MLB 15: The Show

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

It's that time of the year again........

[kingfc22]

Just need to get my scissors ready so I can cut Puig out of my cover. Other than that, excited to get a chance to play this as I finally picked up a PS4.

[EagleFan]

Puig on the cover is enough to make me not want this year's version.

[FBPro]

Already pre-ordered!!

[Icy]

Will preorder for sure (PS4 download) and thinking about the VITA version too as I love being able to continue my games between devices.

Also this year you can continue playing your 2014 RTTS or Franchise in the new version of the game.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Info on Diamond Dynasty upgrades.

[korme]

Wish the show would do a better job of tracking career stats

[kingfc22]

Originally Posted by korme

Wish the show would do a better job of tracking career stats

As somebody who has never played the game. How so?

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by kingfc22

As somebody who has never played the game. How so?

Generally, The Show is a bit light on stats. There's a lot of gamers that want the level of stat tracking that you see in text sims. They've improved it somewhat with the last iteration, but it's still not good enough for some gamers.

This thread is from a couple years ago, but the complaints haven't changed all that much.

Are you satisfied with MLB The Shows stat tracking? - Operation Sports Forums

[korme]

Originally Posted by kingfc22

As somebody who has never played the game. How so?

Wish I could find a screenshot but you basically click "Player Card", and it's a popup, and scroll to the career stats page for that player, and its like the last 3 years, then a career line, no team played listing, cant scroll thru whole career, etc. Just very limited. Oh and the line is very basic like AVG HR RBI OPS

[korme]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

Generally, The Show is a bit light on stats. There's a lot of gamers that want the level of stat tracking that you see in text sims. They've improved it somewhat with the last iteration, but it's still not good enough for some gamers.

This thread is from a couple years ago, but the complaints haven't changed all that much.

Are you satisfied with MLB The Shows stat tracking? - Operation Sports Forums

Yeah, I mean if a game like NBA2K can have advanced metrics and full pages of deep stats, MLB, the baby of advanced stats should definitely have it. It's a huge issue for me.

[Galaril]

Originally Posted by korme

Yeah, I mean if a game like NBA2K can have advanced metrics and full pages of deep stats, MLB, the baby of advanced stats should definitely have it. It's a huge issue for me.

Ok so based on the razing about how great The Show was I would have expected it to have a deep stat package. It sounds like basically is arcade baseball with an incredible graphics engine and the MLB license.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by Galaril

Ok so based on the razing about how great The Show was I would have expected it to have a deep stat package. It sounds like basically is arcade baseball with an incredible graphics engine and the MLB license.

And you'd be doing yourself an incredible disservice as a sports gamer to follow that assumption. It's a fantastic, immersive game, especially if you like to play solo game modes.

[korme]

Originally Posted by Galaril

Ok so based on the razing about how great The Show was I would have expected it to have a deep stat package. It sounds like basically is arcade baseball with an incredible graphics engine and the MLB license.

Tons of fanboys here, but I pretty much agree.

[EagleFan]

Originally Posted by Galaril

Ok so based on the razing about how great The Show was I would have expected it to have a deep stat package. It sounds like basically is arcade baseball with an incredible graphics engine and the MLB license.

It's a really fun game that plays a good game of baseball. It just doesn't seem to keep deep stats, which to me is a puzzling for a baseball game. Definitely wouldn't call it arcade baseball as it plays quite well.

[Sweed]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

And you'd be doing yourself an incredible disservice as a sports gamer to follow that assumption. It's a fantastic, immersive game, especially if you like to play solo game modes.

Originally Posted by EagleFan

It's a really fun game that plays a good game of baseball. It just doesn't seem to keep deep stats, which to me is a puzzling for a baseball game. Definitely wouldn't call it arcade baseball as it plays quite well.

I agree with both of these posts. I don't have a ps4 and don't think I'll be getting one. Just don't have the time to play to make it worth while. OOTP is almost all I play anymore, and that not as much as I'd like, with an occasional FOF or FM thrown in.

