MLB 12 The Show - PS3 Impressions Thread

[Illustrator76]

Re: MLB 12 The Show - PS3 Impressions Thread

I hope that I don't get killed for this, but am going to ask a question. I want to preface it by saying that I really like this game, it is the best sports game on the market and I have been playing it for years. The improved ball physics make a HUGE difference, the graphics are incredible and the atmosphere is unbeatable for a sports game. With that being said, my question is; Is anyone seeing a lot of BS comebacks by the CPU? I have played 8 Exhibition games as the Tigers (with Verlander on the mound every time) against the Orioles, and I haven't won one yet. One game I got ahead 9-1 heading into the 6th (I turned down my power after this game because I hit way too many homers), yet the CPU managed to come back on me by scoring 2 runs in one inning and 7 in the next. All of the sudden a dominant pitcher like Verlander just started sucking for no apparent reason at all, and he was getting shelled on every first pitch I threw. I remember this being an issue for me last year and the year before as well.

I could see if I was playing a team like the Rangers and I had a bad pitcher on the mound, but this is Justin Verlander vs. the almost 100 loss Orioles, AND in 8 straight games the CPU just keeps coming back every single time I get a lead. I vary my pitches very extremely well (I always keep stuff low and rarely get too high), I have adjusted sliders, but nothing seems to make a difference. I am beginning to get very frustrated with the game because of this. It seems like when I am not hitting well, neither is the CPU, but as soon as I get going, the CPU does the same thing the very next inning...it's maddening. I am not saying with 100% certainty that there is comeback code in the game, but I have to admit that it is starting to feel like it is. I don't mind losing at the game, but dropping 8 straight to a team like the Orioles with Verlander on the mound starts to make me do more than scratch my head, especially the way it is happening.

Is anyone else seeing this? Is there a setting that maybe I am missing that automatically ramps up the challenge when the User pulls ahead? Any help given is very welcome, as I am at my wits end, and not really sure what to do at this point.

[N51_rob]

Re: MLB 12 The Show - PS3 Impressions Thread

Illustrator, need more info. What was Verlander's pitch count? What level where you playing on? Just need more info. The Orioles weren't a 100 loss team because they couldn't hit the ball, by any means. 4th in HRs, 11th in BA, 9th in slugging for example so its not out of the realm of possibility. But I think its hard to really judge the game going off exhibition games. Everyone is at full strength, there are no hot/cold streaks at play. That said, it shouldn't happen every time you play them.

I would pick a team and play a month of franchise mode and see if you are still seeing the same thing. I have seen some comebacks, but they never really felt predetermined, or cheesy. But I would like to know Verlander's pitch count and what his fatigue level was during these comebacks. One of the SCEA devs made a really good post about pitching late in the game, it is in the "Can't get past the 7th, 8th, 9th inning thread" check it out.

[Illustrator76]

Re: MLB 12 The Show - PS3 Impressions Thread

Illustrator, need more info. What was Verlander's pitch count? What level where you playing on? Just need more info. The Orioles weren't a 100 loss team because they couldn't hit the ball, by any means. 4th in HRs, 11th in BA, 9th in slugging for example so its not out of the realm of possibility. But I think its hard to really judge the game going off exhibition games. Everyone is at full strength, there are no hot/cold streaks at play. That said, it shouldn't happen every time you play them.

I would pick a team and play a month of franchise mode and see if you are still seeing the same thing. I have seen some comebacks, but they never really felt predetermined, or cheesy. But I would like to know Verlander's pitch count and what his fatigue level was during these comebacks. One of the SCEA devs made a really good post about pitching late in the game, it is in the "Can't get past the 7th, 8th, 9th inning thread" check it out.

Thanks for the reply sir, I am glad you didn't come in here and flame the heck out of me, lol. As far a Verlander's pitch count and stamina, that has never really been a huge factor so far, because most of the time the CPU scoring happens somewhat early in the game when Verlander is still fresh and his confidence is fairly high. A few times I have taken Verlander into the 8th inning, but he was under 100 pitches and his energy level was still somewhat decent. Verlander averaged 7.38 innings and 115.9 pitches per game last year, so I figured occasionally taking him into the 8th with energy remaining should be somewhat safe, especially if he is still pitching well. For the most part though, once he starts getting hit alot late in the game, I bring in my setup man for an inning or two and then go with my closer (Jose Valverde) for an inning or two if the game is close. For my gameplay level, I play on All-Star with adjusted sliders.

