MLB 11 The Show Demo Q&A, discussion thread

[sbmnky]

Re: MLB 11 The Show Demo Q&A, discussion thread

Hitting and pitching most specifically!

Very cool, cannot wait for the retail version. Do you notice many differences between the version you played and the demo that was released? How hard is it for you to play the demo after playing a more complete version in SD?

[bcruise]

Re: MLB 11 The Show Demo Q&A, discussion thread

Quoted from impressions thread:

All-Star was made easier this year while HOF and Legend where bumped up a bit in difficulty. However if people think its to easy we have already discussed tuning updates for all pitching and hitting options.

You don't mean a tuning update like NHL, NCAA, and now Madden have, right? What I mean is, the developers can release gameplay updates to those games without an actual full-blown patch (and can get them out quicker because they don't have to be approved in the same way a patch does).

If we get gameplay tuning updates in The Show, it's going to be done via patch (along with bugfixes and whatever else is needed), right?

[Heroesandvillains]

Re: MLB 11 The Show Demo Q&A, discussion thread

Ramone...

If All-Star was made easier, but HOF and Legend were made a bit harder, what sort of feedback are you looking for, in order to determine a gameplay tweak be necessary?

Why wouldn't those people simply be suggested to raise their difficulty...from let's say a slightly too easy AS (for their current ability), to HOF?

Is the bridge between the two difficulties greater than in years past? (obviously, I realize it IS greater, based on your comment, but enough so to necessitate an update? I don't ever recall difficulty being addressed via update).

Could you elaborate?

[Russell_SCEA]

Re: MLB 11 The Show Demo Q&A, discussion thread

Quoted from impressions thread:


You don't mean a tuning update like NHL, NCAA, and now Madden have, right? What I mean is, the developers can release gameplay updates to those games without an actual full-blown patch (and can get them out quicker because they don't have to be approved in the same way a patch does).

If we get gameplay tuning updates in The Show, it's going to be done via patch (along with bugfixes and whatever else is needed), right?

It would be included in a patch

[Russell_SCEA]

Re: MLB 11 The Show Demo Q&A, discussion thread

Ramone...

If All-Star was made easier, but HOF and Legend were made a bit harder, what sort of feedback are you looking for, in order to determine a gameplay tweak be necessary?

Why wouldn't those people simply be suggested to raise their difficulty...from let's say a slightly too easy AS (for their current ability), to HOF?

Is the bridge between the two difficulties greater than in years past? (obviously, I realize it IS greater, based on your comment, but enough so to necessitate an update? I don't ever recall difficulty being addressed via update).

Could you elaborate?

The feedback in large part told us that the game was very hard last year. (Remember OS and our community site only represents about 5 to 10% of our consumer base) So we made the bottom three difficulty's a little easier while bumping up the difficulty levels for HOF and Legend.


Your assumption is correct we have never changed batting and pitching under the hood during a title update. However we've added three new ways to play the game and while we strongly feel they are all balanced. We aren't arrogant to the fact that people might find them to hard or two easy in their current state. Which is why we aren't opposed to updating the code post launch if need be. I for one personally believe Analog pitching isn't punishing enough when you miss your spots for example. I might be right I might also be wrong as I'm a hardcore guy. So if feedback shows a trend one way or another we will act accordingly.

[Heroesandvillains]

Re: MLB 11 The Show Demo Q&A, discussion thread

The feedback in large part told us that the game was very hard last year. (Remember OS and our community site only represents about 5 to 10% of our consumer base) So we made the bottom three difficulty's a little easier while bumping up the difficulty levels for HOF and Legend.


Your assumption is correct we have never changed batting and pitching under the hood during a title update. However we've added three new ways to play the game and while we strongly feel they are all balanced. We aren't arrogant to the fact that people might find them to hard or two easy in their current state. Which is why we aren't opposed to updating the code post launch if need be. I for one personally believe Analog pitching isn't punishing enough when you miss your spots for example. I might be right I might also be wrong as I'm a hardcore guy. So if feedback shows a trend one way or another we will act accordingly.

Thanks for the response Ramone.

Here's my concern:

The game does have 3 new mechanics to choose from. Obviously, as you've stated before, some; especially hitting, have a rather steep learning curve.

Realistically, it could take quite a while for you guys at SCEA to determine whether or not the complaints of difficulty are valid, or simply learning curve.

That said, I'd gather that hardcore players such as myself will still need several weeks to accurately determine the reasons for our results...not to mention, possibly a longer time frame for the casual player...ones that make up a vastly larger consumer base.

Couldn't it legitimately take quite a while to accurately gauge whether an update is warranted, or if players simply need to spend more time learning the new features?

[Openroad_7]

Re: MLB 11 The Show Demo Q&A, discussion thread

Are you trying to use the L stick to control the pci while hitting with the R stick? Only going by what i've read as i don't have the demo but i don't think it works that way.

No, with analog hitting it is not used, the CPU and what we do with the right stick determine the PCI, I haven't figured it out, but most of the time the PCI and ball are way off. Some how it is linked to the timing of the user pulling back or when the start to move forward. Would love to see the PCI in action as I pull and push the R-stick.

