MLB 10: The Speculation

[badmrfrosty7]

Re: MLB 10: The Speculation

agreed Sox. It seems people want to believe there is a deeper meaning to the "lack of info/demo" than that everything is going as SCEA planned.

Unless I'm mistaken, the old saying is "no news is good news."

Well that's what part of my post considers is that this is SCEA's marketing plan in an attempt to protect videogame sales. When you are the number one MLB game on the market and have a good gap built between you and your competition from last year, you do little to possibly incriminate yourself.

There's also a saying, "any publicity, is good publicity" but I agree with your philosophy that this is going as SCEA planned. I think in SCEA's case a demo or extensive previews may do more harm than good and turn off casual fans in some way so the smarter decision is to wait for the release and let last year's performance carry this year's sales.

This is all purely speculative opinion as my title suggests and I do agree that the "lack of media/info" topics can be blown out of proportion. But I'm just enquiring about a possible method for what the clamourers suggest is madness and see what other people thought about those issues.

EDIT: And I don't want to get hung up on media offered by the studio and producer as I am sincerely concerned about how this game will be received considering the lack of "back of box" material that someone else mentioned. It'll either be "Another Solid Entry" or "More of the Same (which isn't REALLY a bad thing)" but could affect ratings despite the game being obviously amazing to fans of the series.

[countryboy]

Re: MLB 10: The Speculation

I think in SCEA's case a demo or extensive previews may do more harm than good and turn off casual fans in some way so the smarter decision is to wait for the release and let last year's performance carry this year's sales.

I don't get this part. How is not having previews "a smart decision" in terms of protecting "casual" gamer sells? Wouldn't the opposite be true? That in order to gain the purchasing dollar of the casual/non-baseball gamer, you need to promote your game moreso than to those who are hardcore fans?If SCEA's goal is obtain new customers, then not providing information isn't going to get it done.

As far as a demo goes, no matter if its released 2 weeks, one week before, or after launch, a casual gamer is more than likely going to play it first, or read previews/reviews, before buying the game.

A casual gamer is more likely to keep the game they have and know is worth $60 vs forking out $60 they have no to little information as to whether it has improved enough to be worth another price of admission.

[BKBond007]

Re: MLB 10: The Speculation

It may be because the casual gamer doesnt care when the game comes out and isnt waiting for it on launch day..so they can take their time because they have a rabid fan base built in.

The casual gamer is gonna wait for the demo..get some reactions and decide to buy it..us freaking out is part of their hype machine..my friends hate how much I talk about it..heck I faked being sick 3 Thursdays in a row now..lol (kidding)

[Bruin26]

Re: MLB 10: The Speculation

Countrybyoy, I believe his first post went into your question already. I se your point as wellm, but he is saying if the new features in the game aren't easy to see in a demo or short previews than they might have decided it is best not to release them because to casual gamers those previews or demo might just look too much like the same game as last year. I am not saying I am thinking that way, just what I got from the thinking of the original post.

I would guess those any company that has came out with a demo very early in past years and has changed that up, then there is a reason they wanted to make that change. What that reason would be is anyones guess of course, but that is what I think the OP weas trying to do, just give an idea of why. Or his opinion as to why it might be.

I don't really care about the demo, but few of us here would as we are buying the game no matter what. This is my second year for the game, at least on PS3 as I have had PSP versions prior to last year. But I bought a PS3 mainly for this game so I am very excited about the release and have it preordered through Amazon.

[badmrfrosty7]

Re: MLB 10: The Speculation

I'm really interested to see the commercials and how they market the game believing that they'll stick with the realism theme, obviously since it's their tagline, and not delve into details about gameplay additions or differences between this year and last year's versions (although I don't think they've ever done that in the first place).

I just think how the game is received and how the commercials will market it will be very interesting to see in the next few weeks.

[countryboy]

Re: MLB 10: The Speculation

Countrybyoy, I believe his first post went into your question already. I se your point as wellm, but he is saying if the new features in the game aren't easy to see in a demo or short previews than they might have decided it is best not to release them because to casual gamers those previews or demo might just look too much like the same game as last year.

There will be a demo, there have been previews, and SCEA themselves have been releasing blogs and information in regards to their game. And now they've launched a community site that is complete with blogs, information, and forums.

