't seem to hold a steady enough camera, I had to use Image Stabilization, causing some pretty bad pixelation and noise. I might despeckle to make them look better.






Anyway, the top picture in each comparison is 2K7, and the bottom one is 2K8. Keep in mind that these don't do either game justice (this especially doesn't do 2K8 justice because it shines best whilst in motion IMO)... I'm just throwing them out there:

























Whatever you guys may think, in my opinion, anti-aliasing (no jaggies) and 60 FPS wins over detail eight days a week. It's unfortunate that they had to change the colors and make some heads seemingly oversized (though I prefer the legs this year to last year), and I hope they can push things even more to up the visuals while maintaining what they have in this generation, especially in the lighting if possible... but until then, I can't say that this entire game took such a major step back that it's unbearable. I thought I would have been saying that, but thankfully this doesn't seem to be the case.



EDIT: BTW, I'm looking at these screenshots, and feel I just have to say that the contrast in 2K8 actually might be deeper overall, but instead they added a white "glow" to the jerseys that doesn't quite feel the same as reflection off of the sun, meaning lighting is less intense. But anybody that's played both games probably already knows this.

[brendanrfoley]

Re: Graphics ?

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/31588.html

Watching this video, I'd say the game still looks pretty damn good. I just wish they didm't put all the fans on bleachers. But if that's the biggest complaint, I think I'll manage to survive!

[eko718]

Re: Graphics ?

The game does still look good. Its when you compare it to 2K7 that it suffers. I like the player models in 2k8 better. If this game had the textures of 2K7 that would do it for me.

2K7 is definately a step up graphically (or more appropriately 2K8 a step down). I recall, however, that last year the mantra was "gameplay matters, not graphics" and yet this year we have a game that plays better than last year's and we have folks complaining about the graphics.

Exactly. No one will ever hear me say that BS that graphics don't matter. To me, the visuals are a part of the overall immersion of the game. Great gameplay and shtty graphics feels like a videogame. Great gameplay and great graphics feels like a simulation.

[Jistic]

Re: Graphics ?

My only real issues with the graphics are:

1. It seems like in the first inning someone turns the lamp one click down. Seriously, everything is just a little bit darker for the rest of the game. But at first it looks fine...weird.

2. There's a little flicker every once in a while when batting right in front of home plate. Graphics guys might call this tearing? I don't know the term, but it's a slight nueiscance.

Otherwise, while the grass is fugly....it's grass so I don't care. The animations when using the work around are friggin buttah.

[brendanrfoley]

Re: Graphics ?

Oh, and the HUD in this year's version looks much nicer.

Look, I won't say 2K8 didn't take a hit. It did. But it still looks pretty darn good.

[ehh]

Re: Graphics ?

The field is honestly the only thing I think that took a noticeable hit. I put in 2K7 yesterday and they players are a little better but not worth the 30fps. The lighting is actually better to me this year although it could be brighter during night games.

It's funny, I was watching a buncha basketball last night and the wifey was on the couch doing work and we saw commercials for The Show and 2K8 and she actually said, "Wow, that one (2K8) looks a lot better than that other game."

It's also entertaining that last year 2K7 was damn near unanimously dubbed the "best looking sports game of all time" and now it goes back a little bit in a few areas and people are calling saying it looks like a PS2 game. Too funny.

[thornie]

Re: Graphics ?

In those pics blzer posted you can see that the player models are IMO far better in 2k8. Do they look more cartoony than 2k7? Yes, but at least they are proportional. None of that tree trunk leg nonsense, and sig styles are just light years ahead of 2k7. Just look at that Beckett pic where he is holding his glove down like that while in the stretch. So awesome.

[Heelfan71]

Re: Graphics ?

"Wow, that one (2K8) looks a lot better than that other game."

now that's funny.

[SoCal-Phenom]

Re: Graphics ?

now that's funny.

co-sign.......lol those commecials of mlb 08 the show do the game absolutely no justice. I mean, I'm not a ps3 fanboy by any stretch, but I must admit - MLB kills mlb 2k8 in the graphics department....The lighting and the players, seriously, kinda make mlb 2k8 look downright cartoony.......just my 2 cents, or 3......

<IMG title='"Right Click > View Image" for full version' alt='"Right Click > View Image" for full version' src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v152/streetz/Picture290.jpg" border=0>

<IMG title='"Right Click > View Image" for full version' alt='"Right Click > View Image" for full version' src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v152/streetz/Picture295.jpg" border=0>

<IMG title='"Right Click > View Image" for full version' alt='"Right Click > View Image" for full version' src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v152/streetz/Picture296.jpg" border=0>

<IMG title='"Right Click > View Image" for full version' alt='"Right Click > View Image" for full version' src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z258/onereppin/SonyCameraPics066-1.jpg" border=0>

<IMG title='"Right Click > View Image" for full version' alt='"Right Click > View Image" for full version' src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z258/onereppin/SonyCameraPics068-1.jpg" border=0>

<IMG title='"Right Click > View Image" for full version' alt='"Right Click > View Image" for full version' src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z258/onereppin/SonyCameraPics069.jpg" border=0>

<IMG title='"Right Click > View Image" for full version' alt='"Right Click > View Image" for full version' src="http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/2029/img6848za7.jpg" border=0>

I just dunno if mlb 2k8 can compete...HOWEVER it did make gameplay strides so it wasnt a complete let down by any stretch