MLB '08 news and info

RallyMonkey · Post by **RallyMonkey** » Fri May 09, 2008 10:51 am

For those with the DS controller- Are you now turning the pitch cursor off and using vibration to indicate location?

I have the DS but have decided to turn the vibration off as i found it too much of a crutch. You should know that prior to picking it up i did not use the pitching cursor either so clearly i'm not a user of pitching aids anyway and the rumble essentially feels like an aid to me.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Sat May 10, 2008 3:28 pm

Is there no franchise mode in the PSP version? THat sucks

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Sat May 10, 2008 8:31 pm

fsquid wrote:Is there no franchise mode in the PSP version? THat sucks

There is a MULTIPLE "season" mode, which is a franchise mode "light", so to speak.

I actually like that much better.

After starting off 2-0, I'm now 2-2 and the game has been remarkable. I still wonder how they fit all that they do on that little UMD.

I'm heading to Chicago next week and my psp will be right by my side.

RallyMonkey · Post by **RallyMonkey** » Mon May 12, 2008 11:41 am

Quick stupid question, since downloading the update i have played two great games in my franchise. I just heard somewhere though that the update doesn't actually affect gameplay unless you start a new season/franchise, etc. Is this correct?

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Mon May 12, 2008 11:44 am

RallyMonkey wrote:Quick stupid question, since downloading the update i have played two great games in my franchise. I just heard somewhere though that the update doesn't actually affect gameplay unless you start a new season/franchise, etc. Is this correct?

If you have seen great games, why would you want the answer to this question?

RallyMonkey · Post by **RallyMonkey** » Mon May 12, 2008 2:12 pm

RallyMonkey wrote:
Quick stupid question, since downloading the update i have played two great games in my franchise. I just heard somewhere though that the update doesn't actually affect gameplay unless you start a new season/franchise, etc. Is this correct?

If you have seen great games, why would you want the answer to this question?

Because what if i'm missing out on even GREATER games.

And i also made some slider changes based on the assumption that the changes were immediately in effect so i was just curious.

And did i say i was going make any changes based on the answer? Can't a man just continue to gather information for the sake of just trying to become more knowledgeable in life?

P.S. I can't wait to run your a** over with a bus again....

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Mon May 19, 2008 2:55 pm

Lost a game last night against the Brewers when I was up 4-2 heading into the 9th and Izzy walks the first two batters, then a double, another hit and the game was tied 4-4. I bring in Ryan Franklin and he allows a double.. scoring the runner from first as it was a hit and run.. we lose 5-4 and suddenly I feel like LaRussa.

This is really becoming my favorite baseball game in a LONG time. I can thank the new psp slim though as it's so much lighter and feels much more comfortable to use.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Mon May 19, 2008 3:17 pm

MizzouRah wrote:Lost a game last night against the Brewers when I was up 4-2 heading into the 9th and Izzy walks the first two batters, then a double, another hit and the game was tied 4-4. I bring in Ryan Franklin and he allows a double.. scoring the runner from first as it was a hit and run.. we lose 5-4 and suddenly I feel like LaRussa.

This is really becoming my favorite baseball game in a LONG time. I can thank the new psp slim though as it's so much lighter and feels much more comfortable to use.

Geez, Izzy is performing just like in real life! Bad way to lose the game, but sometimes it's "fun" to lose a game like that, if that makes any sense. The variety in terms of how you win and lose games in MLB '08 is what makes the game feel so real.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Mon May 19, 2008 3:37 pm

I enjoy playing the PSP with a cigar on my screen porch at night. Love the MLB game. Still can't get the hang of baserunning for some reason.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Mon May 19, 2008 3:50 pm

Any of you guys using any type of guess pitch? I've played several games in my season but was struggling horribly with hitting, that I switched to Classic 1/6 the other day. Now, I'm hitting much better, but am feeling as though it's more of a cheat than anything.

Any suggestions?

WillHunting · Post by **WillHunting** » Tue May 20, 2008 10:14 am

sportdan30 wrote:Any of you guys using any type of guess pitch? I've played several games in my season but was struggling horribly with hitting, that I switched to Classic 1/6 the other day. Now, I'm hitting much better, but am feeling as though it's more of a cheat than anything.

Any suggestions?

I used guess pitch in the beginning of my RTTS career and was doing horribly. I stop using it altogether and I am hitting much better. I feel that when I guessed right, I tend to swing at anything whereas without guessing, I look for the ball more. I guess I could turn off feedback to make it realistic.

Slumberland · Post by **Slumberland** » Tue May 20, 2008 10:29 am

I had guess pitch off for a while, but I have to say I just missed the feel of it. I like the sound of it, the red flash, loading up on a pitch... there's a tactile thing there that might not be totally realistic in a baseball sense but pleases me in a video game way, so I've got it back on. I'm not sure I hit any better with it.

lexbur · Post by **lexbur** » Tue May 20, 2008 11:22 am

I can't believe I played game number 100 of my season last night, a 7-4 loss to the Angels. I started the season the first night I got the game back in March and haven't looked back (All Star default).

I thought the scores in general were a little low and was tempted to start tweaking the sliders slightly, but seeing how the real Tribe is doing a quarter of the way through the season it seems about right. They lead the majors in team ERA, and are near the bottom in team batting average and runs scored, both in my season and in R/L.

I'm 42-58, battling the Royals for last. My biggest problem is just a lack of patience at the plate. Plus some games I'm just more focused than other games. I think those are the two main factors in my crappy record.

ddtrane · Post by **ddtrane** » Tue May 20, 2008 11:48 am

MizzouRah wrote: This is really becoming my favorite baseball game in a LONG time. I can thank the new psp slim though as it's so much lighter and feels much more comfortable to use.

