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MLB 2K12 News Post


The MLB 2K12 demo is available now. Play a few games and post your impressions here.

Read the full press release below.

2K Sports Announces Major League Baseball 2K12 Demo
Now Available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace and PlayStation Network

Features Texas Rangers against St. Louis Cardinals in
rematch of 2011 World Series

New York, NY – February 28, 2012 – 2K Sports today announced that a free demo of Major League Baseball® 2K12 is now available on the Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the PlayStation®Network for PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system.

The demo allows players to relive 2011’s thrilling, back-and-forth World Series and play three innings as the Texas Rangers or St. Louis Cardinals. In addition, it showcases many of MLB 2K12’s improved features, including the dynamic tendencies system that adjusts pitcher and batter ratings as the game unfolds; a revamped throwing system; and a new hit distribution system with more varied and realistic hit types.

This year’s edition of MLB 2K will allow players to experience the authenticity and excitement of a real baseball game, and also a chance to win $1,000,000. The Perfect Game Challenge returns for the third consecutive year with MLB 2K12, and is bigger than ever. The new format will utilize a dynamic leaderboard that ranks the top eight perfect games thrown. At the end of the competition, the top eight competitors will face each other in a live $1 million tournament.

MLB 2K12 is rated E for everyone by the ESRB and will be available March 6, 2012 for Xbox 360, PlayStation®3, Wii™ system, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, Nintendo DS™ and Windows PC.

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Game: Major League Baseball 2K12 Reader Score: 6.5/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS3 / Xbox 360Votes for game: 12 - View All
Major League Baseball 2K12 Videos
Member Comments
# 61 ckarlic @ 02/28/12 10:38 PM
I played a bit more and the game is a fun game. I think I'll be picking up the combo pack (MLB and nba 2k12) shortly after release.

I also like the MLB today feature. Great game to just pick up and play IMO.
 
# 62 bigfnjoe96 @ 02/28/12 10:42 PM
Play 1 game. You can see improvements on the outside. I really want to see the improvement under the hood.

Animations look good. I wonder if these new catcher animations will be in the full version because with no one on base the catcher seems to be on Red Bull.

The default camera makes it hard to see these new ball physics 2k talked about. I really wish they would let us change the difficulty because the game felt like it was on Pro as always.

Can't wait til Tuesday for the full version

Sent from Awesome Phone
 
# 63 miami marlins rule @ 02/28/12 10:48 PM
played the demo quit a bit and thought it was pretty decent. loved the new pitching and hitting, i will definately be getting this because i haven't gotten a baseball game since 2k7 which was a great game. can't wait for the mlb season today mode.
 
# 64 woz411 @ 02/28/12 10:48 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by ckarlic
I played a bit more and the game is a fun game. I think I'll be picking up the combo pack (MLB and nba 2k12) shortly after release.

I also like the MLB today feature. Great game to just pick up and play IMO.

I may be misunderstanding the MLB today feature, but in essence you are really only playing one game a day (the current day schedule) and if you miss a day it sims it for you right?

But yah, the demo seems pretty good from what i played, though Demo's don't always tell the whole story of a game from past experiences
 
# 65 johnnyg713 @ 02/28/12 10:48 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by bigfnjoe96
Play 1 game. You can see improvements on the outside. I really want to see the improvement under the hood.

Animations look good. I wonder if these new catcher animations will be in the full version because with no one on base the catcher seems to be on Red Bull.

The default camera makes it hard to see these new ball physics 2k talked about. I really wish they would let us change the difficulty because the game felt like it was on Pro as always.

Can't wait til Tuesday for the full version

Sent from Awesome Phone
I came on the forums just to post about this issue. Like seriously 2k? Can the catcher throw the ball back any faster???? that animation looks TERRIBLE

However hitting is pretty satisfying
 
# 66 miami marlins rule @ 02/28/12 10:49 PM
hey does anyone know how to check swing. i haven't been able to figure it out
 
# 67 catch212 @ 02/28/12 10:55 PM
One thing I'm really not liking is the color of the crowd. I'm seeing tons of greens, browns, and tans. When, in reality, Busch Stadium is a sea of red--t just looks off to me. And why are the umps so loud on the field? I wonder if this could be tuned down in the retail version.

On the plus side, I'm enjoying the pitching as always. The outfield play seems smoother too.
 
