MLB 2K11 Developer Diary #3 - Pitching and Hitting

[DJ]

2K has really stepped its game up this year. I am definitely going to be buying this (along with The Show). It's been a long time since I've owned 2 baseball games in a single year, but I think it's going to be more than worth it.

The cloud cover in the SF screen shots looked really nice.

[Redemption]

Re: MLB 2K11 Developer Diary #3 - Pitching and Hitting

No, I read this and nothing really hits me as a wow factor. Alot is implemented in MLB2k already, like analog pitching hitting and fielding. I wouldn't be stubborn to buy a different baseball game, but I wish there was more wow to this game.

see what I did there...

If you want to talk about how godly the show it, maybe you should go over to those boards and stop trolling here

[Trevytrev11]

Re: MLB 2K11 Developer Diary #3 - Pitching and Hitting

It made me feel good about this game. Makes it seem like they are listening to the consumer rather than aliens that never played baseball.

The improvements are staggering. My biggest issues with last year's game was lack of scoring from the CPU because my pitching was too effective and a lack of runs being scored via doubles hit into the gap.

Offense was based on singles and home runs. When the CPU can't hit homeruns or singles because the pitching is too dominant, they can't score runs. It's also boring to play station-to-station baseball with your offensive team because guys aren't running from 1st to home on a double.

Improved distribution of hit types and increased difficulty in hitting spots makes me feel wonderful.

I also love, LOVE, how they are incorporating variable strike zones. Best way to go about it in my opinion. Truly feels like real baseball. Now, if they found a way to still differentiate the umpires by having some with a better eye on pitches up, down, left, right then it'd be even better.

Yes...Finally, Finally, Finally after about 4 or 5 straight years of the community begging them to forgo new modes and gimmicks and focus stricly on the nuts and bolts of baseball, it appears they have done exactly that.

We won't know for sure until we see it in action (more than just from a shaky camera), but it sounds like we may just get to play a game that truely resembles all facets of baseball this year. Barring any major misses by 2K, I don't think the small misses and bugs that are bound to show up can prevent this game from being enjoyable to baseball fans.

On that note, I still am waiting the better part of a week after release before buying.

[CMH]

Re: MLB 2K11 Developer Diary #3 - Pitching and Hitting

Yes...Finally, Finally, Finally after about 4 or 5 straight years of the community begging them to forgo new modes and gimmicks and focus stricly on the nuts and bolts of baseball, it appears they have done exactly that.

We won't know for sure until we see it in action (more than just from a shaky camera), but it sounds like we may just get to play a game that truely resembles all facets of baseball this year. Barring any major misses by 2K, I don't think the small misses and bugs that are bound to show up can prevent this game from being enjoyable to baseball fans.

On that note, I still am waiting the better part of a week after release before buying.

Yea, I think if this game does what it says it will do, then it won't have a large first week sales number. The Show is the king right now. I'm sure VC knows that. The best they can do is improve the game so that those that give them a chance can spread the word.

A community like OS will do that. I'm looking forward to the demo and to impressions from buyers. Then we have to focus on the things we really really care about here. I like a pretty game. I like nice animations like everyone else. But, we want realistic baseball results. We get those, I can deal with a little hiccup here and there on animations.

[JayhawkerStL]

Re: MLB 2K11 Developer Diary #3 - Pitching and Hitting

On that note, I still am waiting the better part of a week after release before buying.

I leave on the 11th for a week in Boston, so depending on when amazon ships, I'm going to be stuck mostly seeing other's impressions. But Amazon had a good deal with $20 off a future game. It was an easy buy.

But I agree, they really have nailed down a lot of the little stuff. I have not seen anything on my personal pet peeve, which was easy access to view your opponent's bench and bullpen so you can plan out your endgame strategy. and this year, with improved defensive ratings and hot and cold streaks, it will be even more important to know who might pop in the game.

But really, all i wanted was 2K10 with less accurate pitching (check), errors (check), and improvements in MLB Today (check). What it looks like I am getting is a ton of gravy, too.

[Scottdau]

Re: MLB 2K11 Developer Diary #3 - Pitching and Hitting

With having MLB Today and more commentary that will go a long way with all the stuff they added and fixed for me. Very pumped to try this game out.

[sroz39]

Re: MLB 2K11 Developer Diary #3 - Pitching and Hitting

I leave on the 11th for a week in Boston, so depending on when amazon ships, I'm going to be stuck mostly seeing other's impressions. But Amazon had a good deal with $20 off a future game. It was an easy buy.

But I agree, they really have nailed down a lot of the little stuff. I have not seen anything on my personal pet peeve, which was easy access to view your opponent's bench and bullpen so you can plan out your endgame strategy. and this year, with improved defensive ratings and hot and cold streaks, it will be even more important to know who might pop in the game.

