News Post

MLB 09 The Show Preview

06:02 AM - January 22, 2009 by Steve_OS

We have just posted our hands on preview of MLB 09 The Show.

Quote:


	"A lot of The Show�s charm comes from its ability to surprise you even after you have played it for 30 hours. Whether it is a new cut-scene you have never witnessed before or a new fielding animation that suddenly pops up for the first time, those are the moments when many gamers really appreciate The Show as a franchise. And that is why it is kind of tough to size up MLB 09: The Show (and most other baseball games) in preview form. In real baseball, it is easy enough to figure out who the stars are and why they mean so much to their respective teams. Yet, it is the little things that are done on the field and in the dugout that will ultimately determine which teams are the most successful. In that same way, it is easy enough to realize that the core mechanics of MLB 09: The Show �- hitting, pitching �- are solid overall, but it will take many hours of playing time to decipher whether or not MLB 09: The Show is another game of the year contender."

MLB '09: The Show screenshot gallery - Click to view

Game: MLB '09: The ShowReader Score: 9/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS2 / PS3 / PSPVotes for game: 90 - View All

MLB '09: The Show Videos

Member Comments

# 21 green94 @ 01/22/09 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wsu_gb23


	are there different start times for games? Like 1:00, 4:00, 6:00, etc...or just daytime or nighttime?

Would love to know this as well. I hope they have all times of the day.

# 22 PsychoBulk @ 01/22/09 09:27 AM

A solid write up, thanks Chase.

I look forward to the Franchise info starting to come out after the Monday transcripts with the devs.

# 23 ChaseB @ 01/22/09 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by countryboy


	Chase, Is it possible that you had defensive assist or something on that would allow the cpu to "take over" control of you outfielder? I know I'm reaching, especially since it was present last year, but am curious nonetheless.

I don't think so since I was pretty meticulous about going through and turning off some assists, boosting the level to All-Star, and changing the pitching camera before playing. I mean I wasn't playing the final build, so anything could still change. I still think fielding is the area that has to prove the most from a gameplay standpoint either way.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wsu_gb23


	are there different start times for games? Like 1:00, 4:00, 6:00, etc...or just daytime or nighttime?

During the exhibition games, I was just picking daytime or nighttime and then the weather conditions.

# 24 rudyjuly2 @ 01/22/09 09:33 AM

I actually like the fact that the Show slowed down his outfielder as he went to the wall. I have no problem giving up control for realistic animations in certain situations and that scenario was fine for me. I wish there was true collision detection, including breaking up double plays, but I can live without it. Can't wait!

# 25 countryboy @ 01/22/09 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChaseB


	I don't think so since I was pretty meticulous about going through and turning off some assists, boosting the level to All-Star, and changing the pitching camera before playing. I mean I wasn't playing the final build, so anything could still change. I still think fielding is the area that has to prove the most from a gameplay standpoint either way.

Like I said, I was reaching.

Thanks for responding Chase and again, great write up.

# 26 green94 @ 01/22/09 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChaseB


	During the exhibition games, I was just picking daytime or nighttime and then the weather conditions.

Bummer, so there was no option anywhere for you to select the time of the game - just daytime or nighttime? I wonder how they will incorporate this in Franchise when games start anywhere between 11 and 3 as well as 6 or 7 at night.

# 27 Flaxseed Oil @ 01/22/09 09:37 AM

I do wish we could start a game at 4pm and have it transition into night, but I am sure I will see plenty of that in franchise mode.

I pre-ordered yesterday, along with MLB front office manager. Going to skip 2k9 this year. Not enough info, and that didnt bode well for last year.

# 28 K_GUN @ 01/22/09 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChaseB


	During the exhibition games, I was just picking daytime or nighttime and then the weather conditions.

good write-up (and disclaimer too!)

when picking the day games...did they transition from 'early afternoon' to 'late afternoon' lighting?

