MLB 2K12 Developer Diary #1 - Gameplay (Part 1)

[rudyjuly2]

Re: MLB 2K12 Developer Diary #1 - Gameplay (Part 1)

They did say they worked on hit variety. And the "hard liners" in the game looked a lot more like soft liners really. They said they worked on that too.

[peigone]

Re: MLB 2K12 Developer Diary #1 - Gameplay (Part 1)

They did say they worked on hit variety. And the "hard liners" in the game looked a lot more like soft liners really. They said they worked on that too.

Yeah, so they say. Guess we'll find out soon enough. Hard to believe though that after six years of tennis-style hitting, they simply "tweaked" things and now it's all somehow magically baseball-like.

[bosnian19]

Re: MLB 2K12 Developer Diary #1 - Gameplay (Part 1)

Yeah, so they say. Guess we'll find out soon enough. Hard to believe though that after six years of tennis rather than baseball, they simply "tweaked" things and now it's all somehow magically improved.

mind if i ask why don't you get the other baseball game? since they have the hitting and the rest of the things you want

[peigone]

Re: MLB 2K12 Developer Diary #1 - Gameplay (Part 1)

mind if i ask why don't you get the other baseball game? since they have the hitting and the rest of the things you want

I've always preferred 2K games because player ratings and slider adjustments matter. I'll take a game with inferior graphics that I can tweak and improve over another game that looks great but where the gameplay is static and player rating adjustments do very little. That's why I've always preferred PES to FIFA (up until this year, when Konami decided to release rubbish).

Yeah I know I'm crying over the zone hitting thing, it's like being dumped by your first girlfriend. But I'll get over it in 30 years like I did the last time it happened to me, ha!

[bosnian19]

Re: MLB 2K12 Developer Diary #1 - Gameplay (Part 1)

I've always preferred 2K games because player ratings and slider adjustments matter. I'll take a game with inferior graphics that I can tweak and improve over another game that looks great but where the gameplay is static and player rating adjustments do very little. That's why I've always preferred PES to FIFA (up until this year, when Konami decided to release rubbish).

Yeah I know I'm crying over the zone hitting thing, it's like being dumped by your first girlfriend. But I'll get over it in 30 years like I did the last time it happened to me, ha!

well i doubt we'll get any big chances to the hitting now i hope that 2k12 is the last one for them and we can get MVP baseball or something back

[DetroitStyle]

Re: MLB 2K12 Developer Diary #1 - Gameplay (Part 1)

My question is why is all of the devs' emphasis on creating a great pitching engine, while none of the focus is directed towards hitting, and creating an equally immersive and complex hitting model? Just another example of the complete lack of balance, focus and direction that has plagued this series since 2K5.

I don't know maybe it's just Harsh and me but I love just the simple one button timing for hitting. I LOVE the interactive pitching but when I hit, I just want to time it and swing and be done with it.

[Blzer]

Re: MLB 2K12 Developer Diary #1 - Gameplay (Part 1)

I don't know maybe it's just Harsh and me but I love just the simple one button timing for hitting. I LOVE the interactive pitching but when I hit, I just want to time it and swing and be done with it.

That's fine with me as well, but the Classic one-button hitting option isn't just one swing. It's three different swings (power, contact, defensive), and the game decides which swing to put on for you based on the batter/pitcher match-up, the scenario at hand (count included), the pitch location, etc. I'd rather that it was really just one swing type, or that they had all three swing types mapped to different buttons ala The Show, so that way I could fine-tune sliders to just one swing type and stick with that.

[Big Jim]

At that point, why not just use the stick?

As for zone or cursor hitting, I kind of get why people want them. But it is pretend skill that replicate hitting at all. I never had to try and aim for the ball past first grade. It has been about form and timing ever since.

It doesn't seem like anyone uses it, but using the LS to pull or go the other way based on the location is the most realistic way to think about hitting. and it really does result in more solid contact if use it correctly.

The main reason zone and cursor hitting is left out is overwhelmingly, no one uses it because it feels difficult and unintuitive. I'm glad 2K has worked on hitting without having to patch in a mode no one really uses. The result has been better hitting over the long haul. I hope we see an even even more realistic spread of hits this year. Rudy is right in that the game game is too opposite field centric.

