2K Sports struggling with MLB 2K8 community relations

by pastapadre
Posted April 4th, 2008 at 6:06 pm

I’ve held off writing about the current patch situation for MLB 2K8 throughout the week. My general feeling was that just waiting on the patch isn’t really news. But developments over the past few days warrant some discussion.

March 13th was the day the news came out (via Game Informer) that a patch was in the works to address the poor framerate and Padres franchise roster glitch for the 360 along with a PS3 patch that would only fix Padres issue. Amusingly 11 days later 2K Sports sent out their official press release which was the exact statement that had been made prior. In both cases it was mentioned that the patch was already under technical review and was to be released shortly. So here we are three weeks later and that has yet to happen.

Earlier this week overly eager 2K Sports representatives on their official forum posted information that the patch was going to be released on Monday night. That didn’t happen. Then one actually posted that the patch had gone live with instructions on how to get it on Tuesday morning. It hadn’t. Then it was that the patch release was simply “imminent”. Three days since that period apparently started and still nothing. But things have really been elevated now as they have started blaming Microsoft for a delay. Doing that publicly to a company who they have a business relationship with is irresponsible and inappropriate.

Ironically today the Opening Day Weekend online event on the 360 began. Certainly they had hoped to have the patch out beforehand considering the game is practically unplayable online. There is no guarantee anyway that the patch will even improve online performance. It is just about as bad as you can get for a sports title since you have to start swinging before the pitch is even released. That basically negates any reason to even play to begin with. They still haven’t even fixed how the game freezes your console when you accept challenges in lobby rooms. This apparently was not lost upon the developers scheduled to play as it was 45 minutes into the two hour period before all of them were actually online.

Regardless of whether or not the patch has cleared certification on either on the 360, PS3, or both the real issue is with the terrible job of communication in regards to the patch status and the mistreatment of consumers in their official forums. Condescending remarks are being made towards posters, demands and ban threats are being made frequently, threads are being locked or deleted at an alarming rate. These consumers just want answers and are anxious for the patch to arrive. Treating them in this manner is not a good PR move and unfair considering the position they have been placed in. You don’t promise a date and time for something (even go so far as announcing it was actually out) when you can’t be certain of it. Did they not just go through this with the demos? If you do you have to be prepared to deal with the situation and not berate those who are left wondering what is going on.

In the end it all falls on 2K regardless of how things are playing out now and why the patch still hasn’t gone live. The game was released with severe issues which has kept it from functioning as advertised. The responsibility has been with them for releasing it in that condition and still lies with them as they attempt to improve the game to a level of respectability via patch. The current failings in communication and interaction with consumers isn’t doing them any favors either and I suspect Microsoft is not very pleased with this situation as well.

Tags: patch

Charlie Thong

on the to 2K’s forum, there’s a rumor that the patch is finnally commin out today at 6pm
http://charlieswar Charlie Thong

on the to 2K’s forum, there’s a rumor that the patch is finnally commin out today at 6pm
eatthewounded

[quote comment="16895"]on the to 2K’s forum, there’s a rumor that the patch is finnally commin out today at 6pm[/quote]

Could you link me. I’m at work and it’s difficult to search for pages.
eatthewounded

[quote comment="16895"]on the to 2K’s forum, there’s a rumor that the patch is finnally commin out today at 6pm[/quote]

Could you link me. I’m at work and it’s difficult to search for pages.
Charlie Thong

Here it is

http://2ksports.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=117
http://charlieswar Charlie Thong

Here it is

http://2ksports.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=117
jake-the-snake

[quote comment="16895"]on the to 2K’s forum, there’s a rumor that the patch is finnally commin out today at 6pm[/quote]

doesnt look like theres any truth behind that
jake-the-snake

[quote comment="16895"]on the to 2K’s forum, there’s a rumor that the patch is finnally commin out today at 6pm[/quote]

doesnt look like theres any truth behind that
RonaldMC

Man this is a great article that really puts together what has been happening lately. Its nice that at least someone would speak up on how the community is being mistreated.
RonaldMC

Man this is a great article that really puts together what has been happening lately. Its nice that at least someone would speak up on how the community is being mistreated.
Ben

This is getting pretty disgusting.

