Monthly Archives: February 2012

MLB 2k12 Demo Thoughts

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Having not played a baseball game in several months, I was ready to fire up the MLB 2k12 demo.  Going in, I knew it wouldn’t be nearly as good as MLB: The Show, but I really wanted to have a baseball game to play.  Unfortunately, I have to wait a week for The Show.

Please keep in mind that everything you read comes from the point of view of someone who plays The Show.

After pressing start, you are given the choice of playing as Texas or St. Louis.  The first thing you are shown is a look at Busch Stadium.  This is extremely disappointing.  It looks bad.  The detail simply isn’t there.  The only thing that really stood out (and I didn’t skip any cutscenes) was that the base coaches were wearing helmets.  Good touch, but shouldn’t be a focus.

I came to bat with Texas and the camera angle (the only one available mind you) is like I’m looking through binoculars backwards.  The pitcher seems so far away.  The control scheme is less than ideal as I have a choice between pressing A to swing, or using the right thumb stick.  Having enjoyed using the stick to swing in The Show, I opted for that and was given a brief tutorial on it.  It is indeed different as you press up to contact swing, back and up to power, and left or right (what?) to just slap at the ball to foul it off.

Easily the biggest issue is the complete lack of check swings.  In The Show, you always pull back before pressing up as this represents your stride at the plate.  If you pull back and don’t press up, you won’t swing.  Worst case scenario is you check swing.   In MLB 2k12 if you don’t want to swing at the pitch at the last instant, too bad.  This is a huge missing element to a baseball game and it is amazing how many games 2K has put out and this has still been omitted.  (EDIT:  It appears check swings ARE in the game.  You need to press back on the right thumb stick.  This is not easy to do still.  If you are going for a power swing, you are already pressing back and going forward, but now you need to pull back?  An improvement from not having check swings, but still badly implemented)

I was also perplexed as to why I was being told what every single pitch was when it was coming in.  Unlike the batter’s eye of MVP 05 back in the day, still the single best game ever for attempting to read a pitch, you are simply told in words what is coming.  As the pitcher was releasing the ball, the words “Four Seam” came up.  Are you freaking kidding me?  Even more perplexing was that this game actually shows breaking balls better than The Show.  Yet you need to tell me it is coming?  Weak 2k…absolutely weak.

It’s been noted in the past that the commentary was one of 2K’s strong points…something that certainly shouldn’t be at the top of the list, but it is.  After my first at bat I noticed it was missing from the demo completely.  Another big miss here as far as I’m concerned.

I also noticed that for some reason the catcher rifles the ball back to the pitcher.  I mean, faster than the pitcher throws to the catcher.  Is this to speed the game up?  What is the point of this?  If you want to speed the game up, eliminate the throw altogether.

The defensive players throw the ball much more naturally than in the past.  It looks more fluid and not as clunky.

After my 3 outs at bat, I went to the pitchers mound.

Here is where 2K does a better job than The Show.  You have a variety of pitches, 5 in this case.  You have to throw every pitch with the right thumb stick.  The trick is that every pitch is thrown very differently…as in real life.  A regular fast ball is thrown by pulling down on the stick and then up.  You’re given a very small timing window and if you fail, the pitch will go awry.  A curve ball is thrown by starting the thumb stick at 5 o clock, and rotating up to 11 o clock.  It’s really enjoyable to pitch in this game.

One of the very few things MLB 2k12 excels at, pitching.

The risk/reward is massive when pitching.  Even missing by a little with timing will hurt you and could cause a wild pitch.  Unfortunately, that leads to another huge gripe…

With a runner on first, I threw a wild pitch that rolled all the way to the back stop.  The runner didn’t even flinch and stayed at first base.  I intentionally threw 3 more wild pitches to see if it was just a fluke and the runner NEVER advanced.  Unbelievable.

