Influence Stick

[2K Admin Ron]

How often do you use the influence stick? Please discuss.

[sleepytercel]

I HATE the influence stick! I hate, hate, hate it! Not to be disrespectful, but this stick idea caused an imbalance in 2K7 and I wasn't surprised that it caused an imbalance again in 2K9. However, I think we should revert to the "R" stick control that was implimented in 2K8 where half circles left and right would hit in that direction. they also had the influence where pushing up slightly left/right would incluence fly's. This created a sense of timing and involvement, which added a little more skill.

If trying to swing for a flyball, contact should be harder to make IMO. It should create more strikeouts and/or foul balls. Online, there is practically no repercussion for always holding the stick "up" so there are too many users who try to swing for the fences. It also hurts the ball variety.

I think the influence stick can help with ball variety, but it also deters it as well (as mentioned above).

To answer the quesiton though...I use it in certain situations mainly.

[bobafett4ever]

[QUOTE=sleepytercel;2422739]I HATE the influence stick! QUOTE]

/agree

[rixmith]

I like having the option to use it when the situation dictates a particular strategy like hitting to the right side to advance the runner or bunting in a particular direction. It took me a long time to tune the sliders so that it was valuable, but didn't overwhelm the game.

I'm also not sure the risk/reward equation is quite right. It seems like there is little downside to using it all the time and hence I discipline myself to be particular when I use it.

[sleepytercel]

I like having the option to use it when the situation dictates a particular strategy like hitting to the right side to advance the runner or bunting in a particular direction. It took me a long time to tune the sliders so that it was valuable, but didn't overwhelm the game.

I'm also not sure the risk/reward equation is quite right. It seems like there is little downside to using it all the time and hence I discipline myself to be particular when I use it.

Oh exactly! Again, it was just much nicer and more in depth in 2K8. The "R" stick implementation was quite genius and I wish that VC didn't try to streamline it so much to appeal to casuals.

In fact, I think we should keep the depth and offer better interactive tutorials so that casuals can learn the in depth mechanics. Instead of dubbing down everything, interactive tutorials should be mandatory for first time users. Many FPS games do this, and even GTA does this, and guess what? It works!

[kevdood8312]

I like having the option to use it when the situation dictates a particular strategy like hitting to the right side to advance the runner or bunting in a particular direction. It took me a long time to tune the sliders so that it was valuable, but didn't overwhelm the game.

I'm also not sure the risk/reward equation is quite right. It seems like there is little downside to using it all the time and hence I discipline myself to be particular when I use it.

I'm in the same boat.

I voted "when situation dictates" or whatever.

I only find myself using it when bunting, and going for a sac fly or attempting to go to right field to move a runner along.

Also note; I had to turn the influence slider for this WAY down. Otherwise it was simply too easy to dictate where it would go. I have set to where there is some influence, but not so easily influenced where it always goes where I want.

But all in all, normal hitting I don't use it.

[circlechange1112]

How often do you use the influence stick? Please discuss.

Not at all.

[-Sonnenschein-]

Stupid question for many... but what is the influence stick and I also didn't understand what lock in pitch would do for me?!

[tackleb0x]

situational when i need a sac fly, hit and run behind the runner or hit to the right side to move the runner at second to third.

[mumfordzero17]

Oh exactly! Again, it was just much nicer and more in depth in 2K8. The "R" stick implementation was quite genius and I wish that VC didn't try to streamline it so much to appeal to casuals.

In fact, I think we should keep the depth and offer better interactive tutorials so that casuals can learn the in depth mechanics. Instead of dubbing down everything, interactive tutorials should be mandatory for first time users. Many FPS games do this, and even GTA does this, and guess what? It works!

Completely agree.

[SAINT Wick]

Pros: None


Cons: All


Suggestions for improvement: Please review 2k7 for notes on improvements