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MLB 2K8

Printed From: Sports Gaming Nation
Category: SGN Forum
Forum Name: The Locker Room
Forum Discription: Discuss anything and everything related to videogames here.
URL: http://www.sportsgamingnation.com/sgnforums/forum_posts.asp?TID=1616
Printed Date: 03-29-2024 at 10:05am


Topic: MLB 2K8
Posted By: Grambo Bastille
Subject: MLB 2K8
Date Posted: 03-03-2008 at 7:18pm
Figured I would start an alternate thread to talk about the game in anticipation of its release.

I have not been a big fan of console baseball games.  I had fun with the Bigs, but it was very arcade.  I also LOVE sim "spreadsheet" type games, going back to the old SI games and strat-o-matic, up to Baseball for Windows (mid nineties) and the OOTP series, and most recently the latest in the Baseball Mogul series.  Being a lover of baseball history, I love recreating past seasons and then advancing them with true to life rookies through the ages.

That being said, two things excite me about this new 360 release.  First, the inclusion of minor league teams is neat.  One of the things that kept me sane over the past few years of business travel was the ability to be in minor league cities and see some AAA games.  Sure beats getting drunk by myself at the local bar (which I did after the game anyway).  The second thing I just noticed is the baseball card system, and it looks like half of the cards you can earn due to achievements are all-time greats.

For an old fart like me, that holds a ton of interest.  Plus the fact that the Sox are defending champs and I can't wait to form a rivalry with Jason.



Replies:
Posted By: JasonSGN
Date Posted: 03-03-2008 at 7:58pm
Originally posted by Grambo Bastille

Plus the fact that the Sox are defending champs and I can't wait to form a rivalry with Jason.
 
You better be ready - I need some virtual revenge for 1994 Wink.


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Posted By: Brent
Date Posted: 03-04-2008 at 9:02am
Stupid question but what the heck.  Is today the day the stores get the game or is it tomorrow?

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Upcoming Fight Night Champion, MLB 2K11, Top Spin 4


Posted By: JasonSGN
Date Posted: 03-04-2008 at 9:07am
Target, Best Buy and Circuit City were advertising that it'll be in this afternoon.

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Posted By: Brent
Date Posted: 03-04-2008 at 9:25am
Excellent... I will be picking it up today and probably Bully because I am weak.

Even though Hil @ IGN is mad at the game and for not getting to put his review out.


"2K changed their mind, told us the review is embargoed for Tuesday. We can't do anything about it until the game is in stores. So it will go up tomorrow. MLB '08 was already reviewed by the PS team. And it is the better game BTW. I've played a few games of each and Sony's game has 2K's beat."


No demo, blocked reviews.  It's like the student (2K) has one upped the master (EA). Tongue



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Upcoming Fight Night Champion, MLB 2K11, Top Spin 4


Posted By: Derek
Date Posted: 03-04-2008 at 10:10am
From folks who have played it already, I'm seeing a lot of 'too many meatballs' comments. :(
 
If I can resist, I may actually not buy the game today and wait for some more word.  I can't play a 'strike or meatball' pitching game.


Posted By: Slumberland
Date Posted: 03-04-2008 at 10:21am
Sounds like it might be webdanzer's worst nightmare?

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Posted By: Brent
Date Posted: 03-04-2008 at 11:59am
Give it some time. You know how people love to post impressions after playing one game and in most cases not even that. 

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Posted By: K_Mosley
Date Posted: 03-04-2008 at 12:03pm
Like Hilary from IGN?  He's played "a few games" of each, and has already reviewed both and declared The Show the winner.  Interesting...  How many games?  Did he sim season to check on FA signings, player development, stats, injuries, etc.  I could go on...  I guess I'll read it after the embargo to see for myself.
 
Kevin


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http://www.middleagedgamer.com - MiddleAgedGamer.com


Posted By: Brent
Date Posted: 03-04-2008 at 12:05pm
That is why I never use reviews (user or website) to determine my purchases. Embarrassed 

One mans trash...



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Upcoming Fight Night Champion, MLB 2K11, Top Spin 4


Posted By: TedSGN
Date Posted: 03-04-2008 at 12:14pm
Gamefly says my copy has shipped.  Looking forward to it.


Posted By: JasonSGN
Date Posted: 03-04-2008 at 3:32pm
IGN's review is up: http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/856/856712p1.html - MLB 2K8 (XB360)

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Posted By: JasonSGN
Date Posted: 03-04-2008 at 3:53pm
I'm hearing a lot of complaints about frame rate issues...Thumbs%20Down
 
So much for the game running at 60 fps Rolling%20Eyes.


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Posted By: Brent
Date Posted: 03-04-2008 at 3:55pm
Pretty much what I was expecting.  The lack of a demo kinda gave away the fact this was not going to blow the world away.  Well Mr Brinkman, MLB 2K9 is year three of your three year plan and we all expect big things, "assuming you and your team are still around."  Until then MLB2K8 will be suffice. I am sure it will play just fine, no worries here.


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Upcoming Fight Night Champion, MLB 2K11, Top Spin 4


Posted By: TedSGN
Date Posted: 03-04-2008 at 4:15pm
I wonder about those framerate issues.  I played 2k7 at 1080 and had some frame stutters occasionally.  Took it back to 480p and it smooth.  The slight loss of quality didn't bother me either.  I wonder if it is just the same thing as 2k7.


Posted By: Brent
Date Posted: 03-04-2008 at 4:19pm
From what I have read it is recommended playing at 720p to help alleviate the issue.



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Upcoming Fight Night Champion, MLB 2K11, Top Spin 4


Posted By: TedSGN
Date Posted: 03-04-2008 at 4:46pm
Makes sense.


Posted By: Grambo Bastille
Date Posted: 03-04-2008 at 5:45pm
I picked up my copy today, but haven't opened it yet.  I also got Bully and have been playing the hell out of that (which is very good by the way - Grand Theft Auto on Prozac).  I was going to wait and see what you guys thought of MLB before I opened it and can't return it, but I figure I am going to bite the bullet - I don't have a baseball game on my 360 and I figure this will be as good as it gets no matter what, plus I like the idea I can play as minor league teams.  I'm not sure if I will play it tonight (if I can get away from Bully, that is), but if I do, I will post my impressions - bearing in mind that I have not played the earlier incarnations, so this review will be from the pure prospective of a newbie.