In the field, throwing the ball seems like a bigger chore than it should be.  Like pitching, you have a tiny window of timing where you throw the ball for optimum strength and accuracy.  Throw too hard and you risk throwing it away.  Throw too weak and you risk the runner beating out the throw.  It seems out of place and completely unnecessary.

The fielding camera itself also feels way too low to see what you are doing.  This is really just personal preference.  I’m sure some people play with the camera at about 8 feet off the ground, but I prefer the game camera available in The Show.

I played two full games and stopped enjoying it after that.  It’s simply not fun to play and offers very little over what The Show does.

Positives:
+ Pitching is amazing.  I really wish The Show would utilize a form of pitching from this game.

Neutral:
+/-  It’s the only baseball game on Xbox and it is more fluid than in the past.  If it is your only choice, it could be worse.

Negative:
-  The first thing you notice is the terrible visuals.  How can The Show look SO much better than this?
-  Being told what ever pitch is?  Why?
-  Bad camera angles
-  Unnatural throwing from fielders and a completely unnecessary throwing meter.
-/-  No check swings….deal breaker.  Badly implemented check swings.
-/-   Bad AI when it comes to base running.  You MUST advance a wild pitch, let alone 4 consecutive pitches.

All in all, I’m sorry if you are a baseball fan and only own an Xbox.  You are clearly missing out on The Show.  I also think 2K is wasting their time by putting this game on the PS3.

I clearly won’t be touching this game, but those who appreciate good online play and great league implementation might.

Jackets Hang Onto Nash…For Now

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UPDATED:  4:50 PM:

97.1 FM out of Columbus is reporting that Rick Nash asked that management be changed.  When he was told no, he asked for a trade.  Majority owner J.P. McConnell, clearly isn’t a hockey savvy guy given the fact that management really hasn’t changed recently.  However, given Scott Howson’s recent comments (see below), I have to imagine something will be changing sooner rather than later.

There is more to this team than having a terrible General Manager.  The President, Mike Priest, seems to have little to no hockey knowledge either.  It’s up to Priest and McConnell to get a competent GM in place for a team.  How do these guys expect to make any money in the future with the way today’s events have transpired?

More updates as they come in, but it is starting to get ridiculous.

================================

 

UPDATED:  4:35 PM:  

According to General Manager Scott Howson, Rick Nash asked for a trade in early January.  This means there are conflicting statements from Nash and Howson.  Nash previously stated he never asked for a trade but would waive his no trade clause if he was sent to certain teams.  In one way, this makes Howson look like he’s throwing Nash under the bus.  In another way, Nash is made out to be a complete liar.

Any chance of Nash remaining with Columbus next season has probably just be decimated.  There is no way any kind of positive relationship can exist between Nash and management after this fiasco.

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As I predicted a few days ago, Rick Nash remains a Columbus Blue Jacket.  I’ll admit, I was extremely nervous with TSN’s TradeCentre on the TV and Twitter constantly updating on my computer with the CBJ hashtag running.

Because of the high demands of Nash, many felt the trade deadline was made rather boring.  It was indeed a minor deadline compared to the 30+ deals that occurred just 2 years ago.

So where does that leave the Blue Jackets?  They lose Jeff Carter, Sami Pahlsson, and Antoine Vermette in the past week.  They are already in last place and show no signs of improvement outside of the absurd amount of draft picks they’ll be using in June.  With these picks however, the Jackets are almost assured of picking #1 or #2 after the draft lottery.

Don't get too excited, Nash will be moved before next year.

The obvious top choice is Nail Yakupov who has the makings of a franchise guy like Sydney Crosby or Alex Ovechkin.   Columbus fans better be praying that they win the lottery because losing out on Yakupov would be nearly as detrimental as Nash being traded away for next to nothing.

CBJ fans were rejoicing on twitter that their current franchise player remains with the club. The fact of the matter is that he will most certainly be dealt in the off-season, close to or at the draft.  This gives the Jackets the best chance at acquiring what they desperately need, starting goaltending.  The Rick Nash watch has basically been suspended until after the Stanley Cup has been hoisted.

