Major League Baseball 2K9 Developer Diary: Gameplay

[The Living Legend]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Developer Diary: Gameplay

Also keep in mind of this screenshot:










Remember that the guy playing IS indeed doing franchise mode, so he didn't set the time of day for this game. This must have been a 7:00 start, and at the first inning already being dark... tsk tsk.

Ugh if this is true then it blows because its something that should be a required item by now, its way to hard to have it then go back and see night the entire game again. Ugh

[Blitzburgh]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Developer Diary: Gameplay

I guess I don't understand why people are so accepting of this. I'll try to be very clear: 2K8 introduced an innovative hitting system unparalled in baseball games. But it goes beyond that. There are few stick movement features in video sports games that mimic the actual physical activity it's attempting to copy, to the degree 2K8's swing stick mimics hitting a baseball. The closest comparison I can think of is the way the RB running is mapped to the R stick in 2K football. So imagine if there had been an NFL 2K6, but VC decided to go back to the way running was in 2K4. Football gamers would have hit the roof.

With last year's system, you approached hitting the way an MLB player does (minus the aiming of course). The key component was the pulling back on the stick, which emulated the leg lift/timing mechanism hitter's use as the pitch approaches. That timing mechanism is 50% of hitting. And it's never been included in a baseball game. We had the perfect system, and now it's gone. That's like Michaelangelo carving the statue of David, and then taking a chain saw hacking the thing in two.

While I agree with you that it was probably very realistic. I could never get the timing down on it. I just moved the slider all the way to 0 and played it that way. I think they should of made it an option for guys that liked it though just like they did with the pitching mechanics. All in all this game should look, feel & sound like a whole new ball game in my opinion!

[Blitzburgh]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Developer Diary: Gameplay

I wish that would only come up if you had his Inside Edge scouting report.

Maybe but remember if you were actually pitching in the majors the catcher and coaches would remind you to keep an eye on the runnner. We don't have that luxury since it's a video game so I think some sort of "tip" is very helpful. I also think on exibition games or quick play inside edge reports should be active for all players. That would be a nice way to learn each player for when you face them in Franchise if you don't have their report.

[baa7]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Developer Diary: Gameplay

That's exactly what I was thinking baa... Why even use the right analog stick if the pull-back doesn't matter anymore?

Joe keeps pointing out that it's possible it's still an option, so hopefully. But is zone hitting possible if you don't use the stick? That would be a reason to use it.

[bifflefan28]

From what I read I'm definitely picking up this game and another baseball game I won't mention.

[bigfnjoe96]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Developer Diary: Gameplay

Joe keeps pointing out that it's possible it's still an option, so hopefully. But is zone hitting possible if you don't use the stick? That would be a reason to use it.

Baa supposedly Zone Hitting can be used with Classic Hitting or Total Control Hitting:

Lastly, we implemented zone hitting as an alternate control scheme. Zone hitting is where you have a cursor and you have to put the cursor in the same zone that the ball crosses the plate in addition to your regular swing. Zone hitting works with either the Classic swing (press A button) or Total Control (RStick). We also added a “sweet spot” to the cursor, if you lineup the “sweet spot” of the cursor where the ball crosses the plate, the hitter will get an additional boost to your hit.

[Padgoi]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Developer Diary: Gameplay

1. I believe the article states you can use the zone hitting with the hit stick OR the button hitting, it's your choice.

2. Am I the only one who is truly concerned about the pitching description? He says they removed the meatballs (which is good) and that if you mess up the gesture now, it will result in fastballs being straighter and slower and curveballs not curving as much. This concerns me greatly because it SOUNDS like a meatball, just with a different description. Instead of having a straight ball right down the middle, a fastball will be straighter and slower - that sounds like a glorified meatball . And a curveball won't curve as much - ALSO sounds like a glorified meatball.

