MLB '08 news and info

[fanatic]

On my HOF games this year I noticed that hit distribution definitely seemed to be skewed towards singles, and I have traditionally been a very good hitter in this series. I did better in my AllStar game but the cpu was still weak....but that was an admittedly small sample. I may try playing HOF with plate coverage on to see if that helps, but I don't know how to help out the cpu yet. Definitely let me know if it seems like the CPU performs better on Allstar.

I won't be able to get to play again until later tonight, but I can say that in the few games I played I was giving up dingers and doubles to the CPU. I did have that one complete game shut out, but the other two games were definitely tougher and very enjoyable. I was surprised by this to be honest. If you get a chance to play some today, just try SKYALLSTAR sliders and see how it plays out for you. Several people at OS seem to think these work great for CPU and HUMAN offense. It was certainly great to see some gappers and home runs, whereas I was all "singly" as Slumberland called it (great word BTW...LOL).

FYI: I play with CLASSIC pitching and that is also what the sliders are made for. If you check OS in the slider section and look at Skyboxer's ALL STAR slider thread, there are some people that are using it with meter pitching as well and I think they only tweaked a couple of sliders for the difference. Otherwise I will post tonight or tomorrow what happened with more test games.

Do you think you would be able to copy and paste those skyallstar sliders in this thread? I'm at work, and all of those pop ups on operationsports have me staying away from that site. Much appreciated!

[phantompain]

Skyboxer said that these are the most updated ones. The ones online do not have the most recent changes:

I use Classic Pitching.
API I use
I do NOT use any guess pitch stuff. That's up to you however.
I'm getting walks and walking the CPU. Hr's both CPU and Human have been pretty good also.
In no way are these for everyone but I'd figured I'd post them.

I might try HOF again later but these are suiting me so far

Main Menu MY SLIDERS Settings:

Pitch Speed -6 (-5 if you'd like) (0 May help Steal Success rate but could cause CPU to lose some batting success. If you do raise to default I'd recommend raising CPU Timing Window also)
Pitch Count +8
Umpire -1
Wind +5
Pitcher Fatigue Starters 0
" " Relief -3
Pitch movement: +3
Pitch Command: -10
Wild Pitch Freq: 0
Human Hit Quality -2
CPU Hit Quality -2
Human Power: +1
CPU Power: 0
Plate Vision: -3
Human Throwing Strength: -4
CPU Throwing Strength: -4
Human Throwing Accuracy: -2
CPU Throwing Accuracy: -2
Fielder Speed: -10
Passed Ball Freq: -2
Human Injury: +3
CPU Injury: +3
CPU pitcher Agg: -4
CPU Baserunning Agg: 0
CPU Base Stealing Agg: 0
CPU Pickoff Freq: 0
CPU Batter Plate Disc: +3
CPU Fielder Reaction Time: -10
CPU Stolen Base Freq: 0 (Adjust up to get amount of CPU steal attempts you like)
Manager Hook: +5
Human Timing Window -10
CPU Timing Window -9
Human IF Error: +2
CPU IF Error: +2
Human OF Error: 0
CPU OF Error: 0
Human Throwing Error: 0
CPU Throwing Error: 0

In Game Additions: Just make sure after the game to save sliders. I think I got them all
Human:

Foul Tip: -8
IF Throw Speed: -1
OF Throw Speed: 0
IF Run Speed: 0
OF Run Speed: -2
Baserun Speed: -2
GB Error: +3
FB Error: +1

CPU:
Pitch Control: -2
Pitch Movement: +3
Strike Percentage: -3
Foul Tip: -8
IF Throw:-1
OF Throw Speed: 0
IF Run Speed: 0
OF Run Speed: -2
Baserun Speed: -2
GB Error: +3
FB Error: +1

Just remember sliders never really fit everyone but hopefully these are close enough for people to have a good base.

3/6/08 EDIT: Changes in RED.
Until we find a fix for stolen bases I'd recommend at least for now to not take an extra step lead when attempting to steal. Just a suggestion.

Thursday - 2nd Update: Changes in GREEN.
Nothing major at all. just some fine tuning to help with certain areas.

This is probably it until we see if SCEA patches and speed issues as I am getting good results and I am ready to start a dynasty!

Thanks for all the feedback and good luck in the game!!. I'm posting these online now.

UPDATE 3/7/08: I put in a note that Defualt for Pitch Speed May help with stolen base success rate and to raise CPU Steal Attempts to your liking
Also I forgot to lower CPU Foul Tip Percentage but posted file may be correct.
-------------------------------

There are quite a few in green and orange, but you won't see that here. My suggestion is to enter these manually instead of downloading the version online and then trying to update them.

[XXXIV]

One reason I'm hesitant to tweak is that I still view games through some NES-era lens....

I hardly ever touch any slders either...

I just play at the highest level I can compete to succeed at...

I dont see myself adjusting anything in this game except the level of difficulty.

[fanatic]

Thanks for the sliders phantompain....

While I don't think the game needs much tweaking at all, I'll probably give them a shot just to see what happens.

