MLB 15 The Show News Post

MLB 15 The Show OS Community Impressions

11:40 AM - March 31, 2015 by Millennium

Now that MLB 15 The Show is available for everyone, we would like to hear some early impressions from the OS community. Early impressions from the lucky OSers that found a copy early, can be seen here.

Please, only post impressions.

If you have questions, please use this thread.

If you want to see the beauty the game has, check out our member submitted Photography/Videography thread.

If you have bugs to report, please use this thread.

With that said, let's hear those impressions!

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

# 401 Black59Razr @ 04/11/15 01:44 PM

Hello all. I first want to say, thanks to everyone who helped make this amazing game! There is so many new things to love about it! I could go on and on forever about all the things I love! But I wanted to post my impressions of what could be done to improve the game for next year. I was going to save this for the end of the season, but I figured that would be too late to effect MLB 16 The Show. So, after playing about 30 games, here are my impressions and suggestions for next year:

OF Play

OF routes to the ball have definitely improved. But OF play is still the #1 thing that haunts this game. And it's not even that bad. It's just, every other aspect of this game (hitting, pitching, infield play), is so much better. Therefore, it highlights the weak link in the game.

I would like to see a lot more detail paid attention to this part of gameplay. Reason being, like I mentioned last year, it will create a butterfly effect, that will change every other part of this game. The first thing I would change, is to add a "sprint" button. Right now, every player seems to run full speed to every ball, every time. Especially when the ball is hit over their heads. The OF seems to run full speed, and turn their head and back to the play, yet still seem to find where the ball will land, and make the play. This type of catch happens less than 5% of the time in real life. There is not many OFs in the big leagues that can take their eye off the ball for a second, let alone during the entire flight of the ball, like every OF does in The Show. Now, this sprint button will only be used for fly balls over the players head. By pressing it, it would reduce the ability to catch the ball by, say, 90%. This would activate the animation of the player turning their back to the ball and just running full speed; like they do now every time. Now, if you don't press the sprint button on a ball hit over their head, I want to see an animation where the player turns their hips and runs back, while their head is still looking at the ball. This would reduce their speed by, say, 40%. When running in on ball, you could create a system where their speed would be 100% but their OF ability would drop, say, 20%. Without pressing the sprint button, when running in on a ball, their speed could take a 15% hit, but their OF ability would remain at 100%. Then, you could create formulas for when they run back at a 45* angle that is not as extreme as the aforementioned percentages. This would also prompt weaker OFs to play much deeper than better OFs.

You HAVE to implement a shallow/normal/deep logic based on the player's attributes; not just based on the hitter. I hate seeing Brandon Moss or Mike Morse, for example, playing at normal depth, when a good hitter is hitting. My favorite player, Andruw Jones, for example, would play the most shallow of any OF, because he was so good. Adam Dunn, for exmaple, would play way, way more deep, because he is a slow, old, lumbering OF.

I propose you create a system where great defense OFs play X feet more shallow than normal depth. And bad OFs plays X feel more deep than normal depth. Now, everyone plays deep when told to play deep, and shallow when told to play shallow. This feature would only apply to when the OF is set to normal.

Example, Mike Trout would play 10 feel closer than the pre-set normal depth. And Mike Morse would play 10 feet deeper than the pre-set normal depth.

Check out this highlight from last night

When I watched this, all I thought of, was MLB 15 The Show. In real baseball, this is an amazing, noteworthy play. In The Show, every single player can make this play every single time. I would like to see an OF in The Show, have to press the sprint button to get to that ball. Therefore, his OF ability would take a hit. So, all weak OFs would have no chance to make this catch. Only great defensive OFs would even have a chance.

But you first have to have true OF ability values. I bet I could put a 0 ability OF in a game and he would play pretty good. I want to see a 0 ability OF unable to catch a big league fly ball every time.

Check out this play.

He barely caught it. A fast CF almost didn't make this play. It's a highlight reel play because there's probably a 10% chance that play gets made by a fast, good CF. That means a starting LF or RF should make this play 1% of the time. In The Show, that play is made 100% of the time.

