News Post

MLB 12 The Show Preview - Pulse Pitching, Zone Analog Batting, Collision Awareness

04:53 PM - December 13, 2011 by Russell_SCEA

ESPN's Jon Robinson has posted his MLB 12 The Show hands-on preview, as he talks about the new Pulse Pitching, Zone Analog Batting, collision awareness and much more.

Quote:


	Another big gameplay improvement comes in the form of the new "Pulse Pitching" dynamic. If you're not a fan of last year's analog pitching, you can go back to the old-school buttons, only with a new level of intensity that really helps up the challenge of pinpointing pitches. Basically, after selecting your pitch and location, you'll need to hit X to pitch the ball (same as classic pitching). Only now, there is a giant pulsating X on the screen in the location of your pitch, and you need to time your button press when the X is at its smallest point in order to throw the ball accurately. The more you're off, the bigger the X will be when you throw the ball, making your pitch wild, or even worse, left hanging right over the plate for someone like Albert Pujols to crush over the fence. I was a fan of the analog pitching last year, but I have to say, after about four games of switching back and forth between the analog and the pulse, I ended up playing the rest of the games with the pulse pitching and I don't think I'll go back to the analog once the game ships. It just feels right to me.

Game: MLB 12 The ShowReader Score: 9/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS Vita / PS3Votes for game: 55 - View All

MLB 12 The Show Videos

Member Comments

# 181 ARoid1313 @ 12/22/11 03:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pay_26


	I wonder if you can put the World Series patch on hats and jerseys in the mlb 12

Yes please !

# 182 Russell_SCEA @ 12/23/11 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pay_26


	I wonder if you can put the World Series patch on hats and jerseys in the mlb 12

Can't do it

# 183 tnixen @ 12/23/11 03:13 PM

I wonder if fans in the stands will actually pick up or catch foul balls in MLB 12 The Show.

And has it been confirmed that there will be no Ball Boy/Ball Girls and Bat Boys again?

# 184 Bobhead @ 12/23/11 06:47 PM

Any word on if 2012 will give the user more time to move the PCI before swinging?'

That "lock" caused me a great deal of frustration last year

# 185 ryan36 @ 12/23/11 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by khronikos


	Anyway, looks like the big boys came to play this year. 2k don't have a chance.

Please don't compare the 2 games, guys, thanks.

Bobhead, you've only been around since March? Wow. I just noticed that. I actually like the PCI the way it is now (it makes you preselect the zone and "look for a pitch"), have you slowed down the pitch speed slider?

# 186 Bobhead @ 12/23/11 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryan36


	Please don't compare the 2 games, guys, thanks. Bobhead, you've only been around since March? Wow. I just noticed that. I actually like the PCI the way it is now (it makes you preselect the zone and "look for a pitch"), have you slowed down the pitch speed slider?

I used to lurk a bunch back in the MVP days. I swear I had an account back then, but I can't for the life of me remember what it is.

I have tried lowering pitch speed, but I'm stubborn and would rather leave it closer to default. Plus I end up swinging early at everything with a lowered speed. My swings are on time at default, but I often end up moving both hands simultaneously, thus my PCI input gets ignored because it was 200 milliseconds too late.

# 187 ryan36 @ 12/23/11 07:26 PM

oh so you're saying you're a PBU? LOL.

I turn off the visual PCI but I DO hold my L-stick just a little bit off center in the direction I think the ball will come pre-pitch. I usually cut the plate in half. and look a hair lower than the belt line

# 188 nomo17k @ 12/23/11 07:49 PM

When exactly does the PCI lock in with zone hitting? I don't think it should freely move mid-swing, but while you can still check, some adjustment should probably be allowed.

I guess this can be an issue with zone analog hitting. I hope it doesn't lock-in during take-back.

# 189 Bobhead @ 12/23/11 07:57 PM

I agree, it shouldn't really move mid-swing. As far as I know, it locks the very instant you press the swing button. Ideally, the game should give you some time, at least until the actual swing animation begins, before locking the PCI.

A random thought I just had: many users felt that bat speed needed to be increased in this game. I'd imagine if 2012 brings faster bat-speeds/quicker swing animations, then this whole PCI-lock thing pretty much becomes a non-issue.

