Will the CPU take strikes? Will sliders remedy this?

[nemesis04]

Re: Will the CPU take strikes? Will sliders remedy this?

Judging from the previous gameplay deficiencies, along with the way IE was implimented in the past -- meaning, extremely poorly -- the last thing I would want to see is game sliders being replaced with hidden attributes. But this "simplifying the game" appears to be some sort of new vision VC has for their sports series. They removed a ton of ratings and sliders from NHL 2K9. And if you read the user comments, the CPU offensive AI is terrible, bordering on broken.

Well that is not encouraging, ugh!

[baa7]

Re: Will the CPU take strikes? Will sliders remedy this?

Well that is not encouraging, ugh!

The Show has a similar system. There are no Take Strikes slider in that game, for example. The difference though is SCEA has proven over the years that they're able to fine-tune the "hidden" aspects of the gameplay and create a game that plays like baseball. All 2K has proven in five years is that they're incapable of producing a game that doesn't require massive slider tweaks in order to play half-decently. I simply don't trust them to be removing sliders at this point. We could be left with a game like NHL 2K9, where the lousy CPU logic, which can't be adjusted via sliders, essentially kills the game.

[nemesis04]

Re: Will the CPU take strikes? Will sliders remedy this?

The Show has a similar system. There are no Take Strikes slider in that game, for example. The difference though is SCEA has proven over the years that they're able to fine-tune the "hidden" aspects of the gameplay and create a game that plays like baseball. All 2K has proven in five years is that they're incapable of producing a game that doesn't require massive slider tweaks in order to play half-decently. I simply don't trust them to be removing sliders at this point. We could be left with a game like NHL 2K9, where the lousy CPU logic, which can't be adjusted via sliders, essentially kills the game.

They did have a batter plate discipline slider so that could help with the swing happy AI at times but that is gone for 09 too! You are right though it is more important than ever to have those hidden aspects fine tuned before the game ships. That can totally kill a game if not done properly.

[bodhiball]

Re: Will the CPU take strikes? Will sliders remedy this?

Best way around it at this point is to wait a few days and rent it...really give it a test-run before dropping the $60. Who knows, it could be a fantastic game! Not only will this save you (and me) some money and aggravation up front, it COULD send a stronger message to 2k of the weariness of its customers and that we are really wanting a stronger game or at least willing to wait on the purchase till we get one.

In all seriousness, its fair to expect more from the company who claimed exclusive rights to the sport.


PS:
quote from OS' preview "When playing the A.I., it seems it swings at everything in the strike zone, rarely swinging at balls outside the zone. So, it makes it very difficult to get a decent pitch count. I have messed with the sliders, and while improving it some, I am still not satisfied."

[brendanrfoley]

Re: Will the CPU take strikes? Will sliders remedy this?

I get the sense MLB 2K9 was finished late last week (judging by the developer chat). No one is on this board answering our questions right now because this past weekend was probably their first couple days off in several weeks. Today is a holiday, and I don't know if we can expect an answer today either.

[jim416]

Re: Will the CPU take strikes? Will sliders remedy this?

I get the sense MLB 2K9 was finished late last week (judging by the developer chat). No one is on this board answering our questions right now because this past weekend was probably their first couple days off in several weeks. Today is a holiday, and I don't know if we can expect an answer today either.

That's the clue. The game that has been previewed is definitely older code. If a dev stops by with a big smiley emoticon and says "fixed fellas", that's great news. If they don't.....might be a problem. I'm not sure about days off either. Unless it's shipped to be printed up I'm betting they're still at work.

[brendanrfoley]

Re: Will the CPU take strikes? Will sliders remedy this?

That's the clue. The game that has been previewed is definitely older code. If a dev stops by with a big smiley emoticon and says "fixed fellas", that's great news. If they don't.....might be a problem. I'm not sure about days off either. Unless it's shipped to be printed up I'm betting they're still at work.

