Four Keys to Success for MLB '11: The Show

[swaldo]

Quote: Originally Posted by Bumble14

FYI- that player fatigue system was implemented perfectly into MVP05. I used to love how my players got tired and more injury prone the more they played. As far as the The Bigs 2 goes, it's just a fun hitting system, end of story. The game itself is fun, but it's no GOTY. I still stand by a lot in the MVP article, especially about hitting. No matter how many disagreed, saying The Shows hitting mechanic was left stick influenced ala MVP is a flat out lie. Yes, I'm calling Brian out on that again. You nailed it on the head though- batting in THe Show series is not constantly rewarding, resulting in an experience that isn't that fun. I miss the charge mound too ;-)

The MVP and BIGS 2 hitting systems are definately fun, and sometimes I get so wrapped up in wanting a sim experience that I forget games should be fun. Perhaps the best way is to go the route of EA's NCAA baseball which offered three hitting systems (and all of them were good.) You had the 'Pure Swing System' ala MVP 05 and Bigs 2, the 'Load and Fire' and finally Zone Hitting.

The 'Pure Swing' was a 3 zone system (aim left, center or right) and the up/down "influence" aiming was basically a fancy word for power or contact swing. The beauty of it was that you could select power or contact on the fly because in most games you have to make this decision prior to the pitch. This is great when you're ahead in a count and want to swing away. But in a way it was bad because if you're trying to survive on an 0-2 count it was a bit easy to just flick the stick up if you saw a high pitch and smash it. Part of the problem though was dumb AI, I mean why are they throwing me a high curveball? I think the best way to use this system is to set ground rules for yourself. For example if you're behind in a count you'd have to decide if you want to use a power swing prior to a pitch, no read & react allowed.

Load and Fire Batting was the same 3-zone system as Pure Swing. You cocked the analog stick back, then up & to the left, center or right to aim. The difference was power and contact was now tied to buttons so overall you had to think more about your approach before each pitch. Also, they took it one step further by adding a protective, defensive swing option. Not many people are aware of this because it's not listed in the controls or in-game video tutorial but it's there. And I challenge anyone to find a review of the game which mentioned it.

L & F was my favorite batting system from EA because I liked being in charge of the batters animation (with a swing being a two step process.) Many times I'd rock back quickly expecting fastball but have to sit and wait for a changeup, then hit it weakly because I loaded so early. Other times I'd swing, change my mind but hit the ball anyway - all off balance and looking like a mental. But in general the game had a batting system for everyone: Pure Swing was the simplest and easy to pick-up, L & F was mid-range and required a bit more coordination and thought, and Zone Batting was for the hardcore player who wanted the most challenge.

NCAA 07 was really a great game which also added 'Rock & Fire' pitching; and there's a camp out there who's trying to get that system added in The Show. I also love the unpredictable flow of the game due to less refined college players.

Anyway, we'd all be setup great if baseball games had Timing Only, Pure Swing, Load and Fire, Zone PCI (ala The Show) and Cursor Batting (ala Pro Yakyuu Spirits.) Five difficulty levels with all of them resulting in realistic stats. Too much to ask?

[clownbaby]

One change will put The Show on top of every other baseball game ever:

Reshape the PCI to match that of a REAL sweet spot on a baseball bat. This would make a more oblong shape with a sweet spot indicator placed where the true sweet spot of the bat is.

Hitting would be more difficult, but to counter this, SCEA would have to take a BIG LEAP and actually match up the timing/PCI with the resulting ball trajectory, which is not happening anytime soon from the looks of their previous games...

[MLB01]

Quote: Originally Posted by clownbaby

One change will put The Show on top of every other baseball game ever: Reshape the PCI to match that of a REAL sweet spot on a baseball bat. This would make a more oblong shape with a sweet spot indicator placed where the true sweet spot of the bat is. Hitting would be more difficult, but to counter this, SCEA would have to take a BIG LEAP and actually match up the timing/PCI with the resulting ball trajectory, which is not happening anytime soon from the looks of their previous games...

So basically, you want Pro Baseball Spirits hitting as an option in The Show. I do too.

[Moneybalzs]

I know im just dreaming here but i would LOVE for them to some how acquire the rights to use the FOX logos and overlays and get joe buck and tim mccarver in the game. if this could happen i'd never play another game again.

[Knight165]

Quote: Originally Posted by Moneybalzs

I know im just dreaming here but i would LOVE for them to some how acquire the rights to use the FOX logos and overlays and get joe buck and tim mccarver in the game. if this could happen i'd never play another game again.

If McCarver is ever in...I'm OUT.
Ooofff....enough to give me the chills!

M.K.
Knight165

[rsox]

Quote: Originally Posted by Moneybalzs

I know im just dreaming here but i would LOVE for them to some how acquire the rights to use the FOX logos and overlays and get joe buck and tim mccarver in the game. if this could happen i'd never play another game again.

Worst idea {b]EVER!![/b]

I would keep Vasgersian and dump Campbell and Hudler or at the very least drop Hudler. Maybe replace him with Harold Reynolds.

[MLB01]

Paul O'Neill drunk would be good, lol..

[Todem]

The only thing missing presentation wise is a Baseball Tonight or MLB Channel weekly show with highlights from around the league, trade rumors, call-ups, lineup shake ups etc.

Gameplay wise the game is almost perfect. And I gotta say I love just pitching and batting and letting the AI field and run. It's a joy to play the game and rely on the player ratings. I still position guys in certain situations but after seeing the ball hit I get a thrill watching my team backing me up.

Now if they revamped the controls for baserunning (ala MVP 2005) I would run/steal for myself.