It's about a month away, and I'm getting pretty excited for the new version. I thought 2K11 was a solid game that did some stuff supremely well. AlL I 'm hoping for is a bit of an update, cleaning up some bugs and glitches that were missed the last time around.
There is some concern that this might be the last baseball game 2K does. The series has performed dreadfully since 2K signed MLB to an exclusive third party deal. The last two games in the series have been much better than their reputation, but a far cry from what sony puts out for the PS3. But I suspect they are just going to avoid an exclusive deal and continue making games.
Kotaku's Owen Good did a nice piece on the upcoming game, even if it comes off a bit dour.
His impressions on some added nuances to pitching:
Here's how it works. Each pitcher on the roster is governed by his real-world tendencies, as measured by 2K Sports' statistics partner. If someone's best pitch is a changeup, of course, he doesn't necessarily throw offspeed all of the time (as its intent is to destroy a hitter's timing). Even though that pitch still has the "best pitch" flag in the pitch selection menu, if you throw it more than the pitcher does in real life, you're going to see its baseball icon turn red, indicating you've gone to it too many times. This will not only deliver a performance advantage to hitters, they'll see it coming because everyone up and down the bench knows you're favoring it.Further, location matters more. MLB 2K12 still has a favorable strike zone that doesn't require you to get all of the ball, sometimes even any of it, in the rectangle to have it called a strike. I was a fiend for going to a backdoor slider in tight spots, usually low. You can abuse location as much as you can pitch type, and the areas you're going to will start to black out in the strike zone display. This is something the hitter can see, too, and if he sees a black bar across the strike zone, he knows anything headed there is going to be ripe for a gap shot. So favoring a type of pitch and location all the time—and we saw this when people tried to exploit the perfect game challenge last year—is a one-way ticket to the showers regardless of who is throwing.
Nuances to the throwing meter:
The changes to fielding also represent the kind of staged refinement we've seen in other areas of the game, such as the analog pitching controls. Last year, the game introduced a fielding meter that prized timing a throw, rather than just laying on a button or on the stick. It was rough to adjust to at first, and a lot of routine plays ended up with overthrows and desperate saves as gamers tried to get a handle on it.Now you get a variable meter, which becomes obvious on infield plays. An infielder who is able to set his feet will almost never overthrow the bag. He'll see the dangerous red portion of the throwing meter completely wiped out, and while yellow areas can mean trouble, a fielder with a solid rating isn't going to wing it over the first-baseman's head.
It's in plays where a fielder can't set his feet that you're going to see last year's risks and variables, which really should be limited to these kinds of bang-bang situations.
2K did recently release of new features that a bit paltry, to be honest.
•MLB Today Season Mode
For the first time ever, play along with the real-life MLB season AS IT UNFOLDS. Take charge of your favorite team and see how you stack up against the rest of the league over the course of a six month-long season.•Dynamic Tendency System
Just as in real-life, opposing pitchers and hitters will learn your tendencies from one at-bat to the next, challenging you to mix up your approach on both sides of the plate as each game unfolds.•New Throw Meter
A revamped throwing system presents a classic risk vs. reward situation every time you make a play. Will you queue up throws before fielding the ball to save time, or take a moment to set your feet for better accuracy?•Improved My Player Mode
Want to be the next All-Star slugger or ace starter? All-new player types let you decide your path to the Majors. Goals, expectations, ratings and progression are all customized by position and player type.
I left off the fifth feature, since a new soundtrack isn't really worth discussing. But the MLB Today Season Mode looks like it might be EXACTLY what I was wishing for the two years. I love playing games that feature current starting pitchers and rosters for that day, along with commentary and presentation that reflects real world stats. If Pujols struck out three times the day before, they might mention that in the game. It was a just a great way to do play now games.
With season mode, I'd love to see them let the stats I accumulate in the games I play replace the real life stats. I'm anxious for more details on that.
I'm looking forward to it too. There is 'kinda' of a preview in the new Game Informer. They really point out the downsides of 2011, which we really noticed. They point out like you have Jay', that minimal effort may go into this one because of the last year of the contract. I hope someone pick's it up that has more love and technique for the game that rivals the PS 3 ball game.
Btw, the season play along seem's very cool. And if you don't make all the games, it sims in for you. (I just hope they somehow differentiate your stats/records from the sim. But maybe too much of a hassle and it would throw off lot's of other stuff. But ...)
I can't wait for the demo (just to play some ball with new app). Is it scheduled for 20 March? or ...?
"...
And EA did just hire Kolbe Launchbaugh away from SCEA, where he had a prominent role in the rise of MLB the Show. They say he will mainly oversee Madden. But I have no doubt Peter Moore is going to get back into baseball once the exclusive deal with 2K is over. Who do you think he tabs for MVP 13?
