Author Bio
Chase BecotteHome Town: Nomads don't have home towns
Sports: A bunch
Games: Too many to list
Teams: Sixers, Flyers, Pirates
OS Username: ChaseB
Tags: PS3: Slizeezyc / 360: Slizeezyc
Friday, May 20, 2011
01:26 PM - May 20, 2011. Posted by ChaseB. Written by Chase Becotte
I totally forgot to even check up on the Challenge of the Week because of all the PSN problems during the past month. However, PSN online functionality has been restored this week, so folks can take swings off Cliff Lee with former Show cover athlete David Wright at rain-drenched Citi Field in this week's challenge.
The prize this week is a $250 gift certificate at MLB.com, and this week's challenge is slightly interesting to follow because the PlayStation Store is still down. What that seems to mean is that you can't purchase extra attempts through the store, though some contestants are still racking up the attempts, presumably via points already in their PlayStation Wallet or via pre-paid PSN cards that can be purchased in stores and online.
This week's challenge also marks the beginning of the May monthly prize period. If you rack up the most points this month, you win a self-explanatory prize: cash. You can win $2,000 big ones if you conquer every other Show gamer.
Lastly, the PSN outage has forced the folks at SCEA San Diego to rearrange how how the Challenge of the Week breaks down. You can find the official explanation about the new schedule below.
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Thursday, May 19, 2011
05:03 PM - May 19, 2011. Posted by ChaseB. Written by Chase Becotte
ESPN's Jon Robinson usually gets the scoop when it comes to Madden ratings, and this year is no different. He spoke with Madden "ratings guru" Donny Moore, and Donny revealed that cornerback Patrick Peterson, the former LSU great and Arizona Cardinals first-round pick, is the top-rated rookie in Madden NFL 12.
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Those are some beastly ratings to say the least. Speed has usually been the most important attribute in previous Madden games, so Peterson could end up being a terror in coverage and in the return game.
With the NFL lockout in effect, these ratings hold a little more weight as well. While most of the time, one could say these ratings will change after the first regular season game takes place, ratings may not need to be updated on a week-to-week basis this year if there is no season.
Nevertheless, do you all think the ratings are justified, or should another rookie be number one?
Oh, and by the way, this reveal also ties in nicely with our featured article today talking about some of the most dominant rookies from this generation of Madden games.
01:00 PM - May 19, 2011. Posted by metallidevils. Written by Chase Becotte
IGN posted a story today detailing some of the additions to Dynasty mode in NCAA Football 12.
The biggest change seems to be the ability to create a coach and move up the coaching ranks. Many folks have been begging for a "coaching carousel" in this series, so this addition seems like it should make a lot of people happy.
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The story also mentions some details about Online Dynasty mode, including confirmation that you will be able to simulate online dynasty games from your computer.
If you're a more visual person, IGN has also posted a video preview detailing these changes.
On a level beyond the additions themselves, the biggest change this year just seems to be the ability to customize the experience to your liking. The folks at EA Tiburon have been relatively rigid when it comes to customizing players, leagues and so forth, but the shackles seem to be coming off in both football games now.
More details should be released about this mode and the Road to Glory mode in the near future. The embargo for all media as it relates to these modes lifts on May 23.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
12:15 PM - May 18, 2011. Posted by Flamesfan102. Written by Chase Becotte
The first look at NHL 12 should come in the form of a screenshot in the very near future, according to the EA Sports NHL Twitter account.
"The first screenshot for NHL 12 will be coming very soon, exclusively to our Facebook fans! CLICK LIKE if you're excited about NHL 12 and can't wait to see the first screen! Don't forget to invite your hockey-loving friends to become fans of EA SPORTS NHL so they can see the first screen too! What do you think the first screenshot will show?"
Alain Quinto, the EA Canada community manager, later confirmed this news about the picture being posted this week, and an EA blog that was posted today states that even more news will be released next week.
"Look out for the first NHL 12 screenshot on the EA SPORTS NHL Facebook Fanpage this week and the first NHL 12 Feature Reveal video on IGN.com next week!"
As one of the more anticipated sports games this year, I can't wait to see any glimpse of NHL 12. This title is sure to be at E3 as well, so the news should certainly be ramping up soon.
07:08 AM - May 18, 2011. Posted by marino13. Written by Chase Becotte
The MLB 2K11 patch has been released for the Xbox 360 and PC. 2K Sports has not yet posted the patch notes for this release, but we will be sure to update this news post when we get them.
In the meantime, post impressions about what the patch seems to have changed or not changed.