Does anybody know if the demo has the option to display the PCI while batting? Like World Series Baseball had years ago.

[Heroesandvillains]

Re: MLB 11 The Show Demo Q&A, discussion thread

No, with analog hitting it is not used, the CPU and what we do with the right stick determine the PCI, I haven't figured it out, but most of the time the PCI and ball are way off. Some how it is linked to the timing of the user pulling back or when the start to move forward. Would love to see the PCI in action as I pull and push the R-stick.

Does anybody know if the demo has the option to display the PCI while batting? Like World Series Baseball had years ago.

Not sure if the demo does, but the game most certainly will.

[Chef Matt]

Re: MLB 11 The Show Demo Q&A, discussion thread

I see this as being an ongoing for frustration for users who utilize analog this year.

Yeah I knew it was coming when I first tried it, honestly it only took me two or three swings and I knew this would be an issue.

Makes you wish they got rid of the PCI altogether for analog and have you just focus on timing.

Yeah that would have been a good idea imo.

You got that right....
What are ya gonna do though.

Play with zone hiting it's flippin awesome!

That would make sene making Analog timing this year and adding the PCI next after people get a year of Analog hitting under their belt.

I'm assuming this is the case: Get the players used to it, then make it zone type hitting.

Are the sounds tied to rosters this year?

Agian, as I've read, no they're not.

Quoted from impressions thread:


You don't mean a tuning update like NHL, NCAA, and now Madden have, right? What I mean is, the developers can release gameplay updates to those games without an actual full-blown patch (and can get them out quicker because they don't have to be approved in the same way a patch does).

If we get gameplay tuning updates in The Show, it's going to be done via patch (along with bugfixes and whatever else is needed), right?

I really think this whole analog hitting is like alot of things with the show,

They have a small window to work on this game each cycle. They add something new then the following year put it into full perspective. jm2c

With that said, I don't think enough has been said about the new true zone hitting, so with that I say thanks SCEA. I for one LOVE it.

[bcruise]

Re: MLB 11 The Show Demo Q&A, discussion thread

No, with analog hitting it is not used, the CPU and what we do with the right stick determine the PCI, I haven't figured it out, but most of the time the PCI and ball are way off. Some how it is linked to the timing of the user pulling back or when the start to move forward. Would love to see the PCI in action as I pull and push the R-stick.

Does anybody know if the demo has the option to display the PCI while batting? Like World Series Baseball had years ago.

It's in the gameplay options. Can be turned on for every hitting mode except timing (and, aside from looking at the post swing feedback to see where the CPU swung, it really has no use there)

But, with analog hitting the PCI doesn't move around. It does grow larger or smaller based on your step timing though, so it's still very useful there.

[ty5oke]

Re: MLB 11 The Show Demo Q&A, discussion thread

I like to play with the throwing meter set to off.

If I play with pure analog fielding with the meter off, does it still take into account the direction I push the stick towards the bag (the pie factor)?

It only says "Throwing strength will not be determined by how long you hold the throw button and is based on fielder skill". Doesn't mention anything about throwing accuracy.

[Jgainsey]

Re: MLB 11 The Show Demo Q&A, discussion thread

I've played this demo to death so far with analog hitting, and I'm just not seeing the wonky PCI placement that some of you guys are seeing. The only time the PCI is way off is usually when I check swing, or when I'm really early/late on a swing, or if I mess up the timing on the batter's step.

Given that analog hitting mostly relies on timing, this seems like a fair penalty for a poorly timed swing or step. I check the swing feedback on practically every swing, and I've yet to see anything unreasonable from the PCI.

[Knight165]

Re: MLB 11 The Show Demo Q&A, discussion thread

I've played this demo to death so far with analog hitting, and I'm just not seeing the wonky PCI placement that some of you guys are seeing. The only time the PCI is way off is usually when I check swing, or when I'm really early/late on a swing, or if I mess up the timing on the batter's step.

Given that analog hitting mostly relies on timing, this seems like a fair penalty for a poorly timed swing or step. I check the swing feedback on practically every swing, and I've yet to see anything unreasonable from the PCI.

I didn't want to be the guy(since I'm such a "homer").....but neither have I.
I've purposely placed the stick right and left and it's been on target(side/side) nearly every time.(a few were close as I tried to swing middle and probably just pushed the stick too much in the other direction).

M.K.
Knight165

[Raskal]

Re: MLB 11 The Show Demo Q&A, discussion thread

I think Analog Hitting is working fine too, the problem seems that the feedback the game gives you may not be intuitive enough. If any of you've played Tiger Woods before there is a diagram of every swing to show you how you're moving the analog stick which is helpful for making corrections. I'm not saying this should be copied for baseball but I think there are better ways to give feedback for analog swings.

The PCI is a very good tool for the Zone hitter but doesn't make much sense for Analog Hitting unless you fully understand the whole system.

[LastActionHero]

No, they are tied to the player database...much better and what we all wanted.

Really? I didn't know that!
So after I apply some walkup and homerun sound files to certain players and there is an updated roster that I download all the players keep their soundfiles I gave them?