Watch the video again and notice how he turns and sprints, then turns his head back to find the ball again. You could create a system where, when you press the sprint button, the ball landing zone disappears. So, while you're sprinting, you can let go of the button, making him decelerate and turn his head, making the landing zone re-appear. Now, poor OFs should take a full second for that icon to appear. Great OFs, it would appear instantly. You would have to incorporate this in to the CPU as well.

I could go on and on about this, like previous years, but I'll stop here. I do notice the improvements made this year to OF play. Thank you for that!

CPU hitting

I'm still seeing the CPU pulling high and away, 2 strike, fastballs, by weak hitters! Overall, it looks like this year is a lot better than last year though. CPU hitters are doing a lot better at taking what the pitcher gives you. But there is still some un realistic results that happen a little too much.

Fantasy Draft Logic

This is still terrible. CPU teams still draft closers in early rounds. Also, check out this trade the computer accepted in a fantasy draft franchise:

I get: 25 year old, 80 overall, B rated, Catcher
I give: 18 year old, 60 overall, A rated, Pitcher

Now, on face value, this looks like a fair trade, right? The only problem is, I drafted that prospect in the 25th round. The CPU drafted that catcher in the 10th round. Then, the day after the draft, they are willing to make that trade? Whoever you had write the trade logic should write the draft logic.

Base Runner Ability

Base runners are still way too aware. I viewed a reply of a play where I had a runner on 3B (a pitcher, mind you!) with 1 out. The batter hit a ground ball to the shortstop. I was happy to see the base runner got a good jump and scored. So, I went to the replay to take a closer look. The baserunner actually started moving towards home, literally one frame after the crack of the bat. I still could not tell if the ball was a flyball or a grounder, let alone where it was going. And the baserunner still decided to run home. Plus, I've still yet to see a base running blunder by anyone.

Variable Strike Zone

Again, this seems to be random. I think variable strike zone in The Show simply means the umpires are human, therefore, able to make mistakes. I would like to see a variable strike zone like other, older baseball video games. Whereas every game could have a slightly different strike zone, which is consistent all game. For example, the umpire calls the low strike all game, but isn't giving the inside strike; all game.

Swing Analysis

I like the new green/yellow/red and PCI indicator, post swing. I wish I could see that after every pitch though. When a new batter comes up, I can access that information only until the lineup rolls over. Then, I'm forced to view what I think is that specific batter's last at bat. How about we get the option to view both?

Windup vs Stretch

Thank you so much for adding the slide step this year! I don't think many people know about this feature but it is amazing! I loooove when you add actually on-field things to the game! I could care less about putting logos on batting gloves or changing shoe lace colors. Give me more of this!!!

On the same note, I would like to see an option to switch from the stretch to the windup. Now, you wouldn't be able to do this to pitchers who don't have windups. But, if I have a slow hitter on 3B, and no runners on 1B and 2B, I am going to want to pitch from the windup. But you have to do something first for this option to even matter.

For pitchers who have windups, their pitches from the stretch should decrease by, say, 5%. And going from stretch to slide step should decrease another 5%.

Catchers

Catchers are still super human. There needs to be more passed balls. Even more crazy, they still do this super sprint and perfect routes to pop ups. They need to drop a lot more of these. Plus, they look like a 40 yard dash sprinter during a pop up. The game is so smooth and so realistic, it makes this look just terrible. Probably the oddest looking thing I've seen in the game so far.

Great game overall, fellas! I'm so happy with it!

# 402 DGuinta1 @ 04/11/15 05:51 PM

This game is amazing just like every other season. Thank you again Ramon and your team.

# 403 Hammerhunker @ 04/11/15 08:20 PM

I absolutely love this game to no end...but how can those same sweat stains on every player on every team still be in the game?

# 404 Heroesandvillains @ 04/11/15 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammerhunker


	I absolutely love this game to no end...but how can those same sweat stains on every player on every team still be in the game?

