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

# 61 bodhiball @ 01/22/09 01:18 PM

sounds good...

I was surprised how disappointed I was upon hearing that the throwing mechanic is the same. Not sure what peoples feelings are on that one, but it just seems to have no control/feel to it, pressing a button and maybe its an error and maybe its not.

# 62 rudyjuly2 @ 01/22/09 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bodhiball


	I was surprised how disappointed I was upon hearing that the throwing mechanic is the same. Not sure what peoples feelings are on that one, but it just seems to have no control/feel to it, pressing a button and maybe its an error and maybe its not.

It's not analog throwing like MVP but it still had a feel to it. The longer you held it down, the harder the throw and greater chance of error. I don't mind the randomness of it as long as the player attributes are used more so we really see who is good defensively and who is bad.

# 63 nemesis04 @ 01/22/09 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rudyjuly2


	It's not analog throwing like MVP but it still had a feel to it. The longer you held it down, the harder the throw and greater chance of error. I don't mind the randomness of it as long as the player attributes are used more so we really see who is good defensively and who is bad.

To me it felt like the throwing system was more animation driven in determining throw velocities as opposed to it being driven by the sensitivity of the button press.

# 64 teebee @ 01/22/09 01:45 PM

PItching from the behind the pitcher view is terrible though unless it's actually lined up and not the TV style 3/4 angle. You can't get a feel for the strike zone and a pitch that you think is on the corner could be down the middle or a foot outside.

They need to set the pitching cam directly behind the batter a la Fenway Park or Camden. I anticipate all tv broadcasts to do this in the near future eliminating that weird 3/4 angle we've grown up

Until then, i'll be gassing fools in batter view, i don't need no stinking signs

# 65 rudyjuly2 @ 01/22/09 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nemesis04


	To me it felt like the throwing system was more animation driven in determining throw velocities as opposed to it being driven by the sensitivity of the button press.

It was definitely hit or miss as to when an animation might take over. But I think a lot of the singles to SS and 3B and easy throws to first were up to the user. It was the quick flips to first and double play balls that seems to be out of our control but it seems like that is being fixed for '09.

# 66 Skyboxer @ 01/22/09 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abbbsinthe


	Im a bit worried about some of these early previews?! Doesnt seem like there is any WOW factor about this years version?! I was hoping everyone would come back and be like;"Holy Sh-t this game is the end all be all!" Anyways its still early and Im a lil anxious thats all! Cant wait to start doing rosters! Hey Knight if you need any help this year let me know ok! The more that help the quicker we can all get the rosters up right! Wish I had a time machine to get to March 3rd! Got both MLB 09 and the release of the new U2 album! Took 3 days off lol!

For what it's worth: I'm a "baseball" fan and I've seen PLENTY to make me go WOW. From the franchise stuff to the fielding.

# 67 Motown @ 01/22/09 02:18 PM

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.

Great Question Blaaaz...Chase, could ya elaborate on this? thanks again

# 68 Knight165 @ 01/22/09 02:19 PM

.....and just add the fact that Russ has stated in the Legends Mode thread that the sliders have been significantly worked on this year!
Those crazy a$$ games where the devs couldn't beat Legend mode......all on default!

I'm getting a little antsy...

How are the jails in S.D.?
I'm stealing a copy next week and I just want to know if they have PS3's in the rec room?

M.K.
Knight165

# 69 brunnoce @ 01/22/09 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skyboxer


	For what it's worth: I'm a "baseball" fan and I've seen PLENTY to make me go WOW. From the franchise stuff to the fielding.

sign me in that list too m8
im definatly WOWed by this game

# 70 HustlinOwl @ 01/22/09 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DinoSpumoni


	Biased... Nuff Said.

# 71 Knight165 @ 01/22/09 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HustlinOwl

Haha!
Ridiculous...right!?
Why do guys even bother?

M.K.
Knight165

# 72 tree3five @ 01/22/09 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim416


	Knight and I are both expert burglars.

even if you did get caught Jim, I can see you getting your way out of it, lol.

