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MLB 15 The Show News Post


The MLB 15 The Show fact sheet has arrived, check it out here. The PlayStation.Blog also mentions a gameplay reveal is scheduled for February 5th, at 2:00 PST, on Twitch.

Below are just some of details from the fact sheet, click here to view them all.
  • Advanced AI logic results in outfielders taking more realistic routes to the ball
  • Upgraded motion system allows for dynamic speed matching from run to catch to throw
  • User controlled cut offs
  • All new slide and tag system
  • New speed paradigm for fielders and base runners
  • Enhanced ball physics for pop ups, fly balls, and shots into the gap
  • Dynamic pitch breaks: Allows for more realistic pitch recognition when batting
  • Simplified Analog swing controls
  • Dynamic Difficulty 2.0
  • New situational base covering intelligence allows for new animations to play when a player has time or is in a hurry to get to his base.
  • More than 70 new situational third out fielding animations
  • New Input Type option for hitting
  • We’ve separated swing input as a separate option
  • More than 90 new personal batting stances
  • More than 120 batting stance re-captures
  • More than 50 new personal pitching motions
  • More than 120 pitching motion re-captures
  • More than 45 new signature HR swings
  • More than 900 new presentation animations
  • More than 700 new gameplay animations
  • Editable Contracts (Franchise mode)
  • Player contract interest improved (based on MLB service time) (Franchise mode)
  • Player salary guide (Franchise mode)
  • GM History records (Franchise mode)
  • Trade Finder (Franchise mode)
  • Vastly improved trade logic (Franchise mode)
  • New crowd placement logic to reduce fans sitting in "cheap" seats
  • New Quick Shifts feature and revamped Defensive Positioning screen
  • Quick Counts balancing adjustments (I.E. less 3-2 counts, pitchers start with 1-1 counts, etc.)
  • Four new brands for Fielding Gloves. Each brand has three different styles.
  • Four new brands for Bats. Each brand has three different styles.
  • Four new brands for Batting Gloves. Three brands have three styles and one brand has two styles.
  • Three new brands for Cleats. Each brand has three different styles.
  • Updated shin guard, new “Without foot guard” option added.
  • Updated batting helmet with no flaps to pay homage to Old Time players. (PS4 Only)
  • New Necklace accessory with Thin or Thick as options. (PS4 Only)
  • Wrist tape has now been separated into left and right wrists with a new “Long” wrist tape option added.
  • New “Extra Wide” wristband AND armband option added. (PS4 Only)
  • New Base runner Wrist Guard accessory added. (PS4 Only)
  • New “Stirrup Low” Pant Style option added. (PS4 Only)
  • Japanese and slap-hitter swing types now selectable (PS4 Only)
  • Left analog stick bunting influence
  • Hours of new custom stadium and ambiance music (over 40 new tracks)
  • RTTS camera improvements after the ball is in play
Source - The Show Nation
  • No retractable roofs
  • No confirmation on frame rate
  • No stadium creator/relocation/expansion
  • Fans do catch foul balls and HR's this year.
  • Are the contracts of coaches editable? Are coaches editable in general? Everything looking great so far! Can't wait! Negative ghost rider
  • I've got two; one specific, and one more generalized:
    Was the bug with scouting fixed where if you didn't scout the guy at all, he'd show up 100% revealed on draft day?
    I'd love to hear more about how trade logic was "vastly improved." Probably one of those things that's difficult to describe to the layperson, trade logic and coding. Still, I'm curious.