The sweat stains really need to go.

# 405 Speedy @ 04/11/15 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black59Razr


	OF Play OF routes to the ball have definitely improved. But OF play is still the #1 thing that haunts this game. And it's not even that bad. It's just, every other aspect of this game (hitting, pitching, infield play), is so much better. Therefore, it highlights the weak link in the game. I would like to see a lot more detail paid attention to this part of gameplay. Reason being, like I mentioned last year, it will create a butterfly effect, that will change every other part of this game. The first thing I would change, is to add a "sprint" button. Right now, every player seems to run full speed to every ball, every time. Especially when the ball is hit over their heads. The OF seems to run full speed, and turn their head and back to the play, yet still seem to find where the ball will land, and make the play. This type of catch happens less than 5% of the time in real life. There is not many OFs in the big leagues that can take their eye off the ball for a second, let alone during the entire flight of the ball, like every OF does in The Show. Now, this sprint button will only be used for fly balls over the players head. By pressing it, it would reduce the ability to catch the ball by, say, 90%. This would activate the animation of the player turning their back to the ball and just running full speed; like they do now every time. Now, if you don't press the sprint button on a ball hit over their head, I want to see an animation where the player turns their hips and runs back, while their head is still looking at the ball. This would reduce their speed by, say, 40%. When running in on ball, you could create a system where their speed would be 100% but their OF ability would drop, say, 20%. Without pressing the sprint button, when running in on a ball, their speed could take a 15% hit, but their OF ability would remain at 100%. Then, you could create formulas for when they run back at a 45* angle that is not as extreme as the aforementioned percentages. This would also prompt weaker OFs to play much deeper than better OFs. You HAVE to implement a shallow/normal/deep logic based on the player's attributes; not just based on the hitter. I hate seeing Brandon Moss or Mike Morse, for example, playing at normal depth, when a good hitter is hitting. My favorite player, Andruw Jones, for example, would play the most shallow of any OF, because he was so good. Adam Dunn, for exmaple, would play way, way more deep, because he is a slow, old, lumbering OF. I propose you create a system where great defense OFs play X feet more shallow than normal depth. And bad OFs plays X feel more deep than normal depth. Now, everyone plays deep when told to play deep, and shallow when told to play shallow. This feature would only apply to when the OF is set to normal. Example, Mike Trout would play 10 feel closer than the pre-set normal depth. And Mike Morse would play 10 feet deeper than the pre-set normal depth. Check out this highlight from last night When I watched this, all I thought of, was MLB 15 The Show. In real baseball, this is an amazing, noteworthy play. In The Show, every single player can make this play every single time. I would like to see an OF in The Show, have to press the sprint button to get to that ball. Therefore, his OF ability would take a hit. So, all weak OFs would have no chance to make this catch. Only great defensive OFs would even have a chance. But you first have to have true OF ability values. I bet I could put a 0 ability OF in a game and he would play pretty good. I want to see a 0 ability OF unable to catch a big league fly ball every time. Check out this play. He barely caught it. A fast CF almost didn't make this play. It's a highlight reel play because there's probably a 10% chance that play gets made by a fast, good CF. That means a starting LF or RF should make this play 1% of the time. In The Show, that play is made 100% of the time. Watch the video again and notice how he turns and sprints, then turns his head back to find the ball again. You could create a system where, when you press the sprint button, the ball landing zone disappears. So, while you're sprinting, you can let go of the button, making him decelerate and turn his head, making the landing zone re-appear. Now, poor OFs should take a full second for that icon to appear. Great OFs, it would appear instantly. You would have to incorporate this in to the CPU as well. I could go on and on about this, like previous years, but I'll stop here. I do notice the improvements made this year to OF play. Thank you for that!

Great feedback as I feel the exact same way...there needs to be some distinct variance with a given outfielder and the player's reaction time, speed and route running (should be it's own attribute).

