Well, I'm quite aware there's already a great amount of sliders floating around on the boards.. Honestly I wasn't going to post sliders and add to the confusion... but.... I promised a few people since the game came out I would post my set, so this is meant for them..
I've had the game since release & with a little under 160 games under my belt, I hadn't stopped tweaking, until my 360 died a few weeks ago.. R.I.P, amen.. I studiously took notes during & after each game & when I found a good balance, I would use that set for 10 to 15 games with a different teams, to see if it held up.
My main concern was three-fold: 1. overall stats, which I would average out over a game series. 2. Ball pysics, hit variety, spray chart. Just the look and feel of the cpu & human hits. I would actually compare the hits to actual games going on in the MLB (yeah, that's going a little far...:P) Similar to the tweaks I applied in MVP05, I was osbessed with finding the perfect "right" way the ball should come off the bat... Honestly, I dont' think it's possible with this game, since it was meant to be an arcade game, not a simulation. We don't have access to the internal engine or a "datafile" (like in mvp05) so short of that, sliders are a poor way to force the game to adapt to something it wasn't meant for. But we do with what we have.. There's is definitly a lack of sliders (foul ball slider is sorely missing for example) and some sliders don't seem to have much effect at all.. but anyway...
3-Games Variety/Unpredictability/Fun factor: trying to maximise the variety of game types experienced, bridging the game between 2-1 pitcher duels to power house hit-fests (yanks vs red sox). Again this is tough to do given we only have a few sliders to work with. The only one can do is settle on a slider set for an extended period of time (any on these boards) and then when the game gets too repetitive, simply switch slider sets to mix things up...
In parenthesis () are alternate values I tested for an extended time. Try them if you want to experiment. There's actually a long list of alternate settings I used, I narrowed it down to 1 for most cases.
Human Batting, CPU Batting, CPU Pitching & CPU take strikes are at the heart of the game, and I listed my most frequently used alternates at the bottom for those who wish to try different sets. I'm aslo attaching the sliders in TEXT FORMAT for easier reading.
================================================
Edited Sat May 5: AI Batting Alternate No.2 (see at the bottom)
Player Options
--------------
Dynamic Difficulty: OFF
Hot And Cold Teams: DEFINITLY OFF
Batter Contact: 35 (30 if too much contact) * SEE "HUMAN BATTING ALTERNATES"
Batter Power: 5
Batter Influence: 5
Power Swing: 0
Step Influence: 90
Pitcher Difficulty: 90
Batter Bunt Assistance: 55
Batter Bunt for Hit: 40
Runner Baserunning Spd: 95 (90, 100) compensates for the boosted 2k7 arms..
Runner Stealing Success: 65 (60)
Infielder Errors: 50
Outfielder Errors: 55
Infielder Speed: 15
Outfielder Speed: 40 (35)
Catcher Throw Speed: 30
Infielder Throw Speed: 35 * This should be 20 like for the cpu, see note
Outfielder Throw Speed: 20 * this should be 0 like the cpu, see note
Infielder Reaction Speed: 15
Outfielder Reaction Speed: 15
Fielder Spd Burst Length: 15 (0) I have fielder boost off
Fielder Spd Burst Power: 5 (0)
Fielding Aggression: 85
Pitcher Fatigue: 35
Pitcher Interface Speed: 85 (85 or 90 for zone, 100 for payoff)
Injuries: 55 (60)
Pitch Speed: 70
* note: human trhows vs cpu throws:
The Ai throws way too hard, we all know that. The problem
is the disparity between how YOU throw and the Ai throws. The Ai will always outhrow you, even at 0.
Logically, your throw values should also be 0 also , but
I got tired of the awful looking super high arc on human throws at low values (0 to 20). It looks like a
5 year old kid toss.. Also at 0, good luck throwing out someone at home... even with Guerrero..
If this doesn't bother you, then set your values the same as the cpu always.