    I'm not going to spoil Luis stream, but I can't rob the CPU teams anymore with bad trades. It's something I've been able to do for years and finally we seem to have found the sweet spot in value in age, potential, and overall.
  • Ramone, a few questions about the Vita version:
    Are the gameplay/presentation improvements not included due to space on the Vita? Are the "FOUL" and "OUT" text boxes still in the game? Is there any way to remove them if so?
    Yes I'll see what I can do
  • I was just thinking with directional hitting is there any way to do directional hitting with zone? Also directional hitting is with the left stick right? Negative ghost rider, and yes.
  • Awesome stuff! I didn't see if fans could catch foul balls and HR's this year though. (That was scratched from last years fact sheet). Is it in? Russell, can you say? Not this year
  • Retractable roofs? # of Uniform slots? No and same
  • What does split screen functionality mean for presentation? Could that mean that they show a scene where half the screen shows the pitcher and the other half shows the batter before a pitch to set up the presentation for a stressful playoff situation? Affirmative
  • Are the dynamic pitch movements tied to arm slot or is it a selectable thing?
    Or does it mean something like there are no longer deviations of pitches and only FB,CB,SL,CH etc?
    No on both accounts.
  • Is Online Franchise still in the game? Affirmative
  • Russell do players in the All Star game finally wear there home teams jerseys during gameplay? No doing that still uses way to much memory.
  • Does it have 2-player Manage Mode Only?
    Was that in the game last year? If it wasn't then the answer is no.
  • are there more available start times for exhibition games? Negative
  • + Ramone Russell on January 29th, 2015 at 9:36 am said:
    All the MLB stadiums will have updated dirt and grass.
  • Are single-a teams playable? I assume not since it's not on the fact sheet. No and if I'm a betting man I'm not sure they ever will be.
  • Were the numbers on the back players jerseys with out the name plate moved higher up like the Yankees? No, however I just walked over to chat about this with Paul who's one of the graphics leads and he's going to put it on his list for 16. No promises though
  • Is this talking about the Directional Hitting? Are the separate options something like zone and directional? No, hitting interface now has an added option with is input type. So you can now play Timing hitting with analog controls for example.
  • Did you guys add any new catcher gear? Also can we finally edit the catchers masks/hockey helmets? Yes, (thank the baseball gods) bye bye turtle shell chest protector.
  • Did you gentlemen re-add the ability to turn off the home run celebration cam? I LOVE watching the flight of a moonshot like in previous versions. That's literally my only "problem" with this game. Otherwise it's dang near perfect. No the option did not return, but someone mentioned it during community day back in November and Clayton turned it completely off I believe.
  • The Fact Sheet is looking good! As another player who solely does Franchise mode (offline) and has been disappointed in the meager career stat tracking, I am hoping for an improvement. Anything you can tell us? Same as last year, however it's the number one item on Franchise features list for 16.
  • Last year there was mention of using up to 1,000 different crowd models. The final number of models in 14 was much lower, has that number been increased this year? Yes we can use 1k different models but it's going to take some time to scan that many new faces for the crowed.
  • Did you guys bring back the ability to change players cap brims as well as catchers masks? Both were locked last year.
    Also any new hair and beard styles? Yes still there and no
  • Ramone- Will Matt. V announce all 9 starting players names/positions in the batting order once again? Negative ghost rider
  • Will the enhanced trade logic play a role in RTTS (like background CPU trades) or is it solely a Franchise enhancement? It applies to RTTS as well.
  • (1) Has MOM mode been brought back to an exhibition mode so we don't have to start a franchise/season to use it? If it hasn't, do you ever see it coming back?
    (2) If we are using generated counts, do we have the option to bring in a relief pitcher before the count is generated?
    1. No I it's most likely never coming back. 2. No, unless you schedule to bring him in at the beginning of an inning.
  • One thing I would like to know, has the ability to manually name our saves been addled. Negative ghost rider
  • in RTTS can your catcher call timeout and have a meeting on the mound with the pitcher? Also will the pitcher decline our signals and can we add the stick ons to our catchers fingers? No no and no
  • Hey Russell, with all the new accessory options you guys added, how will this be translated when we import our 2014 franchises?
    Will all the new gear be randomized for all the players or something like that? They will keep the equipment from the file and you can change it to new stuff after your in MLB 15.
  • Was there any mentions on who the voices of the radio show were?
    Local talent
  • Any word on Classic Stadiums for PS4? Maybe a post release DLC Stadium package for $10, just to make it with your while. No and no
  • Can we do the carry over saves with season mode files just like RTTS and Franchise. Yes Y2Y saves works for RTTS, Franchise, and Season mode.
  • Any news if the renovations at Progressive Field and Wrigley Field will be included? Yes those renovations will be included.
  • I was just thinking with directional hitting is there any way to do directional hitting with zone? Also directional hitting is with the left stick right? Negative ghost rider, and yes.
  • One major problem with this game is the strike zone. Even if you go in the settings so that “all balls and strike calls are made perfectly,” many of the calls are still incorrect. The pitch track will show that the ball caught the strike zone but it was still called a ball anyway. This has been a problem since the beginning of the series. The entire ball DOES NOT need to be in the strike zone for it to be a strike.
    Our strike zone logic is based on 50% of the ball being inside the strike zone for a called strike. With variable umpires this varies and there was a bug last year on the on screen display for where the ball actually landed. That issue has been fixed.
  • The new features sound great, but no mention of online fixes for MLB 15? VERY disappointing. MLB 14 online, even on PS4, is a nearly unplayable mess of lag, player warping, and game breaking glitches/freezes. Any word from devs on fixes for online?
    Improving online has been a priority for us the entire development cycle. Ultimately you need to play it to see the improvements and we will be working until code lock at improving the experience.
  • Does the Scorebug still have the pitch count on it hopefully? And was it improved once again or does it pretty much look the same as in MLB 14 The Show which would not necessarily be a bad thing anyway.
    It looks different you will get a chance to see it next week.
  • Will you be posting the stream and/or highlights to youtube etc. because i need to know to determine if i should skip school for this.The stream will be archived, don’t skip school hit those books :-).
  • Hopefully your still answering. Please tell me the Green Monster will be fully functional this year. I.E. updated live scores during regular season,accurate, divisional standings,balls/strikes etc.
    Standings will update in real time the rest of the Green Monster will function as it did last year.
  • Hello Russell, I was wondering if the Wrigley video boards will be included in this years game?
    All the new Wrigley field additions will be in MLB 15.
  • Will Citifield have the fences moved in like they did this offseason?
    Yes
  • Will this year’s game have the actual local broadcasters commentary voiced in for the home games of your team ?
    No they will not
  • Will there be ceremonial first pitches?
    No Sir.
  • will ballpark village be included to busch stadium this year?
    Yes
  • SO excited for all the improvements! can’t wait to get this game!!!! I was wondering if Rivalry Mode would be making a comeback to MLB 15 THE SHOW. I appreciate all the time and hard work you guys put into this game. Thank you.
    Sorry, unfortunately not enough people used the mode to warrant us keeping it in the game.
  • Is there ANY chance that retro stadiums might be available later for a fee as downloadable content? There is zero chance of free retro stadiums being released as DLC.
  • When will this game be available for digital pre-order?
    Next week
  • Yes the new seasonal sun and shadows is all based on real satellite data for sun position per stadium.
    While we are on that subject a new feature was added into the game this weekend. You can now choose the month and start time for games in exhibition mode.

