Will there be any kind of follow up with Brinkman?

[Trevytrev11]

Though I've only played a small handful of games, I really do like most of what I've seen in this years edition. I don't have a PS3 and don't care how it compares to the "other game". I just am having fun with it...for the most part.

I say for the most part because there just seems to be so many little things that are off. Most seem so obvious and were picked up on within the first or second day of it's release. While, to me, none of them are game killers by themselves, when you put them all together, the game becomes frustrating at times.

While I know Ben Brinkman isn't going to come on these boards and answer questions from the members, I was wondering if any of the higher ups (people that were able to get a preview of the game) had any pull and would be able to maybe get some questions answered as to why some of these obvious problems are in the game and more importantly as to which ones will be patched and when.

Personally, one of the most frustrating things isn't playing a broken game, it's the fact that a broken game is put out and the developers seem to just be let off the hook without explanation to their "fans" or critics. And by the time they do acknowledge they knew about them, it's too late.

I think to me, this year is most frustrating because it seems like the game is "that close" to being great, but these little things are holding it back and most are so obvious that it's almost sickening they were overlooked.

Anyway, not trying to start a rant thread, as that was not my intention...just trying to see if there was anyone at OS that actually has some pull that can fight for us and get some answers.

If this can be done, maybe we can compile a list of the top specific problems so that they can't be danced around so easily.

To be clear, I'm not talking about why a certain stadium wasn't updated or why a uniform is off. I'm really thinking of things that are "broken" and not just neglected. The fact that pitching from the stretch doesn't respond the same as pitching from the windup seems broken to me. Where as the fact that Greg Maddux doesn't throw a 2-seam fastball in the game is something that was neglected.

Thanks.

[milbrewcity]

Re: Will there be any kind of follow up with Brinkman?

GREAT QUESTION. Would love to get his thoughts on some of these things.

[RoyalBoyle78]

Re: Will there be any kind of follow up with Brinkman?

I'm sure he will be in hiding for the next couple of weeks. Well thats until he proves us wrong and talk about the issues.

[bulls23]

Re: Will there be any kind of follow up with Brinkman?

I'm sure he will be in hiding for the next couple of weeks. Well thats until he proves us wrong and talk about the issues.

Yeah he hides, just like last year. He was all over the place until the game drops, then he is like the invisible man. Kushgamer is gone as well, although I don't blame him.

[baa7]

Re: Will there be any kind of follow up with Brinkman?

Not to jump on you Trev, but this thread is an example of what happens when gamers start to think developers owe them something. Brinkman and 2K own people nothing. They're a company. They put out a game. Consumers are happy/unhappy. That's pretty much the story right there until MLB 2K9. And 2K has already announced they're patching the framerate problem. That's about all one can ask.

Another thing. Why is the assumption that 2K needs to 'answer' for anything when the reality is there many thousands or tens of thousands of people are enjoying the game? See, it's all about perspective.

[milbrewcity]

Re: Will there be any kind of follow up with Brinkman?

Brinkman and 2K owe people nothing. They're a company.

Interesting.

[baa7]

Re: Will there be any kind of follow up with Brinkman?

Interesting.

Not to say a company shouldn't be responsible for the product they put out, don't get me wrong. But when 2K6 was unplayable due to freezing, 2k fixed it with a patch. So they do take responsibility.

And with 2K8, apart from the framerate issue - which some, like me, aren't even experiencing, and which 2K has said they're in the process of fixing - there's nothing else 'wrong' with the game. It's a matter of 'like' versus 'dislike' at that point.

So then what does 2K 'owe' gamers past that? Nothing. They put their product out on the market; people bought it; some enjoy it; some didn't. That's all.

[NEWYORICAN]

Re: Will there be any kind of follow up with Brinkman?

Not to say a company shouldn't be responsible for the product they put out, don't get me wrong. But when 2K6 was unplayable due to freezing, 2k fixed it with a patch. So they do take responsibility.

And with 2K8, apart from the framerate issue - which some, like me, aren't even experiencing, and which 2K has said they're in the process of fixing - there's nothing else 'wrong' with the game. It's a matter of 'like' versus 'dislike' at that point.

So then what does 2K 'owe' gamers past that? Nothing. They put their product out on the market; people bought it; some enjoy it; some didn't. That's all.

I agree...the product is out there, you like it, or you don't...it's our responsibility what we do about it...yr right baa7

peace
Ernesto

[milbrewcity]

Re: Will there be any kind of follow up with Brinkman?

Not to say a company shouldn't be responsible for the product they put out, don't get me wrong. But when 2K6 was unplayable due to freezing, 2k fixed it with a patch. So they do take responsibility.

And with 2K8, apart from the framerate issue - which some, like me, aren't even experiencing, and which 2K has said they're in the process of fixing - there's nothing else 'wrong' with the game. It's a matter of 'like' versus 'dislike' at that point.