As for releasing the demo later, its already be stated that the dev team wanted to get the demo to be a repesentation that is closer to the final build, which in turn would explain why the demo is later than last year.

I simply fail to understand the idea of how "limiting information" equates to more sells to casual gamers. A casual gamer, imo, is someone that has to be convinced to buy a game...and withholding information isn't going to achieve that sales tactic.

[nemesis04]

Re: MLB 10: The Speculation

The game has been pretty much picked clean as far as information is concerned. The information from CD is well beyond what many other sites could provide as far as game content. The only thing left is really the demo and maybe a couple blogs.

[dorismary]

Re: MLB 10: The Speculation

I agreed with what alot of the OP has to say Marketing wise , I mean its pretty safe to say 10 will play alot like 09 Gameplay wise but with a ton more bells and whistles safe to say right ?.
Now could you imagine if SCEA released a old build demo earlier this month of the show 10 and all the threads of 10 is just like 09 it would be a nightmare in the forums .

[badmrfrosty7]

Re: MLB 10: The Speculation

There will be a demo, there have been previews, and SCEA themselves have been releasing blogs and information in regards to their game. And now they've launched a community site that is complete with blogs, information, and forums.

I simply fail to understand the idea of how "limiting information" equates to more sells to casual gamers. A casual gamer, imo, is someone that has to be convinced to buy a game...and withholding information isn't going to achieve that sales tactic.

Considering the blogs don't do much to sway a casual gamer just furthers my belief that SCEA's marketing isn't focused on them at all. The community site is essentially the same thing as the blogs were only with forums. I just believe that SCEA has little to promote to non-fans which is why there has been little in the way of extensive previews, or gameplay videos. Which kinda furthers my opinion on them being better off not releasing a demo but apparently the OS guys got some information about it so it's a moot point.

I just feel as though SCEA doesn't have much to convince casual fans with, so limiting information would provide little ammunition for people that don't believe much has changed in this year's iteration and negatively swaying those casual fans. But I do understand your opinion and it's just all dependent on marketing strategy and what you feel will provide the most sales.

[indigence]

Re: MLB 10: The Speculation

A casual gamer isn't going to buy this game on release date. When I look to buy a video game that I'm not excited about, I wait to read reviews. So if the game really does play exactly like '09, then casual gamers are going to consider saving money and buy '09 if they don't have a newer baseball title. It would make sense if the graphics and gameplay of '09 and '10 are close to identical, SCEA would try to push this with commercials, TV interviews, and demo displays at stores and try limit articles and reviews as much as possible.

[Russell_SCEA]

Re: MLB 10: The Speculation

Considering the lack of a demo at this point and lack of previews being done on videogame sites I think it's fair to discuss the possible reasonings for this marketing plan and how it may affect the game's reception this year.

After reading this Pasta Padre article, http://www.pastapadre.com/2010/02/19...-the-mlb-demos , I'm really finally beginning to understand that the reasoning for SCEA's holding back (shorter blogs, no demo, limited previews) that they are attempting to protect their game's sales after reaching that record-breaking number last year.

My impression is that the game is difficult to sell to the general consumer, that doesn't get every next iteration of their favorite sports title. The game was already solid last year, so a demo wouldnt' show many changes besides lighting and a new camera angle and all the under the hood adjustments that were painstakingly made by SCEA don't come to light to a casual gamer like they would a fan of the series.

And isn't that what demos and previews are generally for? To build excitement for the casual gamer and garner their interest? Fans like myself and many OSers I'm sure have no problems getting excited about this game and are positive it will prove to be yet another solid entry to the series. Yet it seems as though it has little appeal to non-fans. 2K sports has plenty to talk about because of the amount of room the series still has to improve and also thanks to the introduction of a new game mode (My Player), a mode that has been one of SCEA's MLB series staples for awhile now.

