Did 2k transfer MLB '09 development to Visual Concepts?

[Bahnzo]

Re: Did 2k transfer MLB '09 development to Visual Concepts?

ok, what does that mean for MLB 2k9 though?

Another half-@ssed effort that, for baseball fans w/360's, will be their only choice.

[Spectre]

Re: Did 2k transfer MLB '09 development to Visual Concepts?

I don't think any of this information is confidential, so allow me to fill in the gaps for you guys...

2K Los Angeles (formerly Kush Games) officially closed their doors around March 24, 2008. A good portion of the employees joined previous Kush Games owner, Umrao Mayer, at his newly formed company Zindagi Games (no public announcement as to what they are developing). Several other former 2KLA employees moved with the project up to the bay area and became a part of Visual Concepts. Still others decided to pursue other options (some stayed in the area and now work for other southern California studios and some moved out of state like kushgamer and myself).

This is just the way the industry works and things like this happen where companies start up, shut down, or are relocated/consolidated.

Ah, that makes sense- thanks for the info

[brendanrfoley]

Re: Did 2k transfer MLB '09 development to Visual Concepts?

This is news to me, and I think many of us.

It will be interesting to see what happens for next year's version. Then again, we are a long way away from knowing. We typically don't see screens of new baseball titles until late December. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

I also hope everyone from 2K LA has landed on their feet.

[ChaseB]

Re: Did 2k transfer MLB '09 development to Visual Concepts?

I don't think any of this information is confidential, so allow me to fill in the gaps for you guys...

2K Los Angeles (formerly Kush Games) officially closed their doors around March 24, 2008. A good portion of the employees joined previous Kush Games owner, Umrao Mayer, at his newly formed company Zindagi Games (no public announcement as to what they are developing). Several other former 2KLA employees moved with the project up to the bay area and became a part of Visual Concepts. Still others decided to pursue other options (some stayed in the area and now work for other southern California studios and some moved out of state like kushgamer and myself).

This is just the way the industry works and things like this happen where companies start up, shut down, or are relocated/consolidated.

So development-wise, MLB 2K is being moved to Visual Concepts much like NHL 2K was?

[ehh]

Re: Did 2k transfer MLB '09 development to Visual Concepts?

Interesting news, I didn't think it would take two months for something like this to surface in this day and age.

I'm not sure how this can be considered good news by some and I maintain that anyone who thought 2K8 was a step backwards either A) played 2K8 for 10 minutes or B) is a graphics whore.

It will be interesting to see what happens from here on out.

[brendanrfoley]

Re: Did 2k transfer MLB '09 development to Visual Concepts?

Ehh, agreed.

This much turnover one one development team, expected to have a new game ready in nine months, is very bad. My only hope is that 2K LA knew it was closing before hand, and Visual Concepts knew it was taking over. But if 2K LA's closure was sudden, I have serious concerns.

[ehh]

Re: Did 2k transfer MLB '09 development to Visual Concepts?

Ehh, agreed.

This much turnover one one development team, expected to have a new game ready in nine months, is very bad. My only hope is that 2K LA knew it was closing before hand, and Visual Concepts knew it was taking over. But if 2K LA's closure was sudden, I have serious concerns.

Yup, that is a very big concern. I'm pretty darn happy I sold my 360, the future is bleak for baseball on that console.

[brendanrfoley]

Re: Did 2k transfer MLB '09 development to Visual Concepts?

I will hold out hope, but am slightly apprehensive.

Visual Concepts needs to release a product that has instant credibility, and I'm not sure that can happen on a limited development cycle.

Honestly, if there was ever a time for Take 2 to "tap" it's relationship with Konami, now is it. A localized Pro Yakyu Spirits could really put 2K baseball on the map. Follow up releases could then be tweaked in house to tailor to more of an American audience.

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[ChaseB]

Re: Did 2k transfer MLB '09 development to Visual Concepts?

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3167973

Todd Zuniga basically summed up what was already deciphered from this thread. I'm not sure how he found the thread, but either way the credit is placed here and so kudos to you guys once again.

At least PR got back to him as well since I didn't get any e-mail etc back today from them after inquiring over the weekend -- I probably should have tried this morning again, but alas.

Still trying to get into contact with Brinkman or someone else for more in-depth stuff though.

[DrJones]

Re: Did 2k transfer MLB '09 development to Visual Concepts?

Visual Concepts is 2K Sports. KUSH Games, Venom & Blue Castle are developers in the VC/2K Sports Portfolio.

Oh, and just to clarify, KUSH was/is owned by VC/2K. Blue Castle isn't.

[Pigskin11]

Re: Did 2k transfer MLB '09 development to Visual Concepts?

1. MLB 2k8 sucked (big time), so any change hopefully will help.

2. Kush pushed out poor titles like NHL and MLB year after year.

3. Visual Concepts has made the best sport game ever (NFL 2k5) and a fantastic NBA game that constantly improves.

4. MLB 08 The Show will still be the best baseball game next year, but I would never sell my 360 for it. PS360 FTW

[StriderNo9]

Re: Did 2k transfer MLB '09 development to Visual Concepts?

Looks like this is going to happen, its sad to see brain go but VC is a good sports dev and I have hope for this series once again.

[brendanrfoley]

Re: Did 2k transfer MLB '09 development to Visual Concepts?

Now that it is canceled, I wonder if the College Hoops 2K team is working on the MLB series. That was a highly polished product and gives me hope the MLB franchise is in good hands.

However, anyone who rejoices at this news so quickly is being foolish. Visual Concepts has a huge task in front of it. As of today, it has roughly eight months to prepare and polish its first MLB title. That is a huge undertaking.

[bukktown]

Re: Did 2k transfer MLB '09 development to Visual Concepts?

However, anyone who rejoices at this news so quickly is being foolish. Visual Concepts has a huge task in front of it. As of today, it has roughly eight months to prepare and polish its first MLB title. That is a huge undertaking.

Unfortunately the MLB 2k9 game seems to be a lame duck. It looks like much of last years development team won't be working on it. Kushgamer told us that 2k baseball has never been able to turn a profit. He said that 2k7 was the closest to breaking even of any of the games. With the restructuring of 2k sports in the shadow of the sale of Take Two you gotta believe only bare-bones minimum resources will be allocated to MLB 2k9.

Hey Brendan, do you remember the first MLB game on dreamcast? Wasn't that Visual Concepts that developed it?

[Trevytrev11]

Re: Did 2k transfer MLB '09 development to Visual Concepts?

So another new development team will probably mean another 2-3 years of excuses..as this seems to be the 2K mantra..please the "we're new, we didn't have enough time card" Hopefully if it is VC, this won't be true, but with their hands full with other projects I can't imagine this game gets the attention it needs.