Edit: And no, rest assured, I'm not a previously banned user, lol. I'm actually looking into that matter right now, since I literally just realized what the previous account was.

# 190 mets718 @ 12/23/11 10:24 PM

Don't know if already answered but does anyone have more info on Franchise.
"new contract logic, improved trade logic and an all-new free-agent signing process" ?

# 191 pay_26 @ 12/23/11 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russell_SCEA


	Can't do it

Ok Rusell, something I would like, to teams should celebrate the end of the division series or World Series with the trophy in the field

greetings Mexico

# 192 sandiegofartsmeller @ 12/24/11 10:38 PM

any chance the show will ever have a build a new stadium or relocate team feature?

# 193 Skyboxer @ 12/25/11 08:00 AM

Guess it's a little too early to start checking stores for early release.....

Seriously though when The Show releases is pretty much a "reboot" for the year as far as mental state goes.
Love seeing the info but it really makes the wait tough.

# 194 MetsFan16 @ 12/27/11 07:48 PM

"2 new training techniques in Road to the Show (baserunning, fielding), as you're now a Double-A starter who is the most touted prospect on the team "

Yesss. This is great information. This probably means that you won't be competeing for a starting job and that you'll be getting promoted quicker because you are a higher rated prospect. Instead of being a low rated player fighting for a starting job in Double-A.

# 195 brett the jet favre @ 12/27/11 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MetsFan16


	"2 new training techniques in Road to the Show (baserunning, fielding), as you're now a Double-A starter who is the most touted prospect on the team " Yesss. This is great information. This probably means that you won't be competeing for a starting job and that you'll be getting promoted quicker because you are a higher rated prospect. Instead of being a low rated player fighting for a starting job in Double-A.

Or getting traded all the time!

# 196 cgm110 @ 12/28/11 01:59 PM

This game sounds amazing! Cant wait... Just a few quick ?'s

- Is the pulse pitching integrated with meter or can you still play plain meter pitching?
- Any chance we can argue with the umpire/playoff OF umpires
-Are the 14 new umpires in addition to the existing 16? I'm assuming the unique personalities will have each umpire a defined K-zone etc. (Hughes calls wide while sawyer will give you the high strike)
- Any improvement to Managerial AI or greater Managerial impact? (on occasion I would have the same pitcher pitch 5innings or so in relief against me in a series)
- Any word on if all 30 managers will be in the game/in-season coaching changes?

Thanks sorry if too many questions. Cant wait to play this!

# 197 Russell_SCEA @ 12/28/11 03:45 PM

Quote:


	This game sounds amazing! Cant wait... Just a few quick ?'s - Is the pulse pitching integrated with meter or can you still play plain meter pitching?

It's a completely new game mechanic, classic, meter, and analog pitching are still there.

Quote:


	- Any chance we can argue with the umpire/playoff OF umpires

Probably never going to happen

Quote:


	-Are the 14 new umpires in addition to the existing 16? I'm assuming the unique personalities will have each umpire a defined K-zone etc. (Hughes calls wide while sawyer will give you the high strike)

No, there are 20 total now 14 new 6 are from previous versions of the game.

Quote:


	- Any improvement to Managerial AI or greater Managerial impact? (on occasion I would have the same pitcher pitch 5innings or so in relief against me in a series)

Can't answer this one sorry

Quote:


	- Any word on if all 30 managers will be in the game/in-season coaching changes?

Don't have an answer sorry

# 198 h4mbon3s @ 12/28/11 04:26 PM

collision awareness sounds awesome. double plays will be much more interesting now. and i'm very excited to see the new ball physics, the game needed a wider variety of hits and it's nice to see that's happening.

# 199 ryan36 @ 12/28/11 07:31 PM

Makes me sad that we can't argue with the umpires! Oh well, I guess. I'm glad analog is still there. I hope maybe we can hide the meter completely, that would make it incredibly intuitive. I minimize the meter and hide it in the lower right, but it's still too big to not look.

# 200 EnigmaNemesis @ 12/29/11 10:22 AM

I am going to go out on a limb and say arguing with umpires and charging the mound, etc are out of Sony's control.

These new features sound really cool. Can't not wait to give them a spin.

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