OS Roundtable: What Do You Think of The Show's Move to Analog Controls?

Feature Article

Submitted on: 12/30/2010 by Chase Becotte

Dustin Toms: Personally I'm not too fond of the move. I think it is a step in the right direction for SCEA, but I have never been a big fan of analog sticks controlling most of the actions in sports games. I will admit that I love the shot stick in NBA 2K11, but other than that I like to keep it old school with the buttons. Last year's game was a great game, but it was still a disappointment to me. I was expecting something great, something fantastic, but instead I got a lot of the same. Hopefully the new analog controls it will kick out the staleness that The Show had last year and give it some new life.

Steve Noah: I think it is a welcome addition, and one that is long overdue. It gives us another option, and I mention "option" only because if it is something I don't like, I'll just use the old control system. I know it will take some time to get used to, but I think it's great that the team is giving us something different. A check swing will be a lot easier to execute using the sticks, as opposed to a button press. (I've always had a check-swing issue with The Show series. Maybe it's my strong thumb.)

Caley Roark: I've liked analog controls in other baseball games, from the MVP series to the refined pitching of MLB 2K10, so I welcome this option in MLB 11. As much as I loved MLB 10, games became a bit repetitive to me simply because of the repetition of pressing buttons. I like that the analog controls put the emphasis on you as a controller rather than on the numbers being crunched behind the scenes. In any case, I can't see this as a bad thing because you will be given the option to switch back. Options are never bad, and I am glad to see the SCEA developers pushing their game instead of resting on their laurels.

Kelvin Mak: This gets a tentative thumbs up from me. Analog stick controls are not the easiest thing to get right, but because of The Show's track record, I'm willing to give it the benefit of the doubt. But to be honest, I just don't see the pressing need for The Show to go analog. For a game like NHL, it made sense because the "shot stick" opened up a boatload of possibilities for new moves that you could not pull off before. But for a baseball game where the switch to analog is, as far as I can tell from the early previews, based on the reason that twirling a stick is a huge step closer to the real thing than pressing a button, it just does not do much for me. However, like others have said, the good thing is that it's an option, so it's easy for me to revert back to the old scheme if I don't like it.

Christian McLeod: Color me a bit nervous. While I'm confident in SCEA, no developer to date has been able to really make analog controls work perfectly in a baseball game. From check-swing issues to a lack of pitching feedback to over-sensitivity in the field, there always seems to be an overriding issue that hampers an analog setup. To be honest, I'm just not sure analog controls are conducive to a better baseball gaming experience. But it does inject the game with more excitement versus repetitive button presses.

I also give the developers a lot of credit for realizing it was time to breathe some new life into their game -- even if the execution of MLB 11's analog control scheme sounds a lot like a carbon copy of MVP NCAA Baseball 07's rock and fire pitching and hitting. It is reassuring to know that if the developers were going to emulate another baseball game's analog controls, that they would choose the game that has done the best job to date. More options are always better, and it's good to see MLB 11 offering the total package when it comes to controls.

Chase Becotte: Count me as one of the people who didn't really feel like analog controls were needed. I prefer analog controls for fielding, but otherwise I had found a nice balance when it came to pitching and hitting in The Show. My real issue was more that the hitting could not be tweaked enough via sliders because the PCI was inaccurate. (For those unaware, PCI dealt with where you aimed the analog stick when swinging the bat.) But now that the PCI is being tweaked so you won't make contact with the ball if your PCI isn't in the zone where the ball is, that quells one of my major issues. Nevertheless, I'm not opposed to trying new things so I will certainly give these controls a chance. And even if I only end up using the new fielding controls, that would still be an upgrade to my gaming experience with The Show.

MLB 11 The Show Videos

Member Comments

# 21 magoo1967 @ 12/31/10 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enyc718


	The good thing is that its an option. SCEA can't go wrong. I personally don't like it much but that's probably because I really never used consistantly so, I will give it a try and I actually hope I like it. It will be something different and a change. And change is good.