As for teams complaining about General Manager Scott Howson demanding too much for Nash….really?  He’s under no obligation to move him.  He may not be worth what was being demanded from the Sharks or Rangers, but as I just mentioned, he can simply deal Nash in the offseason for a bigger return.   Howson is simply dangling him to the buyers in the hopes of someone overpaying for him.  If you really thought the Jackets would settle and give in to these teams, you are crazy.

Nash now has 20 games to prove his worth.  The farewell tour begins tomorrow against the Detroit Red Wings.

MLB 2k12 Demo Tomorrow; The Show Still Unknown

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MLB 2K12 demo will hit the Xbox 360 and PS3 tomorrow.  Xbox gamers can look forward to another underwhelming game while PS3 gamers will laugh at 2K for actually taking the time to put their game on the system at all.

The demo will feature the previous World Series matchup of the Texas Rangers and the St. Louis Cardinals.  This will be your first opportunity to control the Cardinals without Albert Pujols on the roster.

Meanwhile, MLB 12: The Show has made no announcement about releasing their game’s demo on the PSN SEN.  However, if you make a trek to select Best Buy stores, you have access to MLB 12: The Show at kiosks.  Not every Best Buy store has this available so your milage will vary.  While there, you may even be able to compare the Vita version with the PS3 version of the game.

Both games are available on Tuesday, March 6.

Rick Nash Staying Put

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I’m not one to bust out massive predictions on anything.  I usually sit by and watch events unfold.  I will say this however:  Rick Nash will be a Columbus Blue Jacket after the trade deadline has passed.

The more and more time that passes, I find it more difficult to wrap my head around the possibility that the Jackets would be willing to unload their franchise player.  Nash has a huge fan base.  He puts butts in the seats at Nationwide Arena and he is the most recognizable professional athlete in the city.  Anyone who thinks of the Blue Jackets immediately think Rick Nash (or losers but that’s for another time).

I’ve also been outspoken in trading him.  He’s been with the club for 8 seasons now. Unfortunately, he has little to show for it.  One playoff appearance in his time with the Jackets is hardly anything to get excited about.  In fact, it was a 4 game sweep at the hands of the Detroit Red Wings.  He’s given his all for this club…..

…except something changed last season.   Suddenly after a long skid after Thanksgiving, and after the team was near the top of the Western Conference, Nash stopped playing.  He got lazy and he seemed to be coasting.  He was regularly the last one into the defensive zone.  He began trying to pass much more frequently when everyone in the building knew he was the best scorer on the ice.  It looked like someone had crushed his spirits.  Granted there are games where his greatness pops out, but it is becoming more and more rare.

What team will Nash be a part of next week?

This is where I am torn.  I’ve been attending Blue Jackets games since season one.  I’ve followed the team closely. I buy the NHL Center Ice package every year to be able to see them.  I was in attendance for Nash’s first career game where I saw him score the game winning goal in a 2-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks (I also have an autographed picture showing his first goal).   We have 2 Nash jerseys, both autographed.

Losing Nash would be like losing a family member.  I would have no clue how to react.  I honestly can’t envision him in another jersey.  I hated rooting against Canada in the Olympics in 2010.  I can’t imagine the difficult decision General Manager Scott Howson has to make.  It seems like a lose-lose situation.

The fans as a whole seem to want to keep this team as together as possible.  There was a massive outcry after it was announced that Antoine Vermette was traded to Phoenix for two draft picks.  I normally hate certain teams because their fans are less than intelligent (I’m looking at you Toronto).  However, the outrage from Jackets fans over the Vermette trade was mind-boggling.  It seems like no one wants any changes to occur.  Need I remind fans that the Jackets are currently in dead last place in the conference by 9 points?