Last year it was EA who gave us the garbage that was Madden and NCAA.

This year we get this garbage from 2K with MLB.

How is this not the fault of exclusive agreements??

Look at the NHL games. There is real competition and no matter which side you are on both 2K and EA made quality games that gave hockey fans something to be happy about.

Look at the NBA games. 2K continues to be the leader and Live is making an effort and continues to actually get better.

I am not a fanboy of either company I just want great games and when 2K can’t do football and EA can’t do baseball we all suffer. I just find it kind of sad when a game like Wii bowling is the kind of game that I want to play because at least I will have fun.
Ben

This is getting pretty disgusting.

Last year it was EA who gave us the garbage that was Madden and NCAA.

This year we get this garbage from 2K with MLB.

How is this not the fault of exclusive agreements??

Look at the NHL games. There is real competition and no matter which side you are on both 2K and EA made quality games that gave hockey fans something to be happy about.

Look at the NBA games. 2K continues to be the leader and Live is making an effort and continues to actually get better.

I am not a fanboy of either company I just want great games and when 2K can’t do football and EA can’t do baseball we all suffer. I just find it kind of sad when a game like Wii bowling is the kind of game that I want to play because at least I will have fun.
JNC

I have been an active member of the 2K forums since the launch of 2K8. In all my years I have never seen a company be so unprofessional and treat their fan base the way they are treating people in the forums over there.

I started a thread a few days ago asking “Have you lost respect for 2K?”, giving the community a fair chance to vote, yes, no or unsure. I was banned within a few hours of that post…but more importanty…the mods at 2K even changed the poll numbers in their favor.

I don’t think its too much to ask for a game that is suppose to work properly. Do you?

I can’t help but feel like the 2K fan base has been lied to and strung along for days at a time. People are just discusted as am I.
JNC

I have been an active member of the 2K forums since the launch of 2K8. In all my years I have never seen a company be so unprofessional and treat their fan base the way they are treating people in the forums over there.

I started a thread a few days ago asking “Have you lost respect for 2K?”, giving the community a fair chance to vote, yes, no or unsure. I was banned within a few hours of that post…but more importanty…the mods at 2K even changed the poll numbers in their favor.

I don’t think its too much to ask for a game that is suppose to work properly. Do you?

I can’t help but feel like the 2K fan base has been lied to and strung along for days at a time. People are just discusted as am I.
regy

I never liked Triple Play, however the final year of MVP was so good that I was actually more psssed about that, than NFL2k5 losing out exclusive rights to EA’s Madden…which I thought was much better than Madden. I would be stoked to hear EA buying out 2k just to have a better baseball game again, although MLB2k8 is actually better than it’s currently being bashed right now. NBA2k/CollegeHoops are the only 2 standout games for the once proud company…………………
regy

I never liked Triple Play, however the final year of MVP was so good that I was actually more psssed about that, than NFL2k5 losing out exclusive rights to EA’s Madden…which I thought was much better than Madden. I would be stoked to hear EA buying out 2k just to have a better baseball game again, although MLB2k8 is actually better than it’s currently being bashed right now. NBA2k/CollegeHoops are the only 2 standout games for the once proud company…………………
Jack

Ronnie on the 2K boards is uninformed, unprofessional and misguided and ontop of that he is terrible at communicating with the fans and tries to run the 2K boards like a dictator. If you have a problem or don’t like something they boot you off of the boards. No way to treat gamers who are just interested in begining to play a game that as I see it right now is COMPLETELY unplayable on the PS3 online of off. This games been out for long enough now and the excuses are pilling up.
Jack

Ronnie on the 2K boards is uninformed, unprofessional and misguided and ontop of that he is terrible at communicating with the fans and tries to run the 2K boards like a dictator. If you have a problem or don’t like something they boot you off of the boards. No way to treat gamers who are just interested in begining to play a game that as I see it right now is COMPLETELY unplayable on the PS3 online of off. This games been out for long enough now and the excuses are pilling up.
heatfan

[quote comment="16846"]I doubt I’ll even get my Jose Reyes bobblehead in the mail.[/quote]

If you dont im sure theyll blame it on microsoft somehow
heatfan

[quote comment="16846"]I doubt I’ll even get my Jose Reyes bobblehead in the mail.[/quote]

If you dont im sure theyll blame it on microsoft somehow
Gavin

I recently posted this on 2k’s website and was recived a response from a contributor that m story was goofy and that I was a noob and could not be trusted.