AI General Options:
-------------------
AI Infield Errors: 55
AI Outfield Errors: 55
AI Infielder Speed: 15
AI Outfielder Speed: 35
AI Catcher Throw Speed: 30
AI Infielder Throw Speed: 20
AI Outfielder Throw Speed: 0
AI Fielding Aggression: 0 (5)
AI Throwing Aggression: 100 (great for plays at the plate, and compensates the high baseruning speed)
AI Hit n Run: 50
AI Sacrifice Bunt: 55
AI Squeeze: 50
AI Run Aggression: 80
AI Stealing Success: 60
AI Steal 2nd: 60
AI Steal 3rd: 50
AI Steal Home: 20
AI Diveback: 55
AI Batting Options:
--------------------
AI Take Strike Overall: 50 * SEE "Ai TAKE STRIKES ALTERNATES"
AI Take Strike Ahead: 55
AI Take Strike Behind: 55
AI Take Ball Overall: 40
AI Take Ball Ahead: 50
AI Take Ball Behind: 50
AI Skill: 65 * SEE "Ai BATTING ALTERNATES"
AI Contact: 35
AI Power: 50
AI Bunt For Hit: 55
AI Pitcher Difficulty: 20
AI Effectiveness MOD: 50 (50 to 60 for Zone pitching, 90 for payoff pitching)
AI Pitching Options: * SEE "Ai PITCHING ALTERNATES"
--------------------
AI Corner: 50 (had it on 60 for a long long time. at 60 there are way more pitches off the plate & less variety)
AI Change Speed: 60
AI Throw Strike Overall: 35
AI Throw Strike Ahead: 50
AI Throw Strike Behind: 50 (65)
AI Fatigue: 55
AI Pickoff: 15 (still too many pickoff attempts on 2nd, but a good compromise)
AI Pitchout: 55
AI Meat Pitch: 20 (15,10)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Presentation:
-------------
Strike Zone: ALWAYS OFF (important to add realism & challenge)
Keep Fielder In View: OFF
Player Icon: None
Control Settings:
-----------------
Zoom on pitch: on
Zoom: 0
Pitching Cam: Behind Pitcher
Pitching Interface: Zone 2
Pitch Point: Pinpoint (or breakpoint..)
Batting Interface: Classic Control (i just hate the swing stick in this game)
Batter's Eye: On
Batter's Eye Feedback: OFF
Vibration: OFF
Auto-Round Bases: On
Assisted Baserunning: On
Smart Throw: On
Auto-reselect Fielder: On
Hold Runners: Always Hold (I prefer to manage my runners)
Catcher Suggestions: On
In-Game Tips: Off
Gameplay:
---------
Inside Edge: On
Catcher Cam: Off
Arguments: On
Ball Indicator: Dynamic
Auto Dive Back: On
Fielder Boost: OFF (If on, see sliders)
Broken Bat Frequency: Rarely
In-Game Help: OFF: I prefer this off, but you will may have a tought time making wall catches
===========================================
Human Batting Alternates:
(contact, power, bat influence, power swing, step influence, pitcher difficulty)
1: 35-5-5-0-90-90(95) [Current Setting]
Love the variety of hits & great ball physics, can produce HRs if always "pushing up", if too many
hits, raise pitch diff to 95. Still too many flies for my taste, but the most realistic looking singles
so far for me, given the settings listed (pitch speed, no strike zone, AI pitching etc..)
If you're making too much contact or averaging over .400 a game,
then try ==> 30-5-5-0-0-90
I really like that setting, loved the variety of hits. Or if you're still making too much contact,
try the next setting below..
2: 15-10-0-0-0-90(95)
More subdued hitting, but good variety, again, if you always go for homers, put power to 5 or 0.
This is as far as I would dumb down the game.. This game is just a hit-fest and is meant to be easy
no matter how "challenging" you try to make it..
Even Easier hitting
-------------------
If you're having a tough time hitting and just want a balanced attack with a nice spray chart try these..
Ideal for casual gamers or those who just got the game.
I've had these batting settings for a couple of months before I started averaging 15 hits & 5 hr's a game :P
1: 40-15-10-10-80-95
really nice looking hits. With pitch diff at 95, it's still enough of challenge for most.
