MLB 12 The Show - Gameplay Impressions

[Qb]

Quote: Originally Posted by Pared

2 - The new camera angle should help considerably in limiting the effectiveness of changeups. What was once my bane is now something I can read very, very well off the pitcher's hand. I know everyone at CD kept trying to throw me changeups and I wouldn't bite anywhere near as often as in the past. I'm pretty sure you can get an almost similar batting view with the custom controls in 11. It's amazing what a difference it makes.

As best I can tell from the screenshots, the new default view is similar to the custom view I use. The tilt might be slightly different, but I can tell by the batter's back foot and batter's box at the bottom of the screen that it's pretty close overall. And it does make a difference; I was always jumping early at 12-6s at changeups in '10. Now it's usually when I'm not expecting it (3-1 count... GRRR!!!) or when facing someone throwing gas, both of which can be seen as legitimate.

This leads me to something else. I know this isn't the Q&A thread, but was anything done regarding pitch selection/frequency? I felt like guys -- particularly power relievers -- would throw too many changeups. A lot of those types almost never throw them, but have them in-game to round out the three pitch repertoire. I think what happens is a few swings & misses (or even called strikes) really cranked up the individual pitch confidence leading to more pitches of that type. I can see how that's integral to the an adaptive CPU pitching experience -- ie, go with what's working -- but perhaps the refined confidence makes it more subtle?

[Qb]

Quote: Originally Posted by nomo17k

I also feel this could be an issue at times with the current confidence system. Better gets better, worse gets worse, leading to runaway situations. Yes it probably does happen IRL, so can be realistic, but it might happen too often in the 1st innings with starters and when the relievers just come in in this game... And it is a good thing the new confidence system appears to be more stable in that regard.

I'm with you. I don't have an issue with the theory behind it, but I often felt it was too exaggerated, especially for the CPU*. At any rate, I'd love to hear more impressions on the revamped confidence system.

* Maybe because the CPU successfully executes pitches more often than I do? Or because I swing & miss more?

[Heroesandvillains]

QB, Nomo, etc...

Great topic guys!!! Hopefully the CES invitees and/or Devs can come in and continue the conversation. I love reading about this stuff.

[ped3328]

Quote: Originally Posted by Knight165

It's not. I'm HORRIBLE at batting...and because of my tendency to swing at everything(ask Nem!! ).....I K quite a bit(never looking!)....but I also easily get walks when I do actually concentrate. Last night....I played two innings(had to shut it down...after playing '12, '11..........) and had two walks. M.K. Knight165

Having realized I was just as bad hitting while playing The Show as in real life when I played sandlot baseball, I decided on pitching exclusively. When it's my turn to bat, I simply switch to pitching for the other team. It's pretty gratifying when I hear Soupy say '' That was a pretty good pitch''! It may be an odd way of playing the game but I'm having more fun doing it that way.

[nemesis04]

Quote: Originally Posted by Qb

This leads me to something else. I know this isn't not the Q&A thread, but was anything done regarding pitch selection/frequency? I felt like guys -- particularly power relievers -- would throw too many changeups. A lot of those types almost never throw them, but have them in-game to round out the three pitch repertoire. I think what happens is a few swings & misses (or even called strikes) really cranked up the individual pitch confidence leading to more pitches of that type. I can see how that's integral to the an adaptive CPU pitching experience -- ie, go with what's working -- but perhaps the refined confidence makes it more subtle?

My last game I played at the event was the Tigers and Yanks at Yankee Stadium. It was Verlander (CPU) and Sabathia (me). I took an early 4-0 lead in the first three innings and Verlander's confidence was never below 50%. Sabathia bled runs through 6.5. The big blow was a 3 run Home run in the 6th and the lead trailing 6-4. That event brought his confidence down between 40-50%. Last year that would have been lights out and Sabathia probably would have not been able to get out of the inning. Verlander stayed in and completed 8 full innings and his confidence never really went above 75%.