Posted By: Brent
Date Posted: 03-04-2008 at 7:31pm
The best way I can describe MLB 2K8 so far, which is the 3rd 2K baseball game on the 360 (excluding Bigs) is eerily similar to Madden 08 which was also the 3rd installment of Madden on the 360.  Lacking in polish, details, things you would expect from the first batch of next generation games.  How they let this out with the framerate issues is similar to how Tiburon let Madden 08 ship with the excessive fumbles/ints and  It's not something that will force me to return the game but it is quite noticeable (one can only hope they patch this somehow).  Everything else looks the same and in fact some of the textures look muddier so it is hard to see why there is more slowdown/framerate issues compared to 2K7.

The menu is OVERLY simplistic in design (think top down web navigation menu) but anything is better than years past.  The players in the menu look like they accidentally stopped over at Dead Rising and got bit by a zombie as they (my Pirate players) all had weird splotches all over their face.

On the field (outside the framerate issues) it feels alot like 2K7. I am sticking to the classic pitching (few meatballs here) and standard batting.  I have used the R-Analog for throwing to a base and it feels similar to MVP, although I would prefer using the buttons.  L-Trigger now dives and as best I can tell there is no sprint.  Check swings are easier to come by as you have to hold the swing button a bit longer to go into a full swing.

I really wish the game would allow me to move around the batters box and take a few cuts before the pitch but alas we have to wait and hope for it to be in 2K9.

Only played a few quick innings and you can tell the difference playing as a minor league team. I was throwing the ball down the middle in all of the games to test out the defensive cameras (three to be exact - new addition is aerial camera which I did not care for). Lots of bloopers in the minor league where the same pitch in the pro game ended up in HR's and drives to the wall.

Again this is really early and will play more tonight. 



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Upcoming Fight Night Champion, MLB 2K11, Top Spin 4


Posted By: JasonSGN
Date Posted: 03-04-2008 at 8:16pm
Brent, are you playing at 720p? Also, have you tried turning off the ball trail. I've heard that the game runs smoother from the aerial view too.

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Posted By: JasonSGN
Date Posted: 03-04-2008 at 9:02pm
Originally posted by Grambo Bastille

I picked up my copy today, but haven't opened it yet. 
 
You've got some strong will power. Looking forward to your impressions.


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Posted By: Brent
Date Posted: 03-04-2008 at 9:50pm
Originally posted by Jason

Brent, are you playing at 720p? Also, have you tried turning off the ball trail. I've heard that the game runs smoother from the aerial view too.


Yes 720p, ball trail was on and I can't stand the aerial view.  Going to try 1080i also tonight to see if it makes any difference.




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Upcoming Fight Night Champion, MLB 2K11, Top Spin 4


Posted By: JasonSGN
Date Posted: 03-04-2008 at 10:02pm
I've heard that removing your hard drive eliminates the frame rate issues.

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Posted By: JasonSGN
Date Posted: 03-04-2008 at 10:10pm
Originally posted by Jason

I've heard that removing your hard drive eliminates the frame rate issues.
 
Also, are there any videos of the aerial view? I'd be interested in seeing how it looks.


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Posted By: Brent
Date Posted: 03-04-2008 at 10:12pm
Originally posted by Jason

I've heard that removing your hard drive eliminates the frame rate issues.


Yea I am not going to do that.  Oddly enough there was a glitch in MLB2K6 where they recommended you do this until they were able to fix the problem.



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Upcoming Fight Night Champion, MLB 2K11, Top Spin 4


Posted By: Derek
Date Posted: 03-05-2008 at 10:32am

I’m really having quite a bit of fun with 2k8.  I played three games last night, all on all-star level defaults, just to get a base before I start tweaking things.  As the Yanks, I played Texas twice and then started the first game of my franchise, different pitchers each time.  I lost 11-4 (getting use to the pitching system), won 6-2, and lost 6-4.  All the games felt very different, which was nice.  I just got pummeled in game one, learning the ropes.  Hughes was on for me in game two, and I took an early lead and held it.  Game three was tight and back and forth all the way until the seventh, when Farnsworth came out with his gasoline can ruining a pretty nice job by Wang and Hawkins. 

 

The Good:

 

The games all felt and played completely differently.

 

On All-star level, the game definitely plays better out of the box than 2k7

 

It’s a challenging game right now, and I’m pretty confident that there are enough options in the game to keep it so.

 

Hit variety was good, and it wasn’t a homer-fest (yet?)  In the three games I had 4 homeruns, with none in the first game, and no player had more than 1.

 

Baserunning is very easy and intuitive.  Didn’t have a single gaffe, and usually the first couple of games played with a new title sees at least a couple of those.

 

Pitcher fatigue seems to be set at around the right levels for the default settings, with guys (both player and cpu) getting tired.

 

The new throwing meter is fun.  Nothing revolutionary, but it impacts the game just enough, where an off-line throw in a crucial situation can make a big impact.

 

I have mixed feelings about the new pitching system, but I’ll state the good here first.  I love that it makes the user more involved on every pitch, and that it makes the user more responsible for the CPU’s success.  In many baseball games you let your pitch go and then it is ‘up to the cpu’ to decide what happens next.  The player shoulders more of the responsibility, here.  I’ve also walked a handful of batters, which is better than most games on default settings, but it is no where near where I’d like it to be.

 

The Bad:

 

The framerate issue.  It’s there, and it’s bad.  It’s pretty hard to watch any ball movement through or around the infield.  It really doesn’t affect gameplay at all, but it makes it hard to watch at times, and at least some part of a video game experience is the video.  I’m very disappointed that the game got out this way.

 

There are some very jerky and ugly animations.  Again, not gameplay related, but they still have an impact on how pleasing the game is to watch.

 

I have seen several graphical glitches.  During one at-bat, my pitcher’s head turned absolutely sheet-of-paper white, and stayed that way until the next batter.  Wtf?

 

CPU throws hardly any balls on default All-star.  Not only that, default contact for the player is too darn high.  Put those together, and that leads to many 1 and 2 pitch at bats.  L  This is where my slider tweaking begins, I think.  CPU throw balls way up, player contact way down.  Of course, this will no doubt impact countless other areas, so let the fun begin.

 

Here’s the bad of the pitching meter stuff.  Although it’s definitely trickier than the systems used in the past in this series, and harder than The Show’s meter, it still remains too easy to throw a strike on demand.  I’ll try some slider stuff here to make things more difficult, but we’ll see.  I’m also not completely sold on the crazy motions you have to make for each pitch.  Simply put, some pitches are harder to throw for the game’s player, while the actual pitcher might have them as one of their best pitches.  There is a disconnect there.  For example, Mariano River’s cutter is a down motion, then a diagonal up and in one towards the center of the controller.  For whatever reason, this is a hard motion for me to execute smoothly.  How the player executes the motion has a direct effect on the quality of the pitch, so essentially Mo’s cutter is far less effective than it ‘should be’ because the arbitrary motion assigned to the pitch happens to be hard for the player to execute.  Not sure I dig that, and I don’t even really think it is necessary.  More demanding timing on the ‘power select’ and release points would really be sufficient, I think.  Overall the system is really fun to use, but I don’t like how the design impacts play in some cases.

