News Post

MLB 12 The Show Hands-On Preview and Interview with Ramone Russell (PS3, PS Vita)

04:59 PM - December 8, 2011 by BKAraujo

Playstation.Blog has posted their MLB 12 The Show hands-on preview, along with an interview with Community Manager, Ramone Russell.

Quote:


	PlayStation.Blog: What’s your personal favorite addition this year? Ramone Russell, Community Manager: I think it’s our new ball physics. Our programmer ripped out every line of last year’s code and completely re-invented the way the ball acts. It’s a nerd feature, but it adds so much to the game. The baseball gains and loses energy like a real baseball, and if you go into replay, you can count the rotations – that ball is going to spin the way it’s supposed to. This opens up the game because we have bloopers, ricochets off the bases, balls going into no man’s land….it’s much more dynamic and engaging.

After reading the article, what are you most excited about?

Game: MLB 12 The ShowReader Score: 9/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS Vita / PS3Votes for game: 51 - View All

MLB 12 The Show Videos

Member Comments

# 61 BSUFAN @ 12/09/11 10:16 AM

Commentary and adjusting some of the presentation.

# 62 Blzer @ 12/09/11 10:22 AM

Unfortunately I just can't invest in a Vita this second (we'll see when it actually comes out though lol, I can see myself jumping right in line for one), but this is just too much to pass up, it seems! The real kicker for me will be if we can do in-game saves and we can upload to online storage instantly (PS+ feature). That would be nice, as I don't think I'll always have hour long breaks when "on the road" or wherever I am.

That would be one freaky cool new toy to have. It's just shameful that they're already talking about PS4, but damn SCEA, you're going to make this one expensive March!

I did not hear one negative thing that was said in that article. I'm hoping to get a Move for Christmas, so I'd like to explore more of that most definitely. The presentation stuff basically just makes me go numb when I start reading about it, too lol. If only it happens as I hope, things are just starting to sound even better and better! The ball physics, though... YEEEEE!!

I'm still hoping there's time to work on the stadium color palettes (see avy), but if that can't make it, at least many other major things are!

# 63 tnixen @ 12/09/11 10:27 AM

I just hope the Commentary and Presentation really did get a complete overhaul and not just a small upgrade with new colors.

I guess I will find out soon and hope I will not be disappointed for another year.

All I am hoping for is a Presentation that could fool someone into thinking they are watching a MLB.tv broadcast instead of a video game.

# 64 tnixen @ 12/09/11 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blzer


	Unfortunately I just can't invest in a Vita this second (we'll see when it actually comes out though lol, I can see myself jumping right in line for one), but this is just too much to pass up, it seems! The real kicker for me will be if we can do in-game saves and we can upload to online storage instantly (PS+ feature). That would be nice, as I don't think I'll always have hour long breaks when "on the road" or wherever I am. That would be one freaky cool new toy to have. It's just shameful that they're already talking about PS4, but damn SCEA, you're going to make this one expensive March! I did not hear one negative thing that was said in that article. I'm hoping to get a Move for Christmas, so I'd like to explore more of that most definitely. The presentation stuff basically just makes me go numb when I start reading about it, too lol. If only it happens as I hope, things are just starting to sound even better and better! The ball physics, though... YEEEEE!! I'm still hoping there's time to work on the stadium color palettes (see avy), but if that can't make it, at least many other major things are!

The stadium color palettes have been the same for like ever so I do not expect Sony to change them now.

But like you Blzer I wish they would change it because the grass seems to light and faded if that makes any sense.

# 65 2ndBase @ 12/09/11 10:54 AM

Glad the presentation is getting some work. I got a little tired of the crowd lamenting after every ball.

# 66 mjsonoma01 @ 12/09/11 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markprior22


	While I agree that presentation and commentary are important, I am disappointed that those are the highlighted areas of improvement this year. I hope the developers take the time to sim 15-20 years, stopping every offseason and checking roster mgmt (such as free agent signings, handling of rosters, etc). Make sure financial rules work properly and that trades are tightened up as much as possible. The last several years we've had to wait for a couple of patches to address things such as FA's being unsigned, and that sort of thing. I know it isn't going to be perfect but I would much rather see significant time spent on franchise stuff than making sure it mimics a TV broadcast. Crossing my fingers.

This is exactly right. Commentary was old, but not broken. The free agent system and trade logic IS broken. I really would have liked to hear something regarding this. It is not that reassuring that the "number one focus this year" is presentation and commentary. In my current franchise, year 2016, Felix Hernandez is a free agent and no team can afford to sign him because they are all bankrupt.

I wonder what all this new commentary would have to say about THAT.

I say fix what is broken. Make that a main focus.

Dont everyone yell at me just yet, the article has some wonderful news. I just know what I have learned over the last two editions, and that every year is a new gimmick. 2010 year of the catcher. 2011 new pitching and hitting controls with the stick. 2012 playstation move and vita. Still no franchise news. Patiently (not so) waiting for all the information to arrive, but doubt is growing.

