9v9 co op play

[lions67]

This is very interesting. I played co op in 22 ( 2 v2 ) and it was pretty good, that is until they went from 9 innings to 6. Also, they left the mode kinda bare boned in that you couldn’t match up in private games. That was a missed opportunity.
So now we get 9v9.
And a new opportunity to really make this mode great. But in order to do that, the very first thing that SDS will need to do is allow us to play private games against friends. NHL series have had 6v6 now for years and the EASHL is really the best thing about the NHL series these days.
LeagueGaming has organized leagues that are very in depth, allowing teams to sign players, trade em, waive em and send them up or down to tue CHL, AHL and NHL. All this and using a salary cap.
There is no reason that the Show cannot do tue same thing!
Last years games really missed the mark in co op play. I tried to organize a little” in league “ “tournament but quickly realized that the game restricted you from that.
Let’s hope this mode is utilized properly this time.

[AGBandit]

Re: 9v9 co op play

I hope this is utilized correctly.

The most popular concern and fear are from gamers claiming this will never catch on because they'll get "too bored" waiting in the outfield for action to happen and that's why RTTS is built the way it is. But my rebuttal is, what else would you expect from the "Me Now" Gen-Z'ers?

These kids aren't baseball purists. They'll have to be trained and convinced this is THE mode for them. Here's how:

1) Allow custom player creator so we can make our player and position most resemble ourselves complete with our names on our jerseys. But limit every created player to a maximum limited number of attribute points. That way NO generated player can be OP right off the bat (excuse the pun). (Also, being a switch hitter would eat into your limited number of attribute points so, decide wisely).

2) Allow custom player development. Grant additional attribute points for custom players that are used during full 9 v. 9 games. Reward based on milestones such as number of games played, number of hits, walks, homers, strikeouts, steals, force outs, etc. The more you play, the more milestones you hit, and the more milestones you hit, the more attribute points you can earn towards your custom generated player.

3) Allow temporary bonus attribute points for using your custom player in mini-games, batting practice, simulated pitching scenarios, homerun derby, etc. These bonus boost points could be used for an upcoming game and discontinue once the game is over. Got a big game coming up and want your custom player beefed up with some more power or contact points? Take the extra time in a BP mode to earn those temporary points and gain a slight edge over the competition.

4) Allow proximity chat so you can clearly hear all of your teammates to discuss defensive strategies such as the shift, watching for the bunt, no doubles defense, etc. Cheer your teammate on as they're in the batter box and offer advice if they're struggling at the plate. Hear your teammates in the dugout go wild as you go deep yourself.

5) Allow team to vote when a fatigued starting pitcher should come out and be replaced with another teammate taking over the relief pitcher role. Voting ability would begin in the 6th inning or could be triggered by a pre-determined run margin. (Once voted upon, the starting pitcher player would take over a position player in the field)

6) Allow defensive freedom. Do you want to hug the line, or play near the fence? Do so at your own risk of getting chewed out by your fellow teammates.

7) Allow Team Captains to create batting orders, call time-outs and the ability to challenge calls. Include the off-field ability of uniform and stadium creation.

8) Allow Pitchers & Catchers the ability to call and waive signs at the plate and review previous batter's contact results, performance and up-to-the minute stats.

9) Allow Hitting team to sit or stand anywhere in the dugout and mock or celebrate with any repertoire of earned unlocked emotes.

So imagine you're the worst player on your team playing right field. You'll only get to bat at least 3 times per game. But while you're waiting in the dugout, you can be moving around, watching the game action, emoting towards the opposing team and audibly chatting with your teammates. Once you're on the field, you still have an important job of backing up the 1st and 2nd baseman on balls that get by them. You'd back up the Centerfielder and listen for him to wave you off if a fly is hit between you both. Maybe you could even gamble by cheating in and execute a 9-2 on a sharp hit liner past the infield. You could shade deep or shift left or right depending on the opposing hitter at the plate. There would be so much to do each at-bat, that you wouldn't want to let your team down by playing out of position or not noticing the ball right off the bat.