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[ChiILL]

Re: MLB 2K12 Developer Diary #1 - Gameplay (Part 1)

Two things that I hope are addressed.

1. Loading up your swings. You shouldnt be able to hold back on the stick, they should make it that once u pull back it only last a second before pushing you back in place..forcing you to power hit in one fluent motion.

2. Online they should not let you start bullpen guys, and you should not be able to select another starter until your bullpen is used up.

[bigfnjoe96]

At that point, why not just use the stick?

As for zone or cursor hitting, I kind of get why people want them. But it is pretend skill that replicate hitting at all. I never had to try and aim for the ball past first grade. It has been about form and timing ever since.

It doesn't seem like anyone uses it, but using the LS to pull or go the other way based on the location is the most realistic way to think about hitting. and it really does result in more solid contact if use it correctly.

The main reason zone and cursor hitting is left out is overwhelmingly, no one uses it because it feels difficult and unintuitive. I'm glad 2K has worked on hitting without having to patch in a mode no one really uses. The result has been better hitting over the long haul. I hope we see an even even more realistic spread of hits this year. Rudy is right in that the game game is too opposite field centric.

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Great post Jim. Add in the Batters Eye & 2k did a pretty job last year. I thought it worked well with the Player's Batters Eye Rating in the game. For me it was the best Hitting Engine the game has had since 2k5. Here's hoping they refined it even more this year like you said

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[rudyjuly2]

Re: MLB 2K12 Developer Diary #1 - Gameplay (Part 1)

I don't know maybe it's just Harsh and me but I love just the simple one button timing for hitting. I LOVE the interactive pitching but when I hit, I just want to time it and swing and be done with it.

Me too but I don't have much of a choice either. I am just not good enough to do zone hitting. It's like rubbing your stomach and tapping the top of your head - just can't do it.

[peigone]

Re: MLB 2K12 Developer Diary #1 - Gameplay (Part 1)

As for zone or cursor hitting, I kind of get why people want them. But it is pretend skill that replicate hitting at all. I never had to try and aim for the ball past first grade. It has been about form and timing ever since.

Jim... Is that you...? Ah hem and anyway... Hey, I have to say I've never heard of this. Hitting in baseball involves consciously placing the bat where the ball appears to be going, no two ways around it. Unless you're some kind of hitting savant?

Past that, neither are you taking into account the great points Blzer just made. It's not just the lack of zone or other hitting options. It's the fact that 2K has programmed the game to select what kind of swing you're going to take. They even took that user option and ability out of the hitting game the past couple of years! It doesn't get any more rudimentary and/or simplistic than that, that's just crazy simple to the point of nuts IMO.

[Blzer]

Re: MLB 2K12 Developer Diary #1 - Gameplay (Part 1)

At that point, why not just use the stick?

Because the game still has an issue with confusing "power swing" and "home run swing." You hit more fly balls in general with that swing, and that's the only way I would want to play with the stick is by loading back and firing forward, and they don't offer a "normal" swing that way.

Besides, this game still hasn't put in proper check-swinging. I just don't get where their head is at sometimes.

[peigone]

Re: MLB 2K12 Developer Diary #1 - Gameplay (Part 1)

the best Hitting Engine the game has had since 2k5.

If by best you mean the easiest, yes, that's correct. And no other baseball game has ever come so close to making hitting so easy. Imagine, we no longer even have to think about what kind of swing to take, just flip the stick and watch the game engine decide for you.

[bigfnjoe96]

Re: MLB 2K12 Developer Diary #1 - Gameplay (Part 1)

If by best you mean the easiest, yes, that's correct. And no other baseball game has ever come so close to making hitting so easy. Imagine, we no longer even have to think about what kind of swing to take, just flip the stick and watch the game engine decide for you.

C'mon man, it's not just about flipping the stick & you know it. Just because this game doesn't over the option you want, doesn't mean you have to minimize the system. And when I say engine I just don't mean mechanic, I also mean hit variety