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UPDATE: Patch notes have been added to story
Batting
- Batters will no longer hit unrealistic, soft liners
- More grounders instead of soft liners
- Improved hit distribution
- How hard CPU AI batters hit the ball is more closely matched to their power ratings than it was before
- More home runs by power hitting CPU AI players
- Not as many HRs by weak hitting CPU AI players
- Improved CPU AI batter logic for taking pitches
- Will not chase as many poorly thrown balls
- Will take advantage of more poorly thrown strikes
- The 2K10 base running camera has been added as an option
- The pitch type “Splitter” is now considered a breaking ball rather than a “Fastball” when displayed in the pitch tells/batter’s eye while batting
- In-game sub screen off the directional pad will now show the batter’s pitch count when a pitcher is up to bat
Pitching
- All-star caliber and elite starting pitchers will not get subbed out of the game after giving up some early runs early in the game
- Sub logic has been re-tuned to allow team’s aces to stay on the mound longer during rough, early innings
- Middle relievers do not stay in the game as long unless their performance warrants more innings
- Poorly rated relief pitchers also have a much quicker “hook” to be taken out of the game
- In-game sub screen off the directional pad will show all relievers available pitch count range when pitcher is on the mound (including pitcher who is on the mound)
- In-game sub screen off the directional pad will now show the batter’s pitch count when a pitcher is up to bat
- The pitch type “Splitter” is now considered a breaking ball rather than a “Fastball” when displayed in the pitch tells/batter’s eye while batting
Fielding
- Fixed bug where robbing a HR counted as both an out and a HR
- Fixed bug where fielder clipped/penetrated through wall to catch HR
- Catches and gathers by both AI and User teams will not take as long to break out of
- Throwing to a base or to the cut-off man is much more responsive now
- Fielders and catchers will not rotate or spin in place when setting up for a pop fly
- Fixed bug where CPU AI outfielders would hold the ball instead of throwing when users tag up
- CPU AI outfielders attempt to gun out user base runners whenever there is a chance at a close play
- CPU AI fielders now make relay throws whenever possible
- Smoother looking catches
- Fielders no longer stutter or pop when waiting underneath a fly ball
- Running throws will not trigger from standing catches
- Smoother looking, more appropriate throw selection when a standing catch triggers
- Fielders will no longer play “give-up” animations in slow motion
- Bugs involving the correct number of errors have been addressed
- Previously, multiple errors were recorded when runners advanced an extra base on a throwing error
- Previously, a play would be incorrectly ruled a base hit instead of a throwing error when the 1st baseman was pulled off the bag by a poor throw on a play that should have resulted in an out
- Fixed bug where 3rd baseman would not attempt to tag a baserunner who was sliding in on a steal attempt after a strikeout
- Fixed ball warping on catches by the catcher
- Catcher behaves appropriately when home runs are hit and when line drives are hit
- No longer stands and sits, nor does he face the wrong way
- CPU AI fielders will no longer chase down foul balls that are going to land several rows into the crowd
- There are no longer issues or bugs preventing you from assigning and playing with a left-handed 2B, SS, or Catcher
Base Running
- CPU AI base runners will behave more realistically
- They will attempt to score from 2nd more often
- They will go from first to 3rd more often
- They will attempt doubles more often with 2 outs
- CPU AI and user base runners will always run home from 3rd with 2 outs
- CPU AI will send base runner home from 3rd on grounders with 0-1 outs
- Base runners no longer leave the base path when returning to a base
- Base runners can no longer overlap each other if the man on first retreats after the batter has already decided to go to 2nd
- Baserunners retreat to their base quicker on line drive outs
- Fast, aggressive base runners will behave accordingly
- Creates more gun outs and more plays at the plate as well
- Baserunners decelerate slightly when rounding bases
- Rather than maintaining sprint speed
- The 2K10 base running camera has been added as an option
- Base runners no longer run in place nor in slow motion when retreating to a base after a pitch lands in the dirt
- Fixed bug where the player replacing an injured base runner would not appear in-game
- Fixed bug where pinch runner for injured player appears at the plate rather than on base
- Fixed pinch runner bug where inserting a pinch runner would put him on 1st instead of 2nd or 3rd
My Player/Franchise
- Fixed My Player crashes
- Fixed crashes involving departed players screen in Franchise
- Fixed franchise mode crashes that occur on the schedule screen when simulating games
- Addressed issue with pitcher fatigue in franchise mode
- After a user game was played in-game, the pitchers who played would have their stamina reset to 99 the following day
- Both simulated injuries and in-game injuries occur with less frequency in all modes
- Also, there won’t be as many players on the DL at the same time
- Assigning all free agents in franchise mode will no longer crash the game during the transition to the regular season
- Fixed crash when user trades 6 pitchers for 6 injured pitchers in franchise mode
- Fixed crashes involving edited players in a draft in franchise mode
- Improved logic for Comeback Player of the Year award
- No longer will rookies who were called up in the middle of the season win comeback player of the year the following season
- Fixed PC bug in which headlines in franchise mode would not display the names of created players
- Used to say “#######” instead of player name (now fixed)
- All team and individual records have been updated and/or corrected
- Addressed My Player mentor audio and text bugs
- My Player pitchers receive full amount of points awarded even when they do not pitch a complete game
- My Player pitchers no longer receive points twice for getting a win in a game
- ALCS, NLCS, and World series are now in the correct 2-3-2 format rather than 2-2-1-1-1
Online
- In the 2nd patch of MLB2K11, we wanted to do more than just address bugs. We've added new technology to create a batting experience online that is lag free. The responsiveness and twitch feels just like that of an offline game, regardless of varying connection speeds. Waiting patiently on an incoming pitch and determining whether it is a ball or a strike before swinging is now a part of the online battle at the plate. We are excited to roll this out as a part of the patch.
