A few new MLB 2K8 details

by pastapadre
Posted February 20th, 2008 at 7:29 am

The March issue of Game Informer has made its way out and it includes an article on MLB 2K8 that mentions a few previously unknown details about the game.

There is so much content included in the game that it couldn’t all fit onto the 360 disc. Free downloadable content will be provided for what was left out

Apparently the 360 version of the game is lacking the unlockable stadiums and Cool Base alternate uniforms that the PS3 version has. Because of that they will be made available on release day as free downloadable content. While this shouldn’t bother those who have access to Xbox Live, those who don’t will miss out on the content completely which is unfortunate. It is somewhat surprising to hear of capacity issues when games such as Madden and NCAA Football pack so much in without having to take similar measures.

The hitting window has expanded from three frames in 2K7 to 12-16 frames in 2K8. This should increase the ability to protect the plate by being able to foul balls off as well as provide better hit variety.

It is good to read some specifics on how contact at the plate has been addressed. Last year the lack of hit variety was one of the most glaring problems with the game. It remains to be seen whether this will result in the level of consistency necessary to where home runs aren’t the sole source of scoring. One of the questions I submitted for the conference call on Friday deals with this topic so hopefully I’ll be able to detail the work they did in this area even further in the recap.

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Grey

I do find it strange that with under two weeks until release we have still basically heard nothing about the new features. I think that Brinkman’s 3 Year plan is great and all, but it’s inexcusable for a next Gen Game…to not have major upgrades from year to year that separate it from its prior version or counterpart. I understand the new controls and hit variety, but if the new mode is the baseball card trading system I’m going to be pissed. I could care less about earning cards that i can trade. Give me a Road to the big leagues mode, where i am a touted prospect and on the fast track to the big leagues. Something like NCAA HOF. Or let me do drills to try out for a team, and then get drafted where i can work my way up the depth chart etc etc. I haven’t had the opportunity to play the SHOWS mode, but from what i read it’s pretty deep. *crossing fingers* That they didnt do a half Ass job this year. All i kept hearing from Brinkman was that they had a short development cycle in the first year. Well they had a full year now. SHOW ME SOMETHING. Thoughts?
Grey

I do find it strange that with under two weeks until release we have still basically heard nothing about the new features. I think that Brinkman’s 3 Year plan is great and all, but it’s inexcusable for a next Gen Game…to not have major upgrades from year to year that separate it from its prior version or counterpart. I understand the new controls and hit variety, but if the new mode is the baseball card trading system I’m going to be pissed. I could care less about earning cards that i can trade. Give me a Road to the big leagues mode, where i am a touted prospect and on the fast track to the big leagues. Something like NCAA HOF. Or let me do drills to try out for a team, and then get drafted where i can work my way up the depth chart etc etc. I haven’t had the opportunity to play the SHOWS mode, but from what i read it’s pretty deep. *crossing fingers* That they didnt do a half Ass job this year. All i kept hearing from Brinkman was that they had a short development cycle in the first year. Well they had a full year now. SHOW ME SOMETHING. Thoughts?
currocure

Pasta, altough I am a fan of MLB The Show series and are eagerly awaiting the release date for 2008 version, I keep looking at 2K8 entries at different websites and really would like to take a look at the demo.

The pitching, batting, fielding and throwing mechanics using the right analog stick seem interesting, altough I am worried that they could be too complicated to actually enjoy the game (particularly throwing to a base after fielding as you have to point to the base using the analog stick and you could easily miss), but I would like to try this for myself. Hope controls are not broken and animations are better this year because usually 2K Sports makes terrific games (except for baseball).

Furthermore, hope animations are more fluid this year (they usually seem artificial).

Still, I think that The Show will be much, much better by far.
currocure

Pasta, altough I am a fan of MLB The Show series and are eagerly awaiting the release date for 2008 version, I keep looking at 2K8 entries at different websites and really would like to take a look at the demo.

