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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
# 61 CubsWillRiseAgain @ 02/28/15 02:35 PM
Jorge Soler and Javier Baez skin color seems quite light as well. Baez isn`t really dark-skinned, but Soler is much darker than the stream shows
 
# 62 CubsWillRiseAgain @ 02/28/15 02:49 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by CubsWillRiseAgain
as a die hard Cub fan it was a glaring thing that Dexter Fowler wasn`t our CF for this stream. Probably a product of the stream being in February but needless to say he needs to be added in lol
Nevermind, folks
 
# 63 Gagnon39 @ 03/01/15 07:39 PM
It concerns me a bit that this game was not played at Wrigley Field. It makes me think that they might be hiding something that they were not able to get into the game.
 
# 64 HozAndMoose @ 03/01/15 07:40 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gagnon39
It concerns me a bit that this game was not played at Wrigley Field. It makes me think that they might be hiding something that they were not able to get into the game.
They asked where people wanted it played and PNC was the clear favorite.
 
# 65 SmashMan @ 03/01/15 07:43 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gagnon39
It concerns me a bit that this game was not played at Wrigley Field. It makes me think that they might be hiding something that they were not able to get into the game.
Like what? I'd actually bet they were wanting to show off Pittsburgh due to MLB 14's lighting issues.

If you go back to the beginning of the first stream, when they show the color matching they were doing for grass and dirt, they show a little bit of Wrigley there. Since then we've also seen glances in the trailers. They seem to have all (well, from what we've seen of the actual Wrigley mockups) the new stuff in, I think.
 
# 66 thaSLAB @ 03/01/15 08:32 PM
There's nothing to hide. Trust me.

htcONE [M8] 5.0 | Tapatalk
 
# 67 CaseIH @ 03/01/15 09:12 PM
My wife today let me get a PS4, and even let me preorder MLBTS15, along with getting NBA2k15 so I would have something to play till The Show comes out.
After yesterday talking to my wife I didn't think it was going to happen, but they had a special on trade in of PS3 and 360 at Gamestop and today was the last day, so we went and got it, just downloading the game that cam with it, although I will never play it, Im a sports player only, but my wife might play it, and Im in the process of installing NBA2k15 now. Really though the new system woul dbe much faster on downloads but sure is taking a while it seems.


Anyway really excited that my wife used here Borthday and Christmas money here clients had given her so I could have a PS4, an able to play MLBTS15 as it really looks even more impressive this yr.
 
# 68 Gagnon39 @ 03/01/15 09:15 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by thaSLAB
There's nothing to hide. Trust me.

htcONE [M8] 5.0 | Tapatalk
Double-like. You guys have to cut me some slack. I'm a Cubs fan after all. I've had too many heartbreaks.
 
# 69 thaSLAB @ 03/01/15 11:21 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gagnon39
Double-like. You guys have to cut me some slack. I'm a Cubs fan after all. I've had too many heartbreaks.
LOL, ok since you put it that way . For what's it's worth, I grew up rooting for the Cubbies too. I absolutely loved the Harry Caray and Steve Stone broadcast team. I can also remember my grandad telling not to put too much faith in them...lol.

Anyway if it helps settle you a bit, of all the stadiums, Wrigley was my favorite in MLB15. It is absolutely gorgeous. Will it be 100% correct? Probably not, once the real renos are done, but per the concept images, SDS pretty much nailed it.

htcONE [M8] 5.0 | Tapatalk
 
# 70 Jr. @ 03/02/15 12:42 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by CaseIH
My wife today let me get a PS4, and even let me preorder MLBTS15, along with getting NBA2k15 so I would have something to play till The Show comes out.
After yesterday talking to my wife I didn't think it was going to happen, but they had a special on trade in of PS3 and 360 at Gamestop and today was the last day, so we went and got it, just downloading the game that cam with it, although I will never play it, Im a sports player only, but my wife might play it, and Im in the process of installing NBA2k15 now. Really though the new system woul dbe much faster on downloads but sure is taking a while it seems.


Anyway really excited that my wife used here Borthday and Christmas money here clients had given her so I could have a PS4, an able to play MLBTS15 as it really looks even more impressive this yr.


Just kidding man. That's awesome you're able to make the jump to PS4. The Show got me to move up last year... I never told my wife about upgrading haha. She doesn't know the difference.
 
# 71 CubFan23 @ 03/02/15 12:46 AM
Is there another twitch feed coming this week? If so, anyone know what they'll be covering?
 
# 72 Russell_SCEA @ 03/02/15 01:00 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by CubFan23
Is there another twitch feed coming this week? If so, anyone know what they'll be covering?

Monday full game and sit down with the character team, Thursday stadiums with the stadium art team.
 
# 73 HustlinOwl @ 03/02/15 01:08 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Russell_SCEA
Monday full game and sit down with the character team, Thursday stadiums worth the stadium art team.
Online Franchise/Online at some point

 
# 74 CaseIH @ 03/02/15 04:23 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jr.


Just kidding man. That's awesome you're able to make the jump to PS4. The Show got me to move up last year... I never told my wife about upgrading haha. She doesn't know the difference.




LOL, yeah I use to just buy what I wanted, but my health has turned bad an I cant work anymore, so we don't have much money. PLus my wife is now working 2 jobs to not only pay our normal bills, but I have a crap load of medical bills, we have real crappy insurance So I try not to ask for much, cause she does without so much, I actually even feel bad that she let me get a PS4, but were going to get some games in time for her to play, so she hopefully gets some enjoyment out of it as well.


Luckily I got a wonderful wife and with not being able to work or do anything anymore, playing games is the only enjoyment I get out of life, so I know that's why she did this for me. Never thought I would be retired at 42 years old, and playing video game would be th eonly thing I can do, especially since I have farmed my whole life, Im not used to sitting around doing nothing,lol.


ON a positive note I will be getting very deep into years in my franchise from now on,lol. Although with all the meds Im on MLBTS is definitely a struggle for me to hit, but since Im a Reds fan, my offensive numbers come out realistic, since they suck on offense,lol.
 
# 75 tsbmolina @ 03/02/15 09:17 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Russell_SCEA
Monday full game and sit down with the character team, Thursday stadiums with the stadium art team.
When it comes to MLB The Show graphics and animations is always what I look forward to the most. What time is the stream today and when you say character team what does that pertain to, players emotion?
 
# 76 bronxbombers21325 @ 03/02/15 10:39 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Russell_SCEA
Monday full game and sit down with the character team, Thursday stadiums with the stadium art team.
Whoo! I wasn't expecting anything today. Just made this Monday a whole lot better. What time will you guys be on tonight?
 
# 77 bronxbombers21325 @ 03/02/15 10:41 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jr.


Just kidding man. That's awesome you're able to make the jump to PS4. The Show got me to move up last year... I never told my wife about upgrading haha. She doesn't know the difference.
Mine doesn't know the difference either, however, she would have noticed the 400 bucks missing from the bank account. haha She bought me a PS4 for Christmans this year though, completely surprised me.
 
# 78 Cowboy008 @ 03/02/15 10:47 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Russell_SCEA
Monday full game and sit down with the character team, Thursday stadiums with the stadium art team.
We get a stream today and Thursday is going to be a stadium stream.


Will the stream be at 8pm est tonight?
 
# 79 tnixen @ 03/02/15 02:58 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Russell_SCEA
Monday full game and sit down with the character team, Thursday stadiums with the stadium art team.
I would love to see lots of improvements to Citizens Bank Park on that Thursday stadiums stream
 
# 80 ryanmc564 @ 03/02/15 03:56 PM
is the stream going to be 7pm central time?
 


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