Will ESPN's slider set make the difference?

[jfsolo]

Like five or six other guys here I am a former high heat loyalist. I could list 50 reasons why I liked HH the best, but given a recurrent theme so far in this years baseball crop I will list a couple of reasons.

1. There was nothing better than forcing Kerry Wood out of a game in the 6th inning with him leading 2-0 because he had thrown 110 pitches.-And lighting the bullpen up for 7 runs is the cherry on top.

2.In the same vein, having to worry if any Reds starter could MAKE it to the sixth inning because none of them could throws strikes to save their lives.

So far MVP and MLB(both decent games) have shown me that neither of those first two things(and many others) will ever be possible. The clips of ASB seem to show similar programming tendencies(Did taking 2 strikes become illegal in baseball this year?)

These five sliders(if they really work ) Pitching Control- Pitcher Fatigue rate -Take Strike ahead/behind/overall- Take ball ahead/behind overall- Throw strikes ahead/behind/overall should allow gamers the opportunity to create a more REALISTIC(if not as "fun" and immersive) pitcher/ batter experience. This isn't even mentioning the other 20 plus sliders.

For me personally if the "core" baseball elements(logistically speaking) are strong I'm almost oblivous to swing animations, player models, stadiums, uniforms, etc.

I'll underscore that point by saying that in my not so humble opinion(HH excluded) no graphics based baseball game has gotten it right since Earl Weaver Baseball(with apologies to all the youngsters out there)

I'll make one last point, although it needs a half a dozen more sliders next year, The slider set in ESPN College Hoops has allowed me to tune a solid game into my favorite console sports game of all time

[gubunko]

Re: Will ESPN\'s slider set make the difference?

Well said. I'm hoping this too.

[gubunko]

Re: Will ESPN\'s slider set make the difference?

Well said. I'm hoping this too.

[gubunko]

Re: Will ESPN\'s slider set make the difference?

Well said. I'm hoping this too.

[Blzer]

Re: Will ESPN\'s slider set make the difference?

I'm thinking that they will make the difference (at least they better!).

There's one thing though. I'm guessing that some of those tendency sliders will be there, so that if you fill up one side more, it will happen more frequently, and if you fill it up the other side more, it will happen more frequently.

For example, MLB 2001 had some things for create a player, and the attributes had tendencies for playing better in the following conditions:


Day _____________I_____________ Night

Home _____________I_____________ Away

Grass _____________I_____________Turf




If moved to the left, does that give the better tendency for Night, Away, and Turf, or for Day, Home, and Grass?

[Blzer]

Re: Will ESPN\'s slider set make the difference?

I'm thinking that they will make the difference (at least they better!).

There's one thing though. I'm guessing that some of those tendency sliders will be there, so that if you fill up one side more, it will happen more frequently, and if you fill it up the other side more, it will happen more frequently.

For example, MLB 2001 had some things for create a player, and the attributes had tendencies for playing better in the following conditions:


Day _____________I_____________ Night

Home _____________I_____________ Away

Grass _____________I_____________Turf




If moved to the left, does that give the better tendency for Night, Away, and Turf, or for Day, Home, and Grass?

[Blzer]

Re: Will ESPN\'s slider set make the difference?

I'm thinking that they will make the difference (at least they better!).

There's one thing though. I'm guessing that some of those tendency sliders will be there, so that if you fill up one side more, it will happen more frequently, and if you fill it up the other side more, it will happen more frequently.

For example, MLB 2001 had some things for create a player, and the attributes had tendencies for playing better in the following conditions:


Day _____________I_____________ Night

Home _____________I_____________ Away

Grass _____________I_____________Turf




If moved to the left, does that give the better tendency for Night, Away, and Turf, or for Day, Home, and Grass?

[Leaper]

Re: Will ESPN\'s slider set make the difference?

jf -

I think they might. Personally, I think it ALL depends on the core stats of the pitchers themselves, and how they effect the pitches thrown. For example, will ESPN show (in actual gameplay) a big difference in control between a pitcher with a curveball control rating of 90 as opposed to 60? If so, then sliders will work, or may not even be needed at all. So many games seem to rely on pitcher fatigue to kick in BEFORE they begin to lose control. Unfortunately, you can't just "lower the pitcher fatigue" from the get-go, because this attribute effects so many other areas of pitcher effectiveness besides accuracy of pitches. It would be really nice if there was a very NOTICEABLE difference between a 90 and a 60 control. This way, the great control pitchers would have a lot more to offer, and be as valuable (if not more so in some cases) than a fireballer. Have a fireballer WITH high contol.... look out baby!