This was in response to that the deal between EA and 2k was complete.

” I drove past the 2k building in Camarillo, CA as I do three times a week and the 2k sign has been taken off the building.We will probally never see a patch.”

Make of this what you will but I think that things are getting real bad at 2k.
Gavin

I recently posted this on 2k’s website and was recived a response from a contributor that m story was goofy and that I was a noob and could not be trusted.

This was in response to that the deal between EA and 2k was complete.

” I drove past the 2k building in Camarillo, CA as I do three times a week and the 2k sign has been taken off the building.We will probally never see a patch.”

Make of this what you will but I think that things are getting real bad at 2k.
daboss1026

[quote comment="16910"][quote comment="16908"]I recently posted this on 2k’s website and was recived a response from a contributor that m story was goofy and that I was a noob and could not be trusted.

This was in response to that the deal between EA and 2k was complete.

” I drove past the 2k building in Camarillo, CA as I do three times a week and the 2k sign has been taken off the building.We will probally never see a patch.”

Make of this what you will but I think that things are getting real bad at 2k.[/quote]

And you THINK things are getting REAL bad at 2K? Gee! What gave you that brilliant idea?
daboss1026

[quote comment="16910"][quote comment="16908"]I recently posted this on 2k’s website and was recived a response from a contributor that m story was goofy and that I was a noob and could not be trusted.

This was in response to that the deal between EA and 2k was complete.

” I drove past the 2k building in Camarillo, CA as I do three times a week and the 2k sign has been taken off the building.We will probally never see a patch.”

Make of this what you will but I think that things are getting real bad at 2k.[/quote]

And you THINK things are getting REAL bad at 2K? Gee! What gave you that brilliant idea?
Ryan

Speaking of getting bad, check this (found on the 2k boards):
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6…78/warning.jpg
Ryan

Speaking of getting bad, check this (found on the 2k boards):
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6…78/warning.jpg
ThaGreatBrain

Is it me, or itseems like that this not big gaming news is because this is not EA but 2k? I mean anything that EA does wrong, EVERYBODY hates them for it, but if 2k does something like this, people don’t care. I’m sensing a double standard here.
ThaGreatBrain

Is it me, or itseems like that this not big gaming news is because this is not EA but 2k? I mean anything that EA does wrong, EVERYBODY hates them for it, but if 2k does something like this, people don’t care. I’m sensing a double standard here.
River

So here’s my response. I took my 2K8 game back to point of purchase for refund, not gonna say where. They said we can only exchange it cause its opened software. I respond its defective software and store policy is refund for defective items this should include software. Guy says no we can only exchange it if it’s opened. I said ok exchange it. He tells me to go get a new copy and I do. He then opens the package and verifies the contents and takes my old one giving me the new opened product and a reciept. I then go walk around for a bit then go back to the end of the line. this time I get to the counter and get a different person. We go thru the same story and she says can only exchange it so I go ok and get the copy again. After she opens it the other dude sees me and comes over asking whats going on. I said i’m exchanging this defective game again. He says how do I know it’s bad when I just exchanged it. So I show him printouts from the 2k forum and elsewhere showing the problems. He calls a manager over we go thru it again I tell the manager he’s welcome to give me a refund or we can open the other 10 copies on the shelf if he prefers to just exchange it. His respons was a refund…

If everyone just exchanged the game once I think 2K would get the message. I did the same thing last year when the crappy version of 2K7 shipped. I figure for sure they wouldn’t ship an unfinished product 2 years running, boy was I wrong. Can’t wait for a good class action suit on one of these companies to end this crap. Remember the days of games being properly QA’d due to no pathces on consoles.
River

