MLB 2K13 Will Not Include Online Leagues

[Mt Oread]

If guys are into online leagues, I get the disappointment. But baseball is by far the worst sport to play in online leagues. The amount of time required to simulate what makes baseball compelling, the grind of three game series and managing bullpens and payers health, is just too great. Baseball games tend to take longer than to play than other sports, and trying to get a three game series in is pretty much impossible, except for that set of gamers that have no job or other life.

For online baseball leagues, text based games like OOTP are still the gold standard. For console baseball, it is either solo franchise or pick-up pay online. And it takes $$$ to maintain servers for leagues and such. there is no way there were enough guys actually paying in online leagues for 2K to find it cost effective.

[AcceptedIntern4]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mt Oread

If guys are into online leagues, I get the disappointment. But baseball is by far the worst sport to play in online leagues. The amount of time required to simulate what makes baseball compelling, the grind of three game series and managing bullpens and payers health, is just too great. Baseball games tend to take longer than to play than other sports, and trying to get a three game series in is pretty much impossible, except for that set of gamers that have no job or other life. For online baseball leagues, text based games like OOTP are still the gold standard. For console baseball, it is either solo franchise or pick-up pay online. And it takes $$$ to maintain servers for leagues and such. there is no way there were enough guys actually paying in online leagues for 2K to find it cost effective.

I couldn't disagree more with you. The way 2K had it setup last year it was a pretty good setup. I think you are discounting the online leagues a little too much. Because much of the presentation is cut down (no replays, cut scenes, etc.) the games take roughly 30 minutes. You can play games in any order and each individual league had rules regarding pitch counts and rotations. Online leagues is what makes the game fun for me. It isn't about beating the computer for me. Playing a human opponent with some sort of actual game strategy and having something on the line like the playoffs or division championship is what makes this game fun.

In an online league when you play multiple series with the same human opponents you develop rivalries and the competition level is increased. It just creates a whole new level of excitement and enjoyment to the game.

2K sports really missed the boat this year. I was going to buy their game with the understanding that it was basically a couple new uniforms and updated rosters, but without online leagues I have no purpose for the game especially since playing offline mode is a much, much better experience with MLB The Show.

[johne3569]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mt Oread

If guys are into online leagues, I get the disappointment. But baseball is by far the worst sport to play in online leagues. The amount of time required to simulate what makes baseball compelling, the grind of three game series and managing bullpens and payers health, is just too great. Baseball games tend to take longer than to play than other sports, and trying to get a three game series in is pretty much impossible, except for that set of gamers that have no job or other life. For online baseball leagues, text based games like OOTP are still the gold standard. For console baseball, it is either solo franchise or pick-up pay online. And it takes $$$ to maintain servers for leagues and such. there is no way there were enough guys actually paying in online leagues for 2K to find it cost effective.

Baseball games are actually far less time consuming than playing NBA and NFL online leagues especially if you play about 8 minutes a quarter and FAR more competitive because there's really no "money plays" or "hot spots".

I guarantee more people play online leagues than they play a solo Home Run Derby though but that mode is still available.

To each his own though.....

[SynShadowzz]

Intern stealing all my thunder!

[shogunofharlem3]

I haven't played in online leagues for a few years. I think I played in on around 2k7ish but unfortunatley didn't have the time around work / coaching / to stay committed.

Even though I haven't used the leagues in a few years, I for some reason, feel empty that it has been omitted. I don't like the removal of features and options.

First it was the ability to make moves and stuff on the league website. Then it was the league websites all together. Now the leagues. Ugh.

Still love 2k12 for franchise and I know I'll get this at some point down the road when the price drops. For now, very, no, extremely happy with 25 anticipation edit and 2k12

[SynShadowzz]

Quote: Originally Posted by AcceptedIntern4

I couldn't disagree more with you. The way 2K had it setup last year it was a pretty good setup. I think you are discounting the online leagues a little too much. Because much of the presentation is cut down (no replays, cut scenes, etc.) the games take roughly 30 minutes. You can play games in any order and each individual league had rules regarding pitch counts and rotations. Online leagues is what makes the game fun for me. It isn't about beating the computer for me. Playing a human opponent with some sort of actual game strategy and having something on the line like the playoffs or division championship is what makes this game fun. In an online league when you play multiple series with the same human opponents you develop rivalries and the competition level is increased. It just creates a whole new level of excitement and enjoyment to the game. 2K sports really missed the boat this year. I was going to buy their game with the understanding that it was basically a couple new uniforms and updated rosters, but without online leagues I have no purpose for the game especially since playing offline mode is a much, much better experience with MLB The Show.

Intern really hits the nail on the head here.

[DaveDQ]

They must have looked at their leagues, how many were created and then how many maintained for 2K12 and previous years. Based on that, they probably axed them.

It really is odd how their two next-gen games are polar opposites in terms of appeal to the consumer and then overall sports gaming popularity.

[shogunofharlem3]

I assumed they dropped the online leagues to use whatever manpower they have to maintain the MLB Today feature. Wasn't kept up with very well last year. That was my guess. Drop leagues, use that man power to deal with MLB Today.