Major League Baseball 2K9 Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

[SoxFan01605]

Quote: Originally Posted by nemesis04

I had the opportunity to test drive the demo and was kind of back and forth on some things mainly the hitting. I know the demo was on a lower difficulty but there seemed to be nothing really interactive with it. My main question is if there is any sort of hit quality penalty for leaving the batter in the coiled position too long? In the demo it did not seem to be the case. I would hope there is one on the higher levels because if there is not the user is basically circumventing the system to a one step process along the lines of a button press. Also, there seems to be a loss of feeling or connection when hitting the ball as to the quality of the hit or even the depth. I think the bat sounds have a lot to do with this in selling the different bat on ball hit qualities. In the demo so far I feel it comes up short. I am not really talking about the sound aesthetically but doing the job of selling the type of hit. I should feel/hear a difference from a ball that gets sent to the wall as opposed to being dunked over the infield.

Excellent points. To answer your question: no, there is no penalty for sitting "coiled." It's actually a design feature that they boasted (user friendly, accessable, pick your bullet point terminology...lol).

I don't think that will change with difficulty either (unless there is a hidden option that Steve's pictures missed where the step influence from 2K8 is there). That was the beauty of the step influence...it made the laoding of the hips matter. Oh well...I know plenty don't care, but this is a big downer for me.

Also, agreed on the bat sounds/feel. The hits just don't feel right to me. A HR can feel the same as a pop-up often times. It's been that way for awhile, and bat sounds do play a big part in that. Add in the kind of "suctioned" feeling of hitting (that's how it feels to me...not sure how else to describe it) and it's an ehh experience.

Hopefully it's polished up a bit in the final, but to be honest this is not likely to be too much different.

[EnigmaNemesis]

Quote: Originally Posted by nemesis04

I had the opportunity to test drive the demo and was kind of back and forth on some things mainly the hitting. I know the demo was on a lower difficulty but there seemed to be nothing really interactive with it. My main question is if there is any sort of hit quality penalty for leaving the batter in the coiled position too long? In the demo it did not seem to be the case. I would hope there is one on the higher levels because if there is not the user is basically circumventing the system to a one step process along the lines of a button press. Also, there seems to be a loss of feeling or connection when hitting the ball as to the quality of the hit or even the depth. I think the bat sounds have a lot to do with this in selling the different bat on ball hit qualities. In the demo so far I feel it comes up short. I am not really talking about the sound aesthetically but doing the job of selling the type of hit. I should feel/hear a difference from a ball that gets sent to the wall as opposed to being dunked over the infield.

I think it is also hard to sell the hit, because of the camera angle it goes to after.

You cant really tell the difference between a low line drive, or a high one, or most hits for that matter. The fielding camera is just all wrong.

[JonahFalcon]

Quote: Originally Posted by EnigmaNemesis

I think it is also hard to sell the hit, because of the camera angle it goes to after. You cant really tell the difference between a low line drive, or a high one, or most hits for that matter. The fielding camera is just all wrong.

The hits are what you'd see in real-life... from a roof camera, and televised baseball games aren't taken from the roof camera - at least, not since the 60's and earlier - they're taken from the press box, which is far far lower and allows you to see an arc.

If you can adjust the camera, all you need to do is lower it til it's press box level.

[nemesis04]

Quote: Originally Posted by SoxFan01605

Excellent points. To answer your question: no, there is no penalty for sitting "coiled." It's actually a design feature that they boasted (user friendly, accessable, pick your bullet point terminology...lol). I don't think that will change with difficulty either (unless there is a hidden option that Steve's pictures missed where the step influence from 2K8 is there). That was the beauty of the step influence...it made the laoding of the hips matter. Oh well...I know plenty don't care, but this is a big downer for me. Also, agreed on the bat sounds/feel. The hits just don't feel right to me. A HR can feel the same as a pop-up often times. It's been that way for awhile, and bat sounds do play a big part in that. Add in the kind of "suctioned" feeling of hitting (that's how it feels to me...not sure how else to describe it) and it's an ehh experience. Hopefully it's polished up a bit in the final, but to be honest this is not likely to be too much different.

Thats very unfortunate! They took away one of the most crucial components of the swing when it comes to determining a hit. They gave the hitting a lobotomy! LOL To me that negates innovation.

As far as the bat sounds, that is something they continue to keep struggling with.

[nemesis04]

Quote: Originally Posted by EnigmaNemesis

I think it is also hard to sell the hit, because of the camera angle it goes to after. You cant really tell the difference between a low line drive, or a high one, or most hits for that matter. The fielding camera is just all wrong.

The camera is definitely odd with foul balls to the backstop. Not really understanding that camera vantage point.

[EnigmaNemesis]

Quote: Originally Posted by JonahFalcon

The hits are what you'd see in real-life... from a roof camera, and televised baseball games aren't taken from the roof camera - at least, not since the 60's and earlier - they're taken from the press box, which is far far lower and allows you to see an arc. If you can adjust the camera, all you need to do is lower it til it's press box level.

I understand this. We are talking about the demo, and in the demo, the way the camera is, it is hard to distinguish between hit types. They lack that flare ... especially HRs and Pop Flies.

[SoxFan01605]

Quote: Originally Posted by EnigmaNemesis

I understand this. We are talking about the demo, and in the demo, the way the camera is, it is hard to distinguish between hit types. They lack that flare ... especially HRs and Pop Flies.

HRs aren't likely to change in the final either, in terms of flare. Haven't been a fan of the 2K HR view for a long time. They've been very "ho-hum" in this series. Hopefully that's something that gets attention in 2010.

[JonahFalcon]

Quote: Originally Posted by Pared

For those who need the help: It's a demo. The demo is on a low difficulty level. It's a demo. The demo is unfinished. It's a demo. This game is obviously in year one of a rebuilding phase and it's not going to be the most perfect game out. It's a demo.

Okay, let me tell you what's wrong with what you're saying:

1. It's a demo, so what? It's also the first impression. What am I supposed to base my expectations on? Hm? What they tell me it will be like? And bad AI is bad AI is bad AI, and I'd love to hear how the demo's bad fielding and baserunning will improve in the main game.

If your demo is bad, don't release the demo. (See: Hellgate: London)

2. Rebuilding phase? So... I'm supposed to pay $60 for a BETA of MLB 2K10? This is precisely what's wrong with games today, not just sports games. This is the reason Harmonix flat out said there would be no Rock Band 3 for many a moon. When I got Earl Weaver Baseball, I didn't have to worry about Earl Weaver Baseball 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, etc. ONE game. Oh, and it didn't need sliders.

(Of course, 2K8 was suipposed to fix everything in 2K7. So 2K8 was a beta people spent $60 on for... what?)