MLB '08 news and info

[jLp vAkEr0]

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).

Now THAT was a great sports game.

Loved it.

Diablo Jones, the most feared clean up guy in the league.

[snaz16]

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.

I'm pretty sure by hitting the x button after a pitch,that it cuts out the following animation to where you get right back to pitching or hitting.
It does take a long time to complete a game,but its so immersive I just go with it. And with "in game saves' I can pick up later if need be.
Hell,even the Trop looks good,and I kinda like the new Rays uni's. Today I'm going to play some 2 inning short games and get a look at all the stadiums before cranking up a new season. 1 hope for next year are some old stadiums like Crosley,the Polo Grounds,etc. I love playing in those old ballparks.

[dbdynsty25]

He's talking about the SLOW animations for some of the pitchers...like Francis on the Rockies in the demo. Some of them take forever to get rid of the ball.

[fsquid]

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).

Now THAT was a great sports game.

Loved it.

Diablo Jones, the most feared clean up guy in the league.

I would love to play that game again.

[Slumberland]

Okay, let's talk turkey. I'm finding the game way too easy. Constantly going into the 7th inning with anywhere from a no-hitter to two hits allowed. Interface changes don't do much, i.e. turning off strike zone, pitch cursor, and switching to classic pitching. You can throw balls down the middle and they won't do much with them. Pitch cursor and meter would be fine if the CPU was scary enough to make you nibble. So it's sliders or nothing, it seems. Was hoping I wouldn't have to go there.

Not thrilled to see multiple sliders in there for CPU hitting, with contact, power and then 'hit quality'. Seems like there's some overlap there, and I want it to be simple. Any recommendations?

[XXXIV]

Okay, let's talk turkey. I'm finding the game way too easy. Constantly going into the 7th inning with anywhere from a no-hitter to two hits allowed.

Damn I suck!!! ...I get my brains(ya ya) handed to me on all star...

Ever consider that you are a natural? ...kinda like TC in a racing game?

[Nozzleman_216]

I just wish I could draw a walk LOL. I am too impatient and not sure I see the ball real well. Right now in my RTTS, one of my goals is to draw 11 walks over the next 5 series's. I haven't got one and I just completed the first series, a 5 gamer! As a matter of fact, I had 2 games with 4 K's
Still batting around .350 with 5hrs so not TOO bad for a short and fat second baseman LOL

To all of you that raved about this game in years past, THANK YOU. Thank you for pushing me over the edge to get a PS3 recently. I have not enjoyed a baseball game this much since MVP05 and this one is better!!!

[webdanzer]

Okay, let's talk turkey. I'm finding the game way too easy. Constantly going into the 7th inning with anywhere from a no-hitter to two hits allowed. Interface changes don't do much, i.e. turning off strike zone, pitch cursor, and switching to classic pitching. You can throw balls down the middle and they won't do much with them. Pitch cursor and meter would be fine if the CPU was scary enough to make you nibble. So it's sliders or nothing, it seems. Was hoping I wouldn't have to go there.

Not thrilled to see multiple sliders in there for CPU hitting, with contact, power and then 'hit quality'. Seems like there's some overlap there, and I want it to be simple. Any recommendations?

Amen, Slumber. I'm with you. I've been trying every combination of interface tweaks myself, and if I had to put an over-under number on when the cpu would get its first hit, it'd probably be around inning 6. I've had 4 shutouts in 7 games, and I've gone a couple of innings just grooving pitches too. Classic gives me more walks, but does nothing for cpu hits.

I'm going to try all three cpu sliders at +3 for my next game.

[sportdan30]

Okay, let's talk turkey. I'm finding the game way too easy. Constantly going into the 7th inning with anywhere from a no-hitter to two hits allowed. Interface changes don't do much, i.e. turning off strike zone, pitch cursor, and switching to classic pitching. You can throw balls down the middle and they won't do much with them. Pitch cursor and meter would be fine if the CPU was scary enough to make you nibble. So it's sliders or nothing, it seems. Was hoping I wouldn't have to go there.

Not thrilled to see multiple sliders in there for CPU hitting, with contact, power and then 'hit quality'. Seems like there's some overlap there, and I want it to be simple. Any recommendations?

Which team or teams are you using? I sure wish the Cardinals were a consistently good team on '08.

[JRod]

I'm using the PS2 version, Slumber, so I might have a different experience from you.

Turn off meter based pitching. Anything that allows for muscle memory is going to make nibbling too easy. It was that way in MVP, and I loved their meter.

