MLB '09: The Show Preview with Screenshots (ESPN Videogames)

[SoxFan01605]

Quote: Originally Posted by Crash Davis

Although I can respect this request I dont agree, keep that stuff in OOTP/Front Office Manager/Baseball Mogul. Some aspects could be a little more detailed in the show towards scouting, but it shouldnt be a main focus. Personally I'd like it alot but think about the people who just want to "play the game" this would turn them off by being overwhelmed. Plus personally I'd rather them focus and work on other things first such as the new player models theyre working on. However all in all its a great idea, for 09 at least i hope they made it a little easier to see players potential ratings as opposed to only having it on the back of there player cards...

See, I don't agree with some of your reasoning here. I don't think people who "just want to play the game" are going to be negatively impacted by a feature like that at all. In fact, it's something that could be automated if a more casual player wanted to jump into a franchise anyway. Baseball fans (generally speaking) are a bit more detail oriented with their sport in a lot of ways. Anyone even wanting to dive into a franchise is likely doing so with the more detailed stuff in mind. I think the more detailed the franchise the better. Again, most stuff can realistically be automated so the peopel can avoid the micro management if they so desire.

As far as focus, I do mostly agree with that. I don't think that kind of detail would detract too much from things like the player models you mentioned, but I do think there are probably more pressing things. It doesn't hurt to have dialog about it though as it keeps the devs abreast of what some of the more hardcore features we like are.

If it wasn't already addressed in some fashion I don't think, especially at this point (09 isn't even out yet...lol), that we need to concern ourselves with how they prioritize for the next interations. I think they've shown a pretty good feel for how to balance the features and the subtleties.

In any case, I'm pumped for the franchise depth they seemed to have added already, so anything else they snuck in to 09 would be icing, IMO. I do hope things like AI logic, fatigue/injuries, and ratings adjustments were toyed around with a bit too though. The best part of all this is, the game looks like something still very much on the rise and not just trying standing pat, which is a big part of my own excitement

[atlbravesws05]

All these little features are nice, but they just don't make the game. All this audio recordings are gimmicks and people will grow tired of using them. I just hope the core gameplay is different (pitching, hitting, fielding) because i need some new refreshment. I dont want to play MLB 08.5 The Show.

[Scottdau]

Quote: Originally Posted by atlbravesws05

All these little features are nice, but they just don't make the game. All this audio recordings are gimmicks and people will grow tired of using them. I just hope the core gameplay is different (pitching, hitting, fielding) because i need some new refreshment. I dont want to play MLB 08.5 The Show.

Then this is not the game for you. Why correct perfect. I hope they keep it the same. To me changing the core is like "Gimmicks". You add more animations and more little things and this is game will be even better. So I disagree with you, but I respect your opinion.

[JBoo2911]

Quote: Originally Posted by atlbravesws05

All these little features are nice, but they just don't make the game. All this audio recordings are gimmicks and people will grow tired of using them. I just hope the core gameplay is different (pitching, hitting, fielding) because i need some new refreshment. I dont want to play MLB 08.5 The Show.

Gameplay wise, I would expect nothing, "Refreshed"... just the gameplay will be highly tweaked and I expect to see a lot of new, nice realistic animations during the game for our eyes. Don't fix something thats not broke, just make it better!!! The gameplay is very solid is The Show '08.

[countryboy]

Quote: Originally Posted by Scottdau

Then this is not the game for you. Why correct perfect. I hope they keep it the same. To me changing the core is like "Gimmicks". You add more animations and more little things and this is game will be even better. So I disagree with you, but I respect your opinion.

I tend to agree with Scott here, but will say this. I'm ok with them implementing new pitching techniques or hitting mechanics so long as they allow me to use the "classic" versions of these things.

I don't like changing things just for the sake of change. The one reason I love sports games and tend to stick with games I know is due to the familarity of the controls. I don't want to have to learn new controls and such each year I pick up the game. Stick with what works, and as Scott said, add in new animations, fix what needs fixin', and tweak what needs tweakin' to bring about a "freshness" to the game.

[countryboy]

Quote: Originally Posted by Crash Davis

Although I can respect this request I dont agree, keep that stuff in OOTP/Front Office Manager/Baseball Mogul. Some aspects could be a little more detailed in the show towards scouting, but it shouldnt be a main focus. Personally I'd like it alot but think about the people who just want to "play the game" this would turn them off by being overwhelmed. Plus personally I'd rather them focus and work on other things first such as the new player models theyre working on. However all in all its a great idea, for 09 at least i hope they made it a little easier to see players potential ratings as opposed to only having it on the back of there player cards...

I have to agree with Knight, though I understand where you're coming from. To me, if they want to make the game more "casual friendly" for those who may not want to get that detailed into the franchise mode, then have the option to turn it off. They already allow you to let the cpu handle all your "non field" duties, so why not just add this to the list so to speak.

[Scottdau]

Quote: Originally Posted by countryboy

I tend to agree with Scott here, but will say this. I'm ok with them implementing new pitching techniques or hitting mechanics so long as they allow me to use the "classic" versions of these things. I don't like changing things just for the sake of change. The one reason I love sports games and tend to stick with games I know is due to the familarity of the controls. I don't want to have to learn new controls and such each year I pick up the game. Stick with what works, and as Scott said, add in new animations, fix what needs fixin', and tweak what needs tweakin' to bring about a "freshness" to the game.

The thing is that is all I really want from this game. I just want some key things fixed and some more animation and this game will be perfect for me. I would like to find a game that at the in of the season my stud hitters are still stud hitters. But with baseball you never know. They say you can lose your skill at any time and when it goes some times it goes fast. Plus you have always have that one hit wonders or duds that turn it to studs.

[atlbravesws05]

Its not for the sake of changing. Everything gets old evenually no matter how good or popular it was before. The one song you loved as a child no longer interests you because it got old, the food you eat, evenually you grow tired of eating pizza no matter how much you loved it, etcc.. My point is i want to experience something new from the same awesome developers. The core gameplay hasn't changed at all and no matter the countless features they keep adding on every year, the core gameplay feels exactly the same. It feels like you are playing the same game except with add ons. I think its time for them to try out something more innovative.