I don’t understand the rationale of fans sometimes.  It’s no question that the team needs a goalie.  There’s also no doubt change in the roster is a necessity.  So when a change occurs, the first thing fans on facebook and the rest of the internet do is complain.   They also fail to offer up any reasonable solution of their own.  They just keep saying “We need a goalie”.  Serious question idiots fans…Do you honestly think a legitimate starting goalie will just show up at the door asking to play for free?  My goodness, be realistic about what you are demanding.

But, can you imagine the outrage from fans if Nash were to be moved?  The fan base could be destroyed beyond repair.  Nationwide Arena in the early years was a booming atmosphere compared to the  3/5 filled building it is now.  If Nash gets moved, the organization will be thrilled with attendance hovering around 12,000 per game…forget ever seeing a sellout again.

It seems very unlikely that whoever is in goal for Columbus next season will be someone like Cory Schneider, Tuuka Rask, or Jonathan Bernier…that is, without trading Rick Nash.

Howson has made some big mistakes in his tenure with the organization, and there is no disputing that.  Going all in on Steve Mason has been nothing short of brutal on his part.   There have also been some less than desirable contracts (Nash’s massive cap hit, Mason’s $2.9m, Vermette’s $4m, R.J. Umberger’s $4m, James Wizniewski’s huge overpayment).

So over the next 5 days, you’ll see this team slowly transform into something you won’t recognize.  As a fan, you probably won’t like it.  It’s something that needs to be done though.

As for Nash, you’ll probably continue to see him with the Jackets for the rest of the year.  The only way Nash is dealt is if the return is almost too good to be true.  That means a #1 goalie coming to Columbus at the minimum.  Anything less would be completely foolish on Howson’s part.

Stay tuned, the drama is only going to be increased as we approach next week’s deadline.

Vita Launch at Midnight

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The day has arrived when the Playstation Vita is officially released.  Of course everyone who really had to have one already has it since if you bought a bundle, you’ve had it for 7 days now.

Tonight at midnight, Vita will be available to all for a price of $249 or $299 with 3G.  As I’ve mentioned before, I see little reason to get a 3G version because of the ridiculously expensive data plans.  Wi-Fi is available almost everywhere and that would certainly be plenty for me.

Having gotten my hands on a display Vita at the store today, I’m extremely impressed with the picture quality.  It looks almost as good as a PS3 game.  Being a huge Uncharted fan, it was easy to see the slightly diminished quality in the game, but it was very little.  Let’s face it, Uncharted 3 is one of the most visually appealing games ever created, and Uncharted on Vita holds up very well.

Nathan Drake is determined to be first in line for PS Vita.

It holds nicely in your hands and the miniature sized thumb sticks are feel surprisingly well made.  In my 10-15 minutes, I never felt like the Vita was too small or too large.  The screen is about the right size (5″) and you can hold it however you like.  That’s my biggest qualm with the 3DS…you have to hold it just right and at the right distance or the top screen is distorted and looks brutal.

The control setup is just like every other controller in the Playstation library with the d-pad above the left thumb stick and the face buttons above the right.  The start and select buttons are located below the stick on the right side.  Also on the front, two speakers, a camera, and a PS Home button.

On top there is an L and R shoulder button, power button, volume controls, and memory card slot.  There is also an opening where various inputs can be used for things such as headphones.

I was unable to see the back of the Vita based on how is was docked in the store, but I know there is another camera in the back as well as a trackpad.

There are a variety of games available at launch.  26 total games, which include PSN downloadable games, are there for the buying.  There are also a plethora of games on the horizon, so Vita is getting plenty of attention.

I’m not a big fan of handhelds, and quite frankly, never have been.  I can tell you that this blows away anything Nintendo has ever offered in this genre.

I bought a Playstation 3 exclusively to play the best sports game on the planet…MLB: The Show.  While I can’t say the same about the Vita, it certainly is very intriguing, especially when it comes to the compatibility of the Vita and PS3 version.