This is exactly how I feel about it too. I have never been fond of analog stick controls in baseball games, but then again I never gave SCEA's take on them a try yet. I also hope I learn to like it just to change things up, but I'm so glad that they left the old school button controls in as an option just in case.

I'm also very interested to see how they incorporate the Move controller into the game. Even if it's just for batting practice or Home Run Derby, I think it might be fun to take a few swings now & again in my living room (sort of like a virtual batting cage). I'll bet taking some cuts with the Move while playing in 3D should be a lot of fun. I don't have a 3D set, but I have a friend who does and I have a feeling that I'll be bringing my PS3 & MLB 11 when I visit. The only problem is that up until now, I had absolutely no interest in buying a 3D TV but if anything is ever going to sell me on 3D, it will be The Show. No matter how bazaar I look wearing 3D glasses over my real lenses while swinging a glowing snow-cone

# 22 Mad dog 31 @ 12/31/10 10:27 AM

The new additions if done properly will add to the overall "immersion" you get from the outstanding job the devs have done to re-create the best baseball sim to date. I am looking forward to the changes, and as always, they offer the option to change back to the old button mashing scheme (which I felt was getting old).

GREAT JOB to everyone involved in this game, I've never felt like I've gotten my money's worth out of a console game, except with the Show!

It should speak for itself enough to say, it's Dec. and I am still looking forward to another matchup in this game.

# 23 Mr. Franchise @ 12/31/10 10:47 AM

Indifferent. As long as I have the option of old controls.

# 24 EnigmaNemesis @ 12/31/10 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shigogouhou


	The fear remains that once you implement analog controls, you'll start phasing out button controls.

Never going to happen. SCEA has never done this and never will.

Sent from the dugout using Tapatalk

# 25 gigadkc @ 12/31/10 12:08 PM

only because of true zone hitting I'll use the buttons anyway. I don't care about analog control schemes as long as I don't have full control (like height) and all the features that button control schemes has like true zone hitting.

# 26 teebee @ 12/31/10 12:43 PM

Sounds like an overreaction by Show Devs because people don't realize the game is perfect as it is now. The hitter vs batter in Show is what separates it from all the other shoddy MLB games out there, screwing that up or making it feel less natural could destroy that.

Of course my inability to adapt to change doesn't help either; Old man hands time

# 27 Two Seamer @ 12/31/10 12:46 PM

I'm firmly in the No Thanks But The More Options The Better Camp; but in fairness, I think someone who hated analog could complain about the opportunity cost of developing that mode instead of other things.

But that'd be a very premature objection, as '11 could still come out splendidly (and I expect it will).

# 28 EnigmaNemesis @ 12/31/10 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OSoutlaw82


	"Dustin Toms: Personally I'm not too fond of the move. I think it is a step in the right direction for SCEA, but I have never been a big fan of analog sticks controlling most of the actions in sports games. I will admit that I love the shot stick in NBA 2K11, but other than that I like to keep it old school with the buttons. Last year's game was a great game, but it was still a disappointment to me. I was expecting something great, something fantastic, but instead I got a lot of the same. Hopefully the new analog controls it will kick out the staleness that The Show had last year and give it some new life. This is exactly why they added the analog control options. Statements like this one. What else can they do to make the game feel new and fresh? There may be some minor things that can be done but baseball is baseball. IMO the game is one of the best sports games ever made but there are people who still expect something more when they buy the new edition of the game. You can't be against the new analog controls (especially if you call last years edition stale) and want more innovation. Analog controls, new player models, and more bells and whistles. Like I said I love the show but baseball is baseball and the guys at SCEA have yet to disappoint.

Agreed, ideologies of other video game genre's are starting to bleed into the sports genre, and it should not be the case.

Baseball has been baseball for over 100 years, the core will not change. They do it right.

# 29 Dazraz @ 12/31/10 01:24 PM

Analog controls are a natural progression on sports games these days. Even if the system proves awful you still have the option to use the current mode so it's hard to be overly critical. Personally I am likely to stick to the button method.