- Fixed online divergences
- Living Roster: The division and league standing show the current 2011 standings now rather than last yr’s 2010 standings
- Living Roster: Stats pages (player stats and league leaders) are now up to date for the 2011 season
- Living Roster: Fixed bug where incorrect players from multiple teams would appear in many different games when viewing the box score menu after the user resets rosters
General
- Fixed framerate issues during gameplay
- Foul balls, balls hit into play, fielding fly balls
- Fixed in-game freezes and crashes
- Presentation related crashes (team logos, graphics, etc)
- Gameplay crash has been fixed on foul balls
- Gameplay crash has been fixed when 2 players converge on same foul ball/popfly
- Fixed injury related crashes in-game
- Fixed in-game crashes associated with viewing defensive alignment
- Fixed crash involving changing all pitches in edit player to a fastball and then changing pitch 1 again
- Fixed all bugs which caused either 2 pitchers or 2 batters to appear simultaneously in-game
- Injury-related
- Player of the game logic has been improved
- Will no longer give the award to a member of the losing team
- Added an option to turn on “auto-fielding” for the user team
- When this is turned on, all the user will have to do is handle the pitching when their team is in the field.
- Re-tuned sliders on the tougher difficulties so that realistic stats are achieved both in the field and at the plate
- Base runner speed slider now defaults to 40 instead of 50
- Frequency of extra base hits are now more realistic
- Added an option to turn on “auto baserunning” for the user team
- When this is turned on, all the user will have to do is perform the at bats when their team is up to the plate.
- In-game pause summary now shows the pitch count (PC) as yellow and then red when the pitcher is suffering from fatigue.
- Fixed bugs that were preventing custom sounds, music, and playlists from working properly
- Addressed PC button functionality bugs
- Fixed audio bug for umpire on walks
- Sometimes the ump would say, “3-1” after ball 4 was thrown
- Correct hats are now worn by the Red Sox when they are wearing their alternate home and road uniforms
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
01:56 PM - May 17, 2011. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Chase Becotte
With all the news already being released about what to expect in this year's Franchise mode in Madden NFL 12, I thought it would be best to go back through my interview with EA's Josh Looman, one of the main developers behind Madden's single-player behemoth, and just transcribe the entirety of the interview. If there is not news to break, at least you can find a bit more depth here about the reasoning behind some of the changes being made and why they should improve Franchise mode this year.
Read More - Chatting with EA's Josh Looman about Madden's Franchise Mode
Monday, May 16, 2011
01:34 PM - May 16, 2011. Posted by Blazzen. Written by Chase Becotte
2K Sports representative Ronnie 2K has posted on Twitter that the long-awaited patch for MLB 2K11 should be released on Wednesday May 18.
At this point the patch notes are not available, but Ronnie 2K says they should be available on the MLB 2K Facebook page by Wednesday, if not sooner. He also mentions that you should not have to restart your franchise or anything like that to ensure the patch works.
Friday, May 13, 2011
05:33 PM - May 13, 2011. Posted by ChaseB. Written by Chase Becotte
Triple H has got two words for ya' -- anagram time!
Over the next three weeks, something about Smackdown vs. Raw 2012 will be unveiled via a series of mysterious anagrams that must be cracked by fans. Every Friday at 2:30 p.m. EST, WWE Games Creative Director, Cory Ledesma, will tweet the latest anagram, and then this tweet will also show up on the @WWEGames Twitter feed and on the WWE Games Facebook page.
The first of these anagrams was released today, and it is as follows: "Oh Singing Mecca." If you rearrange these letters and think you know what this means, then tweet @WWEGames with the hashtag #WWEGames. If you are right and selected by THQ, then you will win some sort of wrassling-related prize. You will also have a chance to post your detective work in the comments section of the WWE Games Facebook page, as someone from there will also be eligible to win a prize.