2: 40-15-15-20-80-95
even easier, again the contact/power produces some nice hits. Not ideal for good batters, but good for casual gamers.
----------------------------------------------------------------
AI Batting Alternates:
(Skill, Contact, Power, Pitcher Difficulty)
1. 65-35-50-20 [Current Setting]
I compromised on this, since with +10 power (45) as in the next alternate settings, I was getting rocked a little too much
on zone pitching.
2. 65-45-55-20 [Recommended for payoff pitching) * Setting altered from 50 power to 55 due to a typo.
VERY HIGH OFFENSE, for some reason this always produces lots of hits & sometimes you can get
crushed, especially by power teams. I do not recommend this if you are new to zone pitching or if you struggle pitching.
Very Recommended for people using payoff pitching
3. 60-35-55-100 / 65-35-50-65 /65-35-50-25(20)
MEDIUM-BALANCED OFFENSE, produces low scoring games to higher scoring games, with a realstic strike out to hits ratio.
On zone, is good enough of a challenge to pitch. On Payoff, I find it too easy to dominate batters.
4. 90-40-50-55
ALTERNATE HIGH OFFENSE, unpredictable. An old favorite of mine. Sometimes I dominate the AI, sometimes it dominates me.
Try it and see. If you strike out the cpu alot, lower pitch diff.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Ai Take Strikes Alternates:
(K's overall, K's Ahead, K's Behind, B Overall, B Ahead, B Behind)
1. 50-55-55-40-50-50 [Current Setting]
Everything from strike out looking to swings & hits or miss on balls off the plate. It's all there for me.
I've also had 10,11 pitches at bats by the CPU. I settled on this setting.
2. 30-60-55-50-55-40
This is the one I used the longest. If you don't like the current setting, try this one..
I don't recommend it for Payoff pitching, it's a little easy to strike out the batters in my opinion.
But overall it gives some nice plate battles.
3. 50-50-50-50-50-50
very cool also. I saw this on an xbox forum, don't remember by who.
Definitly more strike outs but also lots of unpredictability.
----------------------------------------------------------------
AI Pitching Alternates:
(Throw Strike Overall, Throw Strike Ahead, Throw Strike Behind)
1. 35-50-50 [Current Setting]
I like the variety of pitches and unpredictability. I can draw 3 to 4 walks a game or I can strike out 11 times.
2. 35-50-65
An old favorite, I used this for over over 70 games. This is also the setting I suggested
to Heelfan and that he has been using every since. 35-50-60 is also excellent.
3. 50-50-50
This setting comes from sleepytercel. I liked it & I recommend it.
---------------------------------------------------------------
There you go, I think I broke it down in enough detail, you won't have to message/email me anymore, right? :P If you do want to post in this thread, please post some game stats so I get to see what types of games your'e having.. At the very least post the team(s) you play with etc..
Last little notes:
-I let my catcher call the game for roughly 75% of my pitches..I overule him most time on payoff pitches or key situations.
-I do not push up on the left stick, nor do I try to swing for the fences on every pitch. Do what you want, but I play for contact. It's just too easy to hit HR's with sluggers, unless as it is suggested on these boards, you reduce every single slugger's power attributes significantly by editing his stats.
-I will not post updates, as these are my final sliders. I may adjust something later on, only if it's something major..
-Not mentioned often, but I think the type of screen you play on does make a difference. In this scenario size does matter...sorta. Playing on a medium to small screen (32 inches and under) the game seems to play much faster, you have less reaction time, I actually find it better to play on a normal to medium screen. I play on a 50 Inch hdtv, and although I see everything better and have an easier time hitting, I prefer the flow of the game on a medium screen. It just looks right. I wouldn't trade down though, ahem..
-I do agree with some remarks that this game gets to be repetitive... and to some the occasional bugs kill the experience, but it's still very enjoyable for what it is, as an occasional fun arcade title, good to pass the time. It's definitly not simulation baseball no matter how much you tweak the sliders..