 

No season mode, only franchise.  L  This is epidemic in all games today, but I really wish I could just play a season without having to worry about setting ballpark ticket prices, hiring coaching, or doing any number of things that tangle me up in a financial/contract/etc system that always ultimately ends up being flawed on some level anyway.

 

While I think the hitting results are better than in last year’s game, the execution of the swing seems worse than last year.  The step and swing mechanism seems much jerkier.

 

After playing for a while, I like to skip a lot of the in-game presentation stuff…batter walk ups, replays, etc.  You can simply turn some of these off, yes, but if you have them on and are trying to skip them in game, there are very noticeable pauses before the game gets back on track.  Cumulatively, these get quite annoying.



Posted By: Brent
Date Posted: 03-05-2008 at 3:08pm
Agreed on turning everything off (walkups, cutscenes) and I just leave the occasional replay on. It plays a really quick game turning all the bells and whistles off.

One thing I have yet to try but people seem to think factor into the slowdown is the ticker (which in-itself seems stuttery). To me the most visually distracting thing is how the players run. It looks like a combination of framerate issues and the herky jerky control you see in most every 2kgame.

Need to check the online aspect.  Are we going to have issues with some people using buttons and others using the R-Stick, assuming that can be done online (league play).




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Upcoming Fight Night Champion, MLB 2K11, Top Spin 4


Posted By: Brent
Date Posted: 03-05-2008 at 3:19pm
Originally posted by Grambo Bastille

I picked up my copy today, but haven't opened it yet.  I also got Bully and have been playing the hell out of that (which is very good by the way - Grand Theft Auto on Prozac).  



http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=249455 - I was considering Bully but I started seeing all the freezing issues brought up.  Have you run into this yet ?




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Posted By: Grambo Bastille
Date Posted: 03-05-2008 at 3:48pm
Originally posted by Brent

Originally posted by Grambo Bastille

I picked up my copy today, but haven't opened it yet.  I also got Bully and have been playing the hell out of that (which is very good by the way - Grand Theft Auto on Prozac).  



http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=249455 - I was considering Bully but I started seeing all the freezing issues brought up.  Have you run into this yet ?




It froze on me twice in one mission when I played overnight last night.  Apart from that, I have quite a few hours of play in and have had no problems.  There is a considerable amount of loading between screens which was annoying at first, but once you get into the flow of the game they don't seem as bad.

I'm actually having a good time with this one!  Of course, I am a big fan of GTA and there are many similarities.  Yeah, some of the gags get old after awhile, but it is a nice diversion from all the other games out there right now.  Haven't learned the wedgie yet, but am anticipating it greatly.

Back on topic, I loaded MLB last night but was so tired I didn't have the patience to learn it at that moment.  I really am looking forward to playing, maybe tonight at some point.


Posted By: Brent
Date Posted: 03-05-2008 at 6:08pm
By the way this is why I hate game developers/companies/publishers.

I really hate the continuous trend of poor support from 2k and EA regarding their games. Is it our fault they release games with issues only to stay silent for as long as they can about it?

Yes, I was a bit sarcastic but I think this is a very fair question and presented only factual information - I had about 5 or so threads locked, no of which violated the TOS.  Never once would the mod explain where I was violating the TOS.

http://2ksports.com/forums/showthread.php?t=163079 - http://2ksports.com/forums/showthread.php?t=163079




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Posted By: JasonSGN
Date Posted: 03-05-2008 at 9:24pm

The new VIP system seems to be causing the slowdown. Signing out of your Xbox Live profile apparently fixes the problem.



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Posted By: Brent
Date Posted: 03-05-2008 at 10:26pm
Originally posted by Jason

The new VIP system seems to be causing the slowdown. Signing out of your Xbox Live profile apparently fixes the problem.




Actually doing that signs you out of EVERYTHING. When you play with no VIP profile you are limited to exhibitions as you are not able to save anything or get any of the cards/achievements (without the VIP system which is based on your profile).



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Posted By: JasonSGN
Date Posted: 03-05-2008 at 10:31pm
Correct, but I just played the demo while signed out of Xbox Live and it ran VERY smooth and I'm very sensitive to stuttering/frame rate issues. The good news about this is that it may be fixable with an update.

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Posted By: JasonSGN
Date Posted: 03-05-2008 at 10:34pm
Originally posted by Jason

Correct, but I just played the demo while signed out of Xbox Live and it ran VERY smoothly and I'm very sensitive to stuttering/frame rate issues. The good news about this is that it may be fixable with an update.
 
As a matter of fact, I'd have no problem at all with MLB 2k8's frame rate if the game ran as smoothly as the demo does with this fix.


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Posted By: Brent
Date Posted: 03-05-2008 at 10:48pm
Now here is the funny part.  It takes one guy at OS less then a day to figure this out.  Hats off to the 2K Dev and QA team.


Still... No savey the stats no usey the fix.


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Posted By: JasonSGN
Date Posted: 03-05-2008 at 11:17pm
Brent, can you do me a favor and try the fix just to see if you notice a difference?

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Posted By: Derek
Date Posted: 03-06-2008 at 12:08am
The fix worked for me on the full game, Jason.


Posted By: Brent
Date Posted: 03-06-2008 at 12:14am
I tried it and there was a difference.

Look at us, a bunch of people paying $59.99 to be beta testers.  Wink


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Posted By: JasonSGN
Date Posted: 03-06-2008 at 7:20am
Derek and Brent, thanks for testing it out Thumbs%20Up.

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Posted By: JasonSGN
Date Posted: 03-06-2008 at 9:36am
Originally posted by Jason

Derek and Brent, thanks for testing it out Thumbs%20Up.
 
Also, is there a list of game options available somewhere. I'd be interested in seeing what can be turned "On" and "Off".


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Posted By: JasonSGN
Date Posted: 03-06-2008 at 10:03am
The fix is now being suggested by 2K Sports:
 
http://www.2ksports.com/forums/showthread.php?s=42f2239308b0f5bbf7dcb0faeacbbe3f&t=163317 - Quick Fix for Framerate Issues Until Patch 1.1
 


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Posted By: Grambo Bastille
Date Posted: 03-06-2008 at 4:20pm
I still haven't played this yet (Bully still sucking all of my time at the moment) but it sounds like if they fix the framerate issue, this will be an OK game.