I personally feel the default depth the OFs are in is too shallow and thus minimizes the amount of bloopers, Bermuda triangles and even 2Bs down the line. I heard on the streams that it's designed that way for balance but I think it needs to be reviewed again, just like the pitch physics. With baseball putting so much importance on fielding/speed now rather than power, I really want to see a difference if I have Jason Heyward vs. Torii Hunter in RF; I think there needs to be more thought of the cost/benefit of defense vs. hitting ability.

# 406 ChrisHansen59 @ 04/11/15 09:55 PM

Up 3-1 in the 9th, man on first and it should have been a game ending DP but again, my defense commits errors at crucial times and now there are two men on.

Next man up hits a 3 run homer to put the AI up 4-3. 4 games in a row now where circumstances like that have happened.

I think it might be time to put the game down for now until first patch.

# 407 nemesis04 @ 04/11/15 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisHansen59


	Up 3-1 in the 9th, man on first and it should have been a game ending DP but again, my defense commits errors at crucial times and now there are two men on. Next man up hits a 3 run homer to put the AI up 4-3. 4 games in a row now where circumstances like that have happened. I think it might be time to put the game down for now until first patch.

I did not know we were getting a "winning" patch for the game?

# 408 Knight165 @ 04/11/15 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisHansen59


	Up 3-1 in the 9th, man on first and it should have been a game ending DP but again, my defense commits errors at crucial times and now there are two men on. Next man up hits a 3 run homer to put the AI up 4-3. 4 games in a row now where circumstances like that have happened. I think it might be time to put the game down for now until first patch.

Was this today's Oakland-Seattle game?

M.K.
Knight165

# 409 N51_rob @ 04/11/15 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisHansen59


	Up 3-1 in the 9th, man on first and it should have been a game ending DP but again, my defense commits errors at crucial times and now there are two men on. Next man up hits a 3 run homer to put the AI up 4-3. 4 games in a row now where circumstances like that have happened. I think it might be time to put the game down for now until first patch.

You should stream all these blow-ups. I would love to see it happen 4 and 5 times in a row.

# 410 Speedy @ 04/11/15 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N51_rob


	You should stream all these blow-ups. I would love to see it happen 4 and 5 times in a row.

I would like to see this as well.

If you are using the same tactics throughout the game to get out jams, the AI is certainly going to figure out your tendencies and change accordingly. Time to mix it up!

# 411 ChrisHansen59 @ 04/11/15 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N51_rob


	You should stream all these blow-ups. I would love to see it happen 4 and 5 times in a row.

I'd rather not have a certain subset of posters here tell me that I'm playing the game wrong or to "git gud".

# 412 Speedy @ 04/11/15 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisHansen59


	I'd rather not have a certain subset of posters here tell me that I'm playing the game wrong or to "git gud".

Baseball is a thinking man's game...each play is usually preceded by a flurry of actions that in one way/another caused the most recent.

As an example, I played a game the other day where I already elicited 2 DPs by throwing sliders low/away...I get in a jam again in the 7th with my SP and up by one 1 and I try the same thing -- this time the CPU draws a walk. In the same vein, if I struck out Stanton on high FBs the previous 3 ABs, it's foolish for me to think it's an absolute that he'll strikeout again on his 4th AB.

# 413 Skyboxer @ 04/11/15 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisHansen59


	I'd rather not have a certain subset of posters here tell me that I'm playing the game wrong or to "git gud".

The bulk of OS posters wouldn't do that. Yes some would but the point is if these blow ups are avoidable and some input can help then that's what is being asked.

I have lost leads, came back on the CPU etc... the whole enchilada..
I don't really see an issue of the CPU always getting breaks etc.. to give them the game.

Anyways just saying most would honestly try and see what the issue is...

Have fun man.

# 414 bcruise @ 04/11/15 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisHansen59


	I'd rather not have a certain subset of posters here tell me that I'm playing the game wrong or to "git gud".

And this is why nothing will ever change.

Can we maybe go back to impressions rather than this topic that's going to get another thread locked?