My Favorite Sports Moments: Part 1

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I like to think I’ve been blessed to see just a handful of great sports moments in person.  Just being present at one, is something I am extremely thankful for.  However, I’ve seen several.  Many are those “jump up and down and scream” games…you know, where the crowd celebrates in unison and it looks like a mosh pit.  It’s where everyone is high-fiving everyone and your team just won a huge game.

One such moment came in the 2007 AFC Championship Game in Indianapolis.

At the time, we had Colts season tickets.  It had been an amazing season with Indy rolling up the AFC South as they had been accustomed to doing.  Peyton Manning led the league in passer rating (101.0) and TD passes (31) while achieving a #3 seed with a 12-4 record.  A 3 seed hosting the conference championship game was quite unlikely but not impossible.  It took a massive upset by the New England Patriots to get it done, but sure enough they beat the San Diego Chargers to make it happen.

I remember sitting on the couch and cheering so loud, knowing that a week from that moment we’d be sitting in our seats in section 302 of the RCA Dome to witness the first ever AFC Championship game in Indianapolis.

Throughout the week, we kept hearing about how much tickets were going for to get into the game.  With our season tickets, we paid about $100 for them.  For our seating area, Stubhub.com had listings of up to $1,000.  That could have paid for the entire season, but we opted to take the once in a lifetime opportunity to take the 2 hour drive down to Indianapolis on Sunday.

Playing the Patriots, I was used to this.....

Just driving through the city to our regular parking area, you could feel the buzz downtown.  The streets were populated with blue jerseys, tailgating was in full force and the pre-game show was blaring on the radio.

As we headed into the RCA Dome, we learned the Chicago Bears had taken care of business in the NFC Championship game.  Living in Northern Indiana, could there be a better matchup for the Super Bowl?  We have to win this game.

Unfortunately, that meant beating a team that the Colts have been brutal against…Tom Brady and the Patriots.  At the time, this was a pretty decent rivalry with several regular season and playoff meetings, mostly dominated by New England.

The first half looked like history was going to repeat itself.  Indianapolis was down early and often.  2 field goals by former Patriot Adam Vinatieri was all the offense could produce.  21-6 New England at the half.

Everyone in the dome who went for concessions or restroom break looked like they were walking to a funeral.  It was depressing and it felt like the season was over.

However, opening the 3rd quarter, a nearly 7 minute drive by the Colts ended with a Peyton Manning sneak for a touchdown.  21-13 Pats.

A quick three-and-out by New England gave the ball back to Indy and they did not disappoint.  A short drive ended with a 1 yard pass to Dan Klecko to put the Colts within 2 points.  A conversion attempt saw Manning hit his favorite target, Marvin Harrison to tie the game.

New England took the lead back making it 28-21.  Colts running back Dominic Rhodes was about to score, but fumbled right near the goal line.  Pro Bowler center Jeff Saturday landed on it however and tied the game at 28.

The teams combined for 3 field goals after that with the Patriots up 34-31.  Joseph Addai gave the Colts a 38-34 lead when he scored a 3 yard touchdown run.  He went right up the middle nearly untouched into the end zone.

57,000 Colts fan collectively held their breath as Tom Brady took over with the clock reading 1:00.  The perfect amount of time for the future hall of fame quarterback to drive down the field and take on the Bears in Miami.

On the 4th play of the drive with about 20 seconds remaining….Marlin Jackson:

I’ve certainly never heard the dome as loud as that moment was when Jackson intercepted that pass.  I actually had someone jump on me in excitement.  I remember myself, my wife Angel, and the couple to our left that also had season tickets embrace simultaneously in celebration.  Everyone was standing on the bleacher seats and high-fiving anyone they could.  This was it…our team was going to the Super Bowl!

....instead we were treated to this.

We must have spent hours getting out of the stadium, getting to the car, and trying to drive north.  I was fine with that.  The celebration that spilled out into the streets was nothing short of awesome.  Listening to the joy on the radio post-game show was unbelievable.