Also - NEWSFLASH - not sure if it has been reported here already, but I went on to the Marketplace this afternoon and found three free downloads for MLB:

- Minor league stadium pack - three minor league stadiums including Durham
- New uniform set - probably in line with some of the new unis supposedly coming out this year?
- Card Set 2 - reported to be a new roster set reflecting up to the minute trade and free agent signings through now.

I give them credit for responding to these issue right away.  Obviously this stuff wasn't ready in time for the game when it went gold and at least they didn't hold it back for a week and then try charging for it.  I know there will be more content down the line they will charge for, but it sounds like they are at least trying to make this a workable game.


Posted By: Brent
Date Posted: 03-06-2008 at 8:13pm
Originally posted by Grambo Bastille



Also - NEWSFLASH - not sure if it has been reported here already, but I went on to the Marketplace this afternoon and found three free downloads for MLB:

- Minor league stadium pack - three minor league stadiums including Durham
- New uniform set - probably in line with some of the new unis supposedly coming out this year?
- Card Set 2 - reported to be a new roster set reflecting up to the minute trade and free agent signings through now.

I give them credit for responding to these issue right away.  Obviously this stuff wasn't ready in time for the game when it went gold and at least they didn't hold it back for a week and then try charging for it.  I know there will be more content down the line they will charge for, but it sounds like they are at least trying to make this a workable game.




Actually the downloadable items above are things that were not available for the 360 version as 2k stated that they did not have room on the disc.  All of the above are on the PS3 version right out of the box.



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Posted By: JasonSGN
Date Posted: 03-06-2008 at 10:03pm
Kevin just posted his impressions at MAG:
 
http://www.middleagedgamer.com/blog/?p=56 - http://www.middleagedgamer.com/blog/?p=56


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Posted By: TedSGN
Date Posted: 03-06-2008 at 11:06pm
5 inning impressions.

If this smoking turd was released by EA it would be getting absolutely raked over the coals.

I don't like the pitching stick.  Sorry, not my thing.  It's not intuitive and it's not fun to use (for me).  The meatball thing is overdone.  Every meatball I've thrown has been crushed, even if it is low and outside.  I don't like the default camera as much as last year's camera.  Something is different about the hitting stick this year.  It just doesn't feel the same as it did last year.

Unbelievably, it is graphically inferior to 2k7.  The camera cut scenes are greatly reduced in variety and and they don't look as good.  The play on the field looks more video game and less life like than last year.  The frame rate stutters are very noticeable and take away the immersion immediately.  Also, the players make odd movements after the out is made like jiggle around and vibrate.  I never saw this in 2k7.  Instead it would always smoothly transition into the post-play replay or first baseman throwing it around the infield.

The throwing stick isn't bad, but it isn't special by any means. 

I don't even have any idea if it plays a good game of baseball at this point. 

The joy of 2k7 for me was the simultaneous feeling that I was playing baseball and watching a TV production game at the same time.  2k8 feel purely like a video game.

2k8 gives me new menus, new controls, a regression in graphics, a regression in frame rate, no advancement in audio, and a regression in presentation.

I stayed away from 2k7 for two straight weeks to allow 2k8 to be fairly fresh.  I'm really disappointed so far in 2k8.  I'm going to keep it around a little to see if a patch addresses the frame rate and also if the new controls grow on me.  If I had to make a decision today I would be backing out of the league.


Posted By: JasonSGN
Date Posted: 03-06-2008 at 11:24pm
Is the frame rate better in 2K7? How does the pitching work in 2K7?

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Posted By: TedSGN
Date Posted: 03-07-2008 at 12:03am
Oh by far.  I get no slowdown in 2k7 on 480p and it's very noticeable at 480p in 2k8.  The pitching is  press and hold during the windup for power and "stuff" and then a release and press again for release point and accuracy  of your thrown.  The nice thing about 2k7 was that you could release early or late and your throw would be high or low or inside or outside depending on what you were throwing and where you were aiming.  This new meatball thing....well it seems no matter when I release it is just a meatball that gets hammered.

For example in 2k7 as I got tired I could purposely release a hard breaking ball late to get it to stay low and at least I would just pitch a ball.  If I released early it could get hammered.  In 2k8 it doesn't seem to matter when I release.  If it is wrong it is automatically a homer so far.

Also, I could pitch a fastball right down the middle, but if I released early or late it would sail high or low or go inside or outside.  It didn't automatically become a catastrophe.  In fact, I often got outs on mistake pitches that weren't hit well.




Posted By: TedSGN
Date Posted: 03-07-2008 at 12:05am
I'm going to load 2k8 up again as my anger has somewhat subsided.  This time I'm going to mess with the cameras



Posted By: Derek
Date Posted: 03-07-2008 at 12:23am
Foe another point of view, I think 2k8 plays a much better game of baseball than 2k7 out of the box.  I had to tweak like hell to get 2k7 where I wanted it, though I ultimately did enjoy it last year.

In 2k8 I got rocked 11-4 in my first game because I didn't get the meatball thing yet.  Yes, it is overdone for sure, but now that a have a handful of full games under my belt, it is hardly an issue.  I've actually already had to up the pitching difficulty slider.  On the other hand, it was hard to miss in 2k7.  Ted, releasing early or late definitely has the same effect in 2k8.  You can keep pitches low if you go late or watch them sail high if you go early.  It is a matter of degree, though.  Too much in either direction will be a meatball.  I really enjoy the pitching system in 2k8.  Keeps me on my toes, where in so many other baseball games pitching is hum-drum at best, outright boring at the worst.  The style is definitely more joystick-jockey, though, so I can understand if you are not a fan of the style.

As I stated in my earlier impressions, though, I agree with you about the hit stick.  While I feel the results are better with it this year, the feel of it is worse...less fluid, more herky-jerky.




Posted By: TedSGN
Date Posted: 03-07-2008 at 2:27am
I went back to the 2k7 controls, including button throwing.  2k7 definitely looks better than 2k8 in 480p, but in 1080i 2k8 looks better.  However, there is less stuttering in 2k7 in both formats.  Also, the fielding in 2k8 looks terrible compared to 2k7 IMO.  It seems like there are animations missing in the fielding.

I switched to dynamic camera in 2k8 and it was better, but they still took away a lot of the camera work that made 2k7 so good.