I'd be happy if he said, "if you mess up the gesture and release too early, the pitch will sail high and the pitch won't have as much bite. Likewise, if you hold the gesture too long, the pitch will be in the dirt." But he didn't say that. He said the pitch won't have as much bite, which in essence means it will be more hittable. Again, to me, this isn't real baseball. If I'm pitching and I mess up my gesture (delivery), the pitch is definitely not going to have as much bite, that's true. But there's a DAMN good chance that pitch won't be near the strike zone either! Once again, he doesn't mention a THING about strikes being difficult to throw or working the count (as the pitcher) or pitches being balls if the gesture is wrong, just that the pitch won't have as much bite, which sounds like bad gestures will once again result in pitches over the plate and smashed.

Does this not concern anyone else or did I miss something?

[jeffy777]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Developer Diary: Gameplay

Does this not concern anyone else or did I miss something?

No, I'm not concerned yet because I haven't seen it in action or tried it, so it's to soon to really say whether this new method it's going to be good or not.

[DickDalewood]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Developer Diary: Gameplay

Also keep in mind of this screenshot:










Remember that the guy playing IS indeed doing franchise mode, so he didn't set the time of day for this game. This must have been a 7:00 start, and at the first inning already being dark... tsk tsk.

Haha, only you would catch that Blzer, but nice job. Huge bummer though, such a big step back if you ask me. I wonder if that means they temporarily removed weather then too?

[DickDalewood]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Developer Diary: Gameplay

Baa supposedly Zone Hitting can be used with Classic Hitting or Total Control Hitting:

That's a nice option if that's the case.

[bigfnjoe96]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Developer Diary: Gameplay

Also keep in mind of this screenshot:










Remember that the guy playing IS indeed doing franchise mode, so he didn't set the time of day for this game. This must have been a 7:00 start, and at the first inning already being dark... tsk tsk.

So in the beginning of April, 7pm games still offer natural light?

[wsu_gb23]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Developer Diary: Gameplay

Also keep in mind of this screenshot:










Remember that the guy playing IS indeed doing franchise mode, so he didn't set the time of day for this game. This must have been a 7:00 start, and at the first inning already being dark... tsk tsk.

not to be cynical, but has 2K EVER made a good baseball game? 2K baseball was happening during the MVP era, and everyone knows how good the MVP series was...how did MLB ever decide on giving the exclusive license to 2K for baseball? What title/titles did they base their decision on? Just a Jack Handy deep thought there...

[Padgoi]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Developer Diary: Gameplay

Just to put this point out there again so people realize that this is a bit more significant than the daytime-nighttime transition in terms of gameplay:

2. Am I the only one who is truly concerned about the pitching description? He says they removed the meatballs (which is good) and that if you mess up the gesture now, it will result in fastballs being straighter and slower and curveballs not curving as much. This concerns me greatly because it SOUNDS like a meatball, just with a different description. Instead of having a straight ball right down the middle, a fastball will be straighter and slower - that sounds like a glorified meatball . And a curveball won't curve as much - ALSO sounds like a glorified meatball.

I'd be happy if he said, "if you mess up the gesture and release too early, the pitch will sail high and the pitch won't have as much bite. Likewise, if you hold the gesture too long, the pitch will be in the dirt." But he didn't say that. He said the pitch won't have as much bite, which in essence means it will be more hittable. Again, to me, this isn't real baseball. If I'm pitching and I mess up my gesture (delivery), the pitch is definitely not going to have as much bite, that's true. But there's a DAMN good chance that pitch won't be near the strike zone either! Once again, he doesn't mention a THING about strikes being difficult to throw or working the count (as the pitcher) or pitches being balls if the gesture is wrong, just that the pitch won't have as much bite, which sounds like bad gestures will once again result in pitches over the plate and smashed.

Does this not concern anyone else or did I miss something?

[jeffy777]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Developer Diary: Gameplay

^^^ We heard you the first time, lol

[Knight165]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Developer Diary: Gameplay

So in the beginning of April, 7pm games still offer natural light?

Ummm...yep.

....http://www.timeanddate.com/worldcloc...&afl=-13&day=1

M.K.
Knight165