Does anyone think 2k9 is going to be better than the show this year?

[slickzeus]

Re: Does anyone think 2k9 is going to be better than the show this year?

hahahahaha that was a good joke....good one :wink:

[brendanrfoley]

Re: Does anyone think 2k9 is going to be better than the show this year?

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking the past few days (never good). And I’m just going to say it; The Show fans need MLB 2K9 to be successful just as much as anyone else.

SCEA’s product is a very good one. I hopped on the bandwagon after High Heat Baseball bit the dust, playing MLB 2005, 2006, The Show ’06 and The Show ’07 extensively. All are very good games in their own right and offer a tremendous baseball experience. But (and it’s a big but), I believe the series is beginning to get stale.

There have been several refinements the hitting, pitching and fielding mechanics over the years. But the basic gameplay largely unchanged from four years ago. Sure, the results may be more realistic. But pitching is still done with a meter, hitting is still done with the face buttons, and fielding actions are performed the same way they were during the MLB series on the PS One. Where’s the innovation?

I will never fault anyone for enjoying The Show. Again, it’s a very good game on its own merits. But for some people, such as myself, it is too similar to its previous versions. It feels the “same.” If MLB 2K9 can deliver a compelling experience, more people will be exposed to Total Control Pitching and Swing Stick. And, they may just like it.

I won’t say 2K9 will be better than The Show. But if it can get close, it may just make SCEA work a little harder in the process.

[SoxFan01605]

Re: Does anyone think 2k9 is going to be better than the show this year?

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking the past few days (never good). And I’m just going to say it; The Show fans need MLB 2K9 to be successful just as much as anyone else.

SCEA’s product is a very good one. I hopped on the bandwagon after High Heat Baseball bit the dust, playing MLB 2005, 2006, The Show ’06 and The Show ’07 extensively. All are very good games in their own right and offer a tremendous baseball experience. But (and it’s a big but), I believe the series is beginning to get stale.

There have been several refinements the hitting, pitching and fielding mechanics over the years. But the basic gameplay largely unchanged from four years ago. Sure, the results may be more realistic. But pitching is still done with a meter, hitting is still done with the face buttons, and fielding actions are performed the same way they were during the MLB series on the PS One. Where’s the innovation?

I will never fault anyone for enjoying The Show. Again, it’s a very good game on its own merits. But for some people, such as myself, it is too similar to its previous versions. It feels the “same.” If MLB 2K9 can deliver a compelling experience, more people will be exposed to Total Control Pitching and Swing Stick. And, they may just like it.

I won’t say 2K9 will be better than The Show. But if it can get close, it may just make SCEA work a little harder in the process.

While I personally disagree with the notion it's getting "stale" and actually love the way they've gone about improving the game (especially in regards to their franchise mode this year), I do understand why some feel that way. More importantly though, I completely agree with the overall premise.

I think the competition will not only bring the best out of The Show, but if 2K can get people believing again, it might make them push a bit harder on all the "little things." Plus, if 2K nails the zone concepts with the stick, it may force SCEA to reevaluate their own hitting mechanic and at least work on it as an option. Heck, maybe MS will put their purchase of the HH series to good use too

I long for the days where multiple titles pushed eachother in different ways. It also allowed for more innovation and risk taking in order to try and "one-up" the other guy.

In the peak of baseball videogame options, I never had one game I thought fit all my wants and needs in a baseball game. I loved ASB for it's franchise depth and creativity, High Heat for it's realistic play, MVP for it's innovation and "feel" (very fluid), and started playing the Sony MLB series around then too. I'm a baseball nut...the more, the merrier.

[Sheabird68]

Re: Does anyone think 2k9 is going to be better than the show this year?

After witnessing the Rays beat out the Red Sox and Yankees in 08, anything can happen in 09. 2K9 could be this years Rays

[Shakedowncapo]

Re: Does anyone think 2k9 is going to be better than the show this year?

2k doesn't even have the basics down. To expect it in one dev cycle...You're just setting yourself up for another disappointment. Bet that.

[brendanrfoley]

Re: Does anyone think 2k9 is going to be better than the show this year?