2k8 may be better out of the box, but I never thought 2k7 was good out of the box anyway.  I have my doubts that 2k8 is good without significant adjustments and who wants to do that anymore?  I did play one more half game with my "50" slider set in 2k8 and it was more enjoyable, but still not as enjoyable as 2k7, which I played half a game of immediately after.

I very well may be the minority on this one, but I'm not feeling it for 2k8 at all.

Derek, not being sarcastic, but did you ever try pitching with just average pitchers or journeymen in 2k7?  With Seattle's staff I've walked a fair amount of batters.  Not anywhere near the number in real baseball, but the walks are there.  Sometimes none for an outing, but usually 1 and sometimes 2.  Occasionally 3 and 4.


Posted By: K_Mosley
Date Posted: 03-07-2008 at 7:49am
I'm leaning more towards how Derek feels.  Out of the box, it just seems to be a better representation of the game.  It's going to take a patch and some slider tweaks, but I just feel like I can get 2K8 to play a more satisfying game of baseball than I could 2K7, based on what I've seen.
 
I'm very disappointing in the graphics/frame rate issue, though.  Why add the card feature and screw up the smooth gameplay?  Ridiculous...
 
I feel your pain, though, Ted.  Part of me is tempted to go back to 2K7, too, especially if they don't patch the frame rate issue. 
 
Kevin


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Posted By: Derek
Date Posted: 03-07-2008 at 10:17am
Originally posted by Ted_L

.. there is less stuttering in 2k7 in both formats.  Also, the fielding in 2k8 looks terrible compared to 2k7 IMO.  It seems like there are animations missing in the fielding.
 
Agreed on all of this.  Have you tried the fix of logging out of your profile yet, Ted?  It definitely does help (but not remove) the stuttering.


Originally posted by Ted_L

.I have my doubts that 2k8 is good without significant adjustments and who wants to do that anymore?  I did play one more half game with my "50" slider set in 2k8 and it was more enjoyable, but still not as enjoyable as 2k7, which I played half a game of immediately after.
 
What specifically are you having problems with gameplay-wise out of the box, other than the pitching and fielding controls?  To be fair, a lot of the enjoyment I'm getting out of 2k8 is because of the new controls, so if you don't care for them I think there is admittedly less there.  Still, though, to me off the top of my head, 2k8 is less homer-friendly, AI batters take and swing more irregularly, pitching is thankfully less pinpoint, CPU substitution AI is much better, the baserunning controls are better, and from the little bit I've tweaked so far sliders work better this year.


Originally posted by Ted_L

.Derek, not being sarcastic, but did you ever try pitching with just average pitchers or journeymen in 2k7?  With Seattle's staff I've walked a fair amount of batters.  Not anywhere near the number in real baseball, but the walks are there.  Sometimes none for an outing, but usually 1 and sometimes 2.  Occasionally 3 and 4.
 
Yeah, the Yanks middle relief stinks, and I played a couple of exhibition games with other pitchers, but I still wasn't walking anyone.  I switched to the K-Zone system and that was a little better, but IMO less fun to use.  Part of the problem here is surely my own, Ted, in that while I like all sorts of metered/release point/etc controls, I tend to be very good at them, and so none of them are ever 'tough enough' for me.


Posted By: TedSGN
Date Posted: 03-07-2008 at 10:55am
Originally posted by Derek

Originally posted by Ted_L

.. there is less stuttering in 2k7 in both formats.  Also, the fielding in 2k8 looks terrible compared to 2k7 IMO.  It seems like there are animations missing in the fielding.
 
Agreed on all of this.  Have you tried the fix of logging out of your profile yet, Ted?  It definitely does help (but not remove) the stuttering.


Originally posted by Ted_L

.I have my doubts that 2k8 is good without significant adjustments and who wants to do that anymore?  I did play one more half game with my "50" slider set in 2k8 and it was more enjoyable, but still not as enjoyable as 2k7, which I played half a game of immediately after.
 
What specifically are you having problems with gameplay-wise out of the box, other than the pitching and fielding controls?  To be fair, a lot of the enjoyment I'm getting out of 2k8 is because of the new controls, so if you don't care for them I think there is admittedly less there.  Still, though, to me off the top of my head, 2k8 is less homer-friendly, AI batters take and swing more irregularly, pitching is thankfully less pinpoint, CPU substitution AI is much better, the baserunning controls are better, and from the little bit I've tweaked so far sliders work better this year.


Originally posted by Ted_L

.Derek, not being sarcastic, but did you ever try pitching with just average pitchers or journeymen in 2k7?  With Seattle's staff I've walked a fair amount of batters.  Not anywhere near the number in real baseball, but the walks are there.  Sometimes none for an outing, but usually 1 and sometimes 2.  Occasionally 3 and 4.
 
Yeah, the Yanks middle relief stinks, and I played a couple of exhibition games with other pitchers, but I still wasn't walking anyone.  I switched to the K-Zone system and that was a little better, but IMO less fun to use.  Part of the problem here is surely my own, Ted, in that while I like all sorts of metered/release point/etc controls, I tend to be very good at them, and so none of them are ever 'tough enough' for me.


I did the log out of the profile fix and I didn't really notice improvement.  By the third game I had a headache behind my eyes that I think was eyestrain from the stutters (not kidding). 

I'm not having any specific problems physics wise with the gameplay on the field other than I think the fielding speed is not realistic.  I honestly don't see any improvement in take/swing at pitches for AI and it is still a homer fest on all star if you throw a meatball.  I went to pro before going to the 50 set and I hit 4 homers in 9 innings with three of them being robbed so I think the AI is still too good at that.  I gave up 8 home runs on All Star and was able to rob one which was the first time I ever did that.

I don't think the physics of the game has changed much if at all, but the framerate issue, the reduction of TV quality cut scenes, the 5 to 15 second lag of audio behind the action at many points in the presentation really are making this a stinker for me.  I can't see how anyone would think this is a better game on the field when it is so ugly to look at that.

I'll keep giving it a chance though and I respect your guys viewpoints.  Maybe I just look for something different in my baseball games.


Posted By: K_Mosley
Date Posted: 03-07-2008 at 12:15pm
Hey - I respect your viewpoint, too.  To each his own.  And I can attest, Derek has MAD skills in video baseball games!  Smile
 
League wise, I could play either 2K7 or 2K8 (although I just traded in 2K7 - darn!).  Both have quirks, issues, and workarounds.  I've yet to play the "perfect" baseball video game.
 
Kevin


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Posted By: Derek
Date Posted: 03-07-2008 at 1:19pm
Heh, thanks Kev!
 