That's what 9 on 9 baseball would be all about. And it may not be for you.... but I promise, once you find 8 other like minded players online that share your passion for every little nuance of baseball, that's when the full magic of baseball as a team sport will be replicated and the earned team win will be an enjoyed and unmatched experience.

[MetsFan16]

Re: 9v9 co op play

In theory it sounds great. In practice not so much. If you want to experience something similar, play RTTS without simming to next appearance. I doubt anyone lasts 3 innings.

Next, what happens when you start the game 9v9 and your Starting pitcher gets rocked and has to be taken out. Is there a 10th player waiting in the bullpen for over 30 minutes just for his chance to play(maybe)?

[lions67]

Re: 9v9 co op play

In theory it sounds great. In practice not so much. If you want to experience something similar, play RTTS without simming to next appearance. I doubt anyone lasts 3 innings.

Next, what happens when you start the game 9v9 and your Starting pitcher gets rocked and has to be taken out. Is there a 10th player waiting in the bullpen for over 30 minutes just for his chance to play(maybe)?

Players dropping out of games would revert to cpu taking the position. In case of a pitcher dropping, then a fielder preferably would have that spot and his spot taken over by cpu.
It’s not as daunting as you think. This happens in EASHL and they have plans for when this stuff happens.
Check out LG or VGHL for more info on it.
Additionally, maybe we could have smaller co op teams INSIDE a runnng league. This would keep the League interesting and allow members to get to know each other better as well. Be a fun little thing to do halfway thru a league season or whenever.
I am surprised that this mode is not getting tue attention that I think it should. Sleeping on this guys!

[Funkycorm]

Re: 9v9 co op play

Players dropping out of games would revert to cpu taking the position. In case of a pitcher dropping, then a fielder preferably would have that spot and his spot taken over by cpu.
It’s not as daunting as you think. This happens in EASHL and they have plans for when this stuff happens.
Check out LG or VGHL for more info on it.
Additionally, maybe we could have smaller co op teams INSIDE a runnng league. This would keep the League interesting and allow members to get to know each other better as well. Be a fun little thing to do halfway thru a league season or whenever.
I am surprised that this mode is not getting tue attention that I think it should. Sleeping on this guys!

I think feasibility really comes into question with an idea like this.

While it may sound cool on paper, there are things to consider:

How do you know it would be easy? Because someone else has a mode like this? Unless you know their code, no one can assume that.

EA's coop games last what, 20 minutes? And it is filled with action for everyone the entire time. If someone plays RF and the ball isn't hit to them for 6 innings and had 3 at bats. They have a lot of sitting around time holding a controller. Very little action for a game they areplaying. Yes that is baseball but it is also very boring to do nothing for a long time in a video game.

Irregardless of age.

Would there even be much interest in this? Honestly I don't see it.

There are at least 10 other things I can think of that would be a better use of resources before this and would impact a bigger number of users. So it is not something they are sleeping on.

Sorry to be harsh. But that is the feasibility of a mode like this.

[DonkeyJote]

Re: 9v9 co op play

I'm in my late 30s, not a Gen-Z kid. There's not a chance I'd play 9v9. It would be a very niche mode with very few players. To the point where it wouldn't make sense to develop. 5v5 in NBA 2k can be fun, because you're always involved. But, as much as I love baseball, playing LF and being involved in less than 10 plays in roughly an hour sounds like the worst. It's fun irl. In video game form, that sounds like the worst.

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[Funkycorm]

Re: 9v9 co op play

I'm in my late 30s, not a Gen-Z kid. There's not a chance I'd play 9v9. It would be a very niche mode with very few players. To the point where it wouldn't make sense to develop. 5v5 in NBA 2k can be fun, because you're always involved. But, as much as I love baseball, playing LF and being involved in less than 10 plays in roughly an hour sounds like the worst. It's fun irl. In video game form, that sounds like the worst.

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Exactly. I am in my early 40s and that would be torture. Don't need to be a gen z kid or not be a baseball purist to not like this idea. Adults have limited time as well and if they are gaming, they usually want to be engaged with what they are playing as they have other obligations. Gaming is a hobby to them. Something to do for a change of pace. Playing an hour game with minimal input would be excruciating for most.