Fast forward to the bottom of the ninth trailing 6-4 and the Tigers bring in Valverde to close it out. He predominantly used his fastballs and very rarely went off speed with anything. Anyway to start the 9th Swisher grounded to short for the first out. Valverde's confidence was pretty high which would be expected starting off the inning with an out. Andrew Jones was up next and I kept him instead of pinch hitting for him with a lefty. After working the count I hit a long drive into the left field seats 6-5 now. As Andrew Jones rounds third the Jumbo-tron flashes "Its not over yet!" talk about motivation! Martin gets up and Valverde is pounding the inside of the Zone, confidence was still high considering he gave up a bomb. I actually picked up a pattern during this at bat and was able to hit a sharp single down the third base line just past a diving Inge. His confidence only dropped a little (the cocky bastard that he is). Gardner got up and I hit a deep drive to left center which was caught just before the warning track. 2 outs man on first and Valverde's confidence is pretty solid. Jeter steps up to the box, I knew I was going to get pounded down and in. Still going with his fastball, ball 1 down and ball 2 just misses in. It took all my power not to swing, lol. The third pitch he took a little off and I barely fouled it off down low. Remember that pattern I mentioned, it was back and the next pitch was deposited into the left field stands! Yanks win 7-6!! No dance for Papa Grande today!

The biggest thing I noticed with the confidence in this game was even though it was high at times, pitchers were still beatable and still lost control at certain points. So full confidence did not mean lights out like in the past!

[Pared]

I watched the bottom of that 9th inning. It was nuts.

The PS3 was so pissed it rage quit as soon as Jeter hit it out.

[PsychoBulk]

Quote: Originally Posted by nemesis04

My last game I played at the event was the Tigers and Yanks at Yankee Stadium. It was Verlander (CPU) and Sabathia (me). I took an early 4-0 lead in the first three innings and Verlander's confidence was never below 50%. Sabathia bled runs through 6.5. The big blow was a 3 run Home run in the 6th and the lead trailing 6-4. That event brought his confidence down between 40-50%. Last year that would have been lights out and Sabathia probably would have not been able to get out of the inning. Verlander stayed in and completed 8 full innings and his confidence never really went above 75%. Fast forward to the bottom of the ninth trailing 6-4 and the Tigers bring in Valverde to close it out. He predominantly used his fastballs and very rarely went off speed with anything. Anyway to start the 9th Swisher grounded to short for the first out. Valverde's confidence was pretty high which would be expected starting off the inning with an out. Andrew Jones was up next and I kept him instead of pinch hitting for him with a lefty. After working the count I hit a long drive into the left field seats 6-5 now. As Andrew Jones rounds third the Jumbo-tron flashes "Its not over yet!" talk about motivation! Martin gets up and Valverde is pounding the inside of the Zone, confidence was still high considering he gave up a bomb. I actually picked up a pattern during this at bat and was able to hit a sharp single down the third base line just past a diving Inge. His confidence only dropped a little (the cocky bastard that he is). Gardner got up and I hit a deep drive to left center which was caught just before the warning track. 2 outs man on first and Valverde's confidence is pretty solid. Jeter steps up to the box, I knew I was going to get pounded down and in. Still going with his fastball, ball 1 down and ball 2 just misses in. It took all my power not to swing, lol. The third pitch he took a little off and I barely fouled it off down low. Remember that pattern I mentioned, it was back and the next pitch was deposited into the left field stands! Yanks win 7-6!! No dance for Papa Grande today! The biggest thing I noticed with the confidence in this game was even though it was high at times, pitchers were still beatable and still lost control at certain points. So full confidence did not mean lights out like in the past!

I need to speak with the devs about realism because this series is clearly going backwards on that score.

You are telling me, Papa Grande, the Papa Grande, author of a perfect season of saves, 49 from 49, was manhandled like that by of all people, Andruw Jones!

I simply dont believe it.

Im done with this game

[thaSLAB]

Quote: Originally Posted by Pared

I watched the bottom of that 9th inning. It was nuts. The PS3 was so pissed it rage quit as soon as Jeter hit it out.

And rightfully so!

signed,

Tigers Fan