On that note, you made me think of something else. What if the Confidence Meter somehow affected pitcher control? Maybe it already does, I honestly don't know. How does confidence realistically relate to Control you ask? I have no idea. It probably doesn't. But since this is a video game, it certainly could add ALOT of spice to the pitching. Think about this:

1. Control of the Curveball for Pitcher A
2. Fatigue level of Pitcher A effecting the control of the curveball
3. Confidence of Pitcher A effecting the control of the curveball
4. Effort put into the pitch effecting the control of the curveball
5. Slider adjustments set for Pitcher Control effecting the control of the curveball

Suddenly, there is alot to think about when throwing that curveball on 3-2 count and deciding how close to painting that corner you think you can get away with. Pretty fun stuff imo.

This is different than MVP2004 in one major way (and I am NOT bashing MVP here). In ESPN, as the user, you weigh all those above things and make a decision of when and where to place the pitch. Then, you are relying on your pitcher's stats (think ability) to take all those things and do the best he can to accomplish what you just asked him to do. It doesn't depend on your ability as the user to time a meter correctly. Instead, it depends on your ability as the user to properly assess (estimate) your pitchers ability, and make a decision on how well you think your pitcher can handle the decisions you made for him, and then say, "just throw it baby, I believe in you!"

Further, you may really want to throw that curveball and aim low and inside, but because your confidence is really low at the moment, you are extremely hesitant to do it, and are afraid your pitcher just may hang that curve. What to do, what to do?

Little stuff like this may mean nothing to most gamers, but to some of us, this type of stuff is where the tactics shine through.

Honestly, if VC doesn't screw this up, this pitcher/batter face-off could be alot more interesting than some people seem to think. I haven't even gotten into the batter's list of things that would effect him making contact with the above-mentioned curveball.

I probably took this too far, but hey, I liked your topic.

- Leaper

[Leaper]

Re: Will ESPN\'s slider set make the difference?

jf -

I think they might. Personally, I think it ALL depends on the core stats of the pitchers themselves, and how they effect the pitches thrown. For example, will ESPN show (in actual gameplay) a big difference in control between a pitcher with a curveball control rating of 90 as opposed to 60? If so, then sliders will work, or may not even be needed at all. So many games seem to rely on pitcher fatigue to kick in BEFORE they begin to lose control. Unfortunately, you can't just "lower the pitcher fatigue" from the get-go, because this attribute effects so many other areas of pitcher effectiveness besides accuracy of pitches. It would be really nice if there was a very NOTICEABLE difference between a 90 and a 60 control. This way, the great control pitchers would have a lot more to offer, and be as valuable (if not more so in some cases) than a fireballer. Have a fireballer WITH high contol.... look out baby!

On that note, you made me think of something else. What if the Confidence Meter somehow affected pitcher control? Maybe it already does, I honestly don't know. How does confidence realistically relate to Control you ask? I have no idea. It probably doesn't. But since this is a video game, it certainly could add ALOT of spice to the pitching. Think about this:

1. Control of the Curveball for Pitcher A
2. Fatigue level of Pitcher A effecting the control of the curveball
3. Confidence of Pitcher A effecting the control of the curveball
4. Effort put into the pitch effecting the control of the curveball
5. Slider adjustments set for Pitcher Control effecting the control of the curveball

Suddenly, there is alot to think about when throwing that curveball on 3-2 count and deciding how close to painting that corner you think you can get away with. Pretty fun stuff imo.

This is different than MVP2004 in one major way (and I am NOT bashing MVP here). In ESPN, as the user, you weigh all those above things and make a decision of when and where to place the pitch. Then, you are relying on your pitcher's stats (think ability) to take all those things and do the best he can to accomplish what you just asked him to do. It doesn't depend on your ability as the user to time a meter correctly. Instead, it depends on your ability as the user to properly assess (estimate) your pitchers ability, and make a decision on how well you think your pitcher can handle the decisions you made for him, and then say, "just throw it baby, I believe in you!"

Further, you may really want to throw that curveball and aim low and inside, but because your confidence is really low at the moment, you are extremely hesitant to do it, and are afraid your pitcher just may hang that curve. What to do, what to do?

Little stuff like this may mean nothing to most gamers, but to some of us, this type of stuff is where the tactics shine through.

Honestly, if VC doesn't screw this up, this pitcher/batter face-off could be alot more interesting than some people seem to think. I haven't even gotten into the batter's list of things that would effect him making contact with the above-mentioned curveball.

I probably took this too far, but hey, I liked your topic.