# 73 NAFBUC @ 01/22/09 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scottdau


	What happens when you get a crazy cop and a wild fireman togehter for some fun with the Show? Come watch this funny new show called "Cops" on location in San Diego. Jim will be the one with the wife beater shirt on and Knight will be the one with the Show 09 sticking out of his pants!

Thats fine, along as there is no furr showing.

# 74 SDwinder @ 01/22/09 07:07 PM

If you want to eliminate the control/animation issues, then set the Auto Field option on, but with human throwing.

What this does is allow the AI controlled fielder to field based on his set paremeters, but the human player interacts to tell the fielder where to throw the ball.

Because you can pre-load a throw before the ball is in the glove, the animation is seamless and very smooth with no hesitation. I have been playing this way with 08 and it works great, and the games are more realistic.

# 75 nemesis04 @ 01/22/09 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miamimarlins1


	The hitting being the same concerns me a little. I was hoping hitting would be a bit harder, and a little less laser beam shots. I'll still be buying it because its the best sports game out there, I was just hoping for a little more tweaking to the hitting engine

Keep in mind he only played it for about 90 minutes. We are going to spend some serious time with the game. Don't give up hope yet!

# 76 brunnoce @ 01/22/09 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim416


	Jdurg....hope SLIDERS, SLIDERS, SLIDERS.

amem to that!

# 77 SoxFan01605 @ 01/22/09 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miamimarlins1


	The hitting being the same concerns me a little. I was hoping hitting would be a bit harder, and a little less laser beam shots. I'll still be buying it because its the best sports game out there, I was just hoping for a little more tweaking to the hitting engine

Well, he said the controls and "feel" were the same. I'm okay with this because both were fine. It was the window to make contact that was the problem (IMO).

Russell already stated that it has been at least reduced for Legend difficulty and that sliders are improved. I think we'll all have a much better idea after our boys get back from SD.

As for the review, sounds good. My only concern was (as some mentioned) that the fielding still sounded very "tempered" as far as user controlled. That's another thing we probably won't be able to say much about until the guys who share our concerns about this stuff plays.

No worries

# 78 HechticSooner @ 01/23/09 12:00 AM

thanks for being honest about the pay, at least it is not like the payola that the mags have going. I also think that your honest would prove that you would write exactly what you felt about the game. Keep up the good work.

# 79 hitstreak13 @ 01/23/09 01:25 AM

Thanks Chase. I can't wait until they really go into depth in franchise mode. Although I am aware of the many additions, I am anxious to find out how it plays. Good work guys at SCEA. You have made millions of consumers happy over the years. I will buy 2 copies this year to show my support for your company

# 80 rudyjuly2 @ 01/23/09 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoxFan01605


	As for the review, sounds good. My only concern was (as some mentioned) that the fielding still sounded very "tempered" as far as user controlled.

The fielding animations are a good thing imo. It's some of the throwing animations that need to be fixed and/or eliminated. One of the reasons the Show is so great is the presentation. The little things that make it look like you are watching a real baseball game.

I actually like animation driven fielding at times. You shouldn't be able to run full speed to pick up a ball at the wall. The fact that an animation slowed him down while he picked up the ball was much more realistic, adds to the atmosphere and just screams real baseball. Would people rather take a player and run him at top speed into the wall without penalty and have the player just automatically pick up the ball in 2/10 of a second and turn a fire a bullet to the cut off man? Not me.

At other times there are shots hit down the baseline where a player in real life has a split second to react to make the play. A third basemen's quick back hand would be impossible for the user to create manually but beautiful to watch as an animation based on a player's attributes. Other animations to feature errors, juggled balls, etc. are also needed to make the game more like true baseball.

I agree that the Show needs to fix some things is in the throwing department. Once I have fielded the ball, the button press should determine how hard a ball gets thrown and not an animation. Predominately the infield throws that end up going slow even though we pressed the button hard and costing us outs. The fix to the short throws and other things look good to me so far. I'm sure the community guys will elaborate in a week for us!

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