[RallyMonkey]

I'm in agreement that the idea of messing with sliders is not something i enjoy doing, but i have to admit that with this game it's so damn good out of the box that it truly is about making it as PERFECT a game as possible. Where so many games are about slider tweaking just to make it a playable experience, this tinkering is for the player who just wants to make the experience just that much better. Not often you can find a game where the "out of the box" player is just as happy as the player who moves some sliders around.

I'm sitting at my desk right now thinking about how tonight i will be playing my first home game in my season after a 5-2 road trip to start the year. Love this game.

[wco81]

Instead of posting sliders, you should see what kind of files the game saves and then upload them to a site or email them around.

It should be like NCAA rosters, if they did it correctly.

[sportdan30]

Instead of posting sliders, you should see what kind of files the game saves and then upload them to a site or email them around.

It should be like NCAA rosters, if they did it correctly.

It's simple enough to download them off the online portion of the game.

[Brando70]

For anybody using the Cubs, have you used Eric Patterson yet? The guy looks like a bobblehead doll, I'm almost wondering if there is some glitch with my game that makes his head triple the size it should be. It looks so ridiculous that I won't even use him anymore, it kind of freaks me out.

I didn't check him out -- I created Fukodome and sent Patterson down to Des Moines.

[XXXIV]

I didn't check him out -- I created Fukodome and sent Patterson down to Des Moines.

I just heard Harry Caray trying say that name...fukadummy.

[JackB1]

Has anyone tried The Show 08 yet for the PS2 or the PSP? If you weren't going to plunk down $400 for a PS3, is either of these a viable alternative
(system + game) to purchase instead?

[webdanzer]

Has anyone tried The Show 08 yet for the PS2 or the PSP? If you weren't going to plunk down $400 for a PS3, is either of these a viable alternative
(system + game) to purchase instead?

Hey, I posted something starting not even four hours ago that might help you out. Check out the middle of the previous page in this thread (p21), and read some of the text following 'I picked up the ps2 version of the game...'

[Inuyasha]

I picked up the ps2 version of the game. Does anyone yet know if there are gameplay differences between ps2 and ps3? I played over nine innings of the ps3 demo, and it feels very similar.

Decently fun so far, but I see the same issues I always see with this series. CPU scored 3 runs against me in the first three games, and I had a no-hitter going with Phil Hughes over the very first seven innings I played. I won 2-0, giving up 4 hits. (Allstar, pitch meter) The second game I won 4-3 in extra innings (Classic, HOF) but the last I won 3-0 with Pettite going to Rivera for a 3 hit shutout. (Classic, HOF) So two shutouts in the first three games.

I'm also already seeing lots of hits for me (player) compared to runs scored...again, as in this series in the past.

I like the new baserunning controls, the presentation is of course superb, and there seems to be even more hit variety than last year's game. More foul balls, too.

Overall I definitely like it, but nowhere near 'buy a ps3 like it.' I think I'll be good splitting time between this one and 2k8.

Ya I like switching back between the ps2 and ps3 versions. Basically I feel like I am playing the same game which I switch which is a really good thing. Also, I feel both are very close gameplay wise. The foul balls are cool but I think they over emphasized it since some AB's take too long. No big deal.

I'm pretty sure if I had a psp that version would be solid as well. That's one good thing about The show, whatever system you're on you're getting a quality baseball game.

[JRod]

I don't have a ps3 as I sold it a while back (didn't play it).

So you guys are saying that the PS2 version is the same. I don't care about the fancy bits because I'm still playing MVP 05 and ESPN NFL 2k5 on the old box.

[Jackdog]

You will love this game. I have seen a couple small things but the overall package is incredible. On top of that the PS3 is a great media machine, and I was a big skeptic.

I do think either the CPU needs some offensive tweaking, or I need to tweak my pitching (or change to classic). It is a bit easy to dominate on All-Star defaults with the pitching meter. I think it's partly because you don't get punished enough for missing badly on the meter.

Overall, though, it's really incredible. So many amazing little touches -- commentators talking about series stats, the way you can fight off pitches, the ball physics. I had to save a game yesterday during a 1-1 extra innings duel, and when I came back, the announcers said something like, If you're just tuning in, we're having a great baseball game here at Wrigley.

Man I can't tell you how much I love classic pitching. Just when I think I am sailing with my pitcher,boom! He can't find the strike zone. The CPU works the count and I throw a meatball and get spanked. It seems very realistic. I am giving up 3 to 5 walks a game. Scott is right. This game is crack for baseball fans.

[Jackdog]

I don't have a ps3 as I sold it a while back (didn't play it).

So you guys are saying that the PS2 version is the same. I don't care about the fancy bits because I'm still playing MVP 05 and ESPN NFL 2k5 on the old box.

Those are the only 2 games I still have for the old box. You have good taste John!

[Jackdog]

Has anyone tried The Show 08 yet for the PS2 or the PSP? If you weren't going to plunk down $400 for a PS3, is either of these a viable alternative
(system + game) to purchase instead?

