News Post

MLB 09 The Show Blog: Road to the Show Training Modes

09:01 PM - February 3, 2009 by zjl630

Playstation.Blog has posted another MLB 09 The Show blog. This one covers Road to the Show Training Modes.

Quote:


	"Hey everybody. My name is Eddy Cramm (Senior Designer), and it�s my turn to bring you MLB 09 The Show blog #3�or #4�maybe #5. Not really sure which one we are on. Bear with me, we are all working some long hours right now getting this game polished and out the door! I am here to talk about the new features in Road to the Show. When all of this RTTS stuff started 3 years ago, the whole idea behind it was to give a unique career mode experience that focused exclusively on you. Initially that meant that we would fast-forward you to your events so that you only dealt with your fielding plays and your plate appearances, etc. Because lets be honest, who wants to sit out in RF during a career mode and watch three groundballs to the infield. It sucked in little league and it sucks in a career mode, too. But as RTTS progressed, our focus grew to be more than that. It became more about giving the user more control of his path to the majors. Last year really took a huge step in the goals and points system. The guys on the front-end team like Aaron Luke, Kolbe Launchbaugh, and Jeff Ullman have built a pretty nifty system. That�s right��nifty.� And from a gameplay standpoint, we have always wanted RTTS to feel like you are doing exactly what you would be doing, from going to Spring training, to working up through the minor leagues, etc. But success isn�t just about what you do in that game situation. Success comes from being prepared when that game moment arises. And contrary to what Allen Iverson thinks, that means practice. That thought process is what brought us to our main new feature this year. Training mode."

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 dlane0087 @ 02/03/09 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KolbeSCEA


	Just remember, chicks dig the long ball... -Kolbe

I haven't seen any ladies hanging around Bonds, but that might be because of some 'small' side effects

# 22 bodhiball @ 02/03/09 09:53 PM

the new stadium(s) look incredible....one where there seems to be some construction going on in right field. So good.

Bummer to see Blue River stadium again, but even it looks good with the new lighting and the upgrades they made to it

# 23 green94 @ 02/03/09 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bodhiball


	Bummer to see Blue River stadium again, but even it looks good with the new lighting and the upgrades they made to it

I was about to say the exact same thing...

# 24 beau21 @ 02/03/09 09:57 PM

Only negative is the lack of demo news on there..

I can't complain too much though.. there is plenty to be thankful for

# 25 thaSLAB @ 02/03/09 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shakedowncapo


	2:35 mark..see the stitching on the ball Very nice. It hurt me deep that you used generic players, haha.

Oooooooohhhh, Yeaaaaaahhhh!!! (as Jim would say) - I was just coming to comment on that!!!

Also, did anyone notice the traffic moving on the BW Bridge?

SCEA needs to steal the old Memorex slogan... "Is it real, or is it SCEA?" LOL

# 26 Ktulu @ 02/03/09 10:06 PM

Does stuff like "vision" and "plate discipline" actually have an affect in RTTS? And if not what's the incentive to improve that rating?

# 27 bcruise @ 02/03/09 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ktulu


	Does stuff like "vision" and "plate discipline" actually have an affect in RTTS? And if not what's the incentive to improve that rating?

IIRC from '08, Vision affects the size of the player's hitting zone (as shown by the plate coverage indicator). No idea on discipline...that might only come into play during simming.

# 28 Knight165 @ 02/03/09 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark IV


	Don't like that you can lose training points if you get caught stealing in training. The whole point of training is to TEACH, not to penalize. BTW~Thanks for putting in the Astros/Round Rock/Hooks! That was awesome to see!

Just to add to what Russ said...

It's not like your attribute immediately drops....that top bar is your current attribute...the bottom one is the training level.....do well...the training level reaches a little further towards increasing your attribute....don't perform well..and that training level drops a little. So it's not like if you have a bad day at the cage....you lose actual points. You might still have a bad day in the game...but that's on YOU!

I told you the new minor league stadiums look great

McKenzie is sweet.

The training works really nicely into the new "schedule system" The more I think about this change...the more I realize how good it is. Smart move. Everything is done off the schedule...so you are actually assigned training days. They will be noted by a star on that date. You can choose to work out or not(I think it "sims" it for you).
So it's like "special events" days on the franchise schedule(the draft...arbitration days etc...)

One thing you guys will be REALLY happy to hear is that...ONCE YOU MAKE THE 40 MAN ROSTER(I just wanted to be clear on this)....there will be participation in Spring Training from season to season in franchise mode(and I'm assuming RTTS)
If you're not on the 40 man.....it'll just be the next minor league season.
There is some incentive for you.
...and don't forget...even if you are "stuck" in AAA.....if you do well enough to make the 40 man roster...you will get a September call up. Good chance for you to make the 25 man for the playoffs if your team is going.

M.K.
Knight165

# 29 Knight165 @ 02/03/09 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark IV


	Don't like that you can lose training points if you get caught stealing in training. The whole point of training is to TEACH, not to penalize. BTW~Thanks for putting in the Astros/Round Rock/Hooks! That was awesome to see!

I told you the new minor league stadiums look great

# 30 Skyboxer @ 02/03/09 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark IV


	I'm totally relaxed, and It's not like I'm going to not play the game because I don't agree with that method. It's just I don't find it to be a very productive way of training. Risk/reward is one way of looking at it, but I see it like anytime you run the bases, or bat, or field, you're learning and improving. You don't go out there, steal 2nd a 100 times, and then after the 100th time forget how you did it the last 25 times. From what you say it sounds like you won't be failing once you get the hang of it, so that's good. You mention like "watching a movie." Well that's how baseball practice is, it's usually boring. Replicate that sucker right! Bore us to tears already!

Just because you practice over and over doesn't mean you get better. Practice doesn't make perfect. Practice makes permanent. Practice wrong and you'll learn it wrong. I like the risk reward aspect.

# 31 green94 @ 02/03/09 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knight165


	Just to add to what Russ said... It's not like your attribute immediately drops....that top bar is your current attribute...the bottom one is the training level.....do well...the training level reaches a little further towards increasing your attribute....don't perform well..and that training level drops a little. So it's not like if you have a bad day at the cage....you lose actual points. You might still have a bad day in the game...but that's on YOU! I told you the new minor league stadiums look great McKenzie is sweet. The training works really nicely into the new "schedule system" The more I think about this change...the more I realize how good it is. Smart move. Everything is done off the schedule...so you are actually assigned training days. They will be noted by a star on that date. You can choose to work out or not(I think it "sims" it for you). So it's like "special events" days on the franchise schedule(the draft...arbitration days etc...) One thing you guys will be REALLY happy to hear is that...ONCE YOU MAKE THE 40 MAN ROSTER(I just wanted to be clear on this)....there will be participation in Spring Training from season to season in franchise mode(and I'm assuming RTTS) If you're not on the 40 man.....it'll just be the next minor league season. There is some incentive for you. ...and don't forget...even if you are "stuck" in AAA.....if you do well enough to make the 40 man roster...you will get a September call up. Good chance for you to make the 25 man for the playoffs if your team is going. M.K. Knight165

Awesome... the 40 man is really making a profound impact on the game this year in multiple modes!

# 32 sbmnky @ 02/03/09 10:41 PM

The game looks impressive. And when I say impressive I mean downright SILLY. I can only imagine what you fellas feel like having played it for a few days and then have it ripped from your claws - what a tease!

I love having control of our training outcomes - much more user skilled. The progress made from '07 to '09 is simply amazing.

# 33 Knight165 @ 02/03/09 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaverickisBack


	Can you guys talk about the BP in franchise...does it exist and if so does it give attribute boosts Also pickoffs. do the varies pickoff moves happen during other modes besides RTTS? If so can users control the various pickoff moves? If so does the slide step have any drawbacks?

I'm not sure on BP in franchise...if you're not in RTTS.
There is a separate BP mode that you can jump in before a franchise..that's for sure.

M.K.
Knight165

# 34 bodhiball @ 02/03/09 11:09 PM

this hadnt been confirmed yet, but i noticed in the video (captured in the stills below) that the clouds are moving. To a "nitpicker" like me, I am THRILLED at this!

# 35 mwjr @ 02/03/09 11:12 PM

My God, that's a beautiful game. Seriously, 2K - give up the exclusive license.

# 36 Rob_NYY @ 02/03/09 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bodhiball


	this hadnt been confirmed yet, but i noticed in the video (captured in the stills below) that the clouds are moving. To a "nitpicker" like me, I am THRILLED at this!

I liked it better when the clouds didn't move. Made me feel like I was playing in a world painted by Bob Ross.

# 37 Knight165 @ 02/03/09 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob_NYY


	I liked it better when the clouds didn't move. Made me feel like I was playing in a world painted by Bob Ross.

Ha...that would put me to sleep though...

M.K.
Knight165

# 38 bodhiball @ 02/03/09 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob_NYY


	I liked it better when the clouds didn't move. Made me feel like I was playing in a world painted by Bob Ross.

then, when you strike out its just a "happy accident"

# 39 Diablo25 @ 02/03/09 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wookie48


	I am sorry if this is out there, but they fixed the bat noise and I just got wood! Now it sounds more like a hit than a thud!

Amen brother.

# 40 Knight165 @ 02/03/09 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTheorenHobbes


	Knight, did any of you guys mention to the devs that it would be cool to have the cpu pitcher's head actually turn to look the baserunner back in his lead from 1st or 2nd base? I think this would really add to the realism, when I'm taking my lead off the bag in RTTS. Any chance they could work that in next year? Thanks!

I didn't ...but that's an easy fix.
We'll put it in the Wishlist thread for '10!
Those guys take it very seriously.(I'm not kidding)

I do like the idea too....

M.K.
Knight165

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