Game: MLB 15 The ShowReader Score: 9/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS Vita / PS3 / PS4Votes for game: 31 - View All
MLB 15 The Show Videos
Member Comments
# 421 LastActionHero @ 01/30/15 01:17 AM
Since this thread is more like a full on question thread I'll throw one in myself:

Will we be able to select quick counts in Live Games this year? In 14 it was only possible with a workaround and never knew if the option was just left out accidentally...
 
# 422 nomo17k @ 01/30/15 01:19 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by kehlis
It's pretty easy to tell where the ball is going based on location of the pitch and timing of the swing.

Not sure why they would change how it is now.


Not challenging your right to an opinion but I can safely assume that this isn't something that's been changed since this is the first I have ever seen this asked.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Blzer
This has definitely been discussed heavily before, but based on their responses in the past I see no reason why they will ever change it. That's just not within their vision.

I don't know about the extent of "extensiveness," but I think this has been discussed a few times (since like 2011 when I joined the forum) in the context of inserting a brief "pause" when the screen mode switching between the bat contact and the fielding control.

The Show right now is taking an approach of automatically assisting fielders with the first couple steps so that the gamer doesn't have to control them right away. I think so long as The Show maintains the real-time presentation at real time speed, it's too difficult to force the game to control the fielder from the first step. I remember that's what Ramone mentioned back when it was discussed a couple years ago.
 
# 423 Mrmagoo @ 01/30/15 01:25 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by kehlis
Right, I get that. I'm all for personal preference and options. I'm not challenging that at all.

I legitimately don't get it and am curious. I've never even had that thought.
IIRC I think it's how 2k games use to be and some ppl preferred that approach. The reason I really can't remember.
 