So here’s my response. I took my 2K8 game back to point of purchase for refund, not gonna say where. They said we can only exchange it cause its opened software. I respond its defective software and store policy is refund for defective items this should include software. Guy says no we can only exchange it if it’s opened. I said ok exchange it. He tells me to go get a new copy and I do. He then opens the package and verifies the contents and takes my old one giving me the new opened product and a reciept. I then go walk around for a bit then go back to the end of the line. this time I get to the counter and get a different person. We go thru the same story and she says can only exchange it so I go ok and get the copy again. After she opens it the other dude sees me and comes over asking whats going on. I said i’m exchanging this defective game again. He says how do I know it’s bad when I just exchanged it. So I show him printouts from the 2k forum and elsewhere showing the problems. He calls a manager over we go thru it again I tell the manager he’s welcome to give me a refund or we can open the other 10 copies on the shelf if he prefers to just exchange it. His respons was a refund…

If everyone just exchanged the game once I think 2K would get the message. I did the same thing last year when the crappy version of 2K7 shipped. I figure for sure they wouldn’t ship an unfinished product 2 years running, boy was I wrong. Can’t wait for a good class action suit on one of these companies to end this crap. Remember the days of games being properly QA’d due to no pathces on consoles.
agent k

I think all sports games would benefit from a one or two year gap between games. Sadly, that will never happen.
agent k

I think all sports games would benefit from a one or two year gap between games. Sadly, that will never happen.
MasternRuler

you know what rip whatever side you want to but be objective at least. Ea sucked at feedback last year but I have to say at least lately with Peter moore having a blog he actually posted user questions that were put on his blog… 2k put out what seems to be 2 years worth of bad games according to most. I personally haven’t had issue with the new game yet and I’m rather enjoying it. I’m only playing franchise mode and I don’t use the Padres. 2k in my opinion shouldnt be blaming anyone but themselves. Put the game out right in the first place and a patch won’t need to be put out to BE held up in the first place. Anyone paying 60 bucks for a game has a right to an explanation on it. Good bad or ugly there needs to be feedback. Not banning, Not threats. Explanations.
MasternRuler

you know what rip whatever side you want to but be objective at least. Ea sucked at feedback last year but I have to say at least lately with Peter moore having a blog he actually posted user questions that were put on his blog… 2k put out what seems to be 2 years worth of bad games according to most. I personally haven’t had issue with the new game yet and I’m rather enjoying it. I’m only playing franchise mode and I don’t use the Padres. 2k in my opinion shouldnt be blaming anyone but themselves. Put the game out right in the first place and a patch won’t need to be put out to BE held up in the first place. Anyone paying 60 bucks for a game has a right to an explanation on it. Good bad or ugly there needs to be feedback. Not banning, Not threats. Explanations.
TonythePony

[quote comment="16867"]An horribly uninformed article. The thing pastapadre didn’t mention is that after countless threads started by abusive posters, forum members were specifically told not to start new threads about the patch. So the ‘mistreatment’ he talks about is actually the response to those abusive posters and mouthy kids who refused to follow forum rules.

The only thing 2K’s mods did ‘wrong’ was telling people the patch would be out on Monday/Tuesday. And they did that to try and help out and ease the concern of forum members. And now they’re being crucified by these ungrateful complainers. Ridiculous.[/quote]

Ronnie Singh is a waterboy level employee that had no business promising anything, and he deserves all the stuff he’s getting imo. People pay 60 dollars, they expect the game to somewhat work correctly, you know what I mean, Seems like you’re the uninformed one here.
TonythePony

[quote comment="16867"]An horribly uninformed article. The thing pastapadre didn’t mention is that after countless threads started by abusive posters, forum members were specifically told not to start new threads about the patch. So the ‘mistreatment’ he talks about is actually the response to those abusive posters and mouthy kids who refused to follow forum rules.

The only thing 2K’s mods did ‘wrong’ was telling people the patch would be out on Monday/Tuesday. And they did that to try and help out and ease the concern of forum members. And now they’re being crucified by these ungrateful complainers. Ridiculous.[/quote]

Ronnie Singh is a waterboy level employee that had no business promising anything, and he deserves all the stuff he’s getting imo. People pay 60 dollars, they expect the game to somewhat work correctly, you know what I mean, Seems like you’re the uninformed one here.
gamerk2

Really? I’ve made about 4 threads now attempting to consolidate the 22 pages in the bug thread, and they keep vanishing after 5 minutes.
gamerk2

Really? I’ve made about 4 threads now attempting to consolidate the 22 pages in the bug thread, and they keep vanishing after 5 minutes.
gamerk2

[quote comment="16920"]Can’t wait for a good class action suit on one of these companies to end this crap. Remember the days of games being properly QA’d due to no pathces on consoles.[/quote]

I’ve actually sent an official complaint to the consumer advocacy board, on the grounds 2k held back the demo and blocked reviews becuase they knew the game was defective, and shipped it anyway.

I agree, at some point, gamers need to sue one of these companies outright. Even when we lose (and we will, of course), maybe a few of the companies get the hint.
gamerk2

[quote comment="16920"]Can’t wait for a good class action suit on one of these companies to end this crap. Remember the days of games being properly QA’d due to no pathces on consoles.[/quote]

I’ve actually sent an official complaint to the consumer advocacy board, on the grounds 2k held back the demo and blocked reviews becuase they knew the game was defective, and shipped it anyway.

I agree, at some point, gamers need to sue one of these companies outright. Even when we lose (and we will, of course), maybe a few of the companies get the hint.
Jdolla

I know PastaPadre is at least an acquaintance of Ben Brinkman, if not a friend, that is why he is defending him here. Pasta has been very fond of Brinkman going back to MVP 2005 when Brinkman granted him an interview which might have been an exclusive at the time.

Online is horrible when you first play. But after you get a game in you get used to the delay in pitching and hitting and the online experience becomes OK. People who say you have to “swing before the pitch is released” are making a overstatement. This game isn’t really for advanced users. You need skill and a deep understanding of how to use the batters eye, check swing, and differentiate between a contact swing and a power swing in order to not look like a fool by swing at pitches in the dirt or at your head. Practice practice practice. Although 2k does make it difficult since some of their literature in game play tips section is inaccurate and vague.

I think it is a real shame though. 2k is trying to compete when clearly the biggest difference between them and EA is that they lack $$$$$$$. Just look at the soundtracks for each game.
Jdolla

I know PastaPadre is at least an acquaintance of Ben Brinkman, if not a friend, that is why he is defending him here. Pasta has been very fond of Brinkman going back to MVP 2005 when Brinkman granted him an interview which might have been an exclusive at the time.

Online is horrible when you first play. But after you get a game in you get used to the delay in pitching and hitting and the online experience becomes OK. People who say you have to “swing before the pitch is released” are making a overstatement. This game isn’t really for advanced users. You need skill and a deep understanding of how to use the batters eye, check swing, and differentiate between a contact swing and a power swing in order to not look like a fool by swing at pitches in the dirt or at your head. Practice practice practice. Although 2k does make it difficult since some of their literature in game play tips section is inaccurate and vague.

I think it is a real shame though. 2k is trying to compete when clearly the biggest difference between them and EA is that they lack $$$$$$$. Just look at the soundtracks for each game.
CrimsonVoodoo

For anyone still in college and studying sociology, the 2K boards, and to a lesser extent this site, would make a great study grounp for a Mob Psycholgy 101 study …

The facts of the matter, damn those facts!, are that the game offline plays a good game of baseball, and that the choppiness – while impacting aesthectics – doesn’t stop anyone from playing a game. I’m 50 games in and enjoying it. Online is pretty hit and miss, I’ve had some decent games, had some horrible games – and can therefore add this title to a long (too long) list of sports titles that don’t perform as they should online

Some low-level new mod promised a patch that didn’t come out, no doubt because he either didn’t understand what his Microsoft peeps told him, or he was talking to a low level person who didn’t have authority to tell him it was a “go”