The reason I say turn off the meter is because when a pitch "bar" is low it can go any where. I like how it feels like a pitch is working and it's not.

Where it turns into HH is when a pitch isn't working and you need to get one over the plate. You almost have to aim dead center of the plate. Even then it's not guaranteed not to go over the plate.

I've already tweaked some sliders too make it easier.

I'm just wondering if it's easy for some of you guys because you've been playing The Show for a few years now. It's kind of like me and WE. It's a little easier than most just because I'm used to the engine.

[Jackdog]

I'm using the PS2 version, Slumber, so I might have a different experience from you.

Turn off meter based pitching. Anything that allows for muscle memory is going to make nibbling too easy. It was that way in MVP, and I loved their meter.

The reason I say turn off the meter is because when a pitch "bar" is low it can go any where. I like how it feels like a pitch is working and it's not.

Where it turns into HH is when a pitch isn't working and you need to get one over the plate. You almost have to aim dead center of the plate. Even then it's not guaranteed not to go over the plate.

I've already tweaked some sliders too make it easier.

I'm just wondering if it's easy for some of you guys because you've been playing The Show for a few years now. It's kind of like me and WE. It's a little easier than most just because I'm used to the engine.

I've been playing it for years too John and I am getting my ass handed to me on All-Star while using Classic Pitch. The Reds staff sucks and I love it!

[Brando70]

Okay, let's talk turkey. I'm finding the game way too easy. Constantly going into the 7th inning with anywhere from a no-hitter to two hits allowed. Interface changes don't do much, i.e. turning off strike zone, pitch cursor, and switching to classic pitching. You can throw balls down the middle and they won't do much with them. Pitch cursor and meter would be fine if the CPU was scary enough to make you nibble. So it's sliders or nothing, it seems. Was hoping I wouldn't have to go there.

Not thrilled to see multiple sliders in there for CPU hitting, with contact, power and then 'hit quality'. Seems like there's some overlap there, and I want it to be simple. Any recommendations?

I'm finding the game more challenging since turning off the pitch meter. I just got swept at Pittsburgh with the Cubs, losing 9-8, 7-0, and 3-2. This is on default All-Star with no pitching cursor. The Pirates jumped on me early, scoring at least two runs in each of the first two innings.

If you're not seeing enough CPU hits, I'd start with the Contact slider to get more in play, then hit power. Not sure what hit quality does but I am guessing it probably increases drives to the gaps or down the lines that might result in extra bases.

[Slumberland]

Turn off meter based pitching. Anything that allows for muscle memory is going to make nibbling too easy.

Oh, but I did turn off the meter! It really didn't change much. Neither did turning off the pitching cursor and the strike zone. I'd rather use the meter, simply because I like it, so I think I'll play a couple games with pitcher control all the way down, and the three CPU offense sliders jacked all the way up, just for sh*ts and giggles. We'll see what happens.

I'm using the Mets, by the way.

WORST comes to worst and I can't find a decent CPU challenge, I'll just play RTTS and join an online league or something.

[sportdan30]

Using the Mets? They have awful pitching

Are you as dominant with Baltimore?

I do think you'll notice a difference by upping the contact and power slider by a couple notches. I had to lower the CPU's back down to plus one because I was being hammered.

[Slumberland]

So it's reasonable to expect the Mets to go 162-0 with an ERA of 1.15 this year? I hope you're right!

It's sort of like the old NBA 2K's, I guess... they were always to easy on the hardest level, so I'd be reduced to starting a franchise with the Bobcats just to make it interesting. Definitely not the case any more.

[Rodster]

So far I have not had that problem while playing RTTS and that's on veteran. The CPU is getting plenty of hits and HR's.

[JRod]

Jack, this game isn't easy for me either. Although I jumped straight to HOF and I'm loving it.

Remember back to Inside Drive when players actually felt like star players. Even the CPU would give the ball to them. I think The Show captures this. Star players are down right hard to strike out.

The fouls are out of control but I think I've moved the slider to where I like the amount.

Still, facing a star hitter when pitching is something I haven't seen in baseball games, not even last year's game. Sure they might hit your hard but in this year's game, they fight you off. That's baseball.

I also like how the fast ball can over power hitters. I haven't seen that in a baseball game. It's always been fast but think Umbaldo Jiminez in last year's NL playoffs. That kid was smoking hitters with his heat.

It's only been a week but this game (aside from the slowish pace) might take my top spot as best baseball game to date.

[10spro]

The details in the commentary such as when you hit a foul ball to left field or into a dugout is pretty impressive. They would even name the player or coach who was standing near where the foul ball just landed. Focusing on the coach giving signals to steal bases, as the camera zooms over to the side while they discuss it... Thats just detailing. Best Commentary in a Sports game, next to NHL 08 in my view.

[btmmayor]

I'm finding the game way too easy. Constantly going into the 7th inning with anywhere from a no-hitter to two hits allowed.

Same for me, and like I said earlier I'm using the Pirates which makes it even worse. Hopefully bumping up the CPU offensive sliders and decreasing my pitch control will do the trick.

I would love to play that game again.

http://www.everyvideogame.com/play-nes- ... ll_(U).htm

Runs right in a window in your browser. Not the same as holding a controller or full screen, but its pretty fun all the same.

[Slumberland]

Yeah, I'm taking user pitch control all the way down, and bumping CPU hit quality and power all the way up. Early returns are inconclusive but vaguely promising. Also moving user hit quality all the way down, as I started averaging 15-20 hits a game. ALSO zeroing out CPU pitch control to see if I can get some more walks. Did anyone notice that there are two CPU pitching sliders that are only accessible from within the actual game menus, and strangely missing from the front-end and franchise slider screens? Pitch control and strike frequency. I'm going to leave strike frequency alone, as the description of CPU pitch control explicitly mentions frequency of walks.

I can't believe I've opened this can of worms. Oh well.

[webdanzer]

I just played a game with user pitch control all the way down, classic pitching, no indicators, and CPU power and contact at +5. I pitched with Mike Mussina (11-10, 5.15 ERA, opponents hitting .310ish ) and still had a 3 hit shutout going into the 7th. I left him in when he was obviously tiring, though, and after a couple of walks, a single and a double gave them a 3 run 7th.

It was tied after 9, so we went 14. 7 more shutout innings until Edwar Ramirez started walking everyone, and the cpu won in the 14th. So that was some improvement, I guess. I did have a lot of walks this game (7 in 14 innings) so that was nice. CPU ended up with 10 hits in 14 innings.

I did notice more power in the outs the CPU was making, though. More hard line drives than usual.

It's strange to me that only a couple of us are seeing this, as I get the CPU power outage pretty much every game. I mean, I guess it's possible Slumber and I -being knowledgeable NYC baseball fans - simply know how to work batters better than the rest of you...

I really enjoy hitting in this game. 7+ games in and I'm still struggling a little bit.

[JRod]

I'm using slider's by (OS Name) Rod Carew. Try those and see if if the CPU doesn't get more power.

[Leebo33]

It's strange to me that only a couple of us are seeing this, as I get the CPU power outage pretty much every game.

I haven't seen it yet, but I've played all 6 of my season games in hitter parks. My ERA is too low, around 3, but I haven't played enough to draw any conclusions. My hitting production has been fine, but I can't draw many walks. I think I have good patience (drew 5 walks in my first PSP game this weekend on default AS), but the pitches are still a bit too fast for me. I wanted to get at least 10 games in on near-default (did make a couple very minor tweaks) All-Star before tweaking, but it does appear that I'm going to have to play with sliders some.

I saw the walk-off HR scoring bug for the first time yesterday. It's not that big of a deal, but it does have me worried that there may be other more harmful bugs in there as well.

[lexbur]

A few thoughts after spending all weekend snowed in with the game...

-I think it might be a little easier than past versions, but not too easy, I'm 6-6 in my season on All-Star, default except lowered pitch speed.

-Classic pithing is the way to go for me, thanks for suggesting it guys. I've always used the meter, but it's tougher to control location now. It's alot like the old HH days.

-Someone posted here they could get a game in in a half hour? I must be doing something wrong because it usually takes me almost an hour per game, and that's on fast play. Not that I mind though, since I'm enjoying it so much.

-The first time I tried an in-game save, it didn't work. I was tied 4-4 after 10, went to save it and it just kept "loading" for over five minutes, I finally had to exit without saving. Does it usually take a long time to do an in-game save? Or maybe the fact that it was extra innings freaked it out or something? I'm afraid to try it again.

Otherwise, the game is AWESOME!!!!!!!

(Except for the fact that I lost CC Sabathia for 60 days in my season. I guess now I'll get to see what the Tribe will look like next year, when he's gone in R/L.)

[fanatic]

I'm having a bit of trouble on ground balls just slightly out of reach of my infielders. Seems like they don't do the "reach" animation quite enough - the ball just goes past them. Should I be using the dive control? Keep in mind, these are ground balls that should be reachable without laying out.