I love baseball. Always have and always will. Played through high school. But a mode like this is just a waste of resources that are limited with likely very little interest from the fan base as a whole. There are better things to focus on and should be focused on before this is ever considered.

[AGBandit]

Re: 9v9 co op play

In theory it sounds great. In practice not so much. If you want to experience something similar, play RTTS without simming to next appearance. I doubt anyone lasts 3 innings.

Next, what happens when you start the game 9v9 and your Starting pitcher gets rocked and has to be taken out. Is there a 10th player waiting in the bullpen for over 30 minutes just for his chance to play(maybe)?

I sort of covered this in my initial post. If a Starter gets rocked, he could be replaced once the predetermined amount of run differential gets met. (Say 3 runs). At that time, a position player (with pitching attributes... because they ALL would have pitching attributes) would come in and pitch for relief while the Starter would go out into the field. Think Little League Baseball.

[AGBandit]

Re: 9v9 co op play

Exactly. I am in my early 40s and that would be torture. Don't need to be a gen z kid or not be a baseball purist to not like this idea. Adults have limited time as well and if they are gaming, they usually want to be engaged with what they are playing as they have other obligations. Gaming is a hobby to them. Something to do for a change of pace. Playing an hour game with minimal input would be excruciating for most.

I love baseball. Always have and always will. Played through high school. But a mode like this is just a waste of resources that are limited with likely very little interest from the fan base as a whole. There are better things to focus on and should be focused on before this is ever considered.

You guys are still coming at it with a video game mentality of "an hour online can be better spent in other game modes or games." With that being the case, you're missing the point entirely.

This mode would be meant as a precursor to the Ultimate VR experience. Too young to have the physique to play with adults on a real baseball field team? This mode is for you. Too old to have the skills and reflexes to play on the diamond to keep up with other guys half your age? This mode is for you? Handicapped but want that real team experience? You've come to the right place. Just the right age, but have no friends nearby to get a real full team game going on the field? That's what this mode is for.

If you got an hour to spend and want a unique never done before online team experience that could result in a long term bond. This would be for that.

[DonkeyJote]

Re: 9v9 co op play

You guys are still coming at it with a video game mentality of "an hour online can be better spent in other game modes or games." With that being the case, you're missing the point entirely.



This mode would be meant as a precursor to the Ultimate VR experience. Too young to have the physique to play with adults on a real baseball field team? This mode is for you. Too old to have the skills and reflexes to play on the diamond to keep up with other guys half your age? This mode is for you? Handicapped but want that real team experience? You've come to the right place. Just the right age, but have no friends nearby to get a real full team game going on the field? That's what this mode is for.



If you got an hour to spend and want a unique never done before online team experience that could result in a long term bond. This would be for that.

I mean, yeah. Because it's a video game. It's not that anyone thinks nobody would play that. But SDS does not have unlimited resources. Making a mode like this that would have to support 18 players at a time and require new systems would take a LOT of resources to develop. Resources that would have to come from other modes. And, in the end, be a mode that VERY few people would ever play.

And if you're too old to have the reflexes to play real baseball or softball, you're probably too old to have the reflexes to keep up with younger players in a video game too. It's a cool idea with a VERY small use case.

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[AGBandit]

Re: 9v9 co op play

I mean, yeah. Because it's a video game. It's not that anyone thinks nobody would play that. But SDS does not have unlimited resources. Making a mode like this that would have to support 18 players at a time and require new systems would take a LOT of resources to develop. Resources that would have to come from other modes. And, in the end, be a mode that VERY few people would ever play.

And if you're too old to have the reflexes to play real baseball or softball, you're probably too old to have the reflexes to keep up with younger players in a video game too. It's a cool idea with a VERY small use case.

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When EA first released Battlefield games online that could only support 16 v 16 players online in the same map at the same time, it was groundbreaking. People like me were crying for years for them to get their resources together so we could have 64 v 64 online one day... and it finally came true with Battlefield 2042. So it's not the lack of resources, data servers or software code that's prohibiting this from happening. 9 v 9 is not a logistics hurdle.