They definitly took care of this game graphic-wise, it has lots of promise for the future etc...now to bridge the gameplay gap with the MVP series and 2k may be on its way to something special..
I've had the game since release & with a little under 160 games under my belt, I hadn't stopped tweaking, until my 360 died a few weeks ago.. R.I.P, amen.. I studiously took notes during & after each game & when I found a good balance, I would use that set for 10 to 15 games with a different teams, to see if it held up.
My main concern was three-fold: 1. overall stats, which I would average out over a game series. 2. Ball pysics, hit variety, spray chart. Just the look and feel of the cpu & human hits. I would actually compare the hits to actual games going on in the MLB (yeah, that's going a little far...:P) Similar to the tweaks I applied in MVP05, I was osbessed with finding the perfect "right" way the ball should come off the bat... Honestly, I dont' think it's possible with this game, since it was meant to be an arcade game, not a simulation. We don't have access to the internal engine or a "datafile" (like in mvp05) so short of that, sliders are a poor way to force the game to adapt to something it wasn't meant for. But we do with what we have.. There's is definitly a lack of sliders (foul ball slider is sorely missing for example) and some sliders don't seem to have much effect at all.. but anyway...
3-Games Variety/Unpredictability/Fun factor: trying to maximise the variety of game types experienced, bridging the game between 2-1 pitcher duels to power house hit-fests (yanks vs red sox). Again this is tough to do given we only have a few sliders to work with. The only one can do is settle on a slider set for an extended period of time (any on these boards) and then when the game gets too repetitive, simply switch slider sets to mix things up...
In parenthesis () are alternate values I tested for an extended time. Try them if you want to experiment. There's actually a long list of alternate settings I used, I narrowed it down to 1 for most cases.
Human Batting, CPU Batting, CPU Pitching & CPU take strikes are at the heart of the game, and I listed my most frequently used alternates at the bottom for those who wish to try different sets. I'm aslo attaching the sliders in TEXT FORMAT for easier reading.
================================================
Edited Sat May 5: AI Batting Alternate No.2 (see at the bottom)
Player Options
--------------
Dynamic Difficulty: OFF
Hot And Cold Teams: DEFINITLY OFF
Batter Contact: 35 (30 if too much contact) * SEE "HUMAN BATTING ALTERNATES"
Batter Power: 5
Batter Influence: 5
Power Swing: 0
Step Influence: 90
Pitcher Difficulty: 90
Batter Bunt Assistance: 55
Batter Bunt for Hit: 40
Runner Baserunning Spd: 95 (90, 100) compensates for the boosted 2k7 arms..
Runner Stealing Success: 65 (60)
Infielder Errors: 50
Outfielder Errors: 55
Infielder Speed: 15
Outfielder Speed: 40 (35)
Catcher Throw Speed: 30
Infielder Throw Speed: 35 * This should be 20 like for the cpu, see note
Outfielder Throw Speed: 20 * this should be 0 like the cpu, see note
Infielder Reaction Speed: 15
Outfielder Reaction Speed: 15
Fielder Spd Burst Length: 15 (0) I have fielder boost off
Fielder Spd Burst Power: 5 (0)
Fielding Aggression: 85
Pitcher Fatigue: 35
Pitcher Interface Speed: 85 (85 or 90 for zone, 100 for payoff)
Injuries: 55 (60)
Pitch Speed: 70
* note: human trhows vs cpu throws:
The Ai throws way too hard, we all know that. The problem
is the disparity between how YOU throw and the Ai throws. The Ai will always outhrow you, even at 0.
Logically, your throw values should also be 0 also , but
I got tired of the awful looking super high arc on human throws at low values (0 to 20). It looks like a
5 year old kid toss.. Also at 0, good luck throwing out someone at home... even with Guerrero..
If this doesn't bother you, then set your values the same as the cpu always.