...?
I can only HOPE!!
Thanks for the tip on updated rosters. I saw you playing and was going to ping you for some on-line play, but got side tracked.
I think you are strictly 360 still, but that Diamond Dynasty mode in, 'The Show' really looks cool. Creating your own team, logo etc. Putting in friends, family etc. names (and your own) in rosters and play. I'm not clear yet on how the stats are created, but it sounds like loads of fun if it works.
Anyway, back to 2K, I'm hoping things come together for a good game. Again hoping that both games play smoother on-line (although 100's of folks in both games play loads of games. We might be a bit too picky:) I figure it's doing it to me, it's doing it to you (hopefully;) and even's the playing field. So who cares, as long as it's not a great distraction from playing the game).
Operation Sports announces demo out next Tuesday,
the 28th. Yea! (although demos usually lack the polish, but still...)
Well...I'm kinda...uh...hmmm...EXCITED!!
No demo yet as of 10:23 PST
Lucky you! Still nothing on dashboard as of 11:42 PS.
It's a pretty stripped down demo. No replays or any other aspects are not availiable, which is understandable. Saw a glitch when batting that a black box kept appearing on the left corner down. Went away so no real distration.
Hitting, at least thus far seem's easier. I'm not a great hitter. I took the Rangers and first at bat Ian Kinsler took it deep to right center. (so not great hitter, let alone home runs are almost non-existent for me). Within the first 6 hitters, I had 4 hits and two runs. Maybe just showing how bad some pitchers are in the first inning. So after 5 Rangers have 3 runs on 6 hits and Cards 0 runs on 1 hit(Lohse versus Harrison).
Basically this is really just a tid bit of the game it seem's to me. Graphics a bit better. Some new animations. Some nice panels show up to clue you in on some things. So really, I'll play a few games just to see more, if any new animations that might have been included. Then back to 2k11 for really playing.
What they continue to do and it drives me nuts(!) is when someone hits a good one, instead of showing the ball going out into the field to be fielded and then thrown in etc, they just show the guy running the bases. Yes, once in a GREAT while, they may show the whole play, but it's more just watching the guy run the bases. Bah!
Oh, yea, no on-line play.
It let me play 6 innings. I did see some different animations. On a double play, the 2nd basemen fumbled it a bit, but got off for a double play. No ducking by the 3rd base coach when ball hit at him. Some different looks at outfielders fielding the ball.
But Jay' is right about throwing when fielding. Definitely something to get use to.
Well I can see what taking the Rangers first did: missed the short tutorial. Play cards and explains pitching's new features, as well as throwing etc. And indeed it ended in 2 inning. And yep, I couldn't hit zip:)
Can't wait to pick this one up. I thought about The Show, but since my PS3 is off getting fixed, that made the decision easy. Unfortunately, it comes out the same freaking day Mass Effect 3 comes out, so I expect it will sit on the shelf for a few days while I get my space opera on...
Early impressions after 6: looks very good. Like the pitching indicators on how a pitcher is doing with
his pitches; Actually saw game follow a ball bounce off the fence which is a good thing; the pitching box that shows where a pitchers pitches has gone was giggling a bit; And as far as the Mariners go, I saw the game patch first thing so I figured rosters would be 'current'. But they didn't have the line-up that was announced about a week ago. Plus Dustin Ackely has always had a shadow and they have him clean shaven. Lastly for now, maybe I couldn't just find it, but couldn't re-
arrange the line-up once game was underway.
note: On-line manual not available as noted in game flip card that comes with game.
Don't see any Kinect functionality either.
Hope to catch someone to try on-line play.
More comments on game: Graphics definitely seem crisper and it appears to me, that everything seem's a bit larger. Play-by-play seem's off at times on what really is happening. Some very nice, new graphics for plays. Unfortunately my main gripe which I thought on my first hit, was solved, is still there. I.e. when top play's are replayed, or a good hit etc., the replay still just show's the player just rounding the bases! No overall all play shown (i.e. ball flight; how it's fielded etc.) Gads.
I like how it brings up a box to tell you a relief pitcher is ready. I got some usual spaz fingers so hit two guys in a row; ump warned both teams one more by either side would result in ejections:) Just played one game so far and played the 'real game' of today. But can't tell how that pans out, or wether it really matters now 'cause it's just Spring Training.
Thanks for the comments Jay'. I too enjoy Dynamic pitching. Plus the little queues showing how my particular pitches are working. Looks of cool panels telling you different aspects. I just love the pitching routine in this game. Love to have it in the 'other' one.
Thanks for the tips on slider controls. I'm o.k. with the pretty much the default right now. Just a few changes in how I view different things.
Course I'm using veteran. I'll try All-Star just to see how it feels.
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