I’m eternally grateful we decided to keep our tickets and go the game.  That kind of atmosphere is nearly impossible to replicate.  Of course, with a win over the Bears two weeks later, the Colts would go on to win the Super Bowl, making the AFC Championship game that much better to be a part of.

Pavel Datsyuk Gives Wings 22nd Straight Home Win.

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In case you missed it last night, Pavel Datsyuk scoring for Detroit with 5 seconds remaining in regulation to defeat the Nashville Predators.

What an crazy way to end the game.  Henrik Zetterberg sends a pass to Datsyuk who weaves his way through the defense to beat Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne.  The goal gave Detroit its NHL record 22nd consecutive home victory.

Find me a better skilled forward in the league, I dare you.

Hawks End Massive Skid Dominating Rangers

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A ridiculous 9 game losing streak ended on Thursday night for the Chicago Blackhawks as they get an improbable victory over the New York Rangers by a 4-2 score.  Rangers goaltender Martin Biron gave up 3 goals on his first 3 shots and was down 4-0 after just 10 minutes of play.  Despite his poor play, Henrik Lundqvist remained on the bench.

Jonathan Toews scored on a penalty shot just a minute into the game after Rangers defenseman Dan Giardi covered the puck in the crease.  Nick Leddy scored a minute later and Patrick Sharp notched one at the 4:00 mark of the 1st.  For good measure, Marian Hossa got a breakaway goal at 9:38.

The Rangers answered early in the 2nd period however as Marc Staal powered a shot from the point past Corey Crawford 3 minutes in.  However, this would barely put a dent in the Hawks.

It was a mostly uneventful 3rd period though New York got a late goal from Carl Hagelin.  It certainly wasn’t enough to overcome the giant deficit.

This is the Blackhawks team that is built around offense.  While the defense has been middle of the pack this season, all it takes is a solid effort to succeed.  The scoring will always be there as they are one of the most feared teams up front.

The Hawks, despite going 1-8-1 over their last 10 games, remain in a prime playoff position.  Competing in the Central division makes this all the more impressive with frequent opponents like Detroit, St. Louis, and Nashville.

Goaltending has been the only question for the Blackhawks this year, and never was it more evident than over the past 3 weeks.  Rumors are flying about a potential deal with the Buffalo Sabres for Ryan Miller.  Who the Hawks would give up is questionable, but it certainly poses a question as to the direction the Sabres are going.

This was a huge victory for Chicago, not only to get some momentum going (they play at NHL worst Columbus on Saturday), but it shows they can play against one of the NHL’s best…and dominate.

For the Rangers, who are at the top of the East, this is not the type of loss you want to have.  The defense looked outmatched, the offense looked stagnant, and Martin Biron looked dreadful.  The good news, is that it was just one game.  No goaltender in my opinion is better on breakaways/penalty shots than Lundqvist and Biron faced two of those tonight.  Every losing team needs an excuse right?

Will College Hoops 2k13 Happen?

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When it comes to video gaming, fans of College Basketball are simply out of luck.  How did we get to this point?  How is it even possible that there are no NCAA hoops games available?  Let’s go back to 2007.

College Hoops 2k8 was released by 2k Sports and was a hit.  It certainly wasn’t the best basketball sim ever, but it was solid.  It had nearly every D-1 school in the game and a majority of their actual arenas and gyms.  With a player editor you could change the names, numbers, and features of any player in the game to make them like their real life counterparts.

The last good college basketball game.

Sadly, after an alleged dispute with EA Sports, this would be the last iteration of the College Hoops 2k franchise.  That was nearly 5 years ago.

EA Sports meanwhile was continuing to release it’s very inferior NCAA March Madness.   It would change the name over to NCAA Basketball in 2008 after 2k bowed out.  NCAA Basketball 10 easily had the most potential however.