Suffice to say, I believe that the reason MLB 10's media buzz has been limited pre-release is because there isn't much to discuss to casual consumers and makes me wonder how reviewers will treat the game. After reading a small preview in this March's edition of Game Informer, the previewer mentions that "none of the core gamplay mechanics have changed since last year (or the previous year for that matter)" which wasn't noted as a bad thing but it certainly makes me curious on whether this will be the last year SCEA can get away with that. Sure, the gameplay IS amazing, but to fickle reviewers something bigger will have to be provided to make them believe that the game is fresh from year to year. And alot of games seem to live and die on how they are reviewed.

Anyways, that's my 2 cents on the matter and I was just interested to know what others think about these topics.

A lot to respond to here first the demo its done its going to the process of getting approved secondly the demo is from a very old build of the game before CES I think (I might be wrong). Secondly we have provided our fans with tons of content a hardcore fact sheet, over 100 pictures have been released, over 10 blogs (we aren't done yet) and over 10 gameplay videos. Gamespot came to the studio and wrote at least 3 different articles on different areas of the game. You have the ESPN article IGN was here yesterday etc......

the previewer mentions that "none of the core gamplay mechanics have changed since last year (or the previous year for that matter)" which wasn't noted as a bad thing but it certainly makes me curious on whether this will be the last year SCEA can get away with that. Sure, the gameplay IS amazing, but to fickle reviewers something bigger will have to be provided to make them believe that the game is fresh from year to year. And alot of games seem to live and die on how they are reviewed.

None of the core gameplay mechanics have changed this year well that's just not true. Fielding received a major upgrade this year don't take my word for it read what the guys said who came out for community day. Every part of our game receives attention some more noticeable than others some under the hood. I.E. Better ball physics (which know one who hasn't played the game for a while can really comment on), ball and player collision, 3-6-3 double plays, brand new rob home run mechanic, etc....

It's not our job to make a reviewer do his homework and actually play the game to see all the changes, additions, and tweaks we make every year. If he/she is lazy that's on them not us.

Lastly we don't do gimmick back of the box features just to please anyone this development team has never done that. Our approach is the same year in and year out. What can we do to bring you closer to what you see on Television and how can we better replicate Major League Baseball on the PlayStation 3. If it doesn't meet those paramaters it dies on the white board in pre-production even if it makes it that far.

[nathan118]

Re: MLB 10: The Speculation

When the only playstation blog's I've seen have been about catchers calling the game and the new all-star one...how are they NOT appealing to the casual gamer?

The part that worries me is that these are the best additions this year? I'm supposed to shell out $60 for new rosters and a homerun derby mode?

I've bought the game every year since it came out for the PS3 (it was the sole reason I bought one at the time), but this is the first year I'm not excited. A big part is probably getting burned with the online play every year. It kind of went like this:

'07: Ah man....the online sucks. Oh well, it's the first year.
'08: Traffic delay is mostly fixed, but now it's just laggy and sucky. They HAVE to fix this by next year....
'09: WTF this still sucks.

So I'm sitting out until I hear different.

[lkluc594]

Re: MLB 10: The Speculation

[quote= Our approach is the same year in and year out. What can we do to bring you closer to what you see on Television and how can we better replicate Major League Baseball on the PlayStation 3. If it doesn't meet those paramaters it dies on the white board in pre-production even if it makes it that far.[/quote]


This is what I care about. Thanks.

[badmrfrosty7]

Re: MLB 10: The Speculation

Lastly we don't do gimmick back of the box features just to please anyone this development team has never done that. Our approach is the same year in and year out. What can we do to bring you closer to what you see on Television and how can we better replicate Major League Baseball on the PlayStation 3. If it doesn't meet those paramaters it dies on the white board in pre-production even if it makes it that far.

Appreciate the feedback as much as I'm sure everyone else on OS does. It's part of why we're proud members of this site.

[Randor2000]

Re: MLB 10: The Speculation

Maybe the game isn't going to be released!? (sarcasm)

I remember waiting for this game:

http://media.giantbomb.com/uploads/0/7438/926452-mlb_pennant_race_large.jpg

I think it either didn't come out, or was delayed a bunch.

Anyone remember this? I know the forums aren't always the tell all, but I think there is a strong correlation between forums views and sales. Haven't done the scientific study though!

Either way, bummed I am not playing the _____ tonight, if you know what I mean!

WOO HOO PENNANT RACE!!!! That was the game that made me buy a playstation. It definitely was released.