But really, all i wanted was 2K10 with less accurate pitching (check), errors (check), and improvements in MLB Today (check). What it looks like I am getting is a ton of gravy, too.

I'm right with you, pal. The only game in this series I haven't bought since the jump to this generation is 2K9 and I've enjoyed every other one from a little (2K6, 2K7) to alot (2K8, 2K10). This is all the while getting The Show every year. There's aspects of this series that are better and in my opinion, the gesture-based pitching is the second best implementation of analog controls in a sports game, just behind the Skill Stick in the NHL series. It's absolutely awesome and adds a level of immersion to pitching that no game can match (the only game I've ever actually enjoyed pitching in).

This game is looking really great, pre-release. And I know any true fan of baseball has room in their library for two outstanding games. Especially when they are so different in how they approach the game.

[Wavebird99]

Re: MLB 2K11 Developer Diary #3 - Pitching and Hitting

This sounds great. Cant wait til the game comes

[blueduke]

Re: MLB 2K11 Developer Diary #3 - Pitching and Hitting

Finishing this Dev Diary really has me believing that this game may actually hit it out of the park. I'm completely comfortable now that the team gets baseball in a way that I was not nearly as sure of the last two releases.

I love, almost universally, the upgrades they have made to how the game should play. Proper penalties for contact and power swings, lack of control in pitching, ratings that actually differentiate fielders are all things that enhance the experience regardless of the look of the game.

But the little stuff they seem to have heard to. In addition to achievements being enable regardless of sliders and being able to sac camera settings to your profile, they other stuff that I might have not been worried about, but were definitely present in the forums. No HR tells unless they are bombs, cut down on the opposite field HR's, and from the look of the leaked video, real time presentation is back.

Factor in DPRS and MLB Today and the new fielding mechanics and animations, and they have done far more work on this game than I thought they would. They have described a game I really want to play right now. I can't wait to see it in motion and then test drive it.

^This

All I've read about this game.....if it comes to fruition.....WOW. God help 2K if they botch this

[bonannogiovanni]

Re: MLB 2K11 Developer Diary #3 - Pitching and Hitting

Despite all the good things that have been mentioned, I'm still disappointed not to hear that analog hitting has not undergone an overhaul. In 2K10 defensive and check swings were useless because they had to be predetermined as soon as the ball left the pitcher's hand, I could not change my mind while attempting a contact swing to try to foul the ball off. Now I hope for a foul ball slider at least.

[Galvatron]

Re: MLB 2K11 Developer Diary #3 - Pitching and Hitting

The one thing that grabbed my attention was the detail about the body language on the field, when your pitcher is frustrated on the mound or getting a key out. I think this, along with the new pitch count monitoring is a more realistic way to manage your pitcher's performance. Kinda reminds of how Fight Night did away with stamina and energy meters in favor of facial expressions a few years ago.

[JayhawkerStL]

Re: MLB 2K11 Developer Diary #3 - Pitching and Hitting

Despite all the good things that have been mentioned, I'm still disappointed not to hear that analog hitting has not undergone an overhaul. In 2K10 defensive and check swings were useless because they had to be predetermined as soon as the ball left the pitcher's hand, I could not change my mind while attempting a contact swing to try to foul the ball off. Now I hope for a foul ball slider at least.

This 100% false. A flick to the right or left on the RS was always a defensive swing, and could be executed as the ball was on the way. It helped if you were just trying to make contact, but it was very doable.

And the check swing was perfectly implemented. I had several check swing every game I played. I do wonder if it was easier to pull off becasue I used contact swing most of the time. It should be near impossible to hold back a power swing in contrast. It might have affected the defensive swing, too.

But both of these features were tuned perfectly. All i can think of is that you didn't know how to do them.

[Bwnarrow3]

Re: MLB 2K11 Developer Diary #3 - Pitching and Hitting

Man, so many good things in that article. It finally feels like they're listening to us and adding the things we've wanted and addressing the issues we've complained about. It's a good feeling.

Yeah it's about freaking time. It's only been about 4 years that I've been asking for this stuff. Oh well I guess I can finally be happy.

[SoxFan01605]

Re: MLB 2K11 Developer Diary #3 - Pitching and Hitting

Best info so far...so much to like about this (namely pitch control being better tuned and a slider to further adjust)

[RGmoney]

Re: MLB 2K11 Developer Diary #3 - Pitching and Hitting

This 100% false. A flick to the right or left on the RS was always a defensive swing, and could be executed as the ball was on the way. It helped if you were just trying to make contact, but it was very doable.

And the check swing was perfectly implemented. I had several check swing every game I played. I do wonder if it was easier to pull off becasue I used contact swing most of the time. It should be near impossible to hold back a power swing in contrast. It might have affected the defensive swing, too.

But both of these features were tuned perfectly. All i can think of is that you didn't know how to do them.

Agree. This sums up my experience last year as well.