One last thing I forgot to mention before that was contributing to my feelings of BS, was that I have had three errors on my outfielders on ground ball singles that have resulted in lots of runs crossing the plate at the most "opportune times". Austin Jackson (center field) and Delmon Young (Left Field) would go to field a routine single by the CPU (always with men on base) and then the ball would literally go right between their legs (and all the way to the warning track) when they go to field it. I don't mind errors, and Delmon Young isn't the best Left Fielder in the game by any stretch, but three routine ground ball singles right between an outfielder's legs in 8 games just doesn't seem right IMHO. These plays either resulted in bases-clearing Triples or inside-the-park Home Runs for the CPU. What made me even more upset is that I have never seen this happen against the CPU. I have since adjusted my errors slider (it was at default before) but I don't NOT want to see any errors at all, I just want to eliminate the BS ones like these.

Maybe I will start a franchise like you stated and see how things go from there. I just want to feel like I am getting a fair game (win or lose) and I will be all good until next year!

[Heroesandvillains]

Re: MLB 12 The Show - PS3 Impressions Thread

Illustrator,

I usually don't respond to any post with the word "comeback" in it, but I found you to sound very polite and legitamantly interested in the likelihood that you are the problem.

Which you are. And I mean that nicely, by the way.

First, just to give you some hope, I'll preface this with two examples:

1. 11-0
2. 12-1

Both 1 and 2 are final scores from games I've played on Default All-Star. One game I won, one game I lost. The victory was NYY against TB in Franchise Mode, the loss NYY against LAA. I play as the Yankees, by the way.

One comment of your's concerned me, and that's how you said that you generally keep the ball down. Though sound in baseball terms, it's not as sound in confusing the computer hitters terms.

Are you familiar with the blue bars above the pitch (button) icons? This represents pitch confidence.

How often during the second and third time through the order do you utilize the Pitcher Analysis/Batter Analysis menus? For what it's worth, I use this for tactical purposes religiously.

Do you strategically plan your mound visits and immediately begin to warm up a reliever once an inning begins to turn south? If not, from the 5th forward, do it! Even if you don't have to use it.

Do you take your warm up pitches in order to get every drop out of available pitch confidence?

What are your strike percentages looking like? Are you wasting enough pitches? How about that 1-2 fastball you caught the black on. Are you making sure to try and miss ever so slightly the next time you earn a 1-2 count for a chase?

I could go on and on. But I think you see what I'm getting at. And these questions aren't rhetorical. Answer them at will. I'm all ears and would love to help if I am able.

[Arod2k9]

Re: MLB 12 The Show - PS3 Impressions Thread

The more I play this game the more hit variety I get to see and isn't that lovely? Just finished play a great 7-5 loss with Blue Jays in Baltimore. This game is by far the best sports game I have ever played.

[Knight165]

Re: MLB 12 The Show - PS3 Impressions Thread

Thanks for the reply sir, I am glad you didn't come in here and flame the heck out of me, lol. As far a Verlander's pitch count and stamina, that has never really been a huge factor so far, because most of the time the CPU scoring happens somewhat early in the game when Verlander is still fresh and his confidence is fairly high. A few times I have taken Verlander into the 8th inning, but he was under 100 pitches and his energy level was still somewhat decent. Verlander averaged 7.38 innings and 115.9 pitches per game last year, so I figured occasionally taking him into the 8th with energy remaining should be somewhat safe, especially if he is still pitching well. For the most part though, once he starts getting hit alot late in the game, I bring in my setup man for an inning or two and then go with my closer (Jose Valverde) for an inning or two if the game is close. For my gameplay level, I play on All-Star with adjusted sliders.

One last thing I forgot to mention before that was contributing to my feelings of BS, was that I have had three errors on my outfielders on ground ball singles that have resulted in lots of runs crossing the plate at the most "opportune times". Austin Jackson (center field) and Delmon Young (Left Field) would go to field a routine single by the CPU (always with men on base) and then the ball would literally go right between their legs (and all the way to the warning track) when they go to field it. I don't mind errors, and Delmon Young isn't the best Left Fielder in the game by any stretch, but three routine ground ball singles right between an outfielder's legs in 8 games just doesn't seem right IMHO. These plays either resulted in bases-clearing Triples or inside-the-park Home Runs for the CPU. What made me even more upset is that I have never seen this happen against the CPU. I have since adjusted my errors slider (it was at default before) but I don't NOT want to see any errors at all, I just want to eliminate the BS ones like these.

