Next steps for 3D to improve immersion

[tward13]

I'm playing out the Mets 2021 season so I am appreciating the advances 3D has made. There are still a few funky things, such as when you answer the popup on whether a player should try to score, the camera will often wander around and end up with a close up of the 3rd place foul line and not the play. I imagine things like that have been reported and will be corrected.

What I'm talking about is the actions of the players so that someone watching the game on screen feels like they are watching tops players play a game.

I say all these full acknowledging that the play result is predetermined.

1. Have all runners run through first. Let the umps call then determine whether they head to the bench or back to first. Now they disappear right away once they are out.

2. Have someone work on player positioning on hits to the outfield. Have the correct fielders in the correct position for the cutoff and backup. Fewer long throws from OFers.

3. Too many OFers make long throws home when guys are easily safe. If this were to happen in real life runners would take an extra base. Since it's been determined that the runners won't advance then the throw would have been in to the cutoff man. Represent the actual result with the play that would have caused that result.

4. Runners on the bases could be better modeled based on flies to the OF. It gets so you know if it's going to be caught because the runner barely leaves the base. Runners should go halfway, then go back after the catch. And on diving catches they should be further along and need to hustle back.

[beepollen]

Originally Posted by tward13

I'm playing out the Mets 2021 season so I am appreciating the advances 3D has made. There are still a few funky things, such as when you answer the popup on whether a player should try to score, the camera will often wander around and end up with a close up of the 3rd place foul line and not the play. I imagine things like that have been reported and will be corrected.

What I'm talking about is the actions of the players so that someone watching the game on screen feels like they are watching tops players play a game.

I say all these full acknowledging that the play result is predetermined.

1. Have all runners run through first. Let the umps call then determine whether they head to the bench or back to first. Now they disappear right away once they are out.

2. Have someone work on player positioning on hits to the outfield. Have the correct fielders in the correct position for the cutoff and backup. Fewer long throws from OFers.

3. Too many OFers make long throws home when guys are easily safe. If this were to happen in real life runners would take an extra base. Since it's been determined that the runners won't advance then the throw would have been in to the cutoff man. Represent the actual result with the play that would have caused that result.

4. Runners on the bases could be better modeled based on flies to the OF. It gets so you know if it's going to be caught because the runner barely leaves the base. Runners should go halfway, then go back after the catch. And on diving catches they should be further along and need to hustle back.

Co-sign on the positioning and throws from the OF. On a double to the RF corner with a man on first, almost *everyone* should be moving. As for the throws, it would be good to have guys hit the cutoff man - and even better if a few outfielders (We see you, Yasiel!) airmail the throw.

[MikeS369]

Better cutoff positioning.

More throws cutoff.

Move the SS and 2B back. You rarely see them playing as far in on the dirt as they are now in normal situations.

Umpires and 1B and 3B coaches.

Runners running through 1B even on putouts.

Fix the glitch where a ball hit in the gaps to the wall and the batter slooooooooowly walks to first base while the SS or 2B run out to the ball picks it up and throws the runner out at 1B.

Fix the issue with player running through walls to get to the ball that for some reason went through wall.

Work on the timing issues of plays. It has gotten better this version.

Outfielders catching popups in foul territory.

Fix the animation where a player appears to be skating on ice. That is also a little better in this version.

Oh and one I would really like to see. Outfielders scaling the fence to steal a home run. Maybe that is already present I just have not seen it.

[Ratbelly]

Originally Posted by MikeS369

Better cutoff positioning.

More throws cutoff.

Move the SS and 2B back. You rarely see them playing as far in on the dirt as they are now in normal situations.

Umpires and 1B and 3B coaches.

Runners running through 1B even on putouts.

Fix the glitch where a ball hit in the gaps to the wall and the batter slooooooooowly walks to first base while the SS or 2B run out to the ball picks it up and throws the runner out at 1B.

Fix the issue with player running through walls to get to the ball that for some reason went through wall.

Work on the timing issues of plays. It has gotten better this version.

Outfielders catching popups in foul territory.

Fix the animation where a player appears to be skating on ice. That is also a little better in this version.

Oh and one I would really like to see. Outfielders scaling the fence to steal a home run. Maybe that is already present I just have not seen it.

I have seen the outfielder robbing the homerun once. Kind of hard to pick up. He does the quick jump up in the air that they do when the ball goes over their head in the outfield. I thought for sure I had hit a homerun and was like what the hell just happened. I confirmed with the PbP.

[MikeS369]

Originally Posted by Ratbelly

I have seen the outfielder robbing the homerun once. Kind of hard to pick up. He does the quick jump up in the air that they do when the ball goes over their head in the outfield. I thought for sure I had hit a homerun and was like what the hell just happened. I confirmed with the PbP.

I'll have to keep a sharper lookout. The ole jump in the air pirouette.

[Dark Horse]

I would next like OOTP to eliminate the Star Trek/Galaxy Quest transporter mishaps that occur when the baserunner gets to a base.

1.Just having the fielder move off the base at the end of a play if a player reaches base safely would be the quick and easy fix.

2.A little more immersive fix would involve having the fielders standing between the base/plate and the where the ball is hit. And, either doing a first basemen like stretch if there is a force. Or do a swiping tag.