# 30 ChubbyBanana @ 12/31/10 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teebee


	Sounds like an overreaction by Show Devs because people don't realize the game is perfect as it is now. The hitter vs batter in Show is what separates it from all the other shoddy MLB games out there, screwing that up or making it feel less natural could destroy that. Of course my inability to adapt to change doesn't help either; Old man hands time

I'm in the same boat. I hate adapting to change.

Thankfully we won't have to worry about adapting, because it will be an option if I understand correctly.

# 31 DaReapa @ 12/31/10 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dayman


	It's another option. You don't like it, use the old option. No reason to not like this move because you aren't locked into using it.

What this guy said!

# 32 pistolpete @ 12/31/10 03:47 PM

I just hope they do it better than MLB2KX did it.

# 33 rudyjuly2 @ 12/31/10 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NAFBUC


	Hey rudyjuly.......you forgot to mention slider adjustments for pitch speed. ( I would also like to see the sliders have a greater impact range)

That's just a given.

# 34 rudyjuly2 @ 12/31/10 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChubbyBanana


	I'm in the same boat. I hate adapting to change. Thankfully we won't have to worry about adapting, because it will be an option if I understand correctly.

I wasn't sure how much I would like analog controls either. I was skeptical but fell in love with them for 2k10. The demo will give you a good look.

# 35 queensbomber @ 12/31/10 05:01 PM

I will definately be using analog and if I find it needs retooling or tweaking and find it unplayable, Ill simply go back to classic. I mean I love this series and cant think of any reason not to purchase this years version.

# 36 BwanaKuu @ 12/31/10 05:19 PM

I liked the analog pitching in 2k10. You had to do different motions with the right stick for each pitch. Made it feel more like you're actually pitching as opposed to click pitch button, location, tap x and hit the sweet spot.

I hated analog hitting though, I switched back to buttons on 2k10 and hitting was so much easier and that was my first baseball game.

# 37 stcloudgopher @ 12/31/10 07:52 PM

Analog, old-school... It doesn't really matter. As has been mentioned ad nauseum, it will be nice to have the option to revert. But the way this has been talked about makes me question my (usual) decision to pre-order. Is this going to be it?

As mentioned in the Roundtable, this game, while great, has grown stale. It is starting to get a little bit of a Madden rep. There are a few things that I would consider more pressing than analog controls. How about fixing the sliders? Maybe tweaking the RTS mode to factor in performance more than goals when it comes to promotion? Balancing some of the stat issues when it comes to simming? Adding a more realistic free agent system? (Seriously, watching MVP-caliber talent retire in their later 20s because of a "poor free agent market" is absurd.) Creating some decent talent in later years?

Sorry for the rant, but it is worrisome that a franchise that has done so much right (and the analog switch will probably fall into that category) continues to ignore more pertinent problems.

EDIT
SCEA, I apologize. I had not yet read anything detailed about RTS. I am very interested in the "Good at-bat" system. Again, why I question you, I don't know. It's not like you're EA -- you seem to listen.

# 38 acarrero @ 01/01/11 03:12 PM

Analog sticks can make the game play more like true baseball, IMO. If done right (like it was in MVP 06/07), that means you will go through slumps and hot streaks more often than with just pressing buttons. It will frustrate some, but that's baseball. Pitching, I think MLB2K had done a good job. The Rock and Fire mechanic in MVP07 had potential, but was not up to par with their analog hitting.

# 39 theshow89 @ 01/03/11 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solid-Hock


	I believe the Check swing will happen if you let go of the stick before your swing is finished.

yea i know wut ur sayin but idk i just have a much easier time checking with the x button

# 40 theshow89 @ 01/03/11 12:33 AM

if it wasnt for that i would def like the stick better because it is more realistic in that u need to time ur step and swing instead of just the swing. i played baseball until my sophomore yr in college and the timing of the step is just as important as the swing...if ur timing is even a little off u r way off balance so hopefully the swingsick in the show 11 is better than the one in the 2k series because i rly do like the idea...but if i have a hard time checking swings than i gotta stick with the classic controls

« Previous 123 4 Next »

More Links