I think the real story is the over-the-top Internet world we live in where someone can buy a fair to middlin’ game and feel completely and smugly justified to throw as many profane, illogical, and rude posts on a message board and feign shock and horror when those posts are ignored or deleted and their “rights” are being abused. The call for class action lawsuits and letters to consumer advisory boards are beyond absurd

BTW – my thoughts apply on this to any sports game – the insane Madden hate (when’s the Why Does Everyone Hate Madden article coming Pasta?) that exists is just as nonsensical every year
CrimsonVoodoo

For anyone still in college and studying sociology, the 2K boards, and to a lesser extent this site, would make a great study grounp for a Mob Psycholgy 101 study …

The facts of the matter, damn those facts!, are that the game offline plays a good game of baseball, and that the choppiness – while impacting aesthectics – doesn’t stop anyone from playing a game. I’m 50 games in and enjoying it. Online is pretty hit and miss, I’ve had some decent games, had some horrible games – and can therefore add this title to a long (too long) list of sports titles that don’t perform as they should online

Some low-level new mod promised a patch that didn’t come out, no doubt because he either didn’t understand what his Microsoft peeps told him, or he was talking to a low level person who didn’t have authority to tell him it was a “go”

I think the real story is the over-the-top Internet world we live in where someone can buy a fair to middlin’ game and feel completely and smugly justified to throw as many profane, illogical, and rude posts on a message board and feign shock and horror when those posts are ignored or deleted and their “rights” are being abused. The call for class action lawsuits and letters to consumer advisory boards are beyond absurd

BTW – my thoughts apply on this to any sports game – the insane Madden hate (when’s the Why Does Everyone Hate Madden article coming Pasta?) that exists is just as nonsensical every year
Eski

[quote comment="16887"][quote comment="16882"][quote comment="16878"]I think we need to look past “The Patch”. Regardless of whose fault it is on why the patch has released or not is still 2K’s. The reason is there shouldn’t be a need for a patch. Releasing a game the developers knew was broken is the issue, not whether or not the patch is getting released.

I would have rather 2K sit on the game for a month or two and fix it. As much love as 2K gets, it is still a business and pushing a game out with numerous flaws is all about the buck, not the consumer.[/quote]

It is common now a days for games to have at least one patch. Call of Duty 4, the number one selling game right now, has had a patch. Are you saying it was broken too? MLB the Show could use a patch for it subperformance online as well. You could argue it was broken as well.[/quote]
Patching a very good game and making it better and patching a game because it’s unplayable are 2 different issues.[/quote]

Exactly…I love patches, if they are utilized properly. As much as we, as gamers, want a perfect game (minus bugs) it will never happen. There is always a glitch, etc. However, when the glitches and bugs are so obvious that they impact gameplay that is an issue that lies with the developer.

The best thing about today’s consoles is that post-release patches can fix bugs consumers find. However, when a game is so obviously damaged right out of the box makes me wonder why it was released in the first place…
Eski

[quote comment="16887"][quote comment="16882"][quote comment="16878"]I think we need to look past “The Patch”. Regardless of whose fault it is on why the patch has released or not is still 2K’s. The reason is there shouldn’t be a need for a patch. Releasing a game the developers knew was broken is the issue, not whether or not the patch is getting released.

I would have rather 2K sit on the game for a month or two and fix it. As much love as 2K gets, it is still a business and pushing a game out with numerous flaws is all about the buck, not the consumer.[/quote]

It is common now a days for games to have at least one patch. Call of Duty 4, the number one selling game right now, has had a patch. Are you saying it was broken too? MLB the Show could use a patch for it subperformance online as well. You could argue it was broken as well.[/quote]
Patching a very good game and making it better and patching a game because it’s unplayable are 2 different issues.[/quote]

Exactly…I love patches, if they are utilized properly. As much as we, as gamers, want a perfect game (minus bugs) it will never happen. There is always a glitch, etc. However, when the glitches and bugs are so obvious that they impact gameplay that is an issue that lies with the developer.