# 68 Skyboxer @ 02/28/12 11:08 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by miami marlins rule
hey does anyone know how to check swing. i haven't been able to figure it out
Pull back on RS when using analog hitting. I haven't been able to check swing on classic though.
 
# 69 Flaxseed Oil @ 02/28/12 11:11 PM
Honestly, I feel like though the graphics have taken a step forward, the frame rate has taken a step back. There is a lot of stuttering after the ball is put into play.

The player faces look a bit better, but the uniforms look to have take. A step backwards.

I still see a lot of 2D crowds

I'll probably pick it up just because I love the pitching engine, but there is no question that it hasn't made the leap I had hoped for.
 
# 70 miami marlins rule @ 02/28/12 11:26 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Skyboxer
Pull back on RS when using analog hitting. I haven't been able to check swing on classic though.
thanks it worked
 
# 71 kenkraly2004 @ 02/28/12 11:49 PM
I played the Major League Baseball 2K12 demo on PS3 and I still think the series has finally run it's course. I use to like the 2K MLB series and still do at times but it will never be as good as sony's MLB The Show series sorry to say.
 
# 72 The Bimmer @ 02/29/12 12:01 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by bigfnjoe96
Play 1 game. You can see improvements on the outside. I really want to see the improvement under the hood.

Animations look good. I wonder if these new catcher animations will be in the full version because with no one on base the catcher seems to be on Red Bull.

The default camera makes it hard to see these new ball physics 2k talked about. I really wish they would let us change the difficulty because the game felt like it was on Pro as always.

Can't wait til Tuesday for the full version

Sent from Awesome Phone

Lol about the Red Bull, but your 100% right about the difficulty. I am certain that if we could of plugged in your slider set from last year with the camera adjustments it would have been a whole new game (gameplay wise).

Matter of fact when I get the game Tuesday I am just gonna start out with last years set for 10 exibition games and go from there, i.e. I noticed right away that infielder throw speed and baserunner speed did not match up imo.
 
# 73 SoulAssassin @ 02/29/12 12:08 AM
No commentary.

Demo feels and plays about the same as 2k11.

The wierd hesitation infielders do before throwing to 1st base is hopefully not in the retail.

I guess since I bought 2k11 and I only have an XBox, I'll be buying 2k12... but I'd still rather have the other one.
 
# 74 ericdrum @ 02/29/12 12:10 AM
I've been having fun with it. I'm definitely picking it up on PC. 30 bucks is a steal.

Funny thing at the end of an inning: Holliday caught a high deep fly out in the corner for out number 3. He turned around to throw the ball into the crowd. He throws and "PING!", right off the foul pole!
 
# 75 beecravey7 @ 02/29/12 12:17 AM
I played the demo on the ps3 and overall I thought it was pretty fun. I did notice a couple different times that on a base hit the cpu hit, the game cut to the next batter coming up right as my outfielder was picking the ball up off the ground. WTF? hope it is not like that in the full version. Also, on a several shots hit up the middle, the shortstop reaction time to make the play on the ball was r3tard3d fast. The fielding throw meter is awesome.
 
# 76 Skyboxer @ 02/29/12 12:27 AM
Well I'm happy with the demo for the most part. Main thing is it was fun. Went ahead and pre-ordered the combo pack since I never did get NBA game.
 
# 77 dolemint @ 02/29/12 12:29 AM
I liked the demo. Played two games, one as each team. The first game I hit 3 homers in 4 innings with Texas, which was worrisome. Seems people complained about lack of power last year and they may have overcompensated. OR it could just be a difficulty level issue of the demo being set too easy. The follow up game I lost but didn't hit any dingers, but I was also intentionally screwing around to see what was different. We'll just have to wait and see.

Some positives and negatives:

GRAPHICS
+ New graphic overlays are nice looking.
+ I did notice new animations for the catcher, baserunners, and fielders.
+ Shadow jaggies seemed reduced in close-ups compared to last year.
- Some animations (including new ones) looked awkward still.
- Mild slowdown on foul balls still exists.

I didn't expect them to reinvent the wheel graphically so the minor additions are welcome but I didn't have my hopes set too high either.

PITCHING
+ Overusing a pitch will turn it yellow/red, meaning the CPU hitter's eye will pick up on it more. Nice feature.
+ New stats for pitch location. Too early to tell how important this will be but if executed properly, this will be a good addition.
+ High curve balls don't break as drastically as regular curves, so it's nice to see that realism included.
- I still was not in danger of walking people. I got in a couple 3 ball counts, but missed gestures look to go down the middle instead of out of the zone.