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

# 415 Smallville102001 @ 04/12/15 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bullit


	Im just saying I dont see it. Played two games this morning, stole 4 bases with no pick off attempts what so ever.

I find that very hard to believe because like 90% of the time I lead off at all the CPU we throw over. I even had the CPU throw over like 4 0r 5 times in a row before and have even had the CPU throw over when I don't take a lead. At the same time I have heard people talking about how the CPU will try to squeeze bunt a lot of times and I have never seen that once in all the years I have played this game since 08 lol. What do you have the pick off slider set at? I have already put in down to 4 may go even lower. I also hate that a lot of times if you take one step lead and the CPU throws over you get picked off even if the pitcher is right handed. You should never ever get picked off by a righty.

# 416 Bobhead @ 04/12/15 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisHansen59


	Up 3-1 in the 9th, man on first and it should have been a game ending DP but again, my defense commits errors at crucial times and now there are two men on. Next man up hits a 3 run homer to put the AI up 4-3. 4 games in a row now where circumstances like that have happened. I think it might be time to put the game down for now until first patch.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knight165


	Was this today's Oakland-Seattle game? M.K. Knight165

Or maybe it was opening day's Mets-Nationals game.

# 417 Smallville102001 @ 04/12/15 01:52 AM

Something really cool that I am surprised I haven't seen any one talk about is that when you use the resume feature you don't lose being able to look at the screen that shows things like first pitch, behind in the count, ect. In the past if you did a mid game save that stuff would go blank like you haven't played. This is big to me because when I play after the 3erd inning I tend to look at how the picture is pitching me and I try to make adjustment off that. So if I am not taking enough pitches I will try to take more starting in the 4th inning. If the CPU is throw a lot of fastballs early in the count I will try to look for that more. Same with pitching. If the CPU is being really aggressive and not taking many pitches I will try to take advantage of that by trying to get the CPU to chase more pitches. If I am throw a lot of fastballs in a certain count I will try to start mixing it up more by throwing more sliders or changeups ect. It takes me around 1.5-2 hours to play a game closer to 2 hours so being able to start games and being able to still see and make adjustments like this is great and also being able to save exhibition games is big to has I tend to play a lot of them before I start franchise so I can get my sliders and setting set to where I want them.

# 418 Skyboxer @ 04/12/15 02:02 AM

Regarding CPU pitchers not throwing over...
Verlander threw over a good amount of times yesterday when I played. And this was without any extra steps taken (I never take an extra lead) and a couple were at 2nd base also.

Not saying some people aren't seeing it and maybe it's a pitcher by pitcher basis..
I do have the pick off attempts on 6 or 7 I believe...

Anyways just saying I do see CPU attempt throw.

# 419 Smallville102001 @ 04/12/15 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skyboxer


	Regarding CPU pitchers not throwing over... Verlander threw over a good amount of times yesterday when I played. And this was without any extra steps taken (I never take an extra lead) and a couple were at 2nd base also. Not saying some people aren't seeing it and maybe it's a pitcher by pitcher basis.. I do have the pick off attempts on 6 or 7 I believe... Anyways just saying I do see CPU attempt throw.

Wow I cant even imagine having it any where above 5.

# 420 bcruise @ 04/12/15 02:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skyboxer


	Regarding CPU pitchers not throwing over... Verlander threw over a good amount of times yesterday when I played. And this was without any extra steps taken (I never take an extra lead) and a couple were at 2nd base also. Not saying some people aren't seeing it and maybe it's a pitcher by pitcher basis.. I do have the pick off attempts on 6 or 7 I believe... Anyways just saying I do see CPU attempt throw.

Yeah I can say I actually saw this today too, though not in an actual game situation. I was playing around in my own community challenge (really just testing stuff out, no intention of publishing anything), and the CPU threw over to 1st on Ben Revere with the default lead. I was so shocked that I immediately went to raise the pickoff slider to 10 to try to get it to happen again (it was on the default 5). Naturally, it didn't happen again.

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