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MLB 15 The Show: Recapping the First Full Game Stream (Pirates vs. Cubs)

If you missed Thursday's extra innings, hour-and-a-half stream of MLB 15: The Show, and you don't have time to watch the entire event in full, here are some handy cliff notes covering everything that was discussed on Sony San Diego's latest demo session:

Menus

  • You can now play/sim games directly from the main Franchise menu without having to search through the entire season calendar
  • A rotating "league updates" panel will let you see scores, stats, and transactions from your Franchise without having to page through multiple menus
  • All of the Franchise panels have been reorganized so that more information is readily available without needing to dig through several different screens
  • Like on last week's stream, it took exactly 21 seconds to load into a Franchise game from the "set your lineup" screen

Interface

  • You can now check your pitcher's energy while you are batting by pressing the d-pad. This will make it easier to decide whether or not to pinch-hit for a tired pitcher
  • All of the game's pitching/hitting interfaces can be used online
  • Visible pitch trails create a better visual representation of how the ball is going to move from the pitcher's glove to the catcher's glove. This is an option that can be toggled on/off
  • Pitchers can hold the R2 button to use an abbreviated "slide step" delivery if they think that a runner might be stealing. Slide step pitches will naturally have a lower velocity, and will also be tougher to control.

Differences between the PS3/Vita editions and the PS4 version

  • Licensed equipment will only show up in-game on PlayStation 4 this year, due to memory restrictions on the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita
  • The "Inside the Show" radio show will only appear on PlayStation 4 this year
  • Players will see a lot more animation variety and cutscene variety on PlayStation 4

Miscellaneous notes

  • The universal rewards level cap is 30
  • The new home run derby format is in the game
  • Manager challenges are an option now, and they will mostly occur during force outs to first base. The game will show a scene of your skipper talking to the first base umpire, then it will cut to a replay of the disputed call, at which point you can decide whether or not to issue a challenge
  • Hitters, fielders, and pitchers can all be injured if they are struck by the ball
  • Roster updates will continue to happen every week, and they will still be predominantly based on real-life performance. Remember that all MLB rookies have to play a full game in the majors before they can be added to the MLB 15: The Show roster.

Presentation

  • Night games no longer use a detailless black abyss for the background. Each ballpark's skyline will appear darker or lighter depending on the camera's distance
  • New post-pitch replays will highlight questionable calls and well-placed throws
  • Not every player will automatically receive a batter walk-up cutscene; these will appear more situationally this year
  • The commentary in Franchise mode will talk about your last 8 to 10 games, plus it will discuss how well your team is doing in the season standings
  • Play-by-play calls have been tuned to be shorter, with less run-on sentences
  • Post-pitch commentary is more likely to talk about what just happened instead of going off on long, unrelated tangents
  • MLB: The Show's commentary designer/scriptwriter recently left the team, and in December of 2014, Kirby St. John took over those duties.
  • Every MLB player who has a contract with the game's available sponsors will have licensed equipment in MLB 15: The Show. The fictional minor leaguers will mostly use licensed equipment, but there is still some generic gear being used in the minors.
  • There are some new team-specific celebrations and cutscenes
  • The developers captured lots of signature home run swings and home run celebrations for "all the big power hitters in the game."
  • Pitchers and batters will show more emotion this year while reacting in the post-play cutscenes
  • Every MLB team has the same number of uniform slots as last year, but most of the new alternate uniforms should be in the game. The Franchise mode logic that decides when teams will wear certain outfits is based on their real-life uniform schedules.

Next Week's Stream

At 8 PM EST on Thursday, February 26, Sony San Diego will discuss Franchise mode, Road to the Show, and their new in-game radio show called "Inside the Show."


Member Comments
# 21 joel6 @ 02/22/15 07:18 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by LastActionHero
Hey if my wife can fit a size 32 doesn't mean yours can too
huh? size 32? i have no idea what this means lol
 
# 22 nemesis04 @ 02/22/15 08:39 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by joel6
"Licensed equipment will only show up in-game on PlayStation 4 this year, due to memory restrictions on the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita" Friggg, kinda figured this would be the case. Now us sad ps3ers will have to look at the same old boring generic batting gloves and such. In my head i was thinking, if madden football on ps3 has the memory to show licensed equipment on all there players(nike gloves and cleats)why cant the show do the same.
Comparing 2 entirely different games does not work. Also the Show is content rich just look how much required hard drive space is required to operate it. There is no room to take it further visually unless you are sacrifing something else.
 
# 23 BuckeyeBoyd @ 02/22/15 09:04 AM
Like what they are doing with the menu's. I hate having to back out and in during a game. The more info I can find on one page, the better.
 
# 24 LastActionHero @ 02/22/15 10:22 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by joel6
huh? size 32? i have no idea what this means lol

Nevermind, European sizes haha.
 
# 25 Skyflame21 @ 02/22/15 11:44 AM
Question:
I'm not sure how this works but when a player misses a season by not playing the majors the next iteration of the show he's not in the game or he needs to be created. With Alex Rodriguez missing the whole season will he be represented in the game as a real player with his stats or will he need to be created? I know many aren't fans of ARod, but it's more of a question of how this affects his representation in the game.
 