Not only did NCAA Basketball 10 utilize full ESPN broadcast presentation and graphics, it also incorporated CBS Sports broadcast presentation as well.  This was completely ground breaking.  Most regular season weekday games would of course use ESPN and their broadcast announcers, Brad Nessler, Dick Vitale, and Erin Andrews.  However, during key weekend dates, big games, and all of the NCAA tournament, you’d get the CBS overlay with announcers Gus Johnson and Bill Raftery.  That right there was a big reason this game could’ve been great.

Unfortunately, the game play was atrocious and nearly unplayable.  So it was over 2 years ago when EA Sports put a halt to their NCAA Basketball franchise.  There hasn’t been a game made since, and there hasn’t been a single confirmed announcement about future NCAA hoops games.

EA Sports gave us the best presentation in a hoops game ever.....at the expense of giving us some of the worst game play ever.

2K should be jumping at this golden opportunity sitting in front of them.  First off, they have NBA 2k which is in its 2nd year of greatness.  2k11 won Sports Game of the Year across the board.  Utilizing their NBA game play engine would be the obvious step into re-solidifying a once thriving franchise.  It also makes for an incredible alternative to those who don’t care for the NBA.

On top of that, 2K doesn’t excel at anything else.  MLB 2k12 is rumored to be the final version of its baseball series because, well, it isn’t very good.  MLB 2k hasn’t held a candle to EA Sports’ MVP 05 since they took the exclusive license from them.  Not to mention MLB: The Show has been a vastly superior product on the PS3.   It’s laughable really that they put resources into a terrible game…on top of giving away $1,000,000 every year to someone who throws a perfect game.  Think about how much the game could improve with a million bucks.

Obviously, there is no football from 2k as that belongs to EA Sports and Madden…another highly overrated product.

2k hockey has been put on brief hiatus as well, even on Wii.  EA has hockey down and even if 2k came back, it would be very inferior.

Clearly there is a void here that needs filled.  November of 2012 would be the perfect opportunity to release College Hoops 2k13.  The game engine is there, the fans are clearly there (many consider CH 2k8 the best sports game of all time), and 2k doesn’t have a lot else going on.

ESPN’s Streak For The Cash is Addicting

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There are several games I play online that involve the chance at winning money.  They can be complex or simple, and ESPN’s Streak For The Cash falls into that latter category.

The premise is simple…Build the longest streak of picking games correctly as possible.  For instance, you might see the option of picking the winner of Wisconsin and Michigan State basketball.   If you are correct, your streak becomes 1 and you are free to pick another event.

Each month starts a brand new game and at the end of the month, whoever has the longest streak at any point in the month wins $50,000.  Typically this streak is between 22-28.  As a bonus, if you hit the magic number of 27 wins in a row, and you are the winner, you’ll win the “bonus stash”.  The stash is an extra $50,000.  However, if no one wins in a particular month, an extra 50k is added for the following month.  According to ESPN’s twitter, someone last year won $450,000 due to several rollovers.

Strategies vary for this game but typically the streak winners have very few losses in a month due to simply picking games that give them the best chance of winning.  However, for those who want to pick game after game there is another bonus available.  Whoever gets the most wins in a month…typically 100 or so….will get $2,500.  Not too bad.

The important thing to look out for, depending on your strategy, is how each day is going to play out.  If you are looking to get as many picks in as possible, you’ll want to look out for some of the prop bets.  For example, sometimes a game will ask “Will Mark Smith make a 3 pointer in the 1st half?”  Obviously this game will only take about 45 minutes to an hour compared to the Red Wings v. Blackhawks game that starts at the same time.

There is an app for smart phones to make it even easier to play.  It can alert you to when your game is over so you can pick a new one immediately.

I’ve had a streak of 11 before, which was incredibly difficult, but nowhere near winning.  It’s free and fun and only takes seconds out of your day for a chance to win some big money.