MLB 2K11 Developer Diary #2 - 2K10 vs 2K11 Side-by-Side Comparison

Heather Marshall, Art Director of MLB 2K11 dropped the new developer diary on the 2K Facebook page for MLB 2K11. Since she’s the art director the diary is about reaching a higher level of graphic quality in the game including player likenesses, lighting, uniforms, and overall realism. 

Click for Hi-Res of Roy Halladay

Click for Hi-Res of Mark Buehrle

In the past, our players have sported a zombie-like, wide-eyed expression. For 2K11 we gave them life in order to produce a MLB player model with focus and determination in his eyes.  We reviewed each player and updated their facial features to remove the “caricature look” that exists in 2K10. As you can see in the 2K10 screens of Justin Verlander and Chase Utley, these player models have exaggerated features. Their faces are rounder and their noses and eyes don’t fit together on the face to sell the likeness of the player. This year, we started with the facial bone structure to render the correct proportions. Then we added the appropriate muscle and fatty deposits to bring together each player’s unique structure. The in-game player models are now a truer representation of their real-life counterparts.

Click for Hi-Res of Justin Verlander

Click for Hi-Res of Chase Utley

Player body types have also received a complete overhaul. We have taken our Minor League players and given them a chest and shoulders worthy of the Majors. From the beginning, we realized that every MLB player must have a more athletic, professional physique. We built the average athletic body, going back to basic anatomy, to make sure it had the right balance of muscle, weight and bone to fill out that uniform. We focused a lot on the chest and shoulders which needed the most attention. From there, we adjusted the weight and muscle to make up the nine different body types in our roster. Along with all these body types, we made sure that the players kept the right shape as the camera moved further away from them and they become smaller on the screen. This way, when the camera pans out to see your player run the bases, he’ll maintain his shape rather then popping back to an average size body, as was the case in 2K10. 

Click for Hi-Res of Brian Wilson

Uniforms have been reworked to better represent authentic MLB uniforms. We added details, such as name plates and the Cool Base pin holes, which helped us achieve higher realism. Folds and wrinkles in the jersey also move more smoothly and accurately, animating with each of the player’s movements.  Hats and helmets have a closer fit to the player’s heads.

Click for Hi-Res of David Price

Lighting was also addressed to balance and bring all these assets together. Stadiums, players and crowds now look like they exist in the same world without being blown out by oversaturation or contrast.  Speaking of crowds, they too got some love this year. We created new models with variety in clothing, size and shape. Clothing colors have been adapted to more closely resemble a true team’s fans. And if you’re good enough to make it to the Postseason, your fans will cheer you on with rally towels!

Read the rest of the diary on the MLB 2K11 Facebook page.

All the screens from the diary: