Conjecture: From what we've seen, will MLB 12 miss an opportunity for a huge leap?

[nomo17k]

Re: Conjecture: From what we've seen, will MLB 12 miss an opportunity for a huge leap

If the game was released on Feb. 29th, it would definitely not miss the opportunity for a leap.

... and if SCEA decides to release MLB the Show on Feb 29, it will only come out every four years! A lot of time to cram in new stuff, I suppose!

[sydrogerdavid]

Re: Conjecture: From what we've seen, will MLB 12 miss an opportunity for a huge leap

... and if SCEA decides to release MLB the Show on Feb 29, it will only come out every four years! A lot of time to cram in new stuff, I suppose!

Maybe that's an idea. It would give us time to get DEEP in to franchise and to finally finish a RTTS. No more complaining about data transfers between games.

[jmik58]

Re: Conjecture: From what we've seen, will MLB 12 miss an opportunity for a huge leap

For the sake of asking questions and discussion, is it really the developers' fault that the commentary is perceived as stale?

It doesn't mean the commentary is bad, it just means we've played the game a lot. A lot! Now if the commentary was actually bad, and it's not, then we'd have a different angle to take.

I appreciate the broadcast style of presentation, but I get as excited about replicating the in-the-park experience. I'm even considering turning the commentary off so it feels like I'm only at the park.

There's two ways you can win. Do you want total immersion in the sense of a baseball broadcast? Then you've got it.

Or do you want total immersion in the sense of being in the game or a spectator in the stands? You can have that too.

This year I think I may shift towards the latter. From time to time I might switch on the commentary just to switch it up. Sometimes you have to create some scarcity so the patterns and repeated lines don't seem so obvious.

Bottom line though is I want to go for a different experience. I want to be in or at the game, not watching the game.

[bukktown]

Re: Conjecture: From what we've seen, will MLB 12 miss an opportunity for a huge leap

For the sake of asking questions and discussion, is it really the developers' fault that the commentary is perceived as stale?

It doesn't mean the commentary is bad, it just means we've played the game a lot. A lot! Now if the commentary was actually bad, and it's not, then we'd have a different angle to take.

I appreciate the broadcast style of presentation, but I get as excited about replicating the in-the-park experience. I'm even considering turning the commentary off so it feels like I'm only at the park.

There's two ways you can win. Do you want total immersion in the sense of a baseball broadcast? Then you've got it.

Or do you want total immersion in the sense of being in the game or a spectator in the stands? You can have that too.

This year I think I may shift towards the latter. From time to time I might switch on the commentary just to switch it up. Sometimes you have to create some scarcity so the patterns and repeated lines don't seem so obvious.

Bottom line though is I want to go for a different experience. I want to be in or at the game, not watching the game.

Isn't it the developers fault for making us play the game so much?

[nomo17k]

Re: Conjecture: From what we've seen, will MLB 12 miss an opportunity for a huge leap

Isn't it the developers fault for making us play the game so much?

Yes, and it is McDonald's fault that the entire America is getting obese...

[bukktown]

Re: Conjecture: From what we've seen, will MLB 12 miss an opportunity for a huge leap

Yes, and it is McDonald's fault that the entire America is getting obese...

Almost....

I think something along the lines of "It is McDonald's fault that celery has so little flavor" is a little bit closer.

[DetroitStyle]

Re: Conjecture: From what we've seen, will MLB 12 miss an opportunity for a huge leap

I think the game is over hyped again. That's not to say it won't be a good game, but as a veteran of the series I kinda know what to expect. The new ball physics should be good but there's a "been there, done that" attitude I have about the show. Like ryan said, they add little things and polish every year but we never see anything groundbreaking. Once again, not to say it's a bad thing, the game is still phenomenal.

I'll be picking it up within the first few weeks of release but I'm not expecting a new or refreshing experience.

I guess you could say all the ads and marketing by SCEA is just getting me hyped for baseball in general rather than the Show specifically.

[Zavalonius]

Re: Conjecture: From what we've seen, will MLB 12 miss an opportunity for a huge leap

There's been a LOT of talk about the commentary, and here's my two cents...I have one or two points I haven't seen anyone else make.

People complain about "dead air" and honestly I don't know where they're coming from. Rarely does there seem to be a point where the commentators stop for breath. I think THIS is actually the problem. Matt V and (I think) Eric Karros are simply OBSESSED with the ball/strike count. You'd think you won baseball games by being ahead in the count, not scoring more runs. Whenever there's a borderline pitch, they comment on the umpire's call. This isn't what actual TV commentators do.

I think the commentary would be a lot more entertaining and true to life if the commentators instead focused on the TRENDS that develop. If Michael Pineda has stayed ahead in the count for the last four or five batters in a row, comment on that. If the plate umpire has been liberal with the strike zone outside but not in, comment on that, but maybe wait until you've seen it happen a few times. I think the time spent waffling on about the fact that the count was 0-1 and now it's 3-1 could be better spent on other subjects, because the pitch count really isn't THAT important. Baseball is a game of trends and situations, not so much the individual pitches.