2k doesn't even have the basics down. To expect it in one dev cycle...You're just setting yourself up for another disappointment. Bet that.

This is where we agree to disagree. MLB 2K8, between the lines, plays much better than people give it credit for. The framerate and overall presentation, however, scares people off.

[baa7]

Re: Does anyone think 2k9 is going to be better than the show this year?

SCEA’s product is a very good one. I hopped on the bandwagon after High Heat Baseball bit the dust, playing MLB 2005, 2006, The Show ’06 and The Show ’07 extensively. All are very good games in their own right and offer a tremendous baseball experience. But (and it’s a big but), I believe the series is beginning to get stale.

There have been several refinements the hitting, pitching and fielding mechanics over the years. But the basic gameplay largely unchanged from four years ago. I will never fault anyone for enjoying The Show.

Couldn't agree more I think The Show is a great game. But it's going to be difficult to justify purchasing the PS2 version of 09, when I know the same shortcomings will probably exist that were in 08: missing, critical player ratings like pitchers L&R ratings; CPU fielders don't shift; pitchers' animations skip horribly; plus a few more I could name. But the biggest thing for me is the lack of R stick swinging (and pitching, although I'm not high on 2K's system).

I guess my thinking the past couple of weeks has been I'll skip MLB 09 and play 08, seeing it's no doubt going to be pretty much a roster update and not much more. And the money I save can go towards MLB 2K9 this year. After three years of The Show and its lack of anything really new, apart from graphics upgrades, I need something different.

[JBH3]

Re: Does anyone think 2k9 is going to be better than the show this year?

Not when it comes to off-field baseball.

Since 2K put in take-out slides, and better fielding in 2K8 than in years past I was having a great time playing the games. Pitching in 2K last year, IMO, was the most fun I've had since MVP'05.

I've never played the show so I can't speak on how its gameplay compares to 2K, but from reading about it over the last couple years there is no way for 2K to match up to the depth and realism The Show has put into its off-field gameplay.

If framerate, meatballs, CPU stealing, injuries, and pitch counts get (drastically) better. Then I can have a great time PLAYING this game, but I want to have a great time playing off the field too.

W/ that said 2K needs to do a complete overhaul on thier franchise mode. There are so many broken aspects that it is almost rendered unplayable for multiple seasons:

-There are not enough injuries which affect the landscape of the league, and there are rarely injured pitchers.
-Progression makes no sense when Chase Utley puts up a career year, and his overall degresses by 4/5 points when he's in his early 30's.
-No 40 man rosters.
-No arbitration.
-No Rule 5 (not sure if the Show has it either, but ASB did!).
-Draft is at the end of the year instead of June.
-Might as well have CPU Trades OFF because the CPU will make literally 100 trades; w/ one almost everyday in July up to the deadline...why?
-Too many high quality FAs land in the FA pool, and never get resigned.
-No options, NO no-trade clauses, etc. for player contracts.
-The CPU fires WAY TOO MANY staffers...managers, hitting coaches, etc.

EX. The amount of coaches which were fired from the real-NBA pales in comparison to what happens in a given season of MLB 2K. I almost saw the entire NL West managers get fired one yr...the only one who didn't was Torre.

Most if not everything I listed above, the Show excels in, AND they have a whole other mode that 2K doesn't have and 2K gives us what... trading cards.

Again...NOPE it won't be better than the Show.

The gameplay might add a little more fun to the on-the-field play, and that might be equal or better than the Show's, but to say 2K is lacking in its franchise mode is a joke. The Show is light-years ahead of them when it comes to that.

Besides...w/ FOM I'm skeptical as to what improvements we'll actually see to MLB 2K's franchise mode.

The short answer is NO, especially not this year. There is just too far for them to go in such a short time and The Show has a huge head start.

However, this is a year that, if they get everything they are trying to accomplish right, they can close that gap and shoot for all of the extras next year and add a new Franchise mode with all fo the correct roster happenings and add a mode like RTTS.

For most, it all comes down to gameplay. Real rosters, extra modes, create a face are all nice, but if the baseball sucks, who cares.