Hope I eat my words.

# 67 HustlinOwl @ 12/09/11 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by econoodle


	wow, just wow. granted when u play in franchise, you hear the same stories for your team. I think there should be some sort of code that knows which team u chose, and then limits that teams stories/anecdotes. But most overrated? Good god, its light years above anything out there. Have u heard ANY of the Madden's?, FIFA? Tiger? Fight Night? Yuck lol To each his own, but to me, its no contest.

I'll will take NCAA Basketball 10 dual commentary and presentation over all games

# 68 LastActionHero @ 12/09/11 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjsonoma01


	Dont everyone yell at me just yet, the article has some wonderful news. I just know what I have learned over the last two editions, and that every year is a new gimmick. 2010 year of the catcher. 2011 new pitching and hitting controls with the stick. 2012 playstation move and vita. Still no franchise news.

I understand where you're coming from but calling the new analog control scheme a gimmick is just crazy. It gave us such a needed breeze of fresh air playing the game!

# 69 econoodle @ 12/09/11 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tnixen


	I just hope the Commentary and Presentation really did get a complete overhaul and not just a small upgrade with new colors. I guess I will find out soon and hope I will not be disappointed for another year. All I am hoping for is a Presentation that could fool someone into thinking they are watching a MLB.tv broadcast instead of a video game.

well when Russie mentioned MLB.tv i had deja vu as I was watching some games on it this year i said to my girlfriend, why doesnt SCEA watch there games and get tips on how overlays/swipes should look.

I guess they did just that.

But yes I hope the overlay part gets totally redone.
From hangover to makeover.

And get rid of the player photos in the batter walk ups.
that NEVER happens on any teams broadcast.

In any event I hope its a visually massive change.

Hopefully this means all the old cut scenes have gone bye-bye.
Tho SCEA never gets rid of stuff so they might be in there as a option.

Glad Russ and the boys listened to our psychotic ramblings about the tv style presentation aspects of the best baseball game ever.

# 70 bp4baseball @ 12/09/11 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jd369


	It looks like there are a couple new generic options for cleats and batting gloves, but I read in a thread a few weeks ago that licensed gear was going to be in the game. Waiting for screen shots of that to confirm.

Can you find this...because I find it hard to believe. I do believe and we have seen that there will be different options of cleats (but I have a feeling they are all fictional designs)

# 71 nemesis04 @ 12/09/11 11:38 AM

I hope everyone does not overhype themselves to the level of disappointment. I am sure a lot of time energy and effort have been put into the presentation and commentary but to think you can replace all the past commentary (which is extremely deep) with the something entirely new would be impossible. I am sure what we will see is the beginning groundwork towards everyones expectations on what they would like to see in the presentation/ commentary.

# 72 tnixen @ 12/09/11 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by econoodle


	well when Russie mentioned MLB.tv i had deja vu as I was watching some games on it this year i said to my girlfriend, why doesnt SCEA watch there games and get tips on how overlays/swipes should look. I guess they did just that. But yes I hope the overlay part gets totally redone. From hangover to makeover. And get rid of the player photos in the batter walk ups. that NEVER happens on any teams broadcast. In any event I hope its a visually massive change. Hopefully this means all the old cut scenes have gone bye-bye. Tho SCEA never gets rid of stuff so they might be in there as a option. Glad Russ and the boys listened to our psychotic ramblings about the tv style presentation aspects of the best baseball game ever.

All new cut scenes would be ok by me

Along with more foul ball camera angles too.

And yes I to hope the player photos in the batter walk ups are gone for good.

# 73 tnixen @ 12/09/11 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nemesis04


	I hope everyone does not overhype themselves to the level of disappointment. I am sure a lot of time energy and effort have been put into the presentation and commentary but to think you can replace all the past commentary (which is extremely deep) with the something entirely new would be impossible. I am sure what we will see is the beginning groundwork towards everyones expectations on what they would like to see in the presentation/ commentary.

Thats what I am thinking to what we see in MLB 12 The Show as far as presentation/ commentary is just phaze 1. But I hope Phaze 1 is still a huge improvment to what we have had since the PS2 days. I know that the Sony guys will do the best they can given they only have around 9 months to do it. And I am sure it will be a nice improvment over what the presentation has been like all these years. I am not expecting to be perfect and be 100% the way I was hoping for but atleast I know Sony is trying to improve the presentation.

# 74 bp4baseball @ 12/09/11 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jd369


	It was in that thread from the OS article "10 things the show needs" or something or other. #6 was licensed gear and Woodweaver made a post that 6 or so out of the 10 were already in the game and he listed number 6 in his list.

I found the post, but I think he was referring to another poster, rather than the article. Somebody posted this

Quote:

The Show 11 is one of the best baseball games of all time. But I'm a baseball nerd, so I have suggestions anyway.

1) There should be analogue controls still in online play. It's one of the best things about the game, but not having it takes away from online mode.