The pitching, batting, fielding and throwing mechanics using the right analog stick seem interesting, altough I am worried that they could be too complicated to actually enjoy the game (particularly throwing to a base after fielding as you have to point to the base using the analog stick and you could easily miss), but I would like to try this for myself. Hope controls are not broken and animations are better this year because usually 2K Sports makes terrific games (except for baseball).

Furthermore, hope animations are more fluid this year (they usually seem artificial).

Still, I think that The Show will be much, much better by far.
Bumble14

[quote comment="13870"]it’s inexcusable for a next Gen Game…to not have major upgrades from year to year that separate it from its prior version or counterpart. [/quote]

Seriously?? Have you been living under a rock the last 10 years? How about the last 3? No next gen sports game has offered us anything to separate it from the games we were playing in 2001.

[/quote]“It is somewhat surprising to hear of capacity issues when games such as Madden and NCAA Football pack so much in without having to take similar measures.”[/quote]

Really Pasta? Did you get some sort of special version of NCAA and Madden this year? I got the version without alternate jerseys, bowl patches, generic endzones,no historical teams/stadiums, no pop up statistics, no television presentation, lack of authentic equipment and radio commentary. Where can I buy the Madden and NCAA that are packed with content?
Bumble14

[quote comment="13870"]it’s inexcusable for a next Gen Game…to not have major upgrades from year to year that separate it from its prior version or counterpart. [/quote]

Seriously?? Have you been living under a rock the last 10 years? How about the last 3? No next gen sports game has offered us anything to separate it from the games we were playing in 2001.

[/quote]“It is somewhat surprising to hear of capacity issues when games such as Madden and NCAA Football pack so much in without having to take similar measures.”[/quote]

Really Pasta? Did you get some sort of special version of NCAA and Madden this year? I got the version without alternate jerseys, bowl patches, generic endzones,no historical teams/stadiums, no pop up statistics, no television presentation, lack of authentic equipment and radio commentary. Where can I buy the Madden and NCAA that are packed with content?
Craig

What’s the difference between the regular uniform and the alternat Cool Base ones? I thought the only difference was the material and some different fabric on the sides. Is MLB introducing new alternate versions of the Cool Base unis this year?
Craig

What’s the difference between the regular uniform and the alternat Cool Base ones? I thought the only difference was the material and some different fabric on the sides. Is MLB introducing new alternate versions of the Cool Base unis this year?
r00tabaga

Bumble hit it on the head. Madden IMO was pretty shallow with alt. uniforms, Next Gen and still no referees, presentation, trick plays, etc. At least 2k didn’t omit the xtras due to size constraints. It shows me that they’re gonna give us there best effort and I can’t wait for my pre-ordered copy to arrive.
r00tabaga

Bumble hit it on the head. Madden IMO was pretty shallow with alt. uniforms, Next Gen and still no referees, presentation, trick plays, etc. At least 2k didn’t omit the xtras due to size constraints. It shows me that they’re gonna give us there best effort and I can’t wait for my pre-ordered copy to arrive.
Darren

Madden and NCAA pack so much..lolololololol was that a joke.
Darren

Madden and NCAA pack so much..lolololololol was that a joke.
Phant

Actually, size is 360 issue not 2K.
Phant

Actually, size is 360 issue not 2K.
Bukktown

I am calling ‘marketing spin’ on the ‘too much content to fit onto one disc’ info. It makes for a good talking point.
Bukktown

I am calling ‘marketing spin’ on the ‘too much content to fit onto one disc’ info. It makes for a good talking point.
agent k

They’re joking right? They can’t fit a full baseball game on a 360 disc. I own Mass Effect (only one disc) and it is a huge game. I suspect that this is a result of lazy design. Size constraint is stupid the developers are just too lazy to compress. The free dlc might even end up being the code to unlock the content (but I don’t know why they would do that if it was going to be free). Remember the video editor for NBA 2k7. The $10 download was only a code to unlock the option.
agent k

