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

[ryan36]

Ok, so I'm DEFINITELY buying this day 1 ; they could release a roster update and I'd still buy it.

What I'm wondering is (I know we don't have the game)... I'm wondering how you think the hype/ promotion of the title is?

I love the new ball physics, and that alone warrants a purchase. I know they added a bunch of commentary but in the gameplay vids the sounds still sounds dull - with tons of dead air.

I feel like if they had just REVAMPED the commentary (I know they've said they won't and I understand why), coupled with new ball physics that NOBODY ever could say "stale" again.

[sydrogerdavid]

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

I would love it if they redid all of the commentary, but it's just not possible and that is not what draws me towards a game.

Even though I believe I have not seen the final product of Busch Stadium (and I continue to pray that I'm correct), the biggest thing for me this year will be Diamond Dynasty and the uni/team creator.

Now I can play a version of MUT, but be able to have that intimacy with my team that EA doesn't allow. I will be able to create the team in my image, so to speak.

The funny thing is, I still haven't gotten around to pre ordering yet. It's the combination of lack of money and lack of a automobile.

[Vashyron.]

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

I don't understand why people care so much about the bloody commentary. Even GOOD video game baseball commentary is NOT GOOD baseball commentary anyways, there's no way to capture what the great radio and TV baseball announcers do in the video game medium, it's the off-the-cuff stuff that makes a great announcing team great to listen to. I'd rather SCEA spend no time on the commentary and put that time towards the rest of the game.

And, the physics in a long time coming if you ask me. Baseball is a sport that's all about physics, shouldn't the foundation of the game be based on proper physics? It would be like making a billiards game and then just finally getting to implementing proper physics in the 9th game of the series.

MLBTS11 was the first good baseball game we got since Heat Heat because SCEA finally fixed the broken hitting system, and they finally gave us a good pitching interface in 11 as well. Pulse pitching is simply what Classic pitching SHOULD have been all this time.

And, will 12 be the year we finally get working online? Very doubtful.

[ryan36]

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

I think that the commentary is really important... and actually the audio in general. The crowd still sounds too quiet

[jeffy777]

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

I would love it if they redid all of the commentary, but it's just not possible and that is not what draws me towards a game.

It would definitely take a ton of work, but other sports games have completely overhauled their commentary in just one year....

Personally, it's not a big issue for me, because even the best commentary gets stale after awhile, especially team/player specific stuff....that all gets old after just a few games anyway. So I prefer play by play with some analysis (and franchise stats and that sort of thing are always nice)...

I think the best thing they could do is get rid of Dave Campbell because he sounds like he's reading everything off of cue cards. His delivery just doesn't come across natural at all.

[ryan36]

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

Well I think because everything they do is done pretty meticulously it does take a ton of time... I just wish it weren't so!

I mean isn't the knock on the yearly sports release it doesn't do enough from one cycle to another? These guys do a lot... and the game gets more authentic every year. I just feel like new audio (crowd and commentary) would've really nailed it. GOTY , not just sports game of the year

[WhiteM5]

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

Well, from what we've seen, which is very little, I think this is the year of polish. Looks like they spent effort fixing things and polishing areas that hadn't been touched in a while.

I don't think the next "leap" is until PS4 comes along. In the meantime, I'd settle for good hitting physics, better presentations, more cameras, and putting in a ton of "little things."

[ryan36]

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

Well, from what we've seen, which is very little, I think this is the year of polish. Looks like they spent effort fixing things and polishing areas that hadn't been touched in a while.

I don't think the next "leap" is until PS4 comes along. In the meantime, I'd settle for good hitting physics, better presentations, more cameras, and putting in a ton of "little things."

That's what they do every year, you won't be disappointed. And new ball physics is VERY MAJOR. I get the feeling they spend 2 years on new additions, to be honest.

[scottbrowne]

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

I feel like if they had just REVAMPED the commentary (I know they've said they won't and I understand why)

Why exactly won't (can't?) they?

[ryan36]

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

Why exactly won't (can't?) they?

They don't wanna destroy years of development. They've been adding to it every iteration. A year into this cycle, I still hear new commentary, but it comes up so rarely.

Plus, I honestly think the ps3 takes a ton of design effort even for Sony. The game is HUGE

[Russell_SCEA]

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

They don't wanna destroy years of development. They've been adding to it every iteration. A year into this cycle, I still hear new commentary, but it comes up so rarely.

Plus, I honestly think the ps3 takes a ton of design effort even for Sony. The game is HUGE

When you have over 6 years of audio and add days of new commentary every year you can't possibly expect hear everything new in 3 innings. Anyone expecting to hear a ton of new commentary in a couple of games has some very unrealistic expectations.

[ryan36]

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

When you have over 6 years of audio and add days of new commentary every year you can't possibly expect hear everything new in 3 innings. Anyone expecting to hear a ton of new commentary in a couple of games has some very unrealistic expectations.

I know, Russell, but it seems like 2k rolled out their "banter" style in one or two cycles... maybe a different tech? I have no idea, so I'll shut up.

I don't actually expect it...but it would be SO AWESOME. Like I said (and I think you know) I love the game. I'm just "pipe dreaming" out loud.

[WhiteM5]

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

When you have over 6 years of audio and add days of new commentary every year you can't possibly expect hear everything new in 3 innings. Anyone expecting to hear a ton of new commentary in a couple of games has some very unrealistic expectations.

I have to agree in defense of the audio. Yes, its pretty much the same going on many years, but its serviceable. I actually don't think its that bad. In the gameplay released today, I heard quite a few "new" things which were season-appropriate.

[bukktown]

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

It doesn't take a caveman lawyer to prosecute a case against MLB the show's audio.

We all know that it is weak.

But I thought it was damn good when I bought my PS3 and played MLB 08 for that first year!

And MLB 12's audio is measurably better than MLB 08's audio.

So how come I think it is weak?

Oh yeah....because, for me, it is 5 straight years of hearing, basically, the same thing.

[Yankees2009Champs]

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

Ok, so I'm DEFINITELY buying this day 1 ; they could release a roster update and I'd still buy it.

And this is where the problem lies.

Right now there isn't a rival for SCEA to compete with. We've seen it all before.
NBA 2K didn't have to compete with how bad Live was.
Madden didn't have anyone to compete against due to the license.
COD didn't have to compete with any shooters.

What do all of these franchises have in common? They were the best games in their particular field that we've seen in YEARS. However, the community for each is clamoring for innovation in all of them. I've looked at the reviews for all these games as well, that's what's pointed out more often than not.

MLB the Show is leaps and bounds ahead of MLB 2K. They need some competition to inspire them.