AI General Options:
-------------------
AI Infield Errors: 55
AI Outfield Errors: 55
AI Infielder Speed: 15
AI Outfielder Speed: 35
AI Catcher Throw Speed: 30
AI Infielder Throw Speed: 20
AI Outfielder Throw Speed: 0
AI Fielding Aggression: 0 (5)
AI Throwing Aggression: 100 (great for plays at the plate, and compensates the high baseruning speed)
AI Hit n Run: 50
AI Sacrifice Bunt: 55
AI Squeeze: 50
AI Run Aggression: 80
AI Stealing Success: 60
AI Steal 2nd: 60
AI Steal 3rd: 50
AI Steal Home: 20
AI Diveback: 55
AI Batting Options:
--------------------
AI Take Strike Overall: 50 * SEE "Ai TAKE STRIKES ALTERNATES"
AI Take Strike Ahead: 55
AI Take Strike Behind: 55
AI Take Ball Overall: 40
AI Take Ball Ahead: 50
AI Take Ball Behind: 50
AI Skill: 65 * SEE "Ai BATTING ALTERNATES"
AI Contact: 35
AI Power: 50
AI Bunt For Hit: 55
AI Pitcher Difficulty: 20
AI Effectiveness MOD: 50 (50 to 60 for Zone pitching, 90 for payoff pitching)
AI Pitching Options: * SEE "Ai PITCHING ALTERNATES"
--------------------
AI Corner: 50 (had it on 60 for a long long time. at 60 there are way more pitches off the plate & less variety)
AI Change Speed: 60
AI Throw Strike Overall: 35
AI Throw Strike Ahead: 50
AI Throw Strike Behind: 50 (65)
AI Fatigue: 55
AI Pickoff: 15 (still too many pickoff attempts on 2nd, but a good compromise)
AI Pitchout: 55
AI Meat Pitch: 20 (15,10)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Presentation:
-------------
Strike Zone: ALWAYS OFF (important to add realism & challenge)
Keep Fielder In View: OFF
Player Icon: None
Control Settings:
-----------------
Zoom on pitch: on
Zoom: 0
Pitching Cam: Behind Pitcher
Pitching Interface: Zone 2
Pitch Point: Pinpoint (or breakpoint..)
Batting Interface: Classic Control (i just hate the swing stick in this game)
Batter's Eye: On
Batter's Eye Feedback: OFF
Vibration: OFF
Auto-Round Bases: On
Assisted Baserunning: On
Smart Throw: On
Auto-reselect Fielder: On
Hold Runners: Always Hold (I prefer to manage my runners)
Catcher Suggestions: On
In-Game Tips: Off
Gameplay:
---------
Inside Edge: On
Catcher Cam: Off
Arguments: On
Ball Indicator: Dynamic
Auto Dive Back: On
Fielder Boost: OFF (If on, see sliders)
Broken Bat Frequency: Rarely
In-Game Help: OFF: I prefer this off, but you will may have a tought time making wall catches
===========================================
Human Batting Alternates:
(contact, power, bat influence, power swing, step influence, pitcher difficulty)
1: 35-5-5-0-90-90(95) [Current Setting]
Love the variety of hits & great ball physics, can produce HRs if always "pushing up", if too many
hits, raise pitch diff to 95. Still too many flies for my taste, but the most realistic looking singles
so far for me, given the settings listed (pitch speed, no strike zone, AI pitching etc..)
If you're making too much contact or averaging over .400 a game,
then try ==> 30-5-5-0-0-90
I really like that setting, loved the variety of hits. Or if you're still making too much contact,
try the next setting below..
2: 15-10-0-0-0-90(95)
More subdued hitting, but good variety, again, if you always go for homers, put power to 5 or 0.
This is as far as I would dumb down the game.. This game is just a hit-fest and is meant to be easy
no matter how "challenging" you try to make it..
Even Easier hitting
-------------------
If you're having a tough time hitting and just want a balanced attack with a nice spray chart try these..
Ideal for casual gamers or those who just got the game.
I've had these batting settings for a couple of months before I started averaging 15 hits & 5 hr's a game :P
1: 40-15-10-10-80-95
really nice looking hits. With pitch diff at 95, it's still enough of challenge for most.
2: 40-15-15-20-80-95
even easier, again the contact/power produces some nice hits. Not ideal for good batters, but good for casual gamers.