Having said that not playing The Show because you want to view more stats is fine. To not play because you think it is an arcade game is flawed. For at least the last few ps3 versions I played I had no trouble getting pretty realistic stats\results. Now to look at those stats? Yeah, either buried and hard to find (again why with large screen tvs and hd do we have scrolling in these games?), not tracked at all, or only tracked for limited time.

[SackAttack]

Bought my PS4 for last year's game, and was horribly disappointed with the evisceration of franchise mode.

Thankfully, I've since found a handful of games for the system which I really enjoy (although none are exclusive, sadly).

MLB 15 is gonna be a rent-first for me, so I can see if franchise mode has gotten back any of the stuff that got taken out in 14.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Here's the list of new features:

MLB 15 The Show Fact Sheet

Year-to-Year Saves
(PS4, PS3, VITA)
Users who purchased MLB 14 The Show will be able to continue their Franchise and Road to the Show progress in MLB 15 The Show with the Year-to-Year Saves feature. Saves between the two releases will be forward-compatible, meaning you don’t have to worry about starting your Franchise or Road to The Show seasons over!


Gameplay Improvements
(PS4 & PS3 Only)

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




Licensed Equipment
(PS4 & PS3 Only)
For the first time ever MLB The Show will include licensed equipment from some of the most recognizable brands in baseball. Earn as you play to enhance your RTTS or Diamond Dynasty players and partner with iconic brands by bringing sponsorships to your Franchise team! (Equipment on PS3 version is not seen during gameplay.)


Universal Rewards
(PS4 & PS3 Only)
In the last couple years we added the Universal Profile, which tracks your playstyle tendencies and passively rewards you with XP and Stubs while you play. This year, in addition to XP and Stubs, you will earn new Items usable throughout different game modes:

Virtual Baseball cards to be collected and easily assembled into a competitive Diamond Dynasty team
Licensed Bats, Gloves, Batting Gloves, and Cleats that enhance your Road to the Show or Diamond Dynasty player’s ability
Brand Sponsorships for your Franchise team that spice up your in-game interface and earn your team some extra income
Collect entire teams to unlock iconic MLB alumni players from each MLB team



Graphical Improvements
(PS4 Only)

Real-time seasonal sun and shadows
Player Skin tone realism. More variations of skin tones with gloss and specular improvements
Revamped Night lighting
More accurate and photorealistic rendering system
PS4 gets 10 more Minor League stadiums




Directional Hitting Interface
(PS3, PS4, VITA)
Featured for the first time in MLB 15 The Show is the new Directional Hitting interface, which allows you to influence the direction of your hits in real-time while you swing. Using the L-Stick, you can attempt to influence fly balls, ground balls, pushed hits, pulled hits, or any of those in combination. The most success will be had by swinging at pitches that are conducive to the hit direction you are aiming for. Outside pitches are better for hitting to the opposite field, while inside pitches are best for pulling. If no direction is pressed with the L-Stick, it’s just like using the old Timing Hitting interface. Like never before, Directional Hitting allows you to play into each hitter’s strengths and utilize the strategies of proper situational hitting.


Franchise Mode Refresh
(PS4, PS3, VITA)
With the addition of General Manager Contracts, you now have to consider Ownership Expectations when running your team, and your performance will determine the job offers that come your way. Building a championship-caliber team is more fun and dynamic than ever before, with the new Performance-based Player Progression, as well as much improved Trade and Contract logic. Partner up with Brand Sponsors, giving your broadcast elements an official sponsor and earn some extra dough to spend on your team.


Players and teams get Personality: Aesthetics and Emotion
(PS4 & PS3 Only)
Players on the field get improvements to show their individuality. (Necklaces, Tilted caps, etc..) Real-time situational/emotional AI scenes (dugouts, crowd, etc..) have also been added, and more Team and Player celebrations.


