MLB 11 The Show Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here

[DJ]

Re: MLB 11 The Show Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here

We have the fastest pitch speeds of any baseball game ever made its like that for a reason. A vast majority of the time MLB batters can't hit or make good contact on a fastball if they are looking for an offspeed pitch. We've always tried to emulate this. Since analog is a three step mechanic (stride and swing L,R,Center) you have less time to adjust. Which is why you should start your stride a split second before the pitcher releases the ball.

I've read a lot of people have already figured this part out. It just takes time and you are going to strike out more and make worse contact playing analog because of the three step process. It just takes time, when we prototyped all the new controls we didn't want them to be mastered in a week. That would have been a fail.

So, if I can read into what you are saying, set pitch speed to where the ball is coming towards you in a realistic way. If you slow it down too much, you are taking the power out of the pitchers' hand and giving yourself too much of an advantage.

Going from default to Zero wouldn't be fair to the CPU as I'd have more time to read the pitch and that's not how it works in the real world, unless you are facing Jaime Moyer

I still may drop the slider 1-2 clicks because default blows me away, but again, that's on AS. Who knows how it'll play out on Rookie?

Thanks again for the help, Russell. Very much appreciated

[Heroesandvillains]

Re: MLB 11 The Show Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here

You really need to go down a level or even to rookie and work your way up to get accustomed to the system. When I was first introduced to the new hitting I took that advice and worked my way up. From there I climbed the ladder all the way up to HOF and Legend.

Do you think dropping difficulty is a better suggestion than just dropping pitch speed FIRST (in caps, not as a 'yell', but to emphasize it for a first step...)

Obviously, if a lower pitch speed doesn't cut it, than I'd absolutely recommend a drop in difficulty...don't get me wrong.

Here's an example:

Keep in mind, I HAD to drop pitch speed from default last year once I upgraded to HD. From 5 to 3.

I did the same thing this morning, while still on AS, and hit my first homerun. I even found myself out in front of a couple of 93-95 MPH fastballs (meaning, I may need to bump it to 4).

Everything started to feel more like baseball to me at that point. I was taking pitches, checking my swing, and starting to zone pitches.

[PhilliesFan13]

Re: MLB 11 The Show Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here

After playing the demo a few times since Tuesday night, I'm still not really sure how I feel about the new analog control scheme.

Analog pitching feels smooth to play, but it seems like the only difference with it is throwing more balls than in other pitching modes. I've always been a classic pitching guy.

Analog fielding isn't too bad. I haven't had any problems with it thus far. I believe I've only made one error in a demo game so far. Might stick with it.

Analog hitting doesn't feel all that smooth to me. Maybe my opinion on it will change by playing it more, but I have a strong feeling I'll be playing this year's game with classic button controls.

I love that fact that SCEA wanted to give people plenty of options for controls. Like I said, I'm not saying no altogether to these controls, I still may use them if I practice more, but I'm sure there will be plenty of people who will be sticking with the classic button controls. Nothing wrong with that. To each their own.

[thaSLAB]

They could just add LS use for bat location.
main thing is once all outcome is determined by the user you might as well eliminate ratings all together except for power speed etc....

The idea of using both sticks instantly reminds me of the whole "rub your belly and pat your head" thing... it WILL get awkward LOL


Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

[bcruise]

Re: MLB 11 The Show Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here

Just saw an excuse-me grounder on the infield from a check swing - if I've ever had those in previous years, they've been few and far between.

Getting better on the All-Star analog hitting now - after striking out 12 times in my first game (when for some reason I thought the L-stick actually mattered), now I'm concentrating only on the R-stick and making much better contact. At the moment I'm not even worried about angling left or right with the R-stick because I'm not swinging at many borderline pitches. Right now it feels sort of previous years when you didn't move the PCI from the middle - I can still make (weak) contact even if I swing middle and the pitch is inside/outside. Getting a lot of foul balls like this and it's bringing my at-bat lengths back up to pre-analog numbers.

All-Star has always been my sweet-spot level for getting the most realistic results (this varies GREATLY from person to person), so I think I could be satisfied with the hitting by doing this. If I need more challenge I'm sure it becomes much more difficult on HOF to hit borderline pitches when you swing middle - but I'm not ready for that yet.