I thought it was just me. I bought a slim and find myself not needing the charger grips for this model. I can't get enough of this gem.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Tue May 20, 2008 12:51 pm

ddtrane wrote:
MizzouRah wrote: This is really becoming my favorite baseball game in a LONG time. I can thank the new psp slim though as it's so much lighter and feels much more comfortable to use.
I thought it was just me. I bought a slim and find myself not needing the charger grips for this model. I can't get enough of this gem.

Agreed. They did a great job of redesigning this little powerhouse.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Tue May 20, 2008 12:54 pm

sportdan30 wrote: Geez, Izzy is performing just like in real life! Bad way to lose the game, but sometimes it's "fun" to lose a game like that, if that makes any sense. The variety in terms of how you win and lose games in MLB '08 is what makes the game feel so real.

Makes perfect sense.. love games like that as I have to use my noggin on what to do in those situations. Glaus has 3 hr's for me thus far and has been very steady at 3rd base.

I love how I can tell when Ankiel is not in CF, Izturis is not at SS that day, etc.. I can really tell who's playing where and I find myself making defensive subs late in the game.

I don't use guess pitch, but hitting seems perfect for me with the psp game.

Slumberland · Post by **Slumberland** » Thu May 29, 2008 4:39 pm

I couldn't let the trade deadline in my franchise pass without seeing if I could fleece the virtual GM's a bit... moved some older players and one good relief prospect and brought Dan Haren, Hanley Ramirez and Mike Jacobs to the Mets along with some role players, for a youth infusion. Was excited about Haren and a Reyes/Ramirez tandem up the middle, then Pedro gets injured and is out for the season, so the Haren trade turned out to be more necessity than fluff, and Reyes is lost for the season as well after getting hit by a pitch in the following game... so Ramirez slides into shortstop and 2nd base gets covered by a platoon of Easley and a resurrected Jose Valentin.

So glad they tweaked the difficulty with the patch. I can play now with the Mets on default HOF and lose some games. They're usually squeakers, but it's a lot better than before.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 9:07 pm

How is everyone's season going?

After winning 7 games in a row, I just lost my 3rd game in a row as Linescum pitched a great game against me. My record is now 10-7, 3.5 games behind the Cubbies early in the season.

I've went from Izzy closing, to Franklin, to my latest experiment.. Springer.

I'm thinking at some point, I need to go out and get a real closer as I don't believe Perez is in the game.

Hitting has been a pleasant surprise as I've been platooning the OF and SS and 2B. I made a mistake last game and with the double switch let Miles take over 2B from Kennedy.. bases loaded in the 8th for SF, one out.. double play ball and Miles throws the ball offline, which cost us the game.

I'm having as much fun as I've ever had with a console baseball game.

lexbur · Post by **lexbur** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 9:04 am

MizzouRah wrote:How is everyone's season going?

My fictitious Tribe has been on a roll lately. I'm 55-64, which means I'm 13-6 since my last post a couple weeks ago. I had a 5-game winning streak snapped last night, an 11-9 loss to the Orioles.

I love how players go on hot streaks and cold streaks in this game. For instance, it's taken him all season but Travis Hafner's ON FIRE for me right now. It's fun to see. If only it would happen in R/L.

Looks like this will be the first time I finish a full 162-game season in years. I love this game!!!

Slumberland · Post by **Slumberland** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 9:17 am

As much as I like this game, I don't think I could manage a 162 game season, playing every game. I plowed thought the regular season, picking out key pitching matchups and marquee opponents, but simmed a ton... especially with Santana (who is a little too easy to win with) or Oliver Perez (whose delivery is really slow and drives me crazy). Now playing the Rockies in the NLCS. Looking forward to the offseason... mixing up the roster is sort of my favorite part, getting used to the new look for a few games, and then I'll be right back to simming through a lot of it.

One of these days I'll go back to RTTS. I've done a lot more franchise this year than I anticipated.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 10:37 am

I can definitely see me playing 162 games.. or at least getting close to that.

I snapped my losing streak last night as Kyle Loshe pitched 7 2/3 strong innings and my bullpen finally held up as we beat the Giants 5-2.

The Cubbies are still winning and I can't wait to play them for the first time!

Right now, I'd give the psp verison a 9.5 - the variety of scores alone makes this one of the best baseball video games I've ever played.

Slumberland · Post by **Slumberland** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 10:49 am

I really miss the PSP version... it's a great way to play a baseball game. But since my PSP was stolen, I've read like 50 books in the past few months, and generally feel about 5% smarter with 25% less eyestrain. I used to love whipping out The Show while I was taking a dump at work, though. Yeah, that's right... I love whipping it out at work.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 11:39 am

Slumberland wrote:I really miss the PSP version... it's a great way to play a baseball game.

I got more games played so far in my season with the PSP than her bigger sister. Also with better success and a winning record than the PS3 version where I am 8 games under .500 with the Jays. Can't complain, they keep updating rosters too.

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 11:53 am

Slumberland wrote:I used to love whipping out The Show while I was taking a dump at work, though.

Wonder what your co-workers thought about the sounds coming from the stall:

'Going, going, GONE! Kiss it good bye, that baby's OUTTA HERE!'

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 12:06 pm

webdanzer wrote:
Slumberland wrote:I used to love whipping out The Show while I was taking a dump at work, though.
Wonder what your co-workers thought about the sounds coming from the stall:

'Going, going, GONE! Kiss it good bye, that baby's OUTTA HERE!'

Or a swiiing and a miss.