“Inside The Show” News Suite
(PS4, partial PS3)
Franchise, RTTS, and Season modes all feature a new suite of features centered on providing news updates from around the league. Inside The Show is a new radio broadcast that will be heard at the beginning of each new day and will discuss recent scores, notable performances, team news, milestones, records, standings, and more.


Diamond Dynasty Distilled
(PS4 & PS3 Only)
Diamond Dynasty is melted down to its core. Now driven by just a handful of systems, it is much more accessible and less daunting to manage. Driven heavily by a new collection based management system, everyone is building a Diamond Dynasty team just by playing any mode in MLB The Show.


New Slide Step System
(PS4 & PS3 Only)
Perform a slide step while pitching to combat pitchers with a slow delivery to the plate, or runners who consistently get great jumps. This “game within a game” creates a risk/reward factor when performing a slide step. The pitcher will now have less control and slightly less velocity when a slide step is executed, but will be quicker to the plate. As a runner, you now have to worry about your opponent using a slide step when you are attempting a steal.


Legends
(PS4, PS3, VITA)
We partnered with the MLB Player’s Alumni Association to make a total of 30 Legends playable in MLB 15 The Show. Collect an entire MLB team, and you’ll unlock an iconic alumni player from that team. There’s one from each team, and though you’ll have to find or unlock the card to slot them into your Dynasty squad, you can simply opt in to utilizing the whole pool of Legends in your Franchise mode.


Presentation Improvements
(PS4)

Dynamic stat based presentations
Split screen functionality
Real-time situational/emotional AI scenes (dugouts, crowd, etc.)
All-new Jumbotron movies
More Team and Player celebrations




Play-by-Play, Commentary, and PA Improvements
(PS3 & PS4 Only)

Improved strike zone accuracy with new pitch locations for on-the-black calls and borderline balls & strikes
Improved hit call accuracy through new field zone locations and deeper parameter logic
Improved runner rounding base and runner scoring content for more exciting big-play calls
Improved deep fly ball logic that allows more diverse calls on potential home runs, and prevents the user from hearing calls that give away the play result before it occurs
Improved foul ball logic to allow for open-ended play-by-play on playable or nearly playable balls, prevents user from hearing calls that give away the result
New batter introductions and pitch result content for the new skip batter walkup system (speeds up gameplay, tightens play-by-play)
New system for handling safe result calls that includes proper acknowledgement of the runner’s slide type
New conversations with color commentary that remember and discuss the team’s recent record
New conversations with color commentary that highlight the impact of important double plays
New PA batter introductions and content for the new Home Run Derby format
New batter introductions that call out the three part stat line for Average, Home Runs, and RBI’s on the year
New create-a-player first and last names
New play by play and color commentary content for the manager challenge system
Over 1,700 new lines of play-by-play content
Over 1,400 new lines of color commentary



Instant Replay Challenge System
(PS4 & PS3 Only)
The MLB’s Instant Replay protocols are now in The Show. Certain plays give users an opportunity to challenge the outcome of a close play.


New Home Run Derby Format
(PS4, partial PS3)
Aligning Major League Baseball’s new Home Run Derby rules and progression


The Best Gets Better! MLB 15 The Show included 31 more enhancements, new features and improvements!