If you need a PS2 PM me. I'll sell it and MLB07 for a very good price.

[matthewk]

Those are the only 2 games I still have for the old box. You have good taste John!

I just bought a new (to me) Xbox becasue my old one with the Thompson drive was dying. I figured for the price of a single game it was worth buying a replacement since we still have 20+ Xbox games. A lot of those are not BC, so a 360 was out.

After more time with the PSP version, I'm happy I bought it to replace 07. It's a little more polished than 07 was. Not that 07 was a mess, but there are some little changes that just makes the game better. I really like that they made the text larger in most places. The game plays great, and I'm catching little things during games that make me think for a second that it's a real game I'm watching.

I will be tweaking some sliders, but not many. The CPU is having a hard time hitting HRs. I may increase this for myself as well, as I never use the power swing, just the regular one. I use the classic pitching, but it seems easier to throw stiked than last year. I may have to make that more difficult.

Other than that, this is the perfect blend of fun and simulation...and it's portable too!

[JackB1]

Has anyone tried The Show 08 yet for the PS2 or the PSP? If you weren't going to plunk down $400 for a PS3, is either of these a viable alternative
(system + game) to purchase instead?

If you need a PS2 PM me. I'll sell it and MLB07 for a very good price.

I'll keep that in mind JackD. I'm still waiting for my gamefly copy of 2K8 to try first and see if I can hang with that.

[Inuyasha]

Has anyone tried The Show 08 yet for the PS2 or the PSP? If you weren't going to plunk down $400 for a PS3, is either of these a viable alternative
(system + game) to purchase instead?

If you need a PS2 PM me. I'll sell it and MLB07 for a very good price.

I'll keep that in mind JackD. I'm still waiting for my gamefly copy of 2K8 to try first and see if I can hang with that.

jackb1 you have a pm

[JRod]

So I got the PS2 version. It will hold me over until I get another PS3.

Here are my quick thoughts.

Negatives
- The pitch counts are great for a game. Some of the pitcher/batter duels are a bit too much. Pujols had a 15 pitch at-bat in a recent game.

- I hate the running controls. Why can't it be as simple as MVP 05.

- The game is a bit slower than MVP which I don't like. They could speed it up just a bit. For example, there's a slight delay to have the pitcher go through his realistic motion. I don't care for that.

Positives

- Here's a big one. I think they get pitcher accuracy and the zone right. It's the best I've seen since HH. For example, Umbaldo Jiminez has a 99 MPH fastball that he can't locate but if it's in the zone, it's nasty. What I love about is that you can set the cursor in the dead middle of the plate and it might still be a ball.

- Pitch counts, finally.

- CPU seems aggressive in a good way.

[Inuyasha]

So I got the PS2 version. It will hold me over until I get another PS3.

Here are my quick thoughts.

Negatives
- The pitch counts are great for a game. Some of the pitcher/batter duels are a bit too much. Pujols had a 15 pitch at-bat in a recent game.

- I hate the running controls. Why can't it be as simple as MVP 05.

- The game is a bit slower than MVP which I don't like. They could speed it up just a bit. For example, there's a slight delay to have the pitcher go through his realistic motion. I don't care for that.

Positives

- Here's a big one. I think they get pitcher accuracy and the zone right. It's the best I've seen since HH. For example, Umbaldo Jiminez has a 99 MPH fastball that he can't locate but if it's in the zone, it's nasty. What I love about is that you can set the cursor in the dead middle of the plate and it might still be a ball.

- Pitch counts, finally.

- CPU seems aggressive in a good way.

I'll mess around w/ it tonight but the foul balls are way too much. I have some AB where I am fouling off 7-8 pitches. Maybe that's realistic but i not for a videogame. Not sure if there is a foul ball option but i'll check it tonight.

[Leebo33]

I think there's an option "four fouls and you're out."

[btmmayor]

I think there's an option "four fouls and you're out."

Someones been playing too much Dusty Diamond's All Star Softball on the NES. They took that option out of The Show this year (along with the rule where if you hit a home run through the window in the schoolyard its an out).

I'm loving 08 right now but I just wish the CPU would score a little more on me at the default All-Star settings (playing as the Pirates with Classic pitching). I hate to start touching sliders though because as soon as I do I won't be able to keep the CPU under 10 runs a game and then I'll be tweaking in the opposite direction.

[Inuyasha]

I really suck at hitting and generating runs. Probably has to do with me being a hacker and swinging at anything. the only time I have success is just timing the ball and not using the stick. Only thing that's sort of helped is having the cpu pitch speed to max.

[dbdynsty25]

I hate the running controls. Why can't it be as simple as MVP 05.

Change to classic running...it's exactly like MVP 05. Press a button to select the runner then press the base you want them to run to.

The game is a bit slower than MVP which I don't like. They could speed it up just a bit. For example, there's a slight delay to have the pitcher go through his realistic motion. I don't care for that.

Turn on fast play...you'll get through a game in a half hour. Some of the motions are a little long though...you're right about that.