I'm just guessing here, but it seems like The Show has a hitting/pitching/fielding sytem that works, but there seems to be a push for analog use in sports games these days, so if 2K creeps up on overall, on the field, baseball quality, I think you'll see a change on their side. The old "if aint broke, don't fix it" statement doesn't really hold true to sports games because year in and year out the developers have to do something to differentiate and freshen their product from the prior one as well as against the competition. And if the other game produces the same quality baseball game with "funner" controls, then all of a sudden you're game will seem old to many. If this happens, it may take The Show a year or two to tighten everything up and perfect something that is similar, but different than what 2K offers.

I like your posts on 2K baseball, you're usually spot on w/ everything you post.

[Artman22]

Re: Does anyone think 2k9 is going to be better than the show this year?

Couldn't agree more I think The Show is a great game. But it's going to be difficult to justify purchasing the PS2 version of 09, when I know the same shortcomings will probably exist that were in 08: missing, critical player ratings like pitchers L&R ratings; CPU fielders don't shift; pitchers' animations skip horribly; plus a few more I could name. But the biggest thing for me is the lack of R stick swinging (and pitching, although I'm not high on 2K's system).

I guess my thinking the past couple of weeks has been I'll skip MLB 09 and play 08, seeing it's no doubt going to be pretty much a roster update and not much more. And the money I save can go towards MLB 2K9 this year. After three years of The Show and its lack of anything really new, apart from graphics upgrades, I need something different.

Dont say that too loud around here shh. I wont be surprise to see many people jump all over you for that last statement lol.:wink:

[Artman22]

Re: Does anyone think 2k9 is going to be better than the show this year?

Not when it comes to off-field baseball.

Since 2K put in take-out slides, and better fielding in 2K8 than in years past I was having a great time playing the games. Pitching in 2K last year, IMO, was the most fun I've had since MVP'05.

I've never played the show so I can't speak on how its gameplay compares to 2K, but from reading about it over the last couple years there is no way for 2K to match up to the depth and realism The Show has put into its off-field gameplay.

If framerate, meatballs, CPU stealing, injuries, and pitch counts get (drastically) better. Then I can have a great time PLAYING this game, but I want to have a great time playing off the field too.

W/ that said 2K needs to do a complete overhaul on thier franchise mode. There are so many broken aspects that it is almost rendered unplayable for multiple seasons:

-There are not enough injuries which affect the landscape of the league, and there are rarely injured pitchers.
-Progression makes no sense when Chase Utley puts up a career year, and his overall degresses by 4/5 points when he's in his early 30's.
-No 40 man rosters.
-No arbitration.
-No Rule 5 (not sure if the Show has it either, but ASB did!).
-Draft is at the end of the year instead of June.
-Might as well have CPU Trades OFF because the CPU will make literally 100 trades; w/ one almost everyday in July up to the deadline...why?
-Too many high quality FAs land in the FA pool, and never get resigned.
-No options, NO no-trade clauses, etc. for player contracts.
-The CPU fires WAY TOO MANY staffers...managers, hitting coaches, etc. EX. The amount of coaches etc. getting fired pales in comparison to what happens in a given season of 2K baseball.

Most if not everything I listed above the Show excels in, AND they have a whole other mode that 2K doesn't have and 2K gives us... trading cards.

Again...no it won't be better than the Show. The gameplay might add a little more fun to the on-the-field play, but to say 2K is lacking in its franchise mode is a joke.



I like your posts on 2K baseball, you're usually spot on w/ everything you post.

One day you should try the show on the ps3. I say this because i thought 2k8 was flat out horrible and an abomination to baseball. I agree with the invoation part(Pitching,fielding meters, batting) but everything was bad. Horrible graphics, gameplay was not smooth at all, no atmosphere what so ever. I know this is a 2k board and all but the show is a great game. It has flaws and i wont deny that, but overall the game is pure baseball and it's a beautiful game that runs silky smooth.

[Artman22]

Re: Does anyone think 2k9 is going to be better than the show this year?

