MLB 09 The Show Q&A (Gameshark)

[backbreaker]

Gameshark has posted a Q&A with members of the MLB 09 The Show team.

Quote:

Gameshark: "Speaking of AI, what strides have been made, in a general sense, to the computer manager, GM, and fielding AI?" MLB 09 The Show Team: "Very large changes (you can call them strides if you like) have been made in all areas of roster and team management. These changes are both on and off the field. The off field changes (more of the roster management side) include but are not limited to: Trades, Free Agent pickups, Draft logic, a whole new contract offer + arbitration + renewal system, Rule 5 Drafts, etc. As you can imagine adding all of these features require new and improved AI logic to handle team decisions. The system we’ve created feels very organic and seems to allow for many different management styles and Franchise outcomes. As far as the fielding AI, there have been major changes. Not necessarily changing the foundation because that was already solid. But we used that foundation to expand on a few areas. We have a new tag system that allows our infielders and catchers to set up based on where the ball is coming in from. Weather it be a play at third and the ball is coming in from the right field corner, a play at the plate, a pick off or a steal, we have specific set ups and tags that go with it. You will see a range of over 50 different tags in our game and that doesn’t even include our catcher. The system is real smart and helps prevent players from standing inside each other like you’ve seen in the past. We also redid all of our first base set up and catch animations."

[Bill_Abner]

I give this interview two huge thumbs up.

[Knight165]

Quote: Originally Posted by Bill_Abner

I give this interview two huge thumbs up.

The interview is ehh...
But the INTERVIEWER....he's okay.

Nice job Bill.

M.K.
Knight165

[backbreaker]

Quote: Originally Posted by Bill_Abner

I give this interview two huge thumbs up.

Great Job, very insightful questions, you really can tell you played the game oppose to others

[nemesis04]

Nice job with the interview. You were able to dig a little deeper with some of the questions asked.

[NAFBUC]

Good to have a baseball person ask the questions. Thanks Bill.

[Bill_Abner]

Those types of interviews are only good if the team wants to talk. I think that particular Q&A works because you can really get a sense that the developers like the game. When the people behind a project want to talk about it, and that isn't always the case, then I think it says a lot about the finished product.

Plus after reading the stuff here... the anxiety is pretty high.

[queensbomber]

Good read!

So I take it that the demo is really limited in animations and all the good stuff he mentioned like 100 different catching animations for the 1st baseman and awesome little tid bits like that.

I guess the demo is just a super simplified version of what we will see in a few weeks.

Nonetheless, these guys have done a brilliant job.