----------------------------------------------------------------
AI Batting Alternates:
(Skill, Contact, Power, Pitcher Difficulty)
1. 65-35-50-20 [Current Setting]
I compromised on this, since with +10 power (45) as in the next alternate settings, I was getting rocked a little too much
on zone pitching.
2. 65-45-55-20 [Recommended for payoff pitching) * Setting altered from 50 power to 55 due to a typo.
VERY HIGH OFFENSE, for some reason this always produces lots of hits & sometimes you can get
crushed, especially by power teams. I do not recommend this if you are new to zone pitching or if you struggle pitching.
Very Recommended for people using payoff pitching
3. 60-35-55-100 / 65-35-50-65 /65-35-50-25(20)
MEDIUM-BALANCED OFFENSE, produces low scoring games to higher scoring games, with a realstic strike out to hits ratio.
On zone, is good enough of a challenge to pitch. On Payoff, I find it too easy to dominate batters.
4. 90-40-50-55
ALTERNATE HIGH OFFENSE, unpredictable. An old favorite of mine. Sometimes I dominate the AI, sometimes it dominates me.
Try it and see. If you strike out the cpu alot, lower pitch diff.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Ai Take Strikes Alternates:
(K's overall, K's Ahead, K's Behind, B Overall, B Ahead, B Behind)
1. 50-55-55-40-50-50 [Current Setting]
Everything from strike out looking to swings & hits or miss on balls off the plate. It's all there for me.
I've also had 10,11 pitches at bats by the CPU. I settled on this setting.
2. 30-60-55-50-55-40
This is the one I used the longest. If you don't like the current setting, try this one..
I don't recommend it for Payoff pitching, it's a little easy to strike out the batters in my opinion.
But overall it gives some nice plate battles.
3. 50-50-50-50-50-50
very cool also. I saw this on an xbox forum, don't remember by who.
Definitly more strike outs but also lots of unpredictability.
----------------------------------------------------------------
AI Pitching Alternates:
(Throw Strike Overall, Throw Strike Ahead, Throw Strike Behind)
1. 35-50-50 [Current Setting]
I like the variety of pitches and unpredictability. I can draw 3 to 4 walks a game or I can strike out 11 times.
2. 35-50-65
An old favorite, I used this for over over 70 games. This is also the setting I suggested
to Heelfan and that he has been using every since. 35-50-60 is also excellent.
3. 50-50-50
This setting comes from sleepytercel. I liked it & I recommend it.
---------------------------------------------------------------
There you go, I think I broke it down in enough detail, you won't have to message/email me anymore, right? :P If you do want to post in this thread, please post some game stats so I get to see what types of games your'e having.. At the very least post the team(s) you play with etc..
Last little notes:
-I let my catcher call the game for roughly 75% of my pitches..I overule him most time on payoff pitches or key situations.
-I do not push up on the left stick, nor do I try to swing for the fences on every pitch. Do what you want, but I play for contact. It's just too easy to hit HR's with sluggers, unless as it is suggested on these boards, you reduce every single slugger's power attributes significantly by editing his stats.
-I will not post updates, as these are my final sliders. I may adjust something later on, only if it's something major..
-Not mentioned often, but I think the type of screen you play on does make a difference. In this scenario size does matter...sorta. Playing on a medium to small screen (32 inches and under) the game seems to play much faster, you have less reaction time, I actually find it better to play on a normal to medium screen. I play on a 50 Inch hdtv, and although I see everything better and have an easier time hitting, I prefer the flow of the game on a medium screen. It just looks right. I wouldn't trade down though, ahem..
-I do agree with some remarks that this game gets to be repetitive... and to some the occasional bugs kill the experience, but it's still very enjoyable for what it is, as an occasional fun arcade title, good to pass the time. It's definitly not simulation baseball no matter how much you tweak the sliders..
They definitly took care of this game graphic-wise, it has lots of promise for the future etc...now to bridge the gameplay gap with the MVP series and 2k may be on its way to something special..
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