The rumors that have been surrounding RBOZ have been numerous. While many players have debated that these rumors are in fact, false, it does offer an interesting hope that RBOZ might accomplish the very goal of Netamin: to bring the dream of a realistic baseball online in a massive multiplayer game. While the game will usher in a new era and bring new meaning to the RBO franchise, it is seemingly still in production and is continually being pushed back. These delays have added to the possibility that RBOZ will never see the "light of day." However, it is important to note that this new game will feature a whole new twist to RBO, making significant advances in realism and gameplay. By examining specific game features and other possible rumors, it is my hope that the entire community will get a better idea of why RBOZ will not only dramatically increase player moral and participation, but also raise the general state of the game, satisfying both hard-core and casual gamers alike.
According to former Netamin advisor, Bobby, in a previous Townhall, RBOZ would have qualities that should not only attract new and current players but also numerous former players. Many realistic baseball elements, including new animations that add the possibility to rob homeruns, and other general features, such as a virtual store, should further add to the popularity of RBO. Other new features include: 6 body types, 900 animations, new stadiums, cast shadowing (i.e. lighting changes as game goes on), pitcher/batter challenge, enhanced AI, ability to enhance pitches, accurate stats, particle effects (i.e. fireworks, homerun animations, chalk on grass when baseball hits it), new leveling system (Rookie, A , AA, AAA, Professional) , ability to choose between accuracy/arm strength for pitchers or power/contact for hitters, and commentary and speech. These new features may sound like only a dream for some players but for others, it offers the promise of a truly complete online baseball game.
“While we all want [RBOZ] to be a complete game, the track record of Netamin isn’t the best, but we can do nothing but hope for the best game possible,” says Skoal, with a hint of wisdom and patience in his voice.
It seems many players are in serious doubt that RBOZ will never become a real experience. According to a recent poll on the RBO Chronicle website, a shocking 35% felt that RBOZ would never be released. While it is clear the setbacks of this great game has caused the destruction of hope for many players, both old and new, these same players do not realize the enormous effort that is being put forth by the developers.
For example, several screens depict a hitter in what appeared to be AT&T Park. This would offer the opportunity for hitters to smash a homerun into the waters of McCovey Cove.
Other efforts are being made to make this game a completely realistic game experience. The new leveling system adds the feeling of working your way up through a farming system, starting from a lowly single A minor to an elite professional. The ability to choose between arm strength and throwing accuracy for pitchers and body strength and speed for hitter should not only simulate the characteristics of many players in Major League Baseball (MLB), but also solve one of the main complaints in the current version of RBO: Hybrids.
Moreover, the fate of Netamin is directly tied to the success of RBOZ. “I’m not sold on [RBOZ] just yet because they have mentioned things about how "great" it is but how can you believe Netamin when they gave out so many empty promises?” says Rbush, a proud member of the Flight organization.
If this game ends up becoming a total bust, expect a large amount of players to simply quit this game. However, if this game ends up becoming a huge success, as many current players are hoping for, expect to see a flood of new players, immersing themselves in the new virtual world of online baseball.
Everyone here in this community knows about RBOZ and many still wait for its release date. Therefore, while the delays may seem to overshadow the fact that this new wonderful game will never be released, I still continue to stress that we must all remain positive. While the details may seem a little foggy, we must remember that we do know specifically when this game will be released. For all we know, the release could be tomorrow, next week, or next month. Like I have already displayed earlier, this game may sound like only a dream; however, I assure to all of you it is not a dream but a very real experience that will occur soon-if we continue to support Netamin by showing that we do truly appreciate this massive multiplayer game. RBOZ will recreate the sport of baseball in many revolutionary ways; we must never forget this as we continue to advance into the summer and 2009.
“I personally think that RBOZ will come, but like this version it will need some time to become what we're looking for. Whether or not it gets there depends on the drive of Netamin to keep it going and the programmers to give us what we're looking for,” comments a precocious Skoal.
0 comments:
Post a Comment