No doubt, the overall presentation in this one could be enough to turn folks off.  I totally understand and respect that conclusion.  And folks will of course weigh certain aspects of a game more or less than others would when deciding what is important to them in a baseball game.  For me, I focus on the pitcher-batter duel, getting a good, competitive, fair game out of the cpu, and getting good (realistic) end of game box scores.  Everything else is important, but not as much as those for me.
 
For example, I don't necessarily care as much if singles and doubles don't happen the way they do in reality (maybe too many singles on balls to the wall, or texas league doubles) as long as at the end of the day the players that are supposed to be hitting doubles are doing so and the box scores show results simulating a representatively 'real' hit distribution.  To me, the 'purity' of that situation is less important than the results.  Not so when it comes to pitcher-batter stuff, though.  I don't care if I get the 'right' amount of strikeouts if the cpu only swings through chest-high changeups!  They had better swing from time to time at that sinker in the dirt!  (And I really do see that more already this year, Ted)
 
I am playing The Show on PS2 along with 2k8 on the 360, and I like both games so far.  If I were to hypothetically weigh every possible aspect of a baseball video game equally and then compare the two games, there is no doubt that the Show would win by a landslide, even on the ps2!!  However, 2k8's cpu challenge and greater pitcheing interactivity count for a lot as I evaluate my experiences with the two games.
 
Do you still have your ps2, Ted?  Maybe we could play some games of the show! :)


Posted By: JasonSGN
Date Posted: 03-07-2008 at 1:49pm
Derek, you bought "The Show 08" for the PS2 or are you talking about 07?

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Posted By: Derek
Date Posted: 03-07-2008 at 1:58pm

Oops, that wasn't clear.  Sorry!

Yes, I bought the 08 version of the show.  It seems to have most of the gameplay improvements and controlls of the ps3 version, without some of the graphics and presentation stuff (Obviously). 


Posted By: JasonSGN
Date Posted: 03-07-2008 at 2:15pm
Have the stuttering/frame rates issues been resolved with The Show 08?

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Posted By: koebner
Date Posted: 03-07-2008 at 2:46pm
Originally posted by Jason

Have the stuttering/frame rates issues been resolved with The Show 08?


08 PS2 runs smooth as silk for me.The graphics are a bit better than 07,too.
08 may need even fewer slider tweaks than 07,with more foul balls and hit variety.
I haven't played the PS3 version,but I'm confident saying it's the best console baseball game I've played.It's surpassed MVP for me as my favorite.


Posted By: Derek
Date Posted: 03-07-2008 at 2:47pm

08 seemed very smooth to me, but that was playing it right after 2k8, so the comparison certainly may be throwing me off some! :) 



Posted By: JasonSGN
Date Posted: 03-07-2008 at 2:53pm
Originally posted by koebner

Originally posted by Jason

Have the stuttering/frame rates issues been resolved with The Show 08?


08 PS2 runs smooth as silk for me.The graphics are a bit better than 07,too.
08 may need even fewer slider tweaks than 07,with more foul balls and hit variety.
I haven't played the PS3 version,but I'm confident saying it's the best console baseball game I've played.It's surpassed MVP for me as my favorite.
 
Thanks. This makes things a little more interesting for me.
 
Are the batting-schemes (timing only, 4-zone, 9-zone) dependant on the skill level you're playing on?


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Posted By: Derek
Date Posted: 03-07-2008 at 3:10pm
Originally posted by Jason

Are the batting-schemes (timing only, 4-zone, 9-zone) dependant on the skill level you're playing on?
 
I believe this is the same as in past games, yes.


Posted By: JasonSGN
Date Posted: 03-07-2008 at 3:20pm
Thanks D. I may have to think hard about buying The Show.

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Posted By: Derek
Date Posted: 03-07-2008 at 3:25pm
It's a good game.  There are things I like and dislike about both games this year.  I'm hoping I can get The Show to play me a bit harder, though.  Gonna tweak some user pitcher control options and some CPU hitting sliders tonight to see what happens.


Posted By: koebner
Date Posted: 03-07-2008 at 5:18pm
Originally posted by Derek

It's a good game.  There are things I like and dislike about both games this year.  I'm hoping I can get The Show to play me a bit harder, though.  Gonna tweak some user pitcher control options and some CPU hitting sliders tonight to see what happens.


Are you using Classic pitching or Meter?
The Classic pitching is much more of a challenge;I'm definitely no good with it.


Posted By: TedSGN
Date Posted: 03-07-2008 at 5:33pm
Kev, I'm not even thinking of suggesting we do a league with last years game.  That would be quite selfish I think?  Since it is gamefly'd I will be holding on to 2k8 for awhile and hope that a patch fixes the framerate.  I can always get my presentation fix and play 2k7 single player.

Derek, I actually see the CPU swinging at pitches outside the strike zone all the time in 2k7.  The problem is that they get too many base hits on those kind of pitches, let alone whiff.  I think I average about 4 strike outs per 9 innings.

I played a little more 2k8 this morning.  Still grind my teeth when I see that framerate, but I went back to the new pitching stick on pro and I've got the hang of it.  Rarely a meatball now.  Still think it's a gimmick and not something revolutionary though.

Yes, I still have my PS2 and will probably gamefly The Show.

Also to anyone, do you think the hit variety is less in 2k8 than in 2k7?  I'm sure I've seen less variety in my 4 games so far.


Posted By: Brent
Date Posted: 03-07-2008 at 8:36pm
For what it is worth someone took some 2K7 vs 2K8 screens and it is definately a downgrade.. Not that those of us who have played both already knew that. Which makes all the framerate issues even more laughable.



2k7

2k8


2k7

2k8


2k7

2k8






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Posted By: K_Mosley
Date Posted: 03-07-2008 at 10:36pm
That's really the big mystery, isn't it?  How can seemingly worse graphics cause frame rate issues?  Is it the new "cards" feature and the tracking that goes on in the profile?  I just don't get 2K Sports sometimes...
 
Kevin


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Posted By: TedSGN
Date Posted: 03-07-2008 at 11:55pm
Derek and I attempted to play online.  The lag was so bad that it was unplayable.  We played one inning to give each other a chance to pitch and bat.  In my at bats I was having to swing before the pitcher released the ball in order to make contact.  You could even see the lag when moving the cursor around to aim your pitch.

Our connections were excellent and we had a super smooth game of hockey afterwards.




Posted By: Brent
Date Posted: 03-08-2008 at 2:24am
Derek and I also attempted to play online.  We also went one whole inning. Copy/Paste what was written above, with just a little less lag in our attempt.