FIELDING
+ I actually did a wall climb on the first game. I never successfully did this maneuver in 2k10 or 11. Felt good.

Jury's still out for me on the throwing until I get used to it. Initially had a couple of awkward moments that simply be the learning curve. But my second baseman throwing over the 1st baseman's head was just weird to see, as was a little lob throw that took too long to animate.

HITTING
Seems largely identical. Like last year, I was able to work a couple of walks, which was nice. Noticed a few IBBs which I'll have to bite my tongue on until I get more games in.
 
# 78 Rattler17 @ 02/29/12 12:47 AM
So i just finished playing 5 games, i wont 2 and lost 3 as which is better than i expected having been on the show for many years now. I personally love the experience and really took it all for what it was with no expectations.

Likes:
I love the flow of the game, i thought it was really well put together and if there had been some commentators it would have been superb. I thought the fielding animations were rather well done considering where they were last season, the same goes for the swing animations and the fielder movements. The new pitching engine is a B**** and i love it, really makes you pay attention to what you are doing and not just looking for a blue box and throwing a pitch.

Dislikes:
It really felt like the outfield was rather small, and the ball was either a homer or it was a fly out which felt like i had just hit a bowling ball as hard as i could. The players running the bases while looking pretty good didnt seem to put ANY effort into the run despite moving rather quickly (felt as so they were out for a morning jog). Really minor one but umpires call the foul balls way too fast. Before you even cut to field view for the hit he has yelled foul which was kinda of annoying on balls that were close down the line.

Well that was my take on the game, some may agree some may say I'm out to lunch to play this game on the PS3. All the being said I'm taking the game as it is.... a shell of the actual game released to tide the masses over for a week until launch. As for the people saying it looks bad....yes compared to the competition it doesn't look top notch but 2k has always gone with the arcade graphics so i really didn't turn it on expecting to see Josh Hamilton's twin looking at the camera.
 
# 79 Cavicchi @ 02/29/12 01:04 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by JustinVerlander35
I have played about 12 games or so, and this demo has assured me I am not going to buy it.

Still running into problems with fielding. Here are a few examples:

A runner was stealing on me, and Mike Napoli threw wild over Kinsler's head. The ball flew into centerfield and Josh Hamilton felt the need to run right past the ball and into the infield. None of my fielders made an attempt to run after the ball that was just laying in centerfield. Both runners scored and I just re-started the demo.

Second problem I have faced is sometimes the fielding AI gets very lazy. A groundball was hit to David Freese. Not a line-smash, just your run-of-the mill roll over on a breaking pitch groundball. Freese takes one step and just stops. Lets it roll past him and it barley broke the outfield grass.

Also have had problem with base running as well.

Game feels like it is running very slow. Don't know if it is just because it's a demo or there will be framerate issues again.

There was a few pluses though! Sometimes the computer AI did play great defense. Furcal robbed me a few times of base hit.

Some of the stances have been fix and look more fluid through the whole swing.

Graphics are still pretty bad, but looked a bit more refined.

I don't know if it was me but it was hard to hit homers.

Some of the new presentation is OUTSTANDING!
Were you using auto fielding?
 
# 80 kubankaos @ 02/29/12 01:05 AM
Played a game on the PS3 and enjoyed it. I saw some improvement, but somethings were the same as well.

I think in the 5 inning game I just had, there were only maybe 5 foul balls? I wish there was more.

But I liked the fielding improvements.


So overall I enjoyed it and I didn't care much for the PS3 version last year anyway. I have pre-ordered the PC version. Should still be a fun game hopefully.

For anybody interested...my background.

I bought the PS3 just for the Show in 2K8 and have bought every version of the Show since then and will purchase again this year as well.

But last year, I bought 2K11 for the PC and I ended up playing that more than the Show last year. I had a blast with it. I really like playing at 1920x1200 vs 720p, for me it feels like the difference between wearing glasses and not. Also I love the loading times on a PC vs a console. So I'm secretly hoping 2K11 to be better for me this year as well.

With that said if the Show's physics are really overhauled and all that good stuff, then it's going to be really tough to decide. It's a nice problem to have for sure.
 


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