# 424 nomo17k @ 01/30/15 01:26 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shakedowncapo
Are we going to see PCI getting replaced with a more realistic option? Something like



It would have to be more than just a visual improvement. Where the ball hits on the cursor bat would have to be reflected when actually hit.

I don't think that's a very realistic way to reflect the mechanism of hitting in real life (insert Blzer's upcoming tome on hitting and baseball game as a reference).... but, who knows, given that some people seem very adamant in that style of hitting in video baseball game, you might get your wish at some point.

I think the PCI is much more realistic way to replicate the real-life approach of hitting than cursor-based system. The cursor-based hitting becomes more like playing a shooting game, and not baseball hitting. But that's just my opinion.
 
# 425 ScouserHUN @ 01/30/15 02:51 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Russell_SCEA
I'm pretty sure that was added because of the feedback from community day in November. Guys correct me if I'm wrong.
How do you think edited contracts and the vastly improved trade logic will work together? Don't you think that edited contracts will mess up the trade logic?
 
# 426 SDwinder @ 01/30/15 02:58 AM
I fail to see why directional hitting is needed in a baseball Sim. Why not just swing earlier or later to pull or go the other way? Or swing under the pitch to get ball in air? I have played this way for years. That's real hitting. Directional hitting just seems like an arcade gimmick. To each their own, but its really not needed in The Show. Or maybe if doing timing only, that would be needed. That must be it.
 
# 427 merchant1874 @ 01/30/15 04:12 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by garyjr33
I am really curious about this as well. So I second this question Mr. Russell.
Agree the incorrect future schedule is in need of a fix.

Appreciate we don't know exact schedules but we do know the teams and divisions that rotate every year.
 
# 428 marbury @ 01/30/15 04:51 AM
Like every year I'm hoping for baserunner gloves. I have never seen Ichiro running the bases without wearing his gloves
 
# 429 Shakedowncapo @ 01/30/15 04:59 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by nomo17k
I don't think that's a very realistic way to reflect the mechanism of hitting in real life (insert Blzer's upcoming tome on hitting and baseball game as a reference).... but, who knows, given that some people seem very adamant in that style of hitting in video baseball game, you might get your wish at some point.

I think the PCI is much more realistic way to replicate the real-life approach of hitting than cursor-based system. The cursor-based hitting becomes more like playing a shooting game, and not baseball hitting. But that's just my opinion.
The PCI system is just flawed the way its implemented. Running in online leagues, we would have people who did zone hitting that kept their cursor in the middle and with the PCI being nowhere near the actual pitch location, would make OK contact or foul it off. This was on HOF difficulty.

Sure there were variances depending on the batter, but you could get by with just sitting in the middle of the zone, fouling off pitches (with bad hitters) nowhere near the PCI bubble, waiting for a mistake.

You can call the Pro Spirits way a mini-game, but I'd rather have something that bordered on all or nothing and was dynamic to where it hit on the cursor. If I put the cursor on the bottom half of the ball and fouled it back, I'll take that feedback over being completely off with the PCI and making the same contact.
 
# 430 MatrixTN @ 01/30/15 05:44 AM
Is Sounds of the Show/custom music still in the PS3 version?
 
# 431 headzapp @ 01/30/15 06:00 AM
Just finished reading all 47 pages in this thread. I was excited last year for the first show on ps4. Now it seems I'm even more excited for this years version.
 
# 432 Splitter77 @ 01/30/15 07:01 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by kehlis
It's pretty easy to tell where the ball is going based on location of the pitch and timing of the swing.

Not sure why they would change how it is now.


Not challenging your right to an opinion but I can safely assume that this isn't something that's been changed since this is the first I have ever seen this asked.

i just like how it looks when you can see the ball coming off the bat.
it looks like a real broadcast of the game. You could tell if its gonna be a homerun or not usually.

I remember playing hardball on the sega genesis, and that game had it in, and it looked great.
I also remember the nintendo baseball arcade game had it, and some other baseball arcade game that had the tracking ball and some weird looking playing stick.
 