Source - Mysterious Anagrams From WWE Games Creative Director, Cory Ledesma (Official Smackdown vs. Raw Community Site)
04:57 PM - May 13, 2011. Posted by ChaseB. Written by Chase Becotte
NHL 11 suffered its first prognostication error last night, predicting Detroit would beat the Sharks in seven games rather than lose in seven. Still, 11 for 12 ain't bad so far during these 2011 NHL Playoffs.
The simulation has the Conference Finals both going six games, with Boston and Vancouver both winning out in the end. This simulation also coincides with an ongoing contest that is being run by EA where all of you have a chance to partake in a bracket challenge and potentially win two tickets to the 2012 NHL All-Star Game in Ottawa. Of course, if you're just getting involved now you really have no shot at the grand prize, but hey, you can still win the prizes that are given away at the conclusion of each round of playoffs.
The Conference Finals begin Saturday night with Boston and Tampa leading things off before Vancouver and San Jose meet on Sunday.
Source - NHL Bracket Challenge: Third Round Simulation (EA Sports)
Thursday, May 12, 2011
06:49 PM - May 12, 2011. Posted by ChaseB. Written by Chase Becotte
MX vs. ATV Alive was released this week, and since there is no demo to digest, those curious about the game should check out some videos that are popping up around the web.
Over at GameTrailers there are four new gameplay videos, and then at Gamersyde there are eight videos to watch. You can also check out our forums and see what people are saying about the game so far.
06:33 PM - May 12, 2011. Posted by ChaseB. Written by Chase Becotte
IGN had a live stream running yesterday of NCAA Football 12 (archived videos found here), and during the show one of the loading screens listed some of the new details found in the Online Dynasty mode.
As the screenshot above states, you will now be able to Super Sim your games against CPU opponents, and you will be able to advance an Online Dynasty to the next week right from the web. The Super Sim feature is great for those that just love recruiting or only want to play human opponents, and being able to advance an OD to the next week from anywhere in the world -- instead of just from your gaming console -- will mean commissioners can more efficiently run their leagues without worrying about always being at home.
This little loading screen slip up was obviously not intended to happen, and of course, Operation Sports users immediately spotted these details, and then a screen grab ended up on The Gaming Tailgate forums later that night. PastaPadre also ended up posting about what some of these details could potentially mean for Online Dynasty.
On the official side of things, EA will be lifting the embargo on Online Dynasty details (as well as Road to Glory and regular Dynasty) on May 23. Expect more details to surface on or around that date.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
04:38 PM - May 11, 2011. Posted by ChaseB. Written by Chase Becotte
We recently took a look at the upgrades that have been made to the presentation in Madden NFL 12. However, this preview is all about the gameplay.
While there is not a singular feature EA is trumpeting on the gameplay front, it’s clear that plenty of time has been spent trying to fix up and enhance what was on display in Madden NFL 11. The early results are intriguing, but with a lot of tweaking and tuning yet to come, it’s hard to draw too many conclusions at this point.
Read More - Madden NFL 12 Gameplay Preview
Monday, May 9, 2011
02:25 PM - May 9, 2011. Posted by ChaseB. Written by Chase Becotte
All right folks, here's the deal. I will be speaking with EA's Mr. Josh(full name maybe has an 'ua'?) Looman in the very near future. Many of you have interacted with him on here in the past, so he probably does not need much of an introduction, but he's the developer who likes to watch simulation after simulation run across his screen while his eyes try not to bleed too much.
Anyway, I'll be speaking with him via telephone about what's going on with Superstar Mode and Franchise Mode in Madden NFL 12 this week. The embargo won't be up until NEXT Monday (5/16). I'll be transcribing the interview for the site, but I'm going to let you all (mostly) guide where this interview goes.
Here is the only restriction (sans the given time constraints during an interview, so I obviously won't get everything answered):
No super-duper specific questions will be asked. If you want me to ask Josh if in year 2023 of Franchise mode will there be an abundance of quarterbacks available in the NFL Draft -- I WILL hunt you down.
On the other hand, here would be an acceptable question: Josh, has anything changed this year in terms of how the NFL Draft plays out in Madden 12?
(Pro tip: If your grammar is sound and on point, you probably have a better shot of getting a question asked.)
Friday, April 29, 2011
06:08 PM - April 29, 2011. Posted by ChaseB. Written by Chase Becotte
Operation Sports recently had a chance to speak with Jason Shenkman, the senior producer working on the EA/Playfish Facebook baseball game, World Series Superstars. We talked about the present and future of the game on the Facebook platform.
Read More - Interview: Talking Facebook Baseball Superstars With EA
05:57 PM - April 29, 2011. Posted by ChaseB. Written by Chase Becotte
To wrap up our weeklong look at baseball games that go beyond the consoles, we took a look at the recently released EA/Playfish Facebook baseball title, World Series Superstars. This game combines elements of EA's popular Ultimate Team mode with traditional text-sim elements, all within Facebook's social arena.
Read More - World Series Superstars Impressions
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