The best thing about today’s consoles is that post-release patches can fix bugs consumers find. However, when a game is so obviously damaged right out of the box makes me wonder why it was released in the first place…
Eski

[quote comment="16887"][quote comment="16882"][quote comment="16878"]I think we need to look past “The Patch”. Regardless of whose fault it is on why the patch has released or not is still 2K’s. The reason is there shouldn’t be a need for a patch. Releasing a game the developers knew was broken is the issue, not whether or not the patch is getting released.

I would have rather 2K sit on the game for a month or two and fix it. As much love as 2K gets, it is still a business and pushing a game out with numerous flaws is all about the buck, not the consumer.[/quote]

It is common now a days for games to have at least one patch. Call of Duty 4, the number one selling game right now, has had a patch. Are you saying it was broken too? MLB the Show could use a patch for it subperformance online as well. You could argue it was broken as well.[/quote]
Patching a very good game and making it better and patching a game because it’s unplayable are 2 different issues.[/quote]

Exactly…I love patches, if they are utilized properly. As much as we, as gamers, want a perfect game (minus bugs) it will never happen. There is always a glitch, etc. However, when the glitches and bugs are so obvious that they impact gameplay that is an issue that lies with the developer.

The best thing about today’s consoles is that post-release patches can fix bugs consumers find. However, when a game is so obviously damaged right out of the box makes me wonder why it was released in the first place…

[quote comment="16932"]For anyone still in college and studying sociology, the 2K boards, and to a lesser extent this site, would make a great study grounp for a Mob Psycholgy 101 study …

The facts of the matter, damn those facts!, are that the game offline plays a good game of baseball, and that the choppiness – while impacting aesthectics – doesn’t stop anyone from playing a game. I’m 50 games in and enjoying it. Online is pretty hit and miss, I’ve had some decent games, had some horrible games – and can therefore add this title to a long (too long) list of sports titles that don’t perform as they should online

Some low-level new mod promised a patch that didn’t come out, no doubt because he either didn’t understand what his Microsoft peeps told him, or he was talking to a low level person who didn’t have authority to tell him it was a “go”

I think the real story is the over-the-top Internet world we live in where someone can buy a fair to middlin’ game and feel completely and smugly justified to throw as many profane, illogical, and rude posts on a message board and feign shock and horror when those posts are ignored or deleted and their “rights” are being abused. The call for class action lawsuits and letters to consumer advisory boards are beyond absurd

BTW – my thoughts apply on this to any sports game – the insane Madden hate (when’s the Why Does Everyone Hate Madden article coming Pasta?) that exists is just as nonsensical every year[/quote]

I agree with you in some aspects. I agree that 2K plays well offline but the frame rate does, IMO, impact game play offline but not to where it is unplayable (unless you play the PS3 version, it is brutal)

Part of the issue with “haters” is the expectation. People are spending an absurd amount of money on “next-gen” hardware and expect that the $60 they are shelling out for software be to that standard. If you drop $35,000 on a car you don’t want it to run like a used vehicle.

On the other hand, some of the gripes I have read in posts regarding sports games are related to things that have zero to do with gameplay. Things, such as refs on the field, FG nets, sideline visuals, etc. These, to me, are not important and have zero impact on my enjoyment of a game.

However, we are in the “next-gen” era and the expectations of gamers is justified in that we are dropping a ton of cabbage on games that are missing many features that we enjoyed on “past-gen” consoles.

In short, we paid for a Ferrari with the horsepower of a Chevette…

In regards to Madden (which I enjoyed in 08) I think the hate comes from the perceived lack of innovation. NFL 2K5 raised the bar and the team at EA haven’t come close to creating an overall solid package.

Hopefully 09 is the year EA “Gets in the game”….
Eski

[quote comment="16887"][quote comment="16882"][quote comment="16878"]I think we need to look past “The Patch”. Regardless of whose fault it is on why the patch has released or not is still 2K’s. The reason is there shouldn’t be a need for a patch. Releasing a game the developers knew was broken is the issue, not whether or not the patch is getting released.