Oh, one more thing - turning the PCI on for analog hitting is a HUGE help to step timing. You can see clearly how good your step was and, to be honest, it's pretty forgiving on all-star unless you step while the pitcher is in his windup or the ball is halfway to the plate (in the latter case, you're not going to get the bat around quick enough to hit anyway )

The idea of using both sticks instantly reminds me of the whole "rub your belly and pat your head" thing... it WILL get awkward LOL


Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

Exactly how I felt with the same analogy when I was stupidly trying to do that in my first game.

[Heroesandvillains]

Re: MLB 11 The Show Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here

Absolutely, sink. And not just with two strikes.

Got a man on 3rd with less than two outs? Have you met my friend contact swing?

Want to hit & run? Hello, my name is contact swing.

Do your teammates often refer to you as Punch and/or Judy? Say hello to my little friend!

I've seen all of these situations play out perfectly in 6 or 7 demo games. Slap hits with Borbon & Andrus and a flare with Sanchez -- even a couple texas-leaguers with the pitchers. Hit & run to stay out of the double play or simply wanting to advance the runner. Running up pitch counts by fouling off tough two strike pitches. As you can tell, I'm really digging the strategy it adds.

I LOVE this post.

The contact swing is precious gem, and I applaud the Dev team for implementing it this year. So far, it's helped me draw walks...oddly enough, and bring my K's down to a relatively realistic clip...

Now, how do I learn to man up, and use contact swing with a decent hitter? For instance, Kinsler. Even 0-2, my heart tells me to go 'normal' swing. But, my head really does know better...So far, my heart has won out on these battles.

Hmmmm...

[Entiae]

Re: MLB 11 The Show Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here

You guys have no idea how much joy I'm taking in knowing that about 80% of you are struggling. This is the way the new controls where designed they aren't easy and the learning curve is very steep for batting but not much for pitching and fielding.

I can't wait to see the posts after you get the hang of it. Until then swallow your pride and drop the difficulty level.

Has anyone had the gonads to try Legend fielding?

I played on Rookie and still failed miserably. I have no pride left.

I really hope that tutorial video will help me, because I don't want to give up on the controls.

[Pared]

Re: MLB 11 The Show Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here

We have the fastest pitch speeds of any baseball game ever made its like that for a reason.

I can't agree with this. All Star Baseball (not sure of the year) had to have the most ridiculous pitch speed of any baseball game as default ever released, in my experience.

I really like the speed of it here in The Show however. I wouldn't want it changed. And if I did, I could use the slider.

I think the batter-pitcher interface is the best it's ever been in any baseball game. The varying options for the user is a big part of that.

[dasfette]

The idea of using both sticks instantly reminds me of the whole "rub your belly and pat your head" thing... it WILL get awkward LOL


Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

No offense, and it may well get awkward for you.

I, however, am pretty good at picking a certain spot (low and inside, for example, depending on count and situation, of course), placing my PCI there, and being patient until a pitch ends up around there.

Plus, for those who don't like it, turn it off. Not to sound snobbish, but what does it matter to anyone else what I like? I pay the same $60 everyone else pays.

[bcruise]

Re: MLB 11 The Show Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here

I can't agree with this. All Star Baseball (not sure of the year) had to have the most ridiculous pitch speed of any baseball game as default ever released, in my experience.

I really like the speed of it here in The Show however. I wouldn't want it changed. And if I did, I could use the slider.

I think the batter-pitcher interface is the best it's ever been in any baseball game. The varying options for the user is a big part of that.

Not to go all discussion'y in this thread, but I think you're right. That game had "real life" pitch speed option that was, well....as fast as the real thing.

But High Heat PC trumps all for pitch speed (if you wanted it to) - remember the tune file? I mean we could tweak the throw speeds in feet per second, for crying out loud.

That said, Show pitching gets pretty fast when the slider is maxed - it looks enough like real life for me to enjoy watching a CPU game (like I'd ever try hitting at that speed...LOL!)

[Skyboxer]

Re: MLB 11 The Show Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here

You guys have no idea how much joy I'm taking in knowing that about 80% of you are struggling. This is the way the new controls where designed they aren't easy and the learning curve is very steep for batting but not much for pitching and fielding.

