Ten Areas of Improvement for MLB 12: The Show

[RaychelSnr]

With the World Series coming to a climax the next two nights (Editors note: or one if my Rangers have their way), you may be thinking that it’s a bit early to start looking forward to next season. But with free agency starting not long after the Classic ends, time will start to fly by. After all, MLB 12: The Show is the next big sports game release.

Here are a few things I think could improve the annual SCEA release.

Read More - MLB 12: The Show Wishlist

[brahmagoul]

I'm a big fan of the MLB Today and Vita suggestions. I would seriously consider the Vita if I could play my game on both platforms. Otherwise, I don't see the point when I have enough mobile fun with my phone.

The nice thing about an MLB Today feature is it would eliminate my insistence on playing out the real season in a franchise and trying to follow along with all the moves.

[oldschool127]

I agree with everything said here, especially the stand-alone playoff mode. That's a no-brainer and for the life of me can't figure out why this is left out every year.

I love this game and it has lasting appeal. Out of all the games I own this game gets most of my attention. I'm still playing almost daily. But one thing that has bothered me for years is where are the rainouts and rain delays? MVP baseball did this well and that was '04 so I know it can be done. This would add to the realism of the game when you have to adjust your lineups because you're playing a double-header or say the game gets delayed and you have to bring in a new pitcher once the game resumes. Fields like Safeco should open and close the roof during the game or if the weather is bad. Again, MVP did this 7 years ago.

The playoffs and weather are two things that really need to be added to the game.

[Blitzburgh]

MLB Play Now is all I play when it comes to 2k baseball. It would be a great addition to the Show for sure... I am no longer a franchise guy since I just don't have the time anymore.

[franko3219]

Re: Ten Areas of Improvement for MLB 12: The Show

I agree with everything said here, especially the stand-alone playoff mode. That's a no-brainer and for the life of me can't figure out why this is left out every year.

I love this game and it has lasting appeal. Out of all the games I own this game gets most of my attention. I'm still playing almost daily. But one thing that has bothered me for years is where are the rainouts and rain delays? MVP baseball did this well and that was '04 so I know it can be done. This would add to the realism of the game when you have to adjust your lineups because you're playing a double-header or say the game gets delayed and you have to bring in a new pitcher once the game resumes. Fields like Safeco should open and close the roof during the game or if the weather is bad. Again, MVP did this 7 years ago.

The playoffs and weather are two things that really need to be added to the game.

I agree with the weather, it would be one thing if weather did not play a factor in the game, but when you have to adjust line ups for late starts or double headers, etc then that adds to the realism.

[maddentourneys]

I would never put the game down if they had the ol' All Star Baseball Expansion Mode. It was a blast getting to choose where you are from, stadiums and the such! And I'm not really sure why they took playoff mode out, because I believe they had it in the 2000-2002 part of the series when 989 sports made the game?

[BaylorBearBryant]

I'm tired of the announcing crew. It's nothing personal, it's just gotten stale. I would actually support a switch.

[FLEX6276]

I also agree with everything said especially the Vita compatibility statement. I would love to be able to play my franchise on the go when away from home. Due to the fact there are so many games in Franchise i would love to be able to play all of them.

[Artman22]

To me the most important is #1. Please give people more control over the fielding. The next thing holding this game back is #7 Presentation. IMO the announcers need to go. This game needs a breath of fresh air. The commentating is flat out boring and more stats shown during the game is also welcomed. These 2 things are very important and needs changing asap.

[Galarius]

I would like to see the ability to play as Pros(and not just created players) in RTTS.....

[Armor and Sword]

I think my biggest area of improvemnt would be the baserunning system. I do like the stick vs the classic baserunning but I still think that just looking at what MVP 2005 did on PS2 with baserunning is a model for success.

I also agree with the October atmosphere. I am currently in my year one post season and the crowds are not any different. I would love to see the chilly air, the fan's waving their towels on 2 strike counts and rising to a fever pitch....some shots of players in the dugouts biting their nails, or spitting seeds on a crucial at bat...of course you can "x" through those cut scenes of players or managers pacing but that would add a sweet touch of realisim in the post season.

A "this week in baseball" type of show showing standings, hot and cold batters and pitchers and a AL and NL player of the week would also add another layer of immersion to franchise.

As far as fielding, that has been my biggest pet peeve of the series. And I went to auto fielding and manual throwing because it looks flat out beautiful and as sim as any sports game I have ever played, and I got tired of wanting to fling my controller across the room. Being a baseball player myself, defense is one of the things I love. And when the animations get in the way of the control...it can be very frustrating. What I don't want to happen is that in the name of control we lose the beauty of this game. I am very happy with the ratings playing out the result in the field. But if they find a way to make fielding much more smoother and tighter I am all for it. But I think it will be a tough task.

[truintellectplaya]

I play the Show only when visiting friends that are into the PS3 and the game is a turn off to me because of the pitcher batter duel. 2K's pitcher batter duel is much better because of ball physics. You can barely tell a ball from a strike in the Show because the ball moves in such a unrealistic manner. There are never any seams on the ball or anything close that a real batter would look for. The game is severely overrated because of this fact that they can't even represent the most important aspect of baseball anything close to accurate. Fix the ball physics in every aspect and start with pitching.

[bigdoc85]

Heck, I would just appreciate the game being easier for us folks who don't play that often. I can barely put wood on a pitched ball. Accordingly, I'm still playing NCAA MVP 07 Baseball.

[Bobhead]

Re: Ten Areas of Improvement for MLB 12: The Show

Fielding and pickoffs are big for me. Ball Physics are also important, but mostly fixable via sliders. Commentary/Presentation is nice but tends to go in one ear and out the other anyway... especially if I'm listening to music while playing. My only real complaint in this area: I wish they would just axe all the irrelevant player-specific stories, or have them not be repeated after a certain date in the season. If I hear them talk about Sean Rodriguez getting stung by a devil ray one more time, I'm literally going to pull my hair out.

[statum71]

Have to disagree that licensed equipment would add to immersion factor....its cool but it doesn't draw to that extent for me.

I'm all for ANY presentation upgrades for any sports title. So I have to agree there. But what I wish they would add is in-season dynamic commentary along with in-season stat banners.

Kinda like NBA 2K......show me a quick list of the A.L. batting, homerun, or ERA leaders and highlight the guys that are playing in my current game. Stuff like that.