World Series Baseball 2K1 Q&A

By Lauren Fielder, GameSpotPosted May 16, 2000 7:03 pm PT

We recently got a chance to ask Sega's David Perkinson a few questions about the upcoming World Series Baseball 2K1, which is being developed by Sega of Japan for the Dreamcast. Here's what we found out.

videogames.com got a chance to ask Sega's David Perkinson a few questions about the upcoming World Series Baseball 2K1, which is being developed by Sega of Japan for the Dreamcast. Here's what we found out.

videogames.com: Are you focusing on more sim-style play, arcade-style play, or a combination with World Series Baseball 2K1?
David Perkinson: I would say that we are trying to make the best possible combination of both the arcade- and sim-style baseball games. We want to keep the game easy to learn and quick to play but to make sure that all of the depth of the sim games is there as well. On that level, 2K1 will follow much in line with the Saturn World Series predecessors, which we feel were the perfect blend of both sim and arcade.

videogames.com: What features (mechanical- or design-wise) lend to the sim/arcade blend you're trying to create?
DP: Some of the things that help us achieve that blend are: intuitive controls that don't overwhelm the user with complicated button combinations needed to execute fundamental game instructions, easy-to-understand pitching and batting interfaces that allow for more strategy as the user becomes more familiar with the players, and a quick game pace that minimizes the time spent between pitches. On the sim side we've got thorough and challenging AI, detailed player attributes to make the players in the game perform more like their major league counterparts, realistic ball physics, and stunning playing environments.

videogames.com: Speed is not something one associates with baseball, yet speed is a feature associated with the Dreamcast. How will speed (or potential speed) factor into WSB2K1?
DP: Yeah, nobody wants to play a real three-hour baseball game, do they? We want the user to be able to play a full nine-inning game and feel like they've had the baseball experience in 20 to 25 minutes. Again, much as in World Series I, II, and '98, we want to strip the game down to its key elements: pitching, hitting, running, and fielding. Anything that interferes with that is unnecessary.

videogames.com: What game engine is WSB2K1 using, and could you tell us about its features?
DP: The game is using a modified version of the engine that the Naomi version of the game uses. People who have seen the Naomi version can expect the Dreamcast version to be extraordinarily different. There are massive changes being made to the stadium art, player animations, player-specific details, and depth of gameplay.

videogames.com: What are the gameplay modes, and what will they entail?
DP: The game will feature all of the game modes that our users would expect: exhibition, season (with multiple season lengths), playoffs, All-Star game, and home-run derby. We will of course also have a trade feature, player creator, and instant replay.

videogames.com: How many actual MLB teams will be featured?
DP: The game will feature all of the real MLB teams for the 2000 season with fully updated rosters and the most accurate player attributes and behaviors on the market.

videogames.com: Will there be an edit mode, and if so, to what degree will players be able to edit the game?
DP: Yes, there will be an edit mode in the game. The user will be able to create players and teams, as well as make trades between all 30 MLB teams. We feel that this should allow the user to make all of the changes that they could want.

videogames.com: Could you tell us about multiplayer?
DP: Multiplayer in World Series 2K1 will be for two players. It will be exactly like every other multiplayer baseball game on the market, except of course for the fact that our game is better.

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