MLB 11 The Show News Post

MLB 11 The Show Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here

07:03 PM - February 22, 2011 by Pared

The MLB 11 The Show demo is available now. It weighs in at roughly 3 GB and features the Texas Rangers vs. the San Francisco Giants, in a 4 inning World Series rematch.

Please post your impressions here.

DO NOT post that you are downloading the demo, what % the download is at, the fact that you are starting to install it, etc.

IMPRESSIONS ONLY please.

Game: MLB 11 The ShowReader Score: 8.5/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS3Votes for game: 57 - View All

MLB 11 The Show Videos

Member Comments

# 481 ckarlic @ 02/24/11 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARoid1313


	hey can u power swing using analog? is there a modifier u have to press when swinging? or does it automatically determine power based on timing using analog? BTW really digging the full analog for pitching and hitting

You can choose between Normal, Contact, and power. Normal is default, Power is square, and Contact is circle. You can choose which one you want before the pitch. Once you choose you swing type, your controller should vibrate.

I hit a HR with Kinsler using the normal swing and have fought off quite a few pitches when behind in the count. I only choose power when im in a good hitters count and have a power hitter up. Other than that, i don't choose a swing type and just use a normal swing

# 482 sink4ever @ 02/24/11 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARoid1313


	hey can u power swing using analog? is there a modifier u have to press when swinging? or does it automatically determine power based on timing using analog? BTW really digging the full analog for pitching and hitting

Yep, press square before the swing (circle for contact).

# 483 Pared @ 02/24/11 04:00 PM

Guys, there is a discussion thread. Use it instead of this to DISCUSS the game.

Again, this is for impressions only.

# 484 DJ @ 02/24/11 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russell_SCEA


	You guys have no idea how much joy I'm taking in knowing that about 80% of you are struggling. This is the way the new controls where designed they aren't easy and the learning curve is very steep for batting but not much for pitching and fielding. I can't wait to see the posts after you get the hang of it. Until then swallow your pride and drop the difficulty level. Has anyone had the gonads to try Legend fielding?

You're an evil man ... I like it!

So, the default difficulty is All-Star with Analog Batting. If I drop down to Veteran, what's the difference? Is there more forgiveness (more room for user error) if I don't press the stick exactly to the L or R when the pitch is thrown? Is the PCI larger on Veteran, too?

# 485 swaldo @ 02/24/11 04:13 PM

For those wishing for both analog left (to aim) with right stick (to swing) I also think that's a bit much. What I would like to see is what MVP did with zone batting: Hold "X" to trigger loaded swing (release to check swing) while left stick is to aim. Seems that would be a happy medium. You can't do that with The Show, as all non-analog swings are pre-loaded automatically.

I think the problem with analog hitting is that it doesn't have that "Pick up & play" fun that MVP had. The first time I played that game I was spraying the ball and ended up with something like 10 hits, 1 home run and the game played out very realistic and I lost by a couple runs.

This analog hitting is just frustration for me thus far. Not slamming it because there will be batting practice in the full version; and I'd rather have it too hard than too easy. However, people here are baseball gaming "experts" and they are struggling bad, so imagine what the mass of casual gamers will think when they get the game?

Quote:


	"This message has been deleted by Skyboxer. Reason: Same ole same ole every year....Looks for things to bitch about"

And to Skyboxer: throwing out insults in a deleted post? That's pretty low man. That was obviously directed towards me or the guy who posted the ball morphing image. And I've seen several posts in this thread from people disrespecting others who wrote negative comments. If it's not an impression it doesn't belong right? So I'd like to request the mods please keep an eye out for this.

# 486 DJ @ 02/24/11 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryan36


	Yeah, you guys just aren't hitting the "Play ball" button hard enough before the pitch I wish they would've done the mechanic with a straight up and down on the r-stick... and I hope they release the hitting video tutorial since the demo has nothing about analog.

Yeah, I feel as though I'd be a lot better if it were just a down-and-up motion instead of having to go down-up-left/right depending on pitch location. That's what has been giving me the biggest headache so far.

# 487 kenkraly2004 @ 02/24/11 04:20 PM

The analog controls are good it takes awhile to learn but it’s great. Overall very good one game I hit 3 home runs with posey , ross and Freddy Sanchez all on the new analog controls.

# 488 WB1214 @ 02/24/11 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russell_SCEA


	Has anyone had the gonads to try Legend fielding?

I just did, it was pretty rough as I expected. Had to be spot on lol. I'll probably use All-Star of HOF for throwing. I believe default was Veteran and I never had an error.

# 489 Russell_SCEA @ 02/24/11 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ


	You're an evil man ... I like it! So, the default difficulty is All-Star with Analog Batting. If I drop down to Veteran, what's the difference? Is there more forgiveness (more room for user error) if I don't press the stick exactly to the L or R when the pitch is thrown? Is the PCI larger on Veteran, too?

It's easier the more you drop down in difficulty you aren't penalized as much for bad stride timing.