I would have rather 2K sit on the game for a month or two and fix it. As much love as 2K gets, it is still a business and pushing a game out with numerous flaws is all about the buck, not the consumer.[/quote]

It is common now a days for games to have at least one patch. Call of Duty 4, the number one selling game right now, has had a patch. Are you saying it was broken too? MLB the Show could use a patch for it subperformance online as well. You could argue it was broken as well.[/quote]
Patching a very good game and making it better and patching a game because it’s unplayable are 2 different issues.[/quote]

Exactly…I love patches, if they are utilized properly. As much as we, as gamers, want a perfect game (minus bugs) it will never happen. There is always a glitch, etc. However, when the glitches and bugs are so obvious that they impact gameplay that is an issue that lies with the developer.

The best thing about today’s consoles is that post-release patches can fix bugs consumers find. However, when a game is so obviously damaged right out of the box makes me wonder why it was released in the first place…

[quote comment="16932"]For anyone still in college and studying sociology, the 2K boards, and to a lesser extent this site, would make a great study grounp for a Mob Psycholgy 101 study …

The facts of the matter, damn those facts!, are that the game offline plays a good game of baseball, and that the choppiness – while impacting aesthectics – doesn’t stop anyone from playing a game. I’m 50 games in and enjoying it. Online is pretty hit and miss, I’ve had some decent games, had some horrible games – and can therefore add this title to a long (too long) list of sports titles that don’t perform as they should online

Some low-level new mod promised a patch that didn’t come out, no doubt because he either didn’t understand what his Microsoft peeps told him, or he was talking to a low level person who didn’t have authority to tell him it was a “go”

I think the real story is the over-the-top Internet world we live in where someone can buy a fair to middlin’ game and feel completely and smugly justified to throw as many profane, illogical, and rude posts on a message board and feign shock and horror when those posts are ignored or deleted and their “rights” are being abused. The call for class action lawsuits and letters to consumer advisory boards are beyond absurd

BTW – my thoughts apply on this to any sports game – the insane Madden hate (when’s the Why Does Everyone Hate Madden article coming Pasta?) that exists is just as nonsensical every year[/quote]

I agree with you in some aspects. I agree that 2K plays well offline but the frame rate does, IMO, impact game play offline but not to where it is unplayable (unless you play the PS3 version, it is brutal)

Part of the issue with “haters” is the expectation. People are spending an absurd amount of money on “next-gen” hardware and expect that the $60 they are shelling out for software be to that standard. If you drop $35,000 on a car you don’t want it to run like a used vehicle.

On the other hand, some of the gripes I have read in posts regarding sports games are related to things that have zero to do with gameplay. Things, such as refs on the field, FG nets, sideline visuals, etc. These, to me, are not important and have zero impact on my enjoyment of a game.

However, we are in the “next-gen” era and the expectations of gamers is justified in that we are dropping a ton of cabbage on games that are missing many features that we enjoyed on “past-gen” consoles.

In short, we paid for a Ferrari with the horsepower of a Chevette…

In regards to Madden (which I enjoyed in 08) I think the hate comes from the perceived lack of innovation. NFL 2K5 raised the bar and the team at EA haven’t come close to creating an overall solid package.

Hopefully 09 is the year EA “Gets in the game”….
AARON

Not only does this whole thing look bad for 2k but it looks bad for Major Leauge Baseball. why not petition or “blow up” mlb’s site with angry e-mails and ask them to pull their contract with 2k? I am sure there is a “quality” clause in that thing somewhere. 2 out of 3 years with the exclusive license and 2k has put out games that are broken and down right crap. 2k6 and 2k8 should never have come out and 2k7 was “o.k.” at best. Even with a patch, this entire thing leaves me with a bad taste in my mouth. I’m glad i bought a ps3 a few months ago.
AARON

Not only does this whole thing look bad for 2k but it looks bad for Major Leauge Baseball. why not petition or “blow up” mlb’s site with angry e-mails and ask them to pull their contract with 2k? I am sure there is a “quality” clause in that thing somewhere. 2 out of 3 years with the exclusive license and 2k has put out games that are broken and down right crap. 2k6 and 2k8 should never have come out and 2k7 was “o.k.” at best. Even with a patch, this entire thing leaves me with a bad taste in my mouth. I’m glad i bought a ps3 a few months ago.