# 433 Armor and Sword @ 01/30/15 07:17 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by SDwinder
I fail to see why directional hitting is needed in a baseball Sim. Why not just swing earlier or later to pull or go the other way? Or swing under the pitch to get ball in air? I have played this way for years. That's real hitting. Directional hitting just seems like an arcade gimmick. To each their own, but its really not needed in The Show. Or maybe if doing timing only, that would be needed. That must be it.
That is exactly it. I play with timed hitting and it add's a layer of bat control to players rated high enough to take advantage of inside pitches, outside pitches, great high ball hitters, great low ball hitters etc.
 
# 434 suckEplayer @ 01/30/15 07:29 AM
Is directional hitting going to be allowed online? I don't think it should be since it is essentially timing hitting, which isn't allowed online. How it should be
 
# 435 Bobhead @ 01/30/15 07:33 AM
I'll just say I agree with nomo (and inevitably, Blzer ) on the cursor batting thing, and I'll leave it to them to articulate the opinion, since they are better at it.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Shakedowncapo
The PCI system is just flawed the way its implemented. Running in online leagues, we would have people who did zone hitting that kept their cursor in the middle and with the PCI being nowhere near the actual pitch location, would make OK contact or foul it off. This was on HOF difficulty.

Sure there were variances depending on the batter, but you could get by with just sitting in the middle of the zone, fouling off pitches (with bad hitters) nowhere near the PCI bubble, waiting for a mistake.

You can call the Pro Spirits way a mini-game, but I'd rather have something that bordered on all or nothing and was dynamic to where it hit on the cursor. If I put the cursor on the bottom half of the ball and fouled it back, I'll take that feedback over being completely off with the PCI and making the same contact.
This has nothing to do with the PCI. It's a disguise for another problem, which is a ridiculous amount of lenience while batting, targeted towards casual gamers. The problem would still probably exist with cursor batting. The solution is not to do away with the PCI, but to just make the higher difficulty levels more challenging like they are supposed to be. Currently I can go on legend and make contact on just about anything as long as my timing was decent. It should not be that way on the hardest possible difficulty level. Period.
 
# 436 nordiques1995 @ 01/30/15 07:57 AM
Improved quick count but doesn't say if you can turn it off depending on situation. Like facing a particular batter, runners on base, late in a close game and so on.
 
# 437 Blzer @ 01/30/15 08:05 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by nordiques1995
Improved quick count but doesn't say if you can turn it off depending on situation. Like facing a particular batter, runners on base, late in a close game and so on.
I don't think the way that it is coded allows for that.
 
# 438 SVCbearcat10 @ 01/30/15 08:20 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by nordiques1995
Improved quick count but doesn't say if you can turn it off depending on situation. Like facing a particular batter, runners on base, late in a close game and so on.
I get why you'd want this, but I'm also not sure why at the same time. The point of quick counts is to speed up the game and put you in situations you wouldn't be in otherwise. For example, it's super easy to bunt in a video game. You rarely, if ever, get to 2 strikes while bunting. With quick counts, you may be put into the situation where you'd have to decide to bunt or swing away with 2 strikes. I think it just adds to the realism in so many ways.

Many don't like to be put in those types of situations because it interferes with proper baseball strategy. We all got used to 'gimme' runs because it's too easy to hit that sac fly or bunt someone over a base. I prefer it because players fail to execute all the time. They fail at a much higher rate than you see in video games, so this tips the balance back towards simulation.
 
# 439 mlblover15 @ 01/30/15 08:33 AM
seems like no one has even begun to mention the Manager challenge system.. on close calls... is NO ONE interested in this???

i know just over my last season i has several game changing home plate calls that caused me to have critical runs taken off my side of the score card... if the review system were in place i could have challenged them if i saw something that was on my side of the call...

i really see the cpu using this a great deal more than we will as human users that is my opinion...

this also means that they must have revamped the umpire call logic if that is possible... i know they have for balls and strikes on the black. so i guess that means that they can even address the at the base call logic... very interesting...

looking forward to seeing how is has been done and implamented.
 
# 440 aguero90 @ 01/30/15 08:47 AM
It is very interesting! Because of being visually impaired, I asked if something visual was shown in order to challenge a call. I was told that on close calls, the manager would come out automatically, then as the replay is being shown, you press square to challenge, or circle to not challenge. Can't wait to try it!
 


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