I can't wait to see the posts after you get the hang of it. Until then swallow your pride and drop the difficulty level.

Has anyone had the gonads to try Legend fielding?

Well, I will now lol..
UPDATE:
You could have warned that you can overthrow the cuttoff.... lol
Well actually what happened was the cuttoff was cutting for a particular base(2nd) but I threw to cuttoff while pushing Left on stick(3rd)...so maybe that's what caused it???

[Heroesandvillains]

Re: MLB 11 The Show Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here

We have the fastest pitch speeds of any baseball game ever made its like that for a reason. A vast majority of the time MLB batters can't hit or make good contact on a fastball if they are looking for an offspeed pitch. We've always tried to emulate this. Since analog is a three step mechanic (stride and swing L,R,Center) you have less time to adjust. Which is why you should start your stride a split second before the pitcher releases the ball.

I've read a lot of people have already figured this part out. It just takes time and you are going to strike out more and make worse contact playing analog because of the three step process. It just takes time, when we prototyped all the new controls we didn't want them to be mastered in a week. That would have been a fail.

Oh, okay...got it.

I posted my thoughts on pitch speed to Nemesis before reading this. That makes a world of sense.

Default it is.

I think I may actually have to give hitting a go on a SD TV, just to make sure the minor lag I'm combating isn't presenting an additional peak to the already steep learning curve... It probably isn't.

Thanks Ramone.

[nemesis04]

Re: MLB 11 The Show Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here

Do you think dropping difficulty is a better suggestion than just dropping pitch speed FIRST (in caps, not as a 'yell', but to emphasize it for a first step...)

Obviously, if a lower pitch speed doesn't cut it, than I'd absolutely recommend a drop in difficulty...don't get me wrong.

Here's an example:

Keep in mind, I HAD to drop pitch speed from default last year once I upgraded to HD. From 5 to 3.

I did the same thing this morning, while still on AS, and hit my first homerun. I even found myself out in front of a couple of 93-95 MPH fastballs (meaning, I may need to bump it to 4).

Everything started to feel more like baseball to me at that point. I was taking pitches, checking my swing, and starting to zone pitches.

The good thing about dropping to the lower difficulty levels is that you are not penalized as much for stride miscues and PCI placement. You still will be able to make some type of contact instead of swinging and missing all the time. Just my opinion though!

[Pared]

Re: MLB 11 The Show Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here

Ok guys, back to impressions.

Thanks.

[zeus9800]

Re: MLB 11 The Show Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here

First impression was it took a ridiculously long time to download and install.

But as far as the game itself, it looks good. Really good. Had an outfielder crash into the wall trying to make a catch and it looked very realistic, although after checking out the replay he may have gotten up a bit too fast. Stadiums and lighting look fantastic.

Hitting took a little bit to get adjusted to, but I played the college baseball game that was from the folks at MVP baseball that had the analog hitting so it wasn't too bad.

Baserunning still seems to be a bit of a challenge. As a guy who likes to steal a lot, it seems to be impossible to do. Everytime you try to take a decent lead, you get picked off. Really something I'd like to see adjusted.

Pitching, well lets just say I'm probably going to throw a lot of pitches. Even when I throw a pitch that I think should be perfect it's not. Maybe I'm still not doing something right, and I'll get the hang of it. On the other hand, it could produce more realistic pitch counts as before I could get to the 9th on like 75 pitches(and since I seem to swing at pretty much everything their starter could be much lower than that, unfortunately this won't remedy my swinging at everything technique).

Fielding and throwing from the field seemed to take the most getting used to, but I like it.

Only real problem I had was the game got stuck. Threw a curveball in the dirt and Posey blocked it and then stood there, wouldn't move or pick up the ball. Nothing happened. Had to switch teams, then advance the runner a base before it corrected itself.

Also one statistical glitch, I was charged an error that shouldn't have been an error. I was screwing around and overthrew the third baseman on a relay, but it didn't allow anybody to advance, however it was still called an error.

All in all I think this is going to be a great game, not that I was expecting anything else.

EDIT: I should also mention that I echo comments earlier about Karros. He sounds like an "analyst in the studio" or something, certainly doesn't sound like he's at the game. He is much better than I expected though, but I still miss Hudler.