Not the Bottom of the Ninth, But a Big At-Bat Coming For MLB 2K10

[metal134]

Re: Not the Bottom of the Ninth, But a Big At-Bat Coming For MLB 2K10

I guess it depends on how one defines foundation. Personally, I don't think this game is close when it comes to the basic fundamentals of baseball.

I'm not talking about anything graphic, animation or presentation related, but just the nuts and bolts of the actual sport; the brain behind the game is lacking.

Here is what I mean:

-When the AI pitches, there appears to be no logic behind their pitches and each pitch is nothing more than just a random choice. There is nothing I have seen that makes me thing the computer reacts to what just happened. If you chase a curve in the dirt, the computer doesn't catch on and throw that same pitch. If you take the first pitch 25 straight times, the computer will still try and throw a breaking pitch on the corner, etc.

-When the AI hits, they swing at everything. There aren't any different offensive personalities or philosophies for different hitters. Every hitter is ultra agressive and instead of waiting for their pitch, they just swing at any pitch.

-The computer never hit and runs and everytime they steal the hitter takes the pitch (even with 2 strikes). I can't say I've ever even seen the AI hitter swing and miss while the runner is stealing.

-4 step lead at first = a guaranteed throw regardless of how many times you make it back to first safely. 10, 20, 30 times in a row they will continue to throw over.

-No runners on and the hitter shows bunt way too early for a bunt for a hit.

The list goes on and on, but my point is that while they may have a foundation in place for a baseball game, they don't have one in place, IMO, for a good baseball game. My concern is and always has been with this series is that they don't have baseball saavy people making the baseball game and if that is true, how can this game ever be great?

I agree with all that, but when I talk about foundation, I mean the mechanics. The pitcher/batter interface is good and the fielding is nice as well. But, like you said, the AI needs a MAJOR overhaul, pitcher control needs to be WAY more realistic for the interface to mean anything and lots of little bugs and glitches need cleaned up.