More MLB 2K9 Features Announced

by pastapadre
Posted January 22nd, 2009 at 4:54 pm

mlb2k92a

After posting up the list of features in MLB 2K9 two weeks ago and with the first screenshots coming out earlier today, 2K has released some more feature details that had not been mentioned previously.

Living Rosters – Active roster updates guarantee your game is current. Rosters are automatically updated behind the scenes, so you’re never late on a trade and always have the hottest players in your starting lineup.

With The Show doing weekly updates this was a necessary addition. It will be interesting to see the rate and accuracy at which they keep up with the rosters. There is a lot more happening in the MLB during a given week than in the NBA. More transactions, more new players that can be added, and more results to consider.

Franchise Mode – Take charge of your franchise and enjoy the all-new MLB.com presentation style, a new level of CPU customization, multi-player functionality, and real player ambitions.

MLB.com presentation in franchise meshes with NBA.com presentation in NBA 2K9. One of the benefits of the studio move was that the 2K Sports titles produced out of there would be familiar from title to title in design and feature sets.

New Broadcast Team – Gary Thorne provides the play by play calls alongside color analyst Steve Phillips giving a new perspective and more depth for a true-to-life, insightful broadcast. With improved sound effects including real time crowd noise you’ll feel like you’re actually sitting in the park.

This is one of the biggest changes. After 2K8’s commentary that was unchanged from 2K7 (unless you count editing out the “Devil” before Rays and replacing with a pause) it was one of the biggest community requests.

Obviously there are critical areas that 2K has to address that went unmentioned in the features. Such aspects of the game coming back to form are necessary after last year. The frame rate has to be smooth and consistent and online play performance must improve from what offered arguably the worst online play experience ever for a premiere sports title.

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-KB22-

Hey Pasta, what are the chances of having a WBC mode for MLB2k9 like in 2k6?
Any news of this feature?

pizzapadre

nevermind I'm asking about the show not 2K9

pizzapadre

Pasta, can you change the length of a season? like anything besides 162? I don't have enough time to play 162 games

doofus

I bet MLB 2K9 will be awesome

Eric D.

Just wondering, but is the first time two different sports games will have the same announcer? Gary Thorne has been on the NHL series for the past few years, and now he's on MLB 2K9. Anyone know if something like this has happened before?

Kevin Wilkie

I can't believe you really think that this is going to be better than The Show. I don't have a PS3 yet, I just ordered one, and I've had an Xbox 360 since it came out and I have bought the MLB 2k games every single year because its the only baseball game for the 360. I have played The Show on the PS2 and its better on the PS2 than MLB 2k8 or 2k7 was on the 360. Pasta, like I, knows that The Show is the better game.

Derek

yeah i agree why doesnt 360 have the show that sucks for me cause i have a 360 that i got for free so i cant complain about that but still i wish i would of had a ps3 for free instead of the 360.
why doesnt 2k9 have the road to the show mode or like nhl 09 the be a pro mode i think that is the big seller for these new sports games. its a shame i guess i will have to break down and buy a ps3.
how many people agree with me on this one?????

Da Gird

I don't understand why on these sites, people that could care less about the game being discussed come on, and talk smack about it. It's retarded. Ok, so you think this game stinks, and The Show is better, blah blah blah. It's like people are groupies for video games. Get a life. Same stuff goes on with Live and 2K, and it's stupid. I'm assuming most of the people that do that on this site, are probably 15-17 year old kids. If your an adult and do that, you have issues.

17or15

I am truly hoping you are also 15-17, since NO adult would ever use the word "retarded" to describe something.

Dom

Now after playing NHL all winter, I get to hear Gary Thorne all year round! I think it's cool thta htye changed the broadcasters. I like Jon Miller and Joe Morgan, but the broadcasting was getting to repetative. It will be nice to hear some new comentary.

Josh

You guys kill me with how serious you take the ANNOUNCERS in video games. I personally don't care who the announcers are. When I'm into the game I'm not worrying about what the announcers are saying. I know that announcers play a bigger role in baseball games compared to other sports because there's a lot of down time in baseball, but is having new announcers really the biggest addition to the game? I don't know maybe it's just me.

SoupMama

"Franchise mode...multi-player functionality" ................ Do you think they are hinting at 'onine-dynasty-ish' functionality (e.g. ncaa football).....??? Sure hope so.

aaron

no chance of that. they would be promoting that heavily. i dont think they had the time for any big features they are just trying to catch up doing what should already be done right

lynn

This is good news for those of us who only have a 360. While I'm confident The Show will be a much better game, the improvements to 2K9 that I've heard so far will probably compel me to give this game a shot before I take the plunge and purchase a PS3. The big deciding factor for me will be the framerate issue. I demand a smooth, realistic gameplaying experience. Any studio that doesn't deliver this basic feature doesn't deserve my hard-earned money

Skihawks

I will need to play the demo to determine whether I buy or rent. Demos are good to get a feel but usually lack something that the full game has.

I am like everyone else -- I hope this game delivers.

Da Gird

Well this is good news for those of us on the 360 only. I am a die-hard baseball guy, and always seem to get the most enjoyment out of a solid baseball game. Last year I had 2k8, and although I was not blown away by it, I got solid use from it. Yet , The Show was definitely a step ahead. Once they came out with the patch that fixed the framerate issues, I thought 2k8 was a much better game. I'd love to be able to drop 400$ bucks on a PS3 just for this game, however being 25, engaged, and in debt, I do have other things to take care of first, haha. I am looking forward to 2K9 and these updates seem to show they are going in the right direction.

Joe

Oops sorry, I just noticed I said "icing in the cake" not "icing on the cake" for that last line. My bad. I have too much time on my hands.

Joe

I have to agree with my fellow commentators. The big thing 2K has to do is make sure that MLB 2K9 has smooth, functioning gameplay. Gameplay is what makes a sports game. They succeed with their NBA title year after year because of great gameplay. Since MLB 2K9 is the only baseball game for 360 we the 360 community can only hope that it has some decent gameplay. Have I mentioned the word "gameplay" enough? All these other special features are just icing on the cake, yep that's right I used the old "icing in the cake" line.

Sidewinder

Geez, got some real 2K nutjobs here. MLB2K is in the Show me mode now. They wont get a pass until they deliver. It is that simple. Their sports game quality has really dropped off the last year across the board, except with NBA2K. The Show 08 is a great baseball game....period. If you havent played it, then you dont have a clue now do you. MLB2k9 will be happy to hold The Show's jock this year. Anything better than that will be icing on the cake.

On MLB2K9, do away with the Swing stick. That never worked worth a damn, and check swings were not a part of the game with it.

Skihawks

I don't care if they keep the swing stick but allow classic controls for those who choose not to use it. The Show has the most basic approach to pitching and hitting....And it works great. Everyone tries to tinker and make the controls something innovative when there is no need. If the game play is excellent I don't care if pitching is point and click.....

(NM)

Wow thats all great news.. the living rosters is definitely awesome but I really hope they can keep up with the MLB pace as Pasta mentioned.. Gary Thorne, hell yea! Its about time they decided to dump their ESPN-imitation presentation.

Smokez4Dayz

How come pasta NEVER and I mean NEVER, speaks on NBA 2k9 Living Rosters and its community based success, the feedback and the Insider, and its based on streaks, Nba stats, Injuries, new moves sets added, Just a complete job on 2K's part to provide the pulse of the league. Weekly roster/player updates. Not unlike your praise for The Show. How come not one, not one Posted discussion about on of 2k's more successful features. I personally get message emails back and forth from the Insider, and he debates ratings. Why not let the PastaHeads know that 2k is doing something right? whats with all the EA talk, and since EA has no MLB, you have switched to this heavy THE SHOW nuts hanging, Even though MLB2K is showing the most innovation and promise, and probably this year the better game. Only time will tell. But let the masses know that 2k Living Rosters is a success and it should be excitingly anticipated for MLB2k9

rezluk

this game has a chance

AL988

2k has always had awful ball on bat sounds. In real baseball its more like a "KNOCK" sound rather then in 2k which just sounds like someone with a flat piece of wood smashing it against a shed

Kevin Wilkie

I like that they got a new broadcast team. I'd like to know if its more realistic though.

dave

did they fix the bat on ball sounds?

BustyBuffet

People complain about certain things in sports games but at least they work. This game hasn't been fun at all and baseball games are usually the funnest when they are done well. Here's to hoping MLB 2k9 can finally do something right.

mr dont

seems like a nice improvement from last year so far!! All we can do is hope that the gameplay is much better, cant wait for the first vids.. Cause liek chad said above i dont really want to have to purchase a ps3 when i have a x360 and a blu ray player allready

Matt

Maybe he, like myself, saw nothing of any major significance in this list.

^^ ImWithStupid ^^

yeah the living roster is nothing significant, neither is dumping the announcers which everyone whined about..

CrimsonVoodoo

Actually, I think the best news (tho' I'm happy about new announcers) is the 2K Share ability to upload/swap rosters, sliders, and DNA created players. Also the changes to the Pitching Controls sound encouraging

Just - Please Lord - let the online play actually work

Chad Rogers

Like a moron, hope springs eternal for me and I have dreams of not having to buy a PS3 this year. I just need a "B" game with some kind of future and I will hold off.
I truly don't want to buy a PS3 as I am mainly a PC gamer and already have a 360 and Wii, but I can't go another season without a good baseball game.

eric

nice to hear new broadcast team and UPDATED chise mode will be cool

bob

still probably will stink...Go Show!

still balling

why did you even read the article if you think its going to stink don't read any more info on mlb 2k9 just read stuff about the show 09 and you'll be just fine

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