- Leaper

[Leaper]

Re: Will ESPN\'s slider set make the difference?

jf -

I think they might. Personally, I think it ALL depends on the core stats of the pitchers themselves, and how they effect the pitches thrown. For example, will ESPN show (in actual gameplay) a big difference in control between a pitcher with a curveball control rating of 90 as opposed to 60? If so, then sliders will work, or may not even be needed at all. So many games seem to rely on pitcher fatigue to kick in BEFORE they begin to lose control. Unfortunately, you can't just "lower the pitcher fatigue" from the get-go, because this attribute effects so many other areas of pitcher effectiveness besides accuracy of pitches. It would be really nice if there was a very NOTICEABLE difference between a 90 and a 60 control. This way, the great control pitchers would have a lot more to offer, and be as valuable (if not more so in some cases) than a fireballer. Have a fireballer WITH high contol.... look out baby!

On that note, you made me think of something else. What if the Confidence Meter somehow affected pitcher control? Maybe it already does, I honestly don't know. How does confidence realistically relate to Control you ask? I have no idea. It probably doesn't. But since this is a video game, it certainly could add ALOT of spice to the pitching. Think about this:

1. Control of the Curveball for Pitcher A
2. Fatigue level of Pitcher A effecting the control of the curveball
3. Confidence of Pitcher A effecting the control of the curveball
4. Effort put into the pitch effecting the control of the curveball
5. Slider adjustments set for Pitcher Control effecting the control of the curveball

Suddenly, there is alot to think about when throwing that curveball on 3-2 count and deciding how close to painting that corner you think you can get away with. Pretty fun stuff imo.

This is different than MVP2004 in one major way (and I am NOT bashing MVP here). In ESPN, as the user, you weigh all those above things and make a decision of when and where to place the pitch. Then, you are relying on your pitcher's stats (think ability) to take all those things and do the best he can to accomplish what you just asked him to do. It doesn't depend on your ability as the user to time a meter correctly. Instead, it depends on your ability as the user to properly assess (estimate) your pitchers ability, and make a decision on how well you think your pitcher can handle the decisions you made for him, and then say, "just throw it baby, I believe in you!"

Further, you may really want to throw that curveball and aim low and inside, but because your confidence is really low at the moment, you are extremely hesitant to do it, and are afraid your pitcher just may hang that curve. What to do, what to do?

Little stuff like this may mean nothing to most gamers, but to some of us, this type of stuff is where the tactics shine through.

Honestly, if VC doesn't screw this up, this pitcher/batter face-off could be alot more interesting than some people seem to think. I haven't even gotten into the batter's list of things that would effect him making contact with the above-mentioned curveball.

I probably took this too far, but hey, I liked your topic.

- Leaper

[lendog691]

Re: Will ESPN\'s slider set make the difference?

I to think HH is the best sports game ever! It wasn't pretty but she had it where it counted and to me gameplay and a.i are the most important parts of any game and HH was head and shoulders above the rest in this area. Hopefully ESPN can come close.

[lendog691]

Re: Will ESPN\'s slider set make the difference?

I to think HH is the best sports game ever! It wasn't pretty but she had it where it counted and to me gameplay and a.i are the most important parts of any game and HH was head and shoulders above the rest in this area. Hopefully ESPN can come close.

[lendog691]

Re: Will ESPN\'s slider set make the difference?

I to think HH is the best sports game ever! It wasn't pretty but she had it where it counted and to me gameplay and a.i are the most important parts of any game and HH was head and shoulders above the rest in this area. Hopefully ESPN can come close.

[K_GUN]

Re: Will ESPN\'s slider set make the difference?

i wouldn't hold my breathe if i wre you


i loved WSB..still have last years copy..but had to move on

why...pitching with DLOWE in HH would yield groundballs...because of that devastating sinker...i could NEVER get DLOWE in WSB to be the pitcher he really is....i even lowerd the HR slider (assuming that would indue more GB outs than FB outs)---nope

in MVP...he does yield FAR more GB than FB

i still like WSB grafix better (xbox owner)

[K_GUN]

Re: Will ESPN\'s slider set make the difference?

i wouldn't hold my breathe if i wre you


i loved WSB..still have last years copy..but had to move on

why...pitching with DLOWE in HH would yield groundballs...because of that devastating sinker...i could NEVER get DLOWE in WSB to be the pitcher he really is....i even lowerd the HR slider (assuming that would indue more GB outs than FB outs)---nope

in MVP...he does yield FAR more GB than FB

i still like WSB grafix better (xbox owner)