1. More than 90 new personal batting stances
2. More than 120 batting stance re-captures
3. More than 50 new personal pitching motions
4. More than 120 pitching motion re-captures
5. More than 45 new signature HR swings
6. More than 900 new presentation animations
7. More than 700 new gameplay animations
8. Editable Contracts (Franchise mode)
9. Player contract interest improved (based on MLB service time) (Franchise mode)
10. Player salary guide (Franchise mode)
11. GM History records (Franchise mode)
12. Trade Finder (Franchise mode)
13. Vastly improved trade logic (Franchise mode)
14. New crowd placement logic to reduce fans sitting in "cheap" seats
15. New Quick Shifts feature and revamped Defensive Positioning screen
16. Quick Counts balancing adjustments (I.E. less 3-2 counts, pitchers start with 1-1 counts, etc.)
17. Four new brands for Fielding Gloves. Each brand has three different styles.
18. Four new brands for Bats. Each brand has three different styles.
19. Four new brands for Batting Gloves. Three brands have three styles and one brand has two styles.
20. Three new brands for Cleats. Each brand has three different styles.
21. Updated shin guard, new “Without foot guard” option added.
22. Updated batting helmet with no flaps to pay homage to Old Time players. (PS4 Only)
23. New Necklace accessory with Thin or Thick as options. (PS4 Only)
24. Wrist tape has now been separated into left and right wrists with a new “Long” wrist tape option added.
25. New “Extra Wide” wristband AND armband option added. (PS4 Only)
26. New Base runner Wrist Guard accessory added. (PS4 Only)
27. New “Stirrup Low” Pant Style option added. (PS4 Only)
28. Japanese and slap-hitter swing types now selectable (PS4 Only)
29. Left analog stick bunting influence
30. Hours of new custom stadium and ambiance music (over 40 new tracks)
31. RTTS camera improvements after the ball is in play

[FBPro]

Now I'm starting to drool.......just a little over a month!!!

[BillJasper]

Think I might give '14 a try at some point now that it is cheaper.

[jeff061]

I don't understand people who pay full price every year for these games.

[PurdueBrad]

Originally Posted by jeff061

I don't understand people who pay full price every year for these games.

But Jeff, who wouldn't want:

17. Four new brands for Fielding Gloves. Each brand has three different styles.
18. Four new brands for Bats. Each brand has three different styles.
19. Four new brands for Batting Gloves. Three brands have three styles and one brand has two styles.
20. Three new brands for Cleats. Each brand has three different styles.
21. Updated shin guard, new “Without foot guard” option added.
22. Updated batting helmet with no flaps to pay homage to Old Time players. (PS4 Only)
23. New Necklace accessory with Thin or Thick as options. (PS4 Only)
24. Wrist tape has now been separated into left and right wrists with a new “Long” wrist tape option added.
25. New “Extra Wide” wristband AND armband option added. (PS4 Only)
26. New Base runner Wrist Guard accessory added. (PS4 Only)
27. New “Stirrup Low” Pant Style option added. (PS4 Only)

I only kind of kid as I did, for a while, buy it every year. It's a very pretty game and plays a solid game of baseball (not great and sometimes not even necessarily good).

[BillJasper]

Got last year's version ('14) for $26.99 on Amazon.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Just over a week to go.

Examining the most anticipated features for MLB 15: The Show | MLB | Sporting News

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Lighting effects are cool, but really excited to see more minor league parks since I'm a big RTTS player and see a lot of those stadiums.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

dola

Good deal if you want to get a second game for half price with MLB15. Target is offering a B1G1 deal this week.

http://slickdeals.org/f/7744039-live...arget-3-29-4-4

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Opening day!

Going to head over to Target at opening and see if I can pick up The Show and Bloodborne for $90. If not, will likely just head over to Wal-Mart.

[SackAttack]

I'm holding off until I either rent it or someone can tell me what franchise mode looks like this year. I was sorely disappointed in MLB 14's franchise mode.

[CraigSca]

Playing now - during the load process they let you play KC at SF so I'm betting everyone starts with that.

As usual, may have to turn down OF speed as I had a ball hit to the right field wall get thrown out at 2nd.

Other than that - game plays as you would expect - crisp and professional. Think they made it a little more accessible this year. Can't wait to play a night game to see the new shadows.

[kingfc22]

Can't wait to get home to fire this bad boy up.

[EagleFan]

If this is good enough it may be that extra nudge I needed to decide to pick up a PS4.

[RainMaker]

Any idea how they are handling Wrigley this year?

[FBPro]

If anyone is interested in '14 for PS4 I've got it cheap.

[SackAttack]

Originally Posted by SackAttack

I'm holding off until I either rent it or someone can tell me what franchise mode looks like this year. I was sorely disappointed in MLB 14's franchise mode.

