player models in 09?

[bodhiball]

sorry if this has been beaten to death...I spent a half hour searching the threads and could not find a definitive answer. Wondering if anyone has heard anything new on the improved player models for the 09 game? I know Kolbe said they wouldnt make it in, but then there was some speculation that he might have been joking?

I remember him saying last year that they were already completed but they just coudnt get them into 08.

For such an amazing game, its the one glaring thing that really makes it look like a toy rather then a next-gen game. I'm personally hoping they can squeeze them in this year...

[Rob_NYY]

Kolbe said they wouldn't make it into this years game. Why people thought he was joking escpapes me, he came right out and apologized and said not this year.

[miamimarlins1]

Quote: Originally Posted by Rob_NYY

Kolbe said they wouldn't make it into this years game. Why people thought he was joking escpapes me, he came right out and apologized and said not this year.

Oh you're kidding me. That really sucks

[baa7]

Quote: Originally Posted by miamimarlins1

Oh you're kidding me. That really sucks

So they spend time on creating beachballs and mascots, but can't find the time to fix the last-gen player models, three years into next-gen? That doesn't just suck -- that's crazy, and makes absolutely zero sense.

I'm guessing the player models, animations and hitting programming are all interconnected, meaning in order to redo one, everything else has to be redone as well. In other words, it gets me thinking we're not going to see much change in or fixes to the hitting in 09.

[Shinyhubcaps]

What's wrong with the player models? Some of the faces are spot-on, body builds are proportional, antialiasing is great... The only oversight I can think of is tattoos, but that's not a big deal since they're so infrequent.

I know that they sometimes look like plastic with sweat, but that could be lighting. I think the models are fine, and just because they're not being overhauled doesn't mean that they won't look top-notch.

Quote: Originally Posted by baa7

So they spend time on creating beachballs and mascots, but can't find the time to fix the last-gen player models, three years into next-gen?

I'm guessing you don't remember the PS2, or you don't have an HDTV. I have no idea how anyone can surmise anything about this game to be "last-gen."

[SoxFan01605]

Quote: Originally Posted by Shinyhubcaps

What's wrong with the player models? Some of the faces are spot-on, body builds are proportional, antialiasing is great... The only oversight I can think of is tattoos, but that's not a big deal since they're so infrequent. I know that they sometimes look like plastic with sweat, but that could be lighting. I think the models are fine, and just because they're not being overhauled doesn't mean that they won't look top-notch. I'm guessing you don't remember the PS2, or you don't have an HDTV. I have no idea how anyone can surmise anything about this game to be "last-gen."

Actually, from what I understand, the actual models themselves (meaning the builds, not the faces) are basically the last gen ones with some lighting and texture improvements. This is why the boys are working on the new models. They look fine overall, but they are really saved by the awesome faces and lighting (particularly in the daytime). There are still numerous things they could fix or upgrade graphically, IMO.

I think the reason you see disappointment is the fact that the builds are outdated (and fairly limited) and there was hope at one time of the new ones being ready in time for 09. To be honest, while newer models will be nice, I'm much more concerned with other things (franchise depth and presentation, tuning the hitting and fielding to name a couple).

[The Management]

All of the player arms are too short, making everyone but the tallest players look stocky. The tall players end up with baby arms. I hope they fixed that, shouldn't be more than a simple code to lengthen the arms.

[Shakedowncapo]

Quote: Originally Posted by baa7

So they spend time on creating beachballs and mascots, but can't find the time to fix the last-gen player models, three years into next-gen? That doesn't just suck -- that's crazy, and makes absolutely zero sense. I'm guessing the player models, animations and hitting programming are all interconnected, meaning in order to redo one, everything else has to be redone as well. In other words, it gets me thinking we're not going to see much change in or fixes to the hitting in 09.

Bingo...everything becomes a domino effect. Make the models "bigger" = redo all the stadiums = having brand new throwing, pitching, hitting animations = A whole new game on the field.

[wsu_gb23]

I don't see that big of a problem with the current player models...just fix some of the faces and animations...

[miamimarlins1]

Quote: Originally Posted by baa7

So they spend time on creating beachballs and mascots, but can't find the time to fix the last-gen player models, three years into next-gen? That doesn't just suck -- that's crazy, and makes absolutely zero sense. I'm guessing the player models, animations and hitting programming are all interconnected, meaning in order to redo one, everything else has to be redone as well. In other words, it gets me thinking we're not going to see much change in or fixes to the hitting in 09.

I'm getting worried that this is going to wind up being '08 with a little bit more. I certainly hope I'm wrong because I love this franchise. I can accept the no player updates if they spent the time tweaking that hitting and pitching engines, i.e. get rid of the laser beams