Maybe I will start a franchise like you stated and see how things go from there. I just want to feel like I am getting a fair game (win or lose) and I will be all good until next year!

You should read Brian_SCEA's comments about pitching/hitting and the effects of seeing the same pitches as pitchers start to tire.
It sheds a little light on how the game is coded and why guys see...."the inning" sometimes.
It's in a thread titled "7th-8th-9th inning"(paraphrasing).....
I've always boosted the SP stamina slider, so perhaps that's why I've never seen what others see in terms of hitting pitchers in the later innings.

M.K.
Knight165

[gazellebusiness]

Re: MLB 12 The Show - Impressions Thread

what is rtts

[econoodle]

Re: MLB 12 The Show - Impressions Thread

what is rtts

Road To The Show.

[Illustrator76]

Re: MLB 12 The Show - PS3 Impressions Thread

You should read Brian_SCEA's comments about pitching/hitting and the effects of seeing the same pitches as pitchers start to tire.
It sheds a little light on how the game is coded and why guys see...."the inning" sometimes.
It's in a thread titled "7th-8th-9th inning"(paraphrasing).....
I've always boosted the SP stamina slider, so perhaps that's why I've never seen what others see in terms of hitting pitchers in the later innings.

M.K.
Knight165

Thanks Knight, I did check out that thread, and one of the first things I always do with The Show is boost the Starting Pitcher stamina, because it just seems to be too low at default. I am looking at a few other things as well, and will probably be starting a season/franchise as N51_rob suggested and see if things play out differently.

[jtott]

Re: MLB 12 The Show - PS3 Impressions Thread

Cards are always my team ... as I am from St Louis. But anyways... There were some things that I wanted to comment on in regards to them in the Show(12) this year. First off.. I'm glad that more players were added (Molina , and swapping that Traitor... sorry Pujols.. with Jaime Garcia) to the left field wall... Though I think 1 more player could be added to still fill up the wall, but nevertheless .. an improvement over last year(my chief complaint about 11). Secondly.... I DO NOT like the look of craig this year... actually the face was very well done , but I do not like the way his batting helmet fits on his head ... it sits WAY to high. I really hope this minor detail can fixed , but I doubt it. And I don't remember when the last time I actually saw Delcalso and Schumaker clean shaven.. both have been with a 5 o'clock shadow or full beard for the last two years now, so I wish that would have been added to them.. And finally.... I like the addition of the(what is actually Hardees) on the upper deck .. third base side. I believe it is a little building with "cardinals" and a trail of stars.. very well done.Looks much better than leaving that space open as it has been the past 5 years. BUT PLEASE .... FOR Meeeeee... fix Allen Craigs helmet

[TheKnack]

Re: MLB 12 The Show - PS3 Impressions Thread

While my impression is vague and mundane, I believe this game is the funnest 1v1 game with a friend I have ever played.

[Dogslax41]

Re: MLB 12 The Show - PS3 Impressions Thread

This game is killing me. In the past I would toy around with rtts until the full minors roster would come out and then play my reds franchise in tune with the real season. Now they add dd and I am completely hooked. I can not stop playing dd. On top of that the move controls are so good this year I want to play my rtts career and can't because I don't want to stop playing dd. Mass effect is sitting on my shelf collecting dust and tiger is on the way, not to mention the real season starts next week. The show has single handedly monopolized my ps3 without the full minors roster. Maybe if I give up the gym and food at the same time they will offset each other.

[ChrisHansen59]

Re: MLB 12 The Show - PS3 Impressions Thread

The issue of almost every hitter at every level having Barry Bonds like plate discipline continues to plague me.

[longranger]

Re: MLB 12 The Show - PS3 Impressions Thread

I bought this along with the vita version and cannot stop playing franchise. So real! I am playing with the Indians. I just played a Spring training game and put Grady Sizemore in to pinch hit in the 8th. He hit a double, the next guy up hit a line shot up the middle and it was caught. Needless to say it is very lifelike because Sizemore hurt his shoulder sliding back into 2nd base and is out 3to 6 weeks!!!! Lol!
I play a couple and save it and take it to work on my vita!! Absolutely awesome!!!

[econoodle]

Re: MLB 12 The Show - PS3 Impressions Thread

The issue of almost every hitter at every level having Barry Bonds like plate discipline continues to plague me.

I personally am seeing guys chase.

Is it so much that you are striking them out looking?