In addition to that, when a baserunner scores have him move off the plate. This way the player doesn’t morph with teammates, if multiple runners score, or with the catcher. Bonus points, if the scoring baserunner turns and motions to a teammate to slide if attempting to score and there is a throw to plate.

Originally Posted by tward13

1. Have all runners run through first. Let the umps call then determine whether they head to the bench or back to first. Now they disappear right away once they are out.

In addition to this, when a baserunner breaks up a double play, can we please, at least show the runner sliding into second? Bonus points, if we can get the fielder jumping to avoid the sliding runner.

One final thought, I would love to see instead of players always deciding not to throw, have them make inaccurate throws that are short or wide of their intended base. I’d say this especially for catcher attempting to throw out base stealers and double play attempts, but also on throws from the outfield and plays that end up being infield hits.

[Cobbiusto]

Agree with all the above, but I think the biggest "otherworldly" action left to fix is players disappearing after making an out. They should turn and head toward their dugout until we hit the key to start the next play. Since fielders do this between innings as well as runners who score, you would think the basic tech is already in place. Would also be nice to see the other team run onto the field between innings.

[tonnage]

This has probably been asked before so my apologies, but how come there are no umpires during game play?

[Reed]

Originally Posted by tonnage

This has probably been asked before so my apologies, but how come there are no umpires during game play?

Probably because they are still trying to get the basic plays correct while adding more plays. Why stop with umpires? What about base coaches, managers visiting the mound, relief pitchers coming in, etc.? Is there a point when there is to much?
I really don't need to see players walking out to their positions between innings. That would get boring to see a a waste of time IMO but if it is what others want, so be it.

[tonnage]

Originally Posted by Reed

Probably because they are still trying to get the basic plays correct while adding more plays. Why stop with umpires? What about base coaches, managers visiting the mound, relief pitchers coming in, etc.? Is there a point when there is to much?
I really don't need to see players walking out to their positions between innings. That would get boring to see a a waste of time IMO but if it is what others want, so be it.

I agree with much of what you said, but umpires would add to the experience. You hear the voice but don't see the character.

[tward13]

I have no problem with eventually getting to everything but I think the plays being accurate is more important than umpires and coaches. I'd like it to get to where I don't really need the text to follow the game.

They still need to clean up the chaos that happens when the text box comes up asking if I want to a runner to advance. The camera goes all over the place then fixes on a closeup that generally has nothing to do with the play.

[Hooray Saturday]

Originally Posted by tward13

They still need to clean up the chaos that happens when the text box comes up asking if I want to a runner to advance. The camera goes all over the place then fixes on a closeup that generally has nothing to do with the play.

One easy fix for that is to let the AI handle baserunning decisions, it's not really that realistic for the manager in the dugout to be making baserunning decisions as it is.

[nightfly]

Fix the glitch where a ball hit in the gaps to the wall and the batter slooooooooowly walks to first base while the SS or 2B run out to the ball picks it up and throws the runner out at 1B.

I actually don't mind the occasional glitch like that. What drives me crazy is when the game mysteriously decides that a ball caught at the wall was actually just a shallow fly, and when the league's fastest baserunner tags from third, suddenly WHOOOOOOSH he gets Bo Jackson'd by some ridiculous throw. Meanwhile a Gold Glove outfielder catches something routine and a runner tags on him, the throw visibly slows down en route because the game has already decided that the runner was going to be safe.

The glitch, IMO, is just a funny mistake - the other one is the game working as designed, and it yanks the player right out of the experience.

I have no objection to actual jaw-dropping plays, with an appropriate PBP where the announcer goes crazy calling the action. The game's gotten better with that, in fact. Nor would I object to rare "brain fart" plays from guys who are low intelligence or low effort types, where they forget to tag up, or don't run hard, or pull an absolute Nyjer Morgan/David Cone and lose their mind and entirely forget that baseball is still happening all around them.

[eriqjaffe]

Originally Posted by Hooray Saturday

One easy fix for that is to let the AI handle baserunning decisions, it's not really that realistic for the manager in the dugout to be making baserunning decisions as it is.

They actually did take that out at one point, and it was put back by popular demand. Maybe make it something you can toggle?

[MikeS21]

I would love to see on errors that if an infielder muffs a grounder, he wouldn’t just stand there with the ball at his feet. He should pick it up and at least sometimes try to throw the runner out.

[Baby Ruth]

Right now I'd be happy if they just put the bat in the batter's hands when looking at the action from behind home plate.

[ojoe]

Originally Posted by nightfly

the game mysteriously decides that a ball caught at the wall was actually just a shallow fly, and when the league's fastest baserunner tags from third, suddenly WHOOOOOOSH he gets Bo Jackson'd by some ridiculous throw.

The frustrates me, because I feel that I see it more frequently, is when that fast runner decides not to tag at all, even when trailing by 1 late in the game. Sure looks like it's deep enough.

[MikeS369]

Originally Posted by tward13

I have no problem with eventually getting to everything but I think the plays being accurate is more important than umpires and coaches. I'd like it to get to where I don't really need the text to follow the game.

They still need to clean up the chaos that happens when the text box comes up asking if I want to a runner to advance. The camera goes all over the place then fixes on a closeup that generally has nothing to do with the play.

I agree the timing of plays should be top priority.