# 490 ped3328 @ 02/24/11 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jdurg


	Played the demo last night and had a blast with it. Even though it's a very old build of this game (December of 2010), you can already see the great things that the retail version will provide. Analog controls are incredibly challenging to get used to, but for some reason it makes failure seem less frustrating. lol. Played a game where I had a tie game going into the bottom of the 9th and went to throw a curveball on an 0-2 pitch. I screwed up the timing and knew that I just threw a hanger. Game over. Yet, it felt so good. For those who are making their final judgement on a demo build of a game from December of 2010 which was only designed to showcase the analog controls and nothing else, it's your loss. Feel free to not purchase this game, but please do the rest of us a favor and don't poison every single thread in these forums with whines and complaints. The rest of us will be spending a ton of time enjoying the new game and all the new features.

I was surprised a little when Russell mentionned on an earlier post that the demo was made in December. That would mean it was made even before the CD guys gave the SCEA devs their inputs in January. But again, it's possible. Regardless, I'm very impressed with the demo. I'm rather awkward with analog but I'm making some progress. The very first game I played was an absolute disaster. All I was hitting was air! Pitching wise, it was BB's after BB's! And in the field, it was errors after errors! It was very humbling to say the least! So, I took the bull by the horns and decided on a different approach. In my second game, it was CPU vs CPU just to check the new animations and look at the graphics. Finally, in the 3rd game, I pitched for both teams. 1st inning was Rookie, 2nd inning was Veteran, 3rd and 4th was All Star. I'm doing surprisingly well now. In the next few games, I will practise my fielding, going from Rookie to All Star in the same manner I did for pitching. After that, I will get my feet wet with hitting, using the same approach. I thinks one has to be systematic about it. You can't master this analog thing overnite. It takes time and patience. But in the end, it will be very rewarding.
Love the game so far. Models, animations, actual game play are top notch. Even Karros sounds OK! Looking forward to March 8th. Then, the REAL SHOW begins! Enjoy, guys...

# 491 DJ @ 02/24/11 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russell_SCEA


	It's easier the more you drop down in difficulty you aren't penalized as much for bad stride timing.

Thanks, Russell. I'll accept my demotion and report for Rookie ball next time I fire up the Demo

Although, I think 99% of my problem is that I don't have the new MLB-themed Dualshock 3 to use. I know I'm going to rake once I get that in my hands.

What are your thoughts on Pitch Speed? It seems real fast on default, and the natural instinct is to lower the slider. But, will that throw off the timing with Analog controls? Not sure if I should try and just adapt to default or again, swallow some pride and lower that slider, so long as it doesn't negatively affect timing.

I appreciate you being around the forums to help us out.

# 492 deucepoppi17 @ 02/24/11 04:35 PM

Not very impressed with fielding.

# 493 Pujols_5 @ 02/24/11 04:39 PM

I'm getting better. I dropped the difficulty down to veteran. Patience is the main key for me and it was with the button push anyways. I'm learning to take more pitches and even lay off the strikes that arent in the zone I want. Here are my tips and if anybody has anybody they would like to add I would love to see them as well as others would.

-I pull back my stick a tick before the pitcher gets ready to release the ball
-Without a strike, I usually look to take a pitch unless I guess the pitch and spot correctly
-Early in the count I use power swing unless I'm in a special situation (moving runners over, trying to get runner in from third with bottom of lineup, or just a guy that doesnt have much power)
-I use contact button with 2 strikes usually no matter what. I atleast fight off pitches until I get something to hit or simply get myself out
-Finally, like I said before, PATIENCE, especially on off-speed pitches. I would rather be a tad late on a fast ball then to be way early on breaking pitches and even fastballs at times, especially with pitchers that dont throw as hard as Wilson or Lincecum.

# 494 ped3328 @ 02/24/11 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ


	Thanks, Russell. I'll accept my demotion and report for Rookie ball next time I fire up the Demo Although, I think 99% of my problem is that I don't have the new MLB-themed Dualshock 3 to use. I know I'm going to rake once I get that in my hands. What are your thoughts on Pitch Speed? It seems real fast on default, and the natural instinct is to lower the slider. But, will that throw off the timing with Analog controls? Not sure if I should try and just adapt to default or again, swallow some pride and lower that slider, so long as it doesn't negatively affect timing. I appreciate you being around the forums to help us out.

Speaking of Dualshock 3, I started to use it when the '09 game came out. Been using it for '10 too. Will it make a difference if I use this new MLB dualshock that's coming out? In other words, does it wear out after a while? Thanks in advance.

# 495 Russell_SCEA @ 02/24/11 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ


	Thanks, Russell. I'll accept my demotion and report for Rookie ball next time I fire up the Demo Although, I think 99% of my problem is that I don't have the new MLB-themed Dualshock 3 to use. I know I'm going to rake once I get that in my hands. What are your thoughts on Pitch Speed? It seems real fast on default, and the natural instinct is to lower the slider. But, will that throw off the timing with Analog controls? Not sure if I should try and just adapt to default or again, swallow some pride and lower that slider, so long as it doesn't negatively affect timing. I appreciate you being around the forums to help us out.