They’re joking right? They can’t fit a full baseball game on a 360 disc. I own Mass Effect (only one disc) and it is a huge game. I suspect that this is a result of lazy design. Size constraint is stupid the developers are just too lazy to compress. The free dlc might even end up being the code to unlock the content (but I don’t know why they would do that if it was going to be free). Remember the video editor for NBA 2k7. The $10 download was only a code to unlock the option.
Eski

[quote comment="13873"][quote comment="13870"]it’s inexcusable for a next Gen Game…to not have major upgrades from year to year that separate it from its prior version or counterpart. [/quote]

Seriously?? Have you been living under a rock the last 10 years? How about the last 3? No next gen sports game has offered us anything to separate it from the games we were playing in 2001.

[/quote]“It is somewhat surprising to hear of capacity issues when games such as Madden and NCAA Football pack so much in without having to take similar measures.”[/quote]

Really Pasta? Did you get some sort of special version of NCAA and Madden this year? I got the version without alternate jerseys, bowl patches, generic endzones,no historical teams/stadiums, no pop up statistics, no television presentation, lack of authentic equipment and radio commentary. Where can I buy the Madden and NCAA that are packed with content?[/quote]

You didn’t hear? EA is going to charge 20,000 MS points for all of this…..
Eski

[quote comment="13873"][quote comment="13870"]it’s inexcusable for a next Gen Game…to not have major upgrades from year to year that separate it from its prior version or counterpart. [/quote]

Seriously?? Have you been living under a rock the last 10 years? How about the last 3? No next gen sports game has offered us anything to separate it from the games we were playing in 2001.

[/quote]“It is somewhat surprising to hear of capacity issues when games such as Madden and NCAA Football pack so much in without having to take similar measures.”[/quote]

Really Pasta? Did you get some sort of special version of NCAA and Madden this year? I got the version without alternate jerseys, bowl patches, generic endzones,no historical teams/stadiums, no pop up statistics, no television presentation, lack of authentic equipment and radio commentary. Where can I buy the Madden and NCAA that are packed with content?[/quote]

You didn’t hear? EA is going to charge 20,000 MS points for all of this…..
Eurothrash

Hey Pasta, do you know if MLB 2k8 will be available for us in Europe? Last years version was not region-free and they didnt release any PAL-version…….
Eurothrash

Hey Pasta, do you know if MLB 2k8 will be available for us in Europe? Last years version was not region-free and they didnt release any PAL-version…….
GoASUDevils

Looks like another year with MVP 05 and updated rosters. Nex Gen has been such a disappointment.
GoASUDevils

Looks like another year with MVP 05 and updated rosters. Nex Gen has been such a disappointment.
agent k

^ah my gamecube crashes whenever I play mvp 05. I have not played an mlb game since so I think I have to buy mlb 2k8 if it is any good at all.
agent k

^ah my gamecube crashes whenever I play mvp 05. I have not played an mlb game since so I think I have to buy mlb 2k8 if it is any good at all.
http://www.pastapadre.com/ pastapadre

[quote comment="13886"]Hey Pasta, do you know if MLB 2k8 will be available for us in Europe? Last years version was not region-free and they didnt release any PAL-version…….[/quote]

On the 360? I don’t believe so but I don’t know for sure. But if you have a PS3 its region free.
http://www.pastapadre.com pastapadre

[quote comment="13886"]Hey Pasta, do you know if MLB 2k8 will be available for us in Europe? Last years version was not region-free and they didnt release any PAL-version…….[/quote]

On the 360? I don’t believe so but I don’t know for sure. But if you have a PS3 its region free.
bull

PS3 isn’t region free at all, same with blu-ray.
bull

PS3 isn’t region free at all, same with blu-ray.
Elmira Express

I think this game is going to be pretty good and I am looking forward to it.
Elmira Express

I think this game is going to be pretty good and I am looking forward to it.
Chad

Pasta i really hope you asked about the rosters in mlb 2k8, and why they look so much like last years. Hopefully the out of the box update is much better.
Chad

Pasta i really hope you asked about the rosters in mlb 2k8, and why they look so much like last years. Hopefully the out of the box update is much better.
Darkheath

A quick note about Mass Effect that agent K brought up: while BioWare is one of my all time favorite developers and I thoroughly enjoyed Mass Effect. There was a LOT of repetition in that game. Most of the planets you landed on were all the same kind of level with things in different areas.