Well, the game hits shelves in two weeks. I always thought the was the "cut-off" for making changes, but I could be wrong.

In a dream world, they allowed the release of all those movies on Friday.. followed our reaction... and made any last minute tweaks they could.

[jim416]

Re: Will the CPU take strikes? Will sliders remedy this?

Well, the game hits shelves in two weeks. I always thought the was the "cut-off" for making changes, but I could be wrong.

In a dream world, they allowed the release of all those movies on Friday.. followed our reaction... and made any last minute tweaks they could.

That is true. Being retired I lose track of dates/times (don't wear a watch, have to ask my wife what day it is). So, with that in mind possibly strike the days off comment, but keep the rest.

If they finished the game a couple weeks ago, then it could still be a problem if the preview build IS the final build..

[Padgoi]

Re: Will the CPU take strikes? Will sliders remedy this?

As Jim said, regardless of whether it's a day off or not, all it would take is a dev coming in here and saying, "fixed fellas, CPU will take strikes." I don't see any devs doing that and the preview from OS further illustrates this issue (even with slider tweaks the issue is still evident). Again, I am usually skeptical about calling anything a game-killer, but this would destroy any sim aspect of the game and would pretty much force me to buy a PS3. I'm not waiting until next year to see if they have a playable game again. This game looks great right now, but we NEED an answer to this issue soon.

[jim416]

Re: Will the CPU take strikes? Will sliders remedy this?

True, it could still be a fun game, but more arcade style. That's great for people who don't mind and they could still enjoy the heck out of it, but you're right, if you're looking for some type of pitcher duel, this wouldn't do, it it's not remedied.

When I watched the demo I saw batters swinging at bad pitches, early on swings, and thought it looked good, but I'm wondering if that was player vs. player and not player vs. cpu?

[coachpars]

Re: Will the CPU take strikes? Will sliders remedy this?

As Jim said, regardless of whether it's a day off or not, all it would take is a dev coming in here and saying, "fixed fellas, CPU will take strikes." I don't see any devs doing that and the preview from OS further illustrates this issue (even with slider tweaks the issue is still evident). Again, I am usually skeptical about calling anything a game-killer, but this would destroy any sim aspect of the game and would pretty much force me to buy a PS3. I'm not waiting until next year to see if they have a playable game again. This game looks great right now, but we NEED an answer to this issue soon.

I really dont want to spend that kind of cash for one game. That being said, Im not going to wait another year also...

[jeffy777]

Re: Will the CPU take strikes? Will sliders remedy this?

If they finished the game a couple weeks ago, then it could still be a problem if the preview build IS the final build..

No it's not. They said specifically in the Q&A session that the final build will have more optimized game code compared to the preview build. Even Steve's article pointed out that the devs said the issues he mentioned wouldn't be in the final build. So that's good news

[brendanrfoley]

Re: Will the CPU take strikes? Will sliders remedy this?

True, it could still be a fun game, but more arcade style. That's great for people who don't mind and they could still enjoy the heck out of it, but you're right, if you're looking for some type of pitcher duel, this wouldn't do, if it's not remedied.

I just don't understand why Visual Concepts would make it easier for the user to draw walks at the plate (offering a more sim experience) while reducing the intelligence of computer controlled hitters. It's counter-intuitive.

I pray it's just due to unfinished code, though that may turn out to be a whole lot of wishful thinking.

[BadKermit]

Re: Will the CPU take strikes? Will sliders remedy this?

I really hope if the developers have today off, they can find something better to do than to post on O.S. (no offense).

[jim416]

Re: Will the CPU take strikes? Will sliders remedy this?

Well, that's true, these guys work very hard, very hard and long hours. But, they do read the boards and I'm sure they are reading all that has been posted, the good and the bad.
They can choose, in the couple weeks leading up to release, to ignore the question, or answer it. Not that difficult. I'd think they'd want to do it if it's not an issue. Sure would calm things down and do a ton to build the excitement on release day.