# 29 baseball88 @ 01/22/09 09:53 AM

Doesn't anyone that try out the game check out what was done with the player editor?

That is the first thing I do when I get a sports game like this. How it is laid out for editing. Is it laid out the same as last year or have they tweaked it anyway shape or form?

How is the eye black and glasses applied this year? Where and how is the new baggy pants applied? Do they have different color forearm, wrist, bands, batting gloves, fielding gloves to choose from? Have they improved any of the batting helmets this year? Do they have the Indians bill red for the batting helmet? Have they added more uniforms this year like Atlanta's blue top?

Was fireworks for homeruns added this year for the teams that have them like the Indians?
What is the roster cutoff for the final build?

# 30 bigfnjoe96 @ 01/22/09 09:58 AM

Good stuff Chase. Here's hoping they give the user more control on the field. Slightly bummed about no Full Collision Detection..

Chase though not a final build, did you notice if the ball when coming out of the players hands on throws looked better than last year?

# 31 aukevin @ 01/22/09 09:58 AM

Thanks for the preview Chase.

# 32 ehh @ 01/22/09 09:58 AM

Quote:


	I am most excited to talk about the pitcher-catcher interaction. For those gamers that pitch from the "pitcher view" and turn off the strike zone and a lot of the other indicators, they really will experience an engrossing pitcher-catcher interaction this spring. This year, it is possible to read what the catcher is doing behind the plate and pitch the whole game without having to turn on any indicators �- besides, of course, the pitching menu that tells you what pitches you have at your disposal. So, virtual Jorge Posada can put one finger down, then signal to throw it low and then signal to throw it outside, and virtual C.C. will know to throw a 4-seam fastball. Now, to an extent this was implemented last year, but now you truly can turn off all the indicators, ignore all the in-game menus that help you identify what pitch to throw, and simply read the catcher�s signals and go from there. It seems so small, but sometimes it is the simplest things that make the biggest difference.

It will be interesting to see how this works out for those of us who bat from the OF/Pitcher cam. Are we going to be able to see every pitch that's coming in before it's released?

# 33 Blzer @ 01/22/09 10:09 AM

Chase, thanks for that preview, it all sounds great!

Only question... aside from a new pitching camera (which I'm only assuming), have you noticed a new batting or fielding camera? For instance, in the trailers there were some home run cuts that looked like they came from a true-to-life broadcast camera. Was that a real gameplay option, was that just a cut scene, or was that an overall tease that's not even in the game?

Thanks.

# 34 green94 @ 01/22/09 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blzer


	Chase, thanks for that preview, it all sounds great! Only question... aside from a new pitching camera (which I'm only assuming), have you noticed a new batting or fielding camera? For instance, in the trailers there were some home run cuts that looked like they came from a true-to-life broadcast camera. Was that a real gameplay option, was that just a cut scene, or was that an overall tease that's not even in the game? Thanks.

Yeah, great question. Forgot about this.

# 35 Badboy49er @ 01/22/09 10:52 AM

Thanks for the preview Chase, love what I'm hearing so fa. Although I really do wish they would install a full collision system.

# 36 DinoSpumoni @ 01/22/09 10:55 AM

Biased... Nuff Said.

# 37 brunnoce @ 01/22/09 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K_GUN


	good write-up (and disclaimer too!) when picking the day games...did they transition from 'early afternoon' to 'late afternoon' lighting?

i wonder that too...
otherwise i think all exibition day games were set to 4pm so we can see the day/night transition.

# 38 NAFBUC @ 01/22/09 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DinoSpumoni


	Biased... Nuff Said.

Say what!......You could tell Chase went out of way to stay in the middle ground with his preview. He even stated Sony paid for his trip and hotel.

# 39 tree3five @ 01/22/09 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DinoSpumoni


	Biased... Nuff Said.

please no one respond to this...

# 40 green94 @ 01/22/09 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DinoSpumoni


	Biased... Nuff Said.

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