We have the fastest pitch speeds of any baseball game ever made its like that for a reason. A vast majority of the time MLB batters can't hit or make good contact on a fastball if they are looking for an offspeed pitch. We've always tried to emulate this. Since analog is a three step mechanic (stride and swing L,R,Center) you have less time to adjust. Which is why you should start your stride a split second before the pitcher releases the ball.

I've read a lot of people have already figured this part out. It just takes time and you are going to strike out more and make worse contact playing analog because of the three step process. It just takes time, when we prototyped all the new controls we didn't want them to be mastered in a week. That would have been a fail.

# 496 Agathos @ 02/24/11 04:58 PM

Saw that glitch that was mentioned a few times in this thread. Timmy drops a curve in the dirt well short of the plate. The ball bounces, then straightens out and flies on a suspiciously straight path into the strike zone. Batter swings and fouls it straight down into the ground, but it's treated as in play. Easy out at first.

The Vlad-style swing at a bouncing pitch was funny, but I wonder why the foul ball was in play.

# 497 DJ @ 02/24/11 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russell_SCEA


	We have the fastest pitch speeds of any baseball game ever made its like that for a reason. A vast majority of the time MLB batters can't hit or make good contact on a fastball if they are looking for an offspeed pitch. We've always tried to emulate this. Since analog is a three step mechanic (stride and swing L,R,Center) you have less time to adjust. Which is why you should start your stride a split second before the pitcher releases the ball. I've read a lot of people have already figured this part out. It just takes time and you are going to strike out more and make worse contact playing analog because of the three step process. It just takes time, when we prototyped all the new controls we didn't want them to be mastered in a week. That would have been a fail.

So, if I can read into what you are saying, set pitch speed to where the ball is coming towards you in a realistic way. If you slow it down too much, you are taking the power out of the pitchers' hand and giving yourself too much of an advantage.

Going from default to Zero wouldn't be fair to the CPU as I'd have more time to read the pitch and that's not how it works in the real world, unless you are facing Jaime Moyer

I still may drop the slider 1-2 clicks because default blows me away, but again, that's on AS. Who knows how it'll play out on Rookie?

Thanks again for the help, Russell. Very much appreciated

# 498 Heroesandvillains @ 02/24/11 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nemesis04


	You really need to go down a level or even to rookie and work your way up to get accustomed to the system. When I was first introduced to the new hitting I took that advice and worked my way up. From there I climbed the ladder all the way up to HOF and Legend.

Do you think dropping difficulty is a better suggestion than just dropping pitch speed FIRST (in caps, not as a 'yell', but to emphasize it for a first step...)

Obviously, if a lower pitch speed doesn't cut it, than I'd absolutely recommend a drop in difficulty...don't get me wrong.

Here's an example:

Keep in mind, I HAD to drop pitch speed from default last year once I upgraded to HD. From 5 to 3.

I did the same thing this morning, while still on AS, and hit my first homerun. I even found myself out in front of a couple of 93-95 MPH fastballs (meaning, I may need to bump it to 4).

Everything started to feel more like baseball to me at that point. I was taking pitches, checking my swing, and starting to zone pitches.

# 499 thaSLAB @ 02/24/11 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skyboxer


	They could just add LS use for bat location. main thing is once all outcome is determined by the user you might as well eliminate ratings all together except for power speed etc....

The idea of using both sticks instantly reminds me of the whole "rub your belly and pat your head" thing... it WILL get awkward LOL

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

# 500 bcruise @ 02/24/11 05:34 PM

Just saw an excuse-me grounder on the infield from a check swing - if I've ever had those in previous years, they've been few and far between.

Getting better on the All-Star analog hitting now - after striking out 12 times in my first game (when for some reason I thought the L-stick actually mattered), now I'm concentrating only on the R-stick and making much better contact. At the moment I'm not even worried about angling left or right with the R-stick because I'm not swinging at many borderline pitches. Right now it feels sort of previous years when you didn't move the PCI from the middle - I can still make (weak) contact even if I swing middle and the pitch is inside/outside. Getting a lot of foul balls like this and it's bringing my at-bat lengths back up to pre-analog numbers.

All-Star has always been my sweet-spot level for getting the most realistic results (this varies GREATLY from person to person), so I think I could be satisfied with the hitting by doing this. If I need more challenge I'm sure it becomes much more difficult on HOF to hit borderline pitches when you swing middle - but I'm not ready for that yet.

Oh, one more thing - turning the PCI on for analog hitting is a HUGE help to step timing. You can see clearly how good your step was and, to be honest, it's pretty forgiving on all-star unless you step while the pitcher is in his windup or the ball is halfway to the plate (in the latter case, you're not going to get the bat around quick enough to hit anyway

)

Quote:

Originally Posted by thaSLAB


	The idea of using both sticks instantly reminds me of the whole "rub your belly and pat your head" thing... it WILL get awkward LOL Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

Exactly how I felt with the same analogy when I was stupidly trying to do that in my first game.

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