Simulation vs. Player Control

[Vanilla_Gorilla]

Quote: Originally Posted by countryboy

I don't think it matters honestly. I don't think there is a boost to the CPU at higher difficulty levels nor do I think there is a boost to the USER at lower difficulty levels. I think the level of difficulty comes from how easily or difficult it is for the USER to maximize the ratings of a given player provided the user input at the time. Example (and this is for explanation purposes of what I'm saying) If a hitter has contact rating of 80 and power of 60, when I square up a pitch with perfect timing then the ratings of 80 contact and power of 60 are what is used in the equation when determining outcome (remember pitching ratings are a variable in the equation as well) I play on default Legend and I've never felt the CPU gets an unfair advantage or cheap boost. The PCI (zone hitting) and timing window are smaller for my hitters as well as my accuracy errors (meter pitching) or a bit more pronounced, but nothing extreme. I hope that makes sense.

SDS has done a great job with the difficulties. I feel like the AI just makes more dumb mistakes on lower difficulties and is smarter on higher difficulties, which is how it’s SUPPOSED to be.

It’s not like Madden nowadays where higher difficulties will make your players dumb and slow as rocks and have DeShone Kizer looking like Aaron Rodgers.

[Thomas7]

You Know The Show.

[Detroit Tigers]

This game has always had a bit of this tbh, and I think for good reason. It’s tuned from the get-go so that you’re not hitting .485 with every player or going 162-0. Like the median experience is a team BA of around .285 and a team ERA around 3.50, then you tweak sliders and difficulty from there.

It could be a lot better but I think due to the nature of the sport (and limitations of the engine) they’ve done a really nice job of balancing user input with some restrictions that keep stats in line with reality.

I also tend to think the hitting engine is actually much more precise than people give it credit for. When you’re in the zone and REALLY see a pitch and barrel it up, results trend toward being pretty sick. If anything the game rewards sloppy timing with hits and contact too often, which throws your expectations into a funk. Don’t have time to elaborate further on that but I’d guess at least a few folks will know what I mean there.