But the truth is, unfortunately, that if SDS can't make money on 9v9 like DD has done for them, then the higher ups will not green light it.

The goal from us trailblazers (that made BF 2042 happen) is to grassroots this movement into the next niche online sports mode. Much like Battle Royale did for FPS. Once game developers see an interest from e-sports creating professional teams to tournament against each other on a 9v9 Baseball Diamond, it'll catch on.

Slow reflexes or poor hand eye coordination on a baseball field doesn't always translate as being inferior in the video game world. (And vice-versa). But there's a place for you in batting 9th on a roster if you're considered the weakest link. Regardless, you'd be accepted on a team because filling a roster of 9 willing players would be more important than what skill level you are. At least until this mode catches fire, then the competition will tighten up as the talent pool grows.

[Funkycorm]

Re: 9v9 co op play

I don't think this is an idea that would gain much traction as I can't see much demand for it.

You can't compare MLB to a FPS. Big difference. And while battle royale modes are gaining popularity, it's because there was already a demand for new ways to play FPS as that already has a multiplayer element.

SDS and no one else will ever pick up and create a mode like this. You said it yourself, it won't make money. And resources would be better used.

Again, a neat idea but not one that is going to ever come to fruition.

[Jeffrey99]

Re: 9v9 co op play

I hope this is utilized correctly.

The most popular concern and fear are from gamers claiming this will never catch on because they'll get "too bored" waiting in the outfield for action to happen and that's why RTTS is built the way it is. But my rebuttal is, what else would you expect from the "Me Now" Gen-Z'ers?

These kids aren't baseball purists. They'll have to be trained and convinced this is THE mode for them.

I'm 41. I have zero interest in this. I have limited free time, I wouldn't want to waste time playing in the outfield, where I'm not involved in 80% of the plays. Nor would the team want me to as I'd end up watching youtube or something. LOL

As for Battlefield comparison...you are missing one super big key component. Even 16vs16 you were involved through the game action. It wasn't 64vs64 but only 32 of you got to play at once.

[MetsFan16]

Re: 9v9 co op play

If you want to get a taste of how this would go, play a RTTS or player lock game, but don't skip ahead to your next appearance and play with full opponent/teammate counts.

If you like it, play again. Play until you get bored and let us know. I'm curious how this may change your viewpoint.

[DonkeyJote]

Re: 9v9 co op play

When EA first released Battlefield games online that could only support 16 v 16 players online in the same map at the same time, it was groundbreaking. People like me were crying for years for them to get their resources together so we could have 64 v 64 online one day... and it finally came true with Battlefield 2042. So it's not the lack of resources, data servers or software code that's prohibiting this from happening. 9 v 9 is not a logistics hurdle.



But the truth is, unfortunately, that if SDS can't make money on 9v9 like DD has done for them, then the higher ups will not green light it.



The goal from us trailblazers (that made BF 2042 happen) is to grassroots this movement into the next niche online sports mode. Much like Battle Royale did for FPS. Once game developers see an interest from e-sports creating professional teams to tournament against each other on a 9v9 Baseball Diamond, it'll catch on.



Slow reflexes or poor hand eye coordination on a baseball field doesn't always translate as being inferior in the video game world. (And vice-versa). But there's a place for you in batting 9th on a roster if you're considered the weakest link. Regardless, you'd be accepted on a team because filling a roster of 9 willing players would be more important than what skill level you are. At least until this mode catches fire, then the competition will tighten up as the talent pool grows.

9v9 is absolutely a logistics hurdle. As was 16v16, 32v32, and 64v64 in shooting games. The difference is that there was demand for those larger modes in shooting games. So, they overcame that. Hell, The Show adding co-op at all required a lot of work.

There's just not that kind of demand for 9v9 imo. It would be an extremely niche mode. Like you said, it wouldn't make money. And it wouldn't make money because very few players would participate in it. If they spent time and resources developing 9v9, that's time and resources not spent on more popular modes like RTTS, DD, and even Franchise. In addition to basic gameplay improvements.

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