I think if 2k9's gameplay is good, then this is the year that they will get people's attention and then they can build from there. 2k needs to prove that they can make a good baseball game and i think it's only fair for 360 owners to have a good baseball game. Once they do that. Then i feel they can gain some ground in baseball video games.

[texbuk84]

Re: Does anyone think 2k9 is going to be better than the show this year?

I think if 2k9's gameplay is good, then this is the year that they will get people's attention and then they can build from there. 2k needs to prove that they can make a good baseball game and i think it's only fair for 360 owners to have a good baseball game. Once they do that. Then i feel they can gain some ground in baseball video games.

this is so true. the show game is better because they keep it simple and authentic. that's what the problem is with 2k they are trying to hard to make a great game when they need to relax, keep it simple, and do the best job possible.

I'm fine with that.

[baa7]

Re: Does anyone think 2k9 is going to be better than the show this year?

Dont say that too loud around here shh. I wont be surprise to see many people jump all over you for that last statement lol.:wink:

Well Art, what's the point of buying what amounts to a roster update every year with improved graphics? If you look at some of the gameplay ideas that someone like Blzer comes up with, it starts to become a question as to why game developers aren't working just as hard re-designing hitting, pitching and fielding gameplay and controls. Or how about adjustable user cameras? Or first-person fielding? Or baserunner perspective for stealing, like 2K had a couple of years ago? Where's the player rating depth that games ten years ago had? Where are the real-life ball physics? Or collision detection? Why is so much of the gameplay still scripted: from hits, to foul ball counts, to players like first basemen who are incapable of making errors because it's hard-coded into the programming?

The Show is a great series, but IMO it stopped moving forward a long time ago. If people get excited at progressive lighting, a handful of new animations and having updated player faces, so be it. But that's not my idea of a game that's striving to take baseball gaming to a new level. And I'm not saying 2K has all of that, obviously. But I'm pretty much ready for something new. That or a whole new MLB The Show experience, and it's clear that's not happening this year again.

[brendanrfoley]

Re: Does anyone think 2k9 is going to be better than the show this year?

To continue my thoughts from earlier, I also don't think MLB 2K9 needs to be a better game than The Show. I'll settle for "good" or "very good," and considering I think 2K8 is underrated as a gameplay experience, I believe it's entrirely in the realm of possibility.

[JBH3]

Re: Does anyone think 2k9 is going to be better than the show this year?

One day you should try the show on the ps3. I say this because i thought 2k8 was flat out horrible and an abomination to baseball. I agree with the invoation part(Pitching,fielding meters, batting) but everything was bad. Horrible graphics, gameplay was not smooth at all, no atmosphere what so ever. I know this is a 2k board and all but the show is a great game. It has flaws and i wont deny that, but overall the game is pure baseball and it's a beautiful game that runs silky smooth.

I'd like to try it, but all my friends own 360s too. I wish I could justify to the powers that be :wink: the need for two systems, but that battle is lost before I even try.

I have enjoyed the innovations to gameplay like you've mentioned, but I demand more from them than just some fancy meters and analog control for pitching/hitting.

I might be on the opposite side of the fence, but to me ASB was my all-time fav. game, w/ MVP'05 a very close second. Gameplay I guess was around average, maybe even below average, but there was still a game I could play. However, the off-the-field actions kept me playing that game for an eternity. A game like FOM, or OOTP can't do that because I want to be able to pinpoint a pitch on the corner, or drive in a walk-off HR.

I just have to hold out hope that 2K will get there...

I think if 2k9's gameplay is good, then this is the year that they will get people's attention and then they can build from there. 2k needs to prove that they can make a good baseball game and i think it's only fair for 360 owners to have a good baseball game. Once they do that. Then i feel they can gain some ground in baseball video games.

Again...I'm skeptic on what improvements will be made to franchise when a SIM like FOM comes out.

Maybe something like EA did happens where the lead developer from Head Coach works on the upcoming Madden's franchise mode.

If we get some news down the road that this may happen, then that would give me a warm and fuzzy about MLB 2K's franchise mode improving.

BUT...Putting out FOM & MLB 2K9 intially gives me the impression that VC is saying here is your SIM, and is your real-time baseball-action game (for lack of better words).