2) Fifa 11 had a "personality trait" engine for players which could be neat for The Show.

For example: BJ Upton - Inconsisentent
Brian Wilson - Flamboyant
Tim Hudson - never stops battling
Jeter - clutch

3) Diving catches in the outfield shouldn't be impossible, but they are. They should be hard, but they're seriously almost impossible unless the player is a premium defender. But in reality, Melky Cabrera or Eric Hinske lay out successfully a few times a year.

4) Outfielders get stuck in animations when they're interacting with the wall. This effects gameplay sometimes.

5) There are never player collisions. There should be.

6) If a line drive hits a pitcher in the face, he should be injured. Inversely, pitchers shouldn't be hit with line drives so often.

7) Sometimes outfielders should slam into the wall when they make an amazing catch. We should be left wondering "is he ok? will he stay down? did he hold on to the ball?".

8) It doesn't seem like injuries actually result from plays on The Show 11. For example, if a runner goes in hard to second to break up a double play, sometimes a middle infielder gets hurt. Instead, a window pops up saying a player is injured but nothing noticeable happened.

9) In Franchise mode, it is irritating to have to constantly toggle training assignments. There's no way to know how often you should change them. Moreover, it seems that changing them never leads to player improvement, but not changing them leads to a decline in ability.

10) I LOVE the Show. But the lighting engine in the 2K series looks b@d@ss. Maybe take notes?

Somebody else responded to this post with :

Quote:


	You can use analog online. You just have to make sure you set it in your online settings.

And Woodweaver responded to them saying:

Quote:


	Yep, and 3, 4, 5, 6, & 10 are already in the game too.

# 75 Ollienyy @ 12/09/11 12:57 PM

The True Broadcast Presentation sounds awesome! Can't wait to see it!

Commentary (Which we obviously won't know till we hear it in action) sounds like they just added a few new topics to talk about rather then a complete overhaul. From what was mentioned there, I doubt they have made it 2K levels (but I hope to be proven wrong)

# 76 mjsonoma01 @ 12/09/11 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LastActionHero


	I understand where you're coming from but calling the new analog control scheme a gimmick is just crazy. It gave us such a needed breeze of fresh air playing the game!

Perhaps 'gimmick' is too strong a word. And it was some fresh air, although I pesonally never used it, but I still couldnt play a franchise or rtts without running into massive contract and trade issues 3-4 seasons into the game.

That is my point. The controls were nice, but not needed. The be the catcher was nice, but not needed. This playstation move is nice, but not needed. In order for the game to be worth playing beyond 3-4 seasons into the game the trade logic and monetary system NEEDS to be fixed.

And it probably has. We will see.

# 77 XBox_Roughneck @ 12/09/11 02:31 PM

First time since NFL 2k5 that I will purchase a sports title the same year it's released on console.

Can't wait.

New presentation
New ball physics
Improved game commentary

All three are important, but the commentary has me excited. I'm hoping this will be a start to what will become a regular improvement of the in the box speak.

# 78 Blzer @ 12/09/11 02:48 PM

Shame there's no online play between Vita and PS3, that would have kicked so much butt! I want to see what that one online mode will be, though. Somebody suggested 9 v. 9 with RttS players, but I just don't see it happening.

# 79 Knight165 @ 12/09/11 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tnixen


	Thats what I am thinking to what we see in MLB 12 The Show as far as presentation/ commentary is just phaze 1. But I hope Phaze 1 is still a huge improvment to what we have had since the PS2 days. I know that the Sony guys will do the best they can given they only have around 9 months to do it. And I am sure it will be a nice improvment over what the presentation has been like all these years. I am not expecting to be perfect and be 100% the way I was hoping for but atleast I know Sony is trying to improve the presentation.

This is much more likely than a total replacement.
That would be impossible in one cycle.
Also....I think the licensed gear was perhaps the Rawlings gloves and perhaps the New Era caps. I don't think he meant ALL licensed gear.

M.K.
Knight165

# 80 econoodle @ 12/09/11 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knight165


	This is much more likely than a total replacement. That would be impossible in one cycle. Also....I think the licensed gear was perhaps the Rawlings gloves and perhaps the New Era caps. I don't think he meant ALL licensed gear. M.K. Knight165

MLB 2k did debut the presentation/commentary package thy have now in quick fashion.
It was a new dev team and all, but they did pull it off with the 9 month window in effect. So its possible to make big moves in the first iteration of something.

I would prefer Campbell to be vamoosed.
Hes dragging the team down.
Tho if he's still in this year, I'll give him a shot with the improved commentary before I hit the mute code.

That being said, I think SCEA did the most they could possibly do and honestly even if it didnt hit 2k's level of upgrade, its still going to be light years better then the stale presentation the game has now.
That instantly makes it a win.
For me anyways.

Next up for me? Videos of those new ball physics in play/motion.

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MLB 12 The Show Hands-On Preview and Interview with Ramone Russell (PS3, PS Vita)