Also their inability to allow for use of different batting and pitching options will probably be kicking me out of the league. How they do not allow for this in non-ranked games is beyond me?

* There is a mode that switches to classic everything but it forces both users to play that way.

The grand shame is we are paying $59.99 for the abuse.



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Posted By: Derek
Date Posted: 03-08-2008 at 2:49am
I'm pretty pissed.  Online simply does not work with this game. 


Posted By: JasonSGN
Date Posted: 03-08-2008 at 12:14pm
Wasn't the frame rate one of the big complaints about MLB 2K7? Was it fixed in an update?

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Posted By: Brent
Date Posted: 03-08-2008 at 12:45pm
Not really, I do not recall a patch for it specifically.  The big complaints for 2K7 were the amount of HR's and the amount of HR's you could rob, also the fielding was a big issue and the one camera available was not well liked.  The camera part was patched by adding a new foul pole camera.

http://www.pastapadre.com/2432/online-play-report-mlb-2k8-and-mlb-08-the-show - Hey even Pastapadre agrees with our angst about online play and the inabilty to use custom options in unranked games .



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Posted By: TedSGN
Date Posted: 03-08-2008 at 1:44pm
After discussing it with Derek last night I really have to agree that it is just shameful and downright fraudulent that this was released. If you advertise something on the box and it can't deliver consumers should have the right to a refund based on a defective product. Online play is not playable by any means with this release.

Maybe we should pressure congress to enact the video game consumer rights act of 2008


Posted By: koebner
Date Posted: 03-08-2008 at 3:13pm
I feel bad for 360-only people;it seems the only baseball option this season is pretty dismal.


Posted By: Grambo Bastille
Date Posted: 03-08-2008 at 4:12pm
Well I haven't really played it yet, but I am starting to regret opening the package.  I may be naive, but I have faith they will fix it.


Posted By: Grambo Bastille
Date Posted: 03-08-2008 at 4:25pm
Looks like they're at least addressing the issue:

http://2ksports.com/forums/showthread.php?t=163317


Posted By: JasonSGN
Date Posted: 03-08-2008 at 4:53pm
How does the pitching work in 2K7 and is it available as an option in 2k8?

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Posted By: Grambo Bastille
Date Posted: 03-08-2008 at 4:55pm
According to the manual, the game gives you the option of the classic versions of pitching and hitting as well as the new versions.  Since I don't have earlier incarnations of the game, I couldn't tell you if that was from 2k7 or not.


Posted By: TedSGN
Date Posted: 03-08-2008 at 5:28pm
In 2k8 you can pitch like you do in 2k7

In 2k7 you cannot pitch like in 2k8, but supposedly you can go backwards and pitch like 2k6 (the K zone).

In 2k7 the pitching is two button presses, the first being a press and hold for power and break and the second being for accuracy.  If you hold the button down longer you get a more effective pitch, but it can be harder to release it accurately.

There are many who say it is too easy to pitch strikes and that is probably true compared to real life, but the challenge is more in mixing up speeds and location and keeping the hitter off balance.  There are hitters in the game (A-Rod, Giambi) who can crush pitches that are even outside the strike zone.  I myself find it challenging to throw good pitches once the pitcher becomes fatigued (less than 30% left) or when using  a journeyman).  It can be quite challenging to throw good pitches even if it is relatively easy to throw strikes.




Posted By: JasonSGN
Date Posted: 03-08-2008 at 6:06pm
I asked because I downloaded the 2K7 demo again and liked the pitching mechanics even though I wasn't exactly sure what I was doing. It's nice to have it as an option in 2K8.

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Posted By: JasonSGN
Date Posted: 03-08-2008 at 6:17pm
Originally posted by Jason

I asked because I downloaded the 2K7 demo again and liked the pitching mechanics even though I wasn't exactly sure what I was doing. It's nice to have it as an option in 2K8.
 
I can see why you guys like 2K7, but the fielding is much better in 2K8 (at least when comparing the demos). I'm still not convinced that the graphics are worse in 2K8. I know Brent posted those comparison shots, but 2K8 does NOT look like that on my TV. I'm going to play the 2K7 demo some more too, but I wish you could get rid of the moving cameras while you play.
 


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Posted By: TedSGN
Date Posted: 03-08-2008 at 6:24pm
I have no idea if the cameras in the demo were updated.  I thoroughly enjoy the cameras in 2k7 except when long drives to the outfield take my fielder out of the view.  Sometimes it can be confusing.

What moving cameras are you referring to?


Posted By: JasonSGN
Date Posted: 03-08-2008 at 7:21pm
I don't like how on a ground ball to third, the camera will shift to behind the first base line after the third baseman throws the ball. I also don't like how the camera sometimes follows the baserunner on hits to the outfield. I don't like gameplay cameras that change perspective on the fly.

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Posted By: TedSGN
Date Posted: 03-08-2008 at 7:30pm
Ok, those are the same in the game.  I do like that switch to the first baseman after the throw.  I don't know, it just seems to add some flair to the game for me.  I have gotten used to the one about the baserunner.  It can be tricky trying to judge when to go for extra bases with it, but all considered I prefer to see it occasionally than not at all.  You'd like 2k8 then.  From what I've seen so far all of that is gone, which I find disappointing.


Posted By: JasonSGN
Date Posted: 03-08-2008 at 8:25pm
Originally posted by Ted_L

From what I've seen so far all of that is gone, which I find disappointing.
 
I NEVER thought I'd be one of the few to really like MLB 2K8 this year LOL.
 
Ted, have you ever tried playing 2K7 online? If so, how did it play?


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Posted By: TedSGN
Date Posted: 03-08-2008 at 9:55pm
I haven't, but I want to.  I have been told it suffered from lag issues as well.


Posted By: TedSGN
Date Posted: 03-08-2008 at 11:34pm
Jason, you mentioned that your outfielders were running into each other and I said I have had that happen as well.  It seems you have to call off the other fielder, but I don't know what the control is.


Posted By: JasonSGN
Date Posted: 03-08-2008 at 11:35pm
Ted, I'd be very interested in your opinion on the MLB 2K8 demo. I'm beginning to think that the demo looks and plays better than the final game.

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Posted By: TedSGN
Date Posted: 03-08-2008 at 11:40pm
I just peeked over at DSP and there are quite a few people that share your love, Jason.  


Posted By: K_Mosley
Date Posted: 03-09-2008 at 8:37am
Press "x", Ted...
 
Kevin


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Posted By: TedSGN
Date Posted: 03-09-2008 at 12:06pm
Thanks, Kev.

