MLB 2006 The Show Demo at EBGames for a Pre-Order

pigpen81 · Post by **pigpen81** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 9:36 pm

I was perusing over at Op. Sports and found a demo impressions thread for MLB 2006 The Show.

They said they got it at EBGames for pre-ordering the it.

I called my nearset EBgames and sure enough, they are holding the demo for me. In a couple of hours I will have it in my hands.

Exciting news!

For anyone interested, call your EBGames soon, as they didn't get many copies in.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 9:47 pm

PS2 or PSP?

pigpen81 · Post by **pigpen81** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 9:50 pm

PS2 Scoop. That was what I asked them for.

Not sure about a PSP demo.

pigpen81 · Post by **pigpen81** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 1:40 am

Well, after 9 innings of the demo I am happy with some things and perplexed with others.

The good:

The large strike zone has disappeared. I had borderline pitches called strikes last year called balls in this version.

Great animations.

So mnay custom stances and Beurhlie's delivery is uncanny.

Hit variety has improved. I saw a texas leaguer, nubber in front of the plate, pop ups etc.

US cellular was beautiful.

The bad:

The animations get in the way of realism. No infielder picks a screaming shorthop and then throws in the same motion a perfect strike to first. The infielder should gather himself, then throw. It drives me nuts.

Balls hit off the handle shouldn't rocket into CF....never never never.

I saw offline throws except on plays to the plate where you get a rocket, perfect strike every time.....arrgh!

I hope this is fixed in the full version.

BTW, in the demo you get a 3 inning game...no settings or camera options...not sure what the default dificulty is, and you can only play in US Cellular Field with Houston or Chicago AL.

All in all, I look forward to the full release, but with the exception of improved presentation, and minor gameplay tweaks, it feels the same.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 2:24 am

pigpen81 wrote:All in all, I look forward to the full release, but with the exception of improved presentation, and minor gameplay tweaks, it feels the same.

Well the good news is that even in last years form, it will probably be better than 2k6 on the 360. That's all I can really ask for. If they've improved a few things, I'll be a happy MLB'er again. Please tell me they have fixed the roster issues this year. Two years running, I have been disappointed with how they handle bullpens and position players.

Badgun · Post by **Badgun** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 10:21 am

pigpen81 wrote:Well, after 9 innings of the demo I am happy with some things and perplexed with others.

The good:

The large strike zone has disappeared. I had borderline pitches called strikes last year called balls in this version.

Great animations.

So mnay custom stances and Beurhlie's delivery is uncanny.

Hit variety has improved. I saw a texas leaguer, nubber in front of the plate, pop ups etc.

US cellular was beautiful.

The bad:

The animations get in the way of realism. No infielder picks a screaming shorthop and then throws in the same motion a perfect strike to first. The infielder should gather himself, then throw. It drives me nuts.

Balls hit off the handle shouldn't rocket into CF....never never never.

I saw offline throws except on plays to the plate where you get a rocket, perfect strike every time.....arrgh!

I hope this is fixed in the full version.

BTW, in the demo you get a 3 inning game...no settings or camera options...not sure what the default dificulty is, and you can only play in US Cellular Field with Houston or Chicago AL.

All in all, I look forward to the full release, but with the exception of improved presentation, and minor gameplay tweaks, it feels the same.

The biggest problem for me last year, other than the game freezing up, was the rocket arms of the outfielders. Guys were throwing perfect strikes to 2nd from the right field wall and sometimes they threw perfect strikes to third. This made it real tough to get extra base hits. I wound up playing a lot of games where I had to get 4 singles to get a run. I really hope they have fixed this because I really liked this game last year.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 2:07 pm

Yeah, the rocket arms were pretty annoying...but I'd rather have that than the noodles that they had in 2k6. No one could throw the ball worth a crap.

AJColossal · Post by **AJColossal** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 1:19 pm

My impressions after 3 innings:

-The game is VERY similar to past year's versions. After initial impressions, if you would have told me this was a demo of last year's game, I probably wouldn't argue.

-I know I probably have to play some more, and perhaps it has to do with the rookie setting, but I was disappointed in what I saw with the hit variety. Like last year, there appeared to be WAY too many screaming liners, hard hit grounders, and the like.

-The strike zone does seem smaller. Borderline pitches now are more likely to be called balls, when last year they were nearly always strikes. Good improvement from last year, and more potential for walks.

-More foul balls hit, which was also good. 2 or 3 times I saw balls hit straight back on the ground to the backstop, as if it went through the catcher and ump. Weird.

-The throwing still seems too perfect. The fact that most balls hit are rockets and the fielders mostly throw perfect strikes appear to make it tough for many infield hits.

-Pitching and batting signature animations, as always, are AWESOME.

Was curious if anyone had any further thoughts.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 2:19 pm

Not very encouraging AJ.

This is/was the year for this series to make a major leap, imo. Heck, they have a great foundation in their game, all they needed to do was tweak some things. Sounds like they didn't... except for the strikezone.

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 2:33 pm

Maybe its just a recycled version of last year's game and they are putting all their resources/time into the PS3 version for 2007? Just a thought.

AJColossal · Post by **AJColossal** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 4:12 pm

Diablo25 wrote:Maybe its just a recycled version of last year's game and they are putting all their resources/time into the PS3 version for 2007? Just a thought.

Was thinking the same thing myself. There doesn't seem to be much new, although this is just a demo, and a stripped-down one at that.

But, as we've all said about various things over the years, they can save the bells and whistles as long as they fix the flaws with the gameplay.

No walks, fielders with robo-arms, and hit variety were the three things I wanted them to work on. I'll spend some more time with it, and tell you if they've been addressed. I know others here and on other boards have been happy with improvements here, but I guess the jury's still out for me.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 7:49 pm

Diablo25 wrote:Maybe its just a recycled version of last year's game and they are putting all their resources/time into the PS3 version for 2007? Just a thought.

That's fine, they still could have fixed those minor issues quite easily, one would think.

Will be interesting to see this game on the ps3 though.

AJColossal · Post by **AJColossal** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 5:48 pm

After quite a few more games, I do see some hit variety, but it looks like it's nowhere near the rate it should be. 90% of all batted balls still seem to be rockets of the ground ball or line drive variety.

Hopefully, this is a product of the rookie level and/or it could be remedied with sliders.

pigpen81 · Post by **pigpen81** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 6:13 pm

AJ, the good news is that the dev's that visit op sports say it has been addressed for the full game.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 6:19 pm

Anyone picking this up for the PSP?

AJColossal · Post by **AJColossal** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 6:37 pm

pigpen81 wrote:AJ, the good news is that the dev's that visit op sports say it has been addressed for the full game.

Yeah, hopefully they do. I like the series overall, but my gut is telling me they're going through the motions until PS3 comes out. I know it's in demo form, but it REALLY seems a lot like