# 26 ShowTyme15 @ 02/22/15 11:45 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Skyflame21
Question:
I'm not sure how this works but when a player misses a season by not playing the majors the next iteration of the show he's not in the game or he needs to be created. With Alex Rodriguez missing the whole season will he be represented in the game as a real player with his stats or will he need to be created? I know many aren't fans of ARod, but it's more of a question of how this affects his representation in the game.
He's in MLB 15. No need to worry.

For anyone wondering.
In order for a player to be in The Show after missing the previous season is the following.

Player has to be on a team's 40 man roster and injured out for the season.

Be on a team's 40 man roster and on the restricted list.
 
# 27 HustlinOwl @ 02/22/15 12:52 PM
would like to see in the upcoming stream them sim a complete season, so we can take a look at player draft (logic), Rule 5 draft (logic) and year two schedules
 
# 28 Hockeynut99 @ 02/22/15 01:38 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by LastActionHero
Hey if my wife can fit a size 32 doesn't mean yours can too
That is a big woman.

But I see what you did there.
 
# 29 Rules @ 02/22/15 07:20 PM
I love these guys as you can see they keep it real. Can't think of any other game developer who does this.

PS4 MLB 15 The Show preordered and paid in full.

Can't wait for franchise mode.
 
# 30 CujoMatty @ 02/22/15 09:02 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by joel6
"Licensed equipment will only show up in-game on PlayStation 4 this year, due to memory restrictions on the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita" Friggg, kinda figured this would be the case. Now us sad ps3ers will have to look at the same old boring generic batting gloves and such. In my head i was thinking, if madden football on ps3 has the memory to show licensed equipment on all there players(nike gloves and cleats)why cant the show do the same.
On the bright side you get custom music and ps4 owners don't.
 
# 31 Ruffy @ 02/23/15 07:56 PM
Should we be concerned about who was placed on waivers while they were navigating the panels at the beginning??

Jose Bautista, Juan Encarnacion, and other top players??
 
# 32 HozAndMoose @ 02/23/15 08:41 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ruffy
Should we be concerned about who was placed on waivers while they were navigating the panels at the beginning??

Jose Bautista, Juan Encarnacion, and other top players??
That happens every year in real life. After the trade deadline majority of player goes on the waiver wire. If a team makes a claim they pull the back off.
 
# 33 Ruffy @ 02/23/15 08:47 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by HozAndMoose
That happens every year in real life. After the trade deadline majority of player goes on the waiver wire. If a team makes a claim they pull the back off.
Yes and no....they actually don't go officially on waivers.

Not a big deal though as I did forget to notice the July 31st date.
 
# 34 HozAndMoose @ 02/23/15 08:53 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ruffy
Yes and no....they actually don't go officially on waivers.

Not a big deal though as I did forget to notice the July 31st date.
They are officially on waivers. Its just a special type of waiver (trade, recallable, whatever you want to call them) that allows the the team to pull them back if they were to be claimed.
 
# 35 countryboy @ 02/23/15 09:20 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ruffy
Yes and no....they actually don't go officially on waivers.

Not a big deal though as I did forget to notice the July 31st date.
Actually they do go on waivers. Its called Trade Waivers. When a player on trade waivers is "claimed" the team that placed him on waivers can either:

a) Work out a trade
b) Rescind the waiver
c) Do nothing and let the claiming team take the players contract (normal waiver)

If the claiming team rescinds the waiver, they cannot do a trade waiver again on that player for that season.
 
# 36 Ruffy @ 02/23/15 09:25 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by countryboy
Actually they do go on waivers. Its called Trade Waivers. When a player on trade waivers is "claimed" the team that placed him on waivers can either:

a) Work out a trade
b) Rescind the waiver
c) Do nothing and let the claiming team take the players contract (normal waiver)

If the claiming team rescinds the waiver, they cannot do a trade waiver again on that player for that season.
My point is only they don't show up on the wire for all to see.
 
# 37 countryboy @ 02/23/15 09:26 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ruffy
My point is only they don't show up on the wire for all to see.
I saw everyone that was on trade waivers in the game last year.
 
# 38 ShowTyme15 @ 02/23/15 09:29 PM
Revocable waivers.

No need to worry about the big names it is common for them to be put on revocable waivers yearly. Both Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg were put on revocable waiver and claimed this past season.
 
# 39 bronxbombers21325 @ 02/23/15 09:48 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Skyflame21
Question:
I'm not sure how this works but when a player misses a season by not playing the majors the next iteration of the show he's not in the game or he needs to be created. With Alex Rodriguez missing the whole season will he be represented in the game as a real player with his stats or will he need to be created? I know many aren't fans of ARod, but it's more of a question of how this affects his representation in the game.
I'm almost positive ARod will be in the game. He is in the MLBPA.
 
# 40 Ruffy @ 02/23/15 10:19 PM
The whole league basically gets put on waivers....I know how it works fellas.....just found it odd it to be scrolling in the news or transaction wire.

I used to work in media...we'd never post who got placed in the ticker..or on the wire we would just report the trades or actual claims with no take backs....

It's moot as its just a pet peeve...not game changing....just odd to me.
 


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