Jason, I don't know if this is good or bad news.  I d/l the demo and there was minimal stutter.  I logged out of my profile and there was no stutter.  None.  Also the audio commentary lagging 15 seconds behind in the opening sequence was no longer there.  The commentary kept right up with the game most of the time.  I found the demo to be much more enjoyable than the full game, although I still don't like the cameras as well in 2k8.  I also didn't see the weird vibrating, Gumby sliding outfilders and batters in the box, as well as the throwing looked more on line with the motion instead of coming out of the fielder at a weird angle. 

I don't know what the problem is with the full game, but maybe it can be patched since the demo doesn't suffer from these ills.  It was really a different experience. 

Based on that I would be very cautious about buying the full version before a patch is produced.  I'll be hanging on to my Gamefly copy for awhile.


Posted By: JasonSGN
Date Posted: 03-09-2008 at 12:17pm

At least I (and hopefully you) know I'm not crazy now LOL. I really hope they get a patch out soon because I LOVE the demo.



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Posted By: TedSGN
Date Posted: 03-09-2008 at 2:47pm
I keep plugging away with 2k8.

I guess I'm getting use to the amount of lag.  I also found a setting to not lock the camera on the fielder and that allows it to zoom in a little during the play.  This looks better to me.

I think the pickoffs are not as good as in 2k7.  I can't seem to aim my pickoff throw high or low like I could before.  At least twice the guy should have been out, but my throw was chest high every time and the covering baseman couldn't get the tag down. 

On pro the CPU just doesn't throw balls.  Maybe 5% of pitches thrown.

The game has grown on me a little.  I like having the minor leagues and I'll admit I like the cards thing a bit too.

Still strongly believe this doesn't play any better a game on the field than 2k7 (referring to AI).


Posted By: Derek
Date Posted: 03-09-2008 at 4:55pm
Originally posted by Ted_L

  I d/l the demo and there was minimal stutter.  I logged out of my profile and there was no stutter.  None.  Also the audio commentary lagging 15 seconds behind in the opening sequence was no longer there.  The commentary kept right up with the game most of the time.  I found the demo to be much more enjoyable than the full game, although I still don't like the cameras as well in 2k8.  I also didn't see the weird vibrating, Gumby sliding outfilders and batters in the box, as well as the throwing looked more on line with the motion instead of coming out of the fielder at a weird angle. 

I don't know what the problem is with the full game, but maybe it can be patched since the demo doesn't suffer from these ills.  It was really a different experience. 


I've never had audio lag or vibrating players at all in the full game.  Stutter on throws across the infield, sure, but never these other things.


Posted By: TedSGN
Date Posted: 03-09-2008 at 6:15pm
Derek,  after you choose the teams and start to play you don't get a long loading screen with no audio even though it is apparent that your two analysts are talking? That gal and guy start talking at least 15 seconds after the intro is panning around the outside of the stadium and such.  In fact it is apparent that John and Joe are supposed to be talking and then she starts in with the intro.  Then she just cuts off in the middle of a sentence and the guy never gets to talk.  John and Joe start their commentary and I am already waiting to throw the first pitch.

The vibrating thing is like the outfilders just stand there pivoting around on their base.  The Gumby slide is the batters sliding around in the batters box and sometimes the outfielders moonwalk around the outfield a bit.

You don't see any of these things?  I might just try the disconnect the hard drive thing.  I wonder if the hard disk has anything to do with this like I've heard.




Posted By: Brent
Date Posted: 03-09-2008 at 7:09pm
Originally posted by Ted_L

Derek,  after you choose the teams and start to play you don't get a long loading screen with no audio even though it is apparent that your two analysts are talking? That gal and guy start talking at least 15 seconds after the intro is panning around the outside of the stadium and such.  In fact it is apparent that John and Joe are supposed to be talking and then she starts in with the intro.  Then she just cuts off in the middle of a sentence and the guy never gets to talk.  John and Joe start their commentary and I am already waiting to throw the first pitch.

The vibrating thing is like the outfilders just stand there pivoting around on their base.  The Gumby slide is the batters sliding around in the batters box and sometimes the outfielders moonwalk around the outfield a bit.

You don't see any of these things?  I might just try the disconnect the hard drive thing.  I wonder if the hard disk has anything to do with this like I've heard.





I have not seen any of those three things you mentioned.  I get the long loading before the game but it is always filled with a pan of the outside of the stadium, to the concession area and a view through one of the tunnels.  The audio runs all the way through up to the point where they change it over to the announcers.


I play on a fast pace (limited replays, no inning highlights, etc) and every time you end any half of an inning your players turn invisible as they exit the field and all you see is the ball.

Safe to say that once again the quality of the testing/bug fixing department has once again failed the next gen console owner.  I have to add that in most cases the QA teams catch things like this but the management has to hit their deadline for release.  They know that they can patch her up down the line.  MS quality assurance should also get some of the heat for letting this stuff get out as they have to approve it beforehand.





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Upcoming Fight Night Champion, MLB 2K11, Top Spin 4


Posted By: TedSGN
Date Posted: 03-09-2008 at 8:06pm
Could it be a hard drive thing?  I just played 9 innings after disconnecting my hard drive.  On 480p there was zero stuttering except for long throws across the infield, and then it would just to a very very quick hitch about halfway across.  Totally playable and the first time I thought this was an acceptable game.

So I have 5.3 GB on my HDD left.  I have the Pro? version 360.  Should I try and free up some of that space?  This really feels similar to PC sims that need a nice defragged HDD to run smooth (FSX).  Can you defrag the 360?

The other funny thing was almost all of that vibration-Gumby stuff disappeared as well, but the audio lag was still there.

Really perplexing.


Posted By: JasonSGN
Date Posted: 03-09-2008 at 8:19pm
That is very strange. It does give me more hope that a patch can fix most of the issues with the game though. I'm glad you're finally starting to see and play the same game/demo I've been playing.

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Posted By: Brent
Date Posted: 03-09-2008 at 8:24pm
You might try clearing the HD cache.

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http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/11131/Xbox-360-Cache-Clear-Code-Revealed/ - http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/11131/Xbox-360-Cache-Clear-Code-Revealed/

Go to the system blade and then select memory.

Press Y on the HD symbol and then press X,X,Left Bumper, Right Bumper, X,X. Once you do this a messsage will appear saying: Do you want to perform maintenance on your Xbox 360 storage devices?

Performing this function will also clear any software updates.


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The only thing you lose are the game updates for all the games you have.  They will come back up to download once you play each game.

I have heard this fixes some problems with games and wont hurt anything,



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Upcoming Fight Night Champion, MLB 2K11, Top Spin 4



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