Anyway.. that said, does anyone know if 360 uses double layered DVDs (approx. 8 gb) or single (4gb)? Also… any idea if the 120gb Xbox hd is having a price drop any time soon? I bought mine 2 months before the Elite dropped and only have about 9gb to play with for demos/downloads/etc. I need to find the cash for the bigger HD. Especially if game companies are going to start having to send extra content online like this. Kudos for 2k to at least figure a workaround.
Darkheath

A quick note about Mass Effect that agent K brought up: while BioWare is one of my all time favorite developers and I thoroughly enjoyed Mass Effect. There was a LOT of repetition in that game. Most of the planets you landed on were all the same kind of level with things in different areas.

Anyway.. that said, does anyone know if 360 uses double layered DVDs (approx. 8 gb) or single (4gb)? Also… any idea if the 120gb Xbox hd is having a price drop any time soon? I bought mine 2 months before the Elite dropped and only have about 9gb to play with for demos/downloads/etc. I need to find the cash for the bigger HD. Especially if game companies are going to start having to send extra content online like this. Kudos for 2k to at least figure a workaround.
agent k

[quote comment="13907"]A quick note about Mass Effect that agent K brought up: while BioWare is one of my all time favorite developers and I thoroughly enjoyed Mass Effect. There was a LOT of repetition in that game. Most of the planets you landed on were all the same kind of level with things in different areas.

Anyway.. that said, does anyone know if 360 uses double layered DVDs (approx. 8 gb) or single (4gb)? Also… any idea if the 120gb Xbox hd is having a price drop any time soon? I bought mine 2 months before the Elite dropped and only have about 9gb to play with for demos/downloads/etc. I need to find the cash for the bigger HD. Especially if game companies are going to start having to send extra content online like this. Kudos for 2k to at least figure a workaround.[/quote]

Yeah you are right about Mass Effect but there is still a whole bunch of stuff like the fully spoken codex and other features. I guess that what I meant to say was that sports games are not the ones that should be filling up discs. Games like Oblivion and Mass Effect are.

To answer your questions about the xbox 360:
1) Yes it does use dual layered (note: for the most part the Wii does not and Super Smash Brothers Brawl will be one of the first to do so on the system)

2)I have not heard any rumors about price cuts except that the $50 cut that US gamers got will be in Canada too. There are some big rumors that some new SKUs for the xbox could come out soon.

3) The bad thing about the 120gb Elite system is that it does not come with a cable to move all your stuff. The last I checked, Microsoft offered to send them but I think that offer is over. The separately boxed hard drive comes with one though.
agent k

[quote comment="13907"]A quick note about Mass Effect that agent K brought up: while BioWare is one of my all time favorite developers and I thoroughly enjoyed Mass Effect. There was a LOT of repetition in that game. Most of the planets you landed on were all the same kind of level with things in different areas.

Anyway.. that said, does anyone know if 360 uses double layered DVDs (approx. 8 gb) or single (4gb)? Also… any idea if the 120gb Xbox hd is having a price drop any time soon? I bought mine 2 months before the Elite dropped and only have about 9gb to play with for demos/downloads/etc. I need to find the cash for the bigger HD. Especially if game companies are going to start having to send extra content online like this. Kudos for 2k to at least figure a workaround.[/quote]

Yeah you are right about Mass Effect but there is still a whole bunch of stuff like the fully spoken codex and other features. I guess that what I meant to say was that sports games are not the ones that should be filling up discs. Games like Oblivion and Mass Effect are.