So then what does 2K 'owe' gamers past that? Nothing. They put their product out on the market; people bought it; some enjoy it; some didn't. That's all.

That's cool, I just didn't think the poster said that 2K owed us anything either, just that he wanted to know if the possibility existed for Ben to speak about some of his frustrations.

[Trevytrev11]

Re: Will there be any kind of follow up with Brinkman?

On a personal level, I'm not looking for anything from 2K. I bought the game and enjoy it. I think for the most part, it plays much better than 2K7 and like Baa, haven't experienced the frame rate problems. Not once did I say they "owed" us anything.

Still, 2K released a game with obvious problems (like many developers do), most of which aren't disclosed to the buyer and for once it would be nice to just put them on the spot and force them to explain why. I disagree with Baa saying that besides the frame rate issue there isn'tanything else "wrong" because there are many, many things in this game that aren't "right" when it comes to baseball. But that is beside the point. This isn't my list of complaints.

The best way to stop developers from releasing broken products is to have people stop buying the games until the get it right...But, This will never happen (see next paragraph). However, these companies do rely on gaming sites to help promote their product prior to release, so why not have those sites who helped them out before hand put pressure on them afterwards when their product doesn't live up to their own words (60 FPS).

People will never stop buying games for several reasons. 1) Casual gamers (the majority) can care less about the problems and won't pick up on most of them or don't even know they exist to begin with. 2) Some people just need their "fix" of a certain genre of a game and have no other choice and 3) $60 just isn't that much to a lot of people. Most people make a lot more money now then they did back in the day when they were paying $40 and $50 for Nintendo games.

Maybe a little public humiliation would do some good for us is all I'm saying. These guys really never have to face any sort of ciritcsm publicly. They over hype their game leading up to it's release and then hide out afterwards. Maybe I'm just used to be held accountable for my actions.

[Pared]

Re: Will there be any kind of follow up with Brinkman?

I wouldn't go as far as to say the company doesn't owe anyone anything.

If you're shelling out $60 for a game only to find out it's a stuttering mess then that's just not right. The fact that they KNEW about the issues (since they announced a patch was coming 2 days in) is ridiculous.

Sell a half-*** product with the means of patching it instead of selling it the way it should be. That's a load of garbage.

EDIT: I doubt we'll see anything from him until the game is patched.

[baa7]

Re: Will there be any kind of follow up with Brinkman?

Maybe a little public humiliation would do some good

Trev, my first two wives (ex-wives thankfully) showed me that I can kiss butt and humiliate myself until the cows come home, but it doesn't do one *** **** bit of good. You still get crapped on for not doing things THEIR WAY. And that's ALL it's about

[Trevytrev11]

Re: Will there be any kind of follow up with Brinkman?

Trev, my first two wives (ex-wives thankfully) showed me that I can kiss butt and humiliate myself until the cows come home, but it doesn't do one *** **** bit of good. You still get crapped on for not doing things THEIR WAY. And that's ALL it's about

touche

But in all honesty, there would be a sense of satisfaction to hear 2K (Hell all developers) answer some "What the hell were you thinking" questions.

[baa7]

Re: Will there be any kind of follow up with Brinkman?

But in all honesty, there would be a sense of satisfaction to hear 2K (Hell all developers) answer some "What the hell were you thinking" questions.

See, I don't get that remark. What did they do wrong? They created a game they thought gamers would be interested in and that would sell. That's what companies do.

I rented the game and have been playing it for three days now. I have had zero framerate issues (standard TV is probably why) so I've been able to relax and enjoy the game for what it is. No, I won't be buying it after I return this rental copy. But that's only because it's not my cup of tea, and because there are a couple things that just don't work for me. But IMO there's nothing about the game - apart from the framerate issue - that 2k should have to answer or apologize for.

[bigfnjoe96]

Re: Will there be any kind of follow up with Brinkman?

See, I don't get that remark. What did they do wrong? They created a game they thought gamers would be interested in and that would sell. That's what companies do.

I rented the game and have been playing it for three days now. I have had zero framerate issues (standard TV is probably why) so I've been able to relax and enjoy the game for what it is. No, I won't be buying it after I return this rental copy. But that's only because it's not my cup of tea, and because there are a couple things that just don't work for me. But IMO there's nothing about the game - apart from the framerate issue - that 2k should have to answer or apologize for.

Thank You very much for saying this. The problem with this title isn't game play, because IMHO it's much better than 2k7.

The problem 2K has always had since going next-gen is their VIP System. Although a gr-8 idea, I firmly believe it's time to scrap the whole idea because it's causing HUGE ISSUES with their titles. Not to mention the way the use replays & how those replays affect the game caching to the System HDD.

There should be no reason why players disappear/freeze during the transitions of cut scenes. Why the game cannot keep a consistent frame rate during replays. Again another gr-8 idea poorly implemented.

These 2 issues have plagued this series since 2k6 & continue to do so, which is in-excusable... & need be addressed seriously next year.