I'm actually weak and picked this up after all. Played a game in Diamond Dynasty. I'm surprised I could play against other users without Plus, but I guess there's a head-to-head online mode and a 'play against their profile' mode.

Puttering around in Franchise now. I still resent not having the option to set ticket prices, concession prices, etc. I enjoyed having that element of the game on PS3.

[korme]

Are player cards as minimal as they were in previous versions? Aka only 3 seasons of stats?

[SackAttack]

I don't know but I just discovered that the PS3 version gets the classic stadiums for Diamond Dynasty and the PS4 gets the finger.

[RainMaker]

Gotta love next gen gaming where the game loses 5 years of features.

[SackAttack]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Gotta love next gen gaming where the game loses 5 years of features.

Yeah, that's how I felt after last year's game and why, if I weren't weak, I would have waited with this year's game.

I don't know that I regret the purchase but I'm definitely annoyed to see the PS3 get a price break AND the classic stadiums. Like...really?

[CraigSca]

Stayed up way too late playing this last night (something I didn't do with '14). The stadium lighting at night is breathtaking - there were certain stadiums last year that looked very, very dark in the bleachers and that just isn't the case this year.

[Ramzavail]

I liked the next gen version because you were able to bring your franchise forward into the next version. That was a huge selling point for me. I'm picking up my pre-ordered copy on Friday.

[JetsIn06]

This game is gorgeous. Me and my buddy played about 10 games all night last night. Quick counts is much better this year. To be honest, I'm always in that "why do you care about how many different cleats there are" camp but this year, on top of great gameplay, that little stuff does add a lot of extra immersion for me. Stadiums look great.

For the people complaining about no classic stadiums, they rebuilt all 30 MLB and and a bunch of minor league stadiums for PS4. In some stream I watched they said that classic stadiums was a negative ROI and they wont be doing them for the PS4 for that reason. Can't argue with that.

[sooner333]

For some reason my game won't get out of KC SF. I played the whole game and it's still not installed. I thought maybe you had to play the whole game, but no. Just not installing. My update file was downloaded and says it is installed. Restarting and power on, power off isn't working

[sooner333]

Well, never mind. The game is now installing. Last time the game stopped installing. A quarter way through. Very frustrating.

[CraigSca]

Look on the OS forums - others have had the same problem, though I'm not sure what the resolution is. Personally, I started playing the KC SF game but then had other commitments, so I came back hours later and it was installed.

[CraigSca]

dola

Stayed up way too late playing again. I probably played MLB 14 about 4 times before never touching it again. This one is sucking me in, which is terrible for my sleep habits.

[RainMaker]

How's RTTS in this version?

[korme]

Originally Posted by JetsIn06

This game is gorgeous. Me and my buddy played about 10 games all night last night. Quick counts is much better this year. To be honest, I'm always in that "why do you care about how many different cleats there are" camp but this year, on top of great gameplay, that little stuff does add a lot of extra immersion for me. Stadiums look great.

What do you mean, quick counts are better?

[CraigSca]

I think I read that a gripe with quick counts from last year (which escapes me), no longer occurs. Personally, I've seen that most of them start at 1-1 this year, but there are a number of two strike counts or full counts as well.

One thing I really like about quick counts is the game goes quicker, but you also get much more realistic pitch counts. Previously, it was laborious (and sometimes just plain difficult) to work counts to the point where you would gain an advantage and/or get the opposing pitcher beyond 10 pitches an inning.

Also, never really effected me much, but load times are a heck of a lot better (sometimes as much as 30-55% as much as they used to be).

[Galaril]

Well as a Red Sox fan and them having a terrible team in the 2014 season I don't have much interest in this sad to say as it sounds like it's game to get for ps4.

[BYU 14]

Downloaded yesterday, added TNK's sliders with some hitting tweaks (not my strength) but pretty happy with this one.

Started a Cub's franchise 1-2 after 3 games 2-0 win, 1-0 loss and 7-4 loss after the bullpen flamed out. Plays beautifully!