That said, I'm loving the improvements we're seeing to the presentation besides commentary. Those stats overlays and splits are a lot more interesting and relevant than they were in 11, and the added "little things" between pitches and between at-bats are very slickly done. It wasn't bad before, but there have definitely been massive improvements in that area anyway.

Commentary itself isn't that important to me, and I would much rather SCEA ignore everything I just said if it means they can spend that time improving gameplay and squashing niggling bugs in other areas of the game.

[HustlinOwl]

Re: Conjecture: From what we've seen, will MLB 12 miss an opportunity for a huge leap

I think the game is over hyped again. That's not to say it won't be a good game, but as a veteran of the series I kinda know what to expect. The new ball physics should be good but there's a "been there, done that" attitude I have about the show. Like ryan said, they add little things and polish every year but we never see anything groundbreaking. Once again, not to say it's a bad thing, the game is still phenomenal.

I'll be picking it up within the first few weeks of release but I'm not expecting a new or refreshing experience.

I guess you could say all the ads and marketing by SCEA is just getting me hyped for baseball in general rather than the Show specifically.

Diamond Dynasty has me pumped and pretty groundbreaking, there are those that do not purchase other sports titles

[Pared]

Re: Conjecture: From what we've seen, will MLB 12 miss an opportunity for a huge leap

I think the game is over hyped again. That's not to say it won't be a good game, but as a veteran of the series I kinda know what to expect. The new ball physics should be good but there's a "been there, done that" attitude I have about the show. Like ryan said, they add little things and polish every year but we never see anything groundbreaking. Once again, not to say it's a bad thing, the game is still phenomenal.

I'll be picking it up within the first few weeks of release but I'm not expecting a new or refreshing experience.

I guess you could say all the ads and marketing by SCEA is just getting me hyped for baseball in general rather than the Show specifically.

It's baseball - what else do you expect?

Rather than make a comment on your post, I would seriously like to know what you or "The Bimmer" expects from a baseball game.

[DetroitStyle]

Re: Conjecture: From what we've seen, will MLB 12 miss an opportunity for a huge leap

It's baseball - what else do you expect?

Rather than make a comment on your post, I would seriously like to know what you or "The Hammer" expects from a baseball game.

I think you misread my post. I wasn't implying that there some large overhaul I expect, and if there is anything else to add to the series it's laid out in the numerous wishlist threads. What I was trying to convey is that I'm used to the series, there's nothing incredibly new and refreshing for someone whose played it for 4-5 years. It all depends on what you want out of the game. Some people just like online, or will love the Diamond Dynasty feature. It's not really my thing but I think my sentiments will change next year though once they overhaul franchise mode. Otherwise this year, to me, feels like a new set of tires and fresh coat of paint. Like I said, I don't buy into the hype for the game this year but I am getting hyped for baseball in general.

[Pared]

Re: Conjecture: From what we've seen, will MLB 12 miss an opportunity for a huge leap

No, I get you. Put it this way - how does a 9 year old vet. get pumped for a new season? It's still baseball - there is no fresh coat of paint or new set of tires - just baseball. Same comparison here.

You have the chance to say what you think here - what would you like to see where you don't feel that way? I think no matter the game, once you have a good base, should you scrap it just so it feels fresh or do you want it keep trying to portray the sport as accurately as possible?

Basically, just give me your thoughts. It's easy to say it looks the same... but I'm interested in expectations that can formulate into tangible evidence. Outside of commentary/audio... what do you expect to see that would lead you to not feel as you do?

[WAZ]

Re: Conjecture: From what we've seen, will MLB 12 miss an opportunity for a huge leap

Being a Dodger homer, I really only enjoy listening to a baseball broadcast if Vin Scully is calling the game.

You're in luck...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vboIQ9KdjoI&t=50s

[EmmdotFrisk]

I'm just curious. Why can't you just put a microphone on Vasegergin during the year during his broadcasts and use the lines he actually uses in real life instead of having him read off of script and try to manufacture inorganic enthusiasm? I'm pretty sure if the main guy was listenable we would all be happy.

Because he would want to be compensated 1 million dollars or more. These guys are paid by the hour, even if he is doing it anyways his agent is going to let SCEA use his voice for profit without rights and proper compensation.

[ryan36]

Re: Conjecture: From what we've seen, will MLB 12 miss an opportunity for a huge leap

Because he would want to be compensated 1 million dollars or more. These guys are paid by the hour, even if he is doing it anyways his agent is going to let SCEA use his voice for profit without rights and proper compensation.

It would also be a horrible waste of time. Video game commentary needs to be done in a video game production environment.