To answer your questions about the xbox 360:
1) Yes it does use dual layered (note: for the most part the Wii does not and Super Smash Brothers Brawl will be one of the first to do so on the system)

2)I have not heard any rumors about price cuts except that the $50 cut that US gamers got will be in Canada too. There are some big rumors that some new SKUs for the xbox could come out soon.

3) The bad thing about the 120gb Elite system is that it does not come with a cable to move all your stuff. The last I checked, Microsoft offered to send them but I think that offer is over. The separately boxed hard drive comes with one though.
David Sidarous

Ask him if there will be different camera angles and multiple camera angles. I think this will help in the gameplay department. Also, if the camera will be from a further angle.
David Sidarous

Ask him if there will be different camera angles and multiple camera angles. I think this will help in the gameplay department. Also, if the camera will be from a further angle.
HustlinOwl

[quote comment="13888"]Looks like another year with MVP 05 and updated rosters. Nex Gen has been such a disappointment.[/quote]
Quit cheating yourself and get a PS3 with The Show and MVP will be a thing of the past.
HustlinOwl

[quote comment="13888"]Looks like another year with MVP 05 and updated rosters. Nex Gen has been such a disappointment.[/quote]
Quit cheating yourself and get a PS3 with The Show and MVP will be a thing of the past.
o’rly

[quote comment="13888"]Looks like another year with MVP 05 and updated rosters. Nex Gen has been such a disappointment.[/quote]

how ironic people say that about the madden situation
o’rly

[quote comment="13888"]Looks like another year with MVP 05 and updated rosters. Nex Gen has been such a disappointment.[/quote]

how ironic people say that about the madden situation
nyr2k2

[quote comment="13899"]PS3 isn’t region free at all, same with blu-ray.[/quote]

The PS3 is region free. However, there are differing standards in resolutions region-to-region. Standard def in Europe, for example, is 576i, whereas it’s 480i in the US. Therefore, many PAL-coded games won’t work on a NTSC-region PS3 without a high definition set. However, PS3 is assuredly region free.

As for Blu-Ray being region free, that’s entirely up to the production company. Most Blu-Ray DVDs ship region free.
nyr2k2

[quote comment="13899"]PS3 isn’t region free at all, same with blu-ray.[/quote]

The PS3 is region free. However, there are differing standards in resolutions region-to-region. Standard def in Europe, for example, is 576i, whereas it’s 480i in the US. Therefore, many PAL-coded games won’t work on a NTSC-region PS3 without a high definition set. However, PS3 is assuredly region free.

As for Blu-Ray being region free, that’s entirely up to the production company. Most Blu-Ray DVDs ship region free.
Elmira Express

[quote comment="13925"][quote comment="13888"]Looks like another year with MVP 05 and updated rosters. Nex Gen has been such a disappointment.[/quote]
Quit cheating yourself and get a PS3 with The Show and MVP will be a thing of the past.[/quote]

Lol@ anyone who buys any system just to play 1 game.
Elmira Express

[quote comment="13925"][quote comment="13888"]Looks like another year with MVP 05 and updated rosters. Nex Gen has been such a disappointment.[/quote]
Quit cheating yourself and get a PS3 with The Show and MVP will be a thing of the past.[/quote]

Lol@ anyone who buys any system just to play 1 game.
http://www.n4g.com/ keith

wow dude, you have no business posting stuff. i have that issue and it’s a total figure of speech. you didn’t even quote it right. no where does it say a
anything about all of that stuff not being in there. the guy about the mass effect quote is right. and don’t get me started about madden. they put bare bones out so that when they put something in that was in last gen every one will run out to buy it again”this year commentary returns” give me a break
http://www.n4g.com keith

wow dude, you have no business posting stuff. i have that issue and it’s a total figure of speech. you didn’t even quote it right. no where does it say a
anything about all of that stuff not being in there. the guy about the mass effect quote is right. and don’t get me started about madden. they put bare bones out so that when they put something in that was in last gen every one will run out to buy it again”this year commentary returns” give me a break