**LIVE BLOG** MLB Front Office Manager Event with Billy Beane [Archive]

2K Admin Ron

January 22nd, 2009, 03:30 PM

Hey all,
Since this was so popular a month ago, I am back with another one. I am reporting from Network Colliseum in Oakland, CA where we are having our official launch/media day for MLB Front Office Manager. So here we go...

2K Admin Ron

January 22nd, 2009, 03:33 PM

Oh before I get going, let me make a cheap plug. You guys can follow us on all of these as we get them more frequently. Join us on Twitter and you'll know where all our stuff is. http://twitter.com/2KSports

2K Admin Ron

January 22nd, 2009, 03:40 PM

http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/24/l_0c9d534898624242b55384511893921f.jpg
Walking into the Coliseum, watching the event and bar getting set-up

http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/9/l_d21afc7c71e2442a9c615f638bbc9676.jpg
Another pre-event camera shot of the set-up.

http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/33/l_81d8f91473ea4514a49e1b64ea8cc07f.jpg
The view from the event location (for those wondering, it was Mexico vs. Sweden in soccer a couple days ago)

2K Admin Ron

January 22nd, 2009, 03:47 PM

http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/46/l_8642057a39af483a809e241009d9bd22.jpg
You know him as The Mayor. Product Manager Andrew Blumberg gets ready to present the game to the media.

http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/60/l_64fb5113a4834bd2ba7457686979cbb3.jpg
How quiet a stadium is when there's no game action. Breathtaking views from our event area.

http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/51/l_b1ac39d2334b4e47957c8777f7d566ca.jpg
Producer Edwin Loo (Blue Castle) for Front Office Manager setting up the presentation in the Owner's Box Suite

2K Admin Ron

January 22nd, 2009, 03:52 PM

http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/41/l_5bdf6ee0da5d45018657dc202edd3962.jpg

http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/63/l_e3e51e0c75784b08b4567d37c50fabeb.jpg
Oakland Athletics's Relics collected over time

http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/5/l_0e687237ce8e45629fd214dbaa7a3498.jpg
View from the Owner's Suite

Saruman101

January 22nd, 2009, 03:53 PM

Awesome stuff.

2K Admin Ron

January 22nd, 2009, 03:59 PM

http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/29/l_069edf9616644b38b58f586d93a6f075.jpg
Media starting to gather for Billy's anticipated arrival

http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/30/l_512a8296ecbb479aaec4dce2f2c1ab8f.jpg
Billy makes his first appearance and cordially greets the media and his own staff... I was impressed how he knew every member of his staff by first name no matter what job duty they had.

http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/62/l_7a5c8ed8d585418bba5d737a5be494fe.jpg
Billy getting set-up for the Q/A session about the game.

DurantPwnsYou

January 22nd, 2009, 04:00 PM

Game is deff being released next week right?

2K Admin Ron

January 22nd, 2009, 04:07 PM

http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/61/l_9f276019665b4e4ca64576a5db2c8ba4.jpg
Beane: "As much as my wife hates it, I am a major gamer myself. When 2K Sports approached me to do this, it was so easy to get involved"

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Reporter: "Does the game assume that the Yankees have three times the payroll of most other teams?"
Beane: "Just three times?"

http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/12/l_51115609c240442d90c4466c9ad35187.jpg
Beane: "I am going to be giving a copy of this game to one of my assistants. Honestly, it would not surprise me in the future if GM's get their training based on a game like this. We're in the new age, and that's where things seem to be going."

2K Admin Ron

January 22nd, 2009, 04:12 PM

http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/31/l_1163fae7d8954fe18aaa98de9d062e7a.jpg
Beane answering questions from the media

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Beane: "The thing that impressed me most with the final product of the game is the endless depth. It really challenges every part of what it takes to be a General Manager. Even the background you come from, whether a lawyer or businessman or what have you, impacts what you're good at."

http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/63/l_58dd183f1a24408788a03eacdeb38119.jpg
Billy Beane proved to be the ideal face of the inaugural Front Office Manager game

b-Dub

January 22nd, 2009, 04:15 PM

Cool stuff. I've been to that stadium before for a game. Never got to see all the cool special areas.

Is Beane gonna start up a league himself?

2K Admin Ron

January 22nd, 2009, 04:18 PM

http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/37/l_a8957d15a0cd4fe285c3c5c9bdbeaab6.jpg
A ton of media gathered to take in the launch of the event and many were fascinated with the gameplay. You should be seeing more reviews popping up for the game as it launches on Tuesday.

http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/17/l_caf84fb97e994632a63343d51fbc1476.jpg
Loo leads the media through the sophisticated menus and in-depth roster management.

http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/47/l_8ed85652ed10469b97bcdbe2794faf7f.jpg
Beane inputs to Loo's presentation: "The realism is even as sophisticated at when you age as a GM, depending on the stress of your situation, you become fatter and lose hair. It definitely accurtaly represents the rigors of this post."

2K Admin Ron

January 22nd, 2009, 04:22 PM

http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/6/l_8ea46d81bc2b4ce086a9282fe767f488.jpg
Hey, it's new Oakland Athletic Matt Holiday! Turns out A's media day is today as well!

http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/18/l_c56d76ee95964798b5b27dccadc6d900.jpg
The media goes through it's rounds talking up our game.

http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/20/l_e81cdf8cb1e6417492f73f6dbf611301.jpg
The players hanging for media day, some of whom came over to try the game. All the A's want to be like their boss.

2K Admin Ron

January 22nd, 2009, 04:25 PM

http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/58/l_adea1700e2304d38ad7c7ce509cb8235.jpg
Billy in his 1-on-1 interviews with various media members.

http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/44/l_ee847805e995459ba70fff3a2207e23f.jpg
Who knows, this guy would make a good cover athlete in my opinion...

2K Admin Ron

January 22nd, 2009, 04:29 PM

DurantPwnsYou

January 22nd, 2009, 04:31 PM

Is the online career or a fantasy type mode?

SFG MLB

January 22nd, 2009, 04:34 PM

Alright that's all for this event. Two things...

1) The game is out Tuesday, and there should be another Dev Diary coming up. I have to say my favorite feature is this online league mode of 30 teams competing. Sounds like you can find out who the best is!

2) If you like these blogs, a big one is coming out for MLB either tomorrow or Monday. So stay tuned for that!

Please feel free to discuss this one here.

From what The Mayor has said about Online Leagues is I can have only 10 owners and the CPU will handle the rest of the teams so we will still have a 30 team league with all we can negotiate with.

I love these Blogs and can't wait for MLB 2K9!

Thanks Ronnie!

2K Admin Ron

January 22nd, 2009, 04:51 PM

Is the online career or a fantasy type mode?

If I remember correctly, it's both. The Mayor will be on later to confirm.

2K Admin Ron

January 22nd, 2009, 04:51 PM

From what The Mayor has said about Online Leagues is I can have only 10 owners and the CPU will handle the rest of the teams so we will still have a 30 team league with all we can negotiate with.

I love these Blogs and can't wait for MLB 2K9!

Thanks Ronnie!

He's your man for those types of things. I thought I heard differently while Billy and the Blue Castle guys were talking, but I may be mistaken.

chad0034

January 22nd, 2009, 04:59 PM

Alright that's all for this event. Two things...

1) The game is out Tuesday, and there should be another Dev Diary coming up. I have to say my favorite feature is this online league mode of 30 teams competing. Sounds like you can find out who the best is!

2) If you like these blogs, a big one is coming out for MLB either tomorrow or Monday. So stay tuned for that!

Please feel free to discuss this one here.

hey thanks Ron. Nice to see this year of the MLB games running nice and smooth thanks to you.

d32123

January 22nd, 2009, 05:02 PM

Awesome stuff I can't wait until this comes out. I've always dreamed of a game like this and now it's coming true! See if I can win 5 WS's in a row with the Yankees.

heels 2k6

January 23rd, 2009, 06:45 AM

looks good

ILoveLoisLane

January 23rd, 2009, 07:46 AM

Well, looks like positive feedback, and that is definately a great thing. Excellent use of the pictures to go along with the posts. Indeed, it is almost time to take the Cubs to the top.

Any word if Best Buy will have it Tuesday as well?

WhiteSoxfan79

January 23rd, 2009, 08:12 AM

every store should have it on Tuesday

agentzero

January 23rd, 2009, 08:55 AM

bestbuy saids the 28th = wednesday

ILoveLoisLane

January 23rd, 2009, 09:43 AM

yea, I found that out as well. Fooey on them.

The Mayor

January 23rd, 2009, 12:06 PM

Is the online career or a fantasy type mode?

it's basically a combination of a career/season mode with a fantasy mode. dev diary #3 will talk about this mode, and we'll be releasing that soon (but not as soon as dev diary #2, which will be released really soon!)

RKO BLACK RKO

January 23rd, 2009, 12:18 PM

nice nice this is looking good

sandmanmullet

January 23rd, 2009, 01:14 PM

I will be starting a dynasty league, my info is in the forums below this one, i have a poll question there, so please leave info in that forum for this league, i should have it tuesday

My PS3 gamertag: Bigmullet
AIM: sandmanmullet

please leave your PS3 gamertag, or send a friend request, i will have the invite setup on Tuesday immediately after the game comes out, we will decide on a draft or pick teams, i would like to get 2 top teams and first come first serve basis

can't wait, hurry and sign up

billyd08096

January 23rd, 2009, 01:23 PM

can you hire other teams assistant coaches? like if I wanted to hire a pitching coach for my manager?

TwolvesAJ

January 23rd, 2009, 02:11 PM

looks like a great game thanks for the info

The Mayor

January 23rd, 2009, 07:57 PM

here's some coverage of the event. more to come.

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/sports/baseball/athletics/Your_Chance_to_Manage_the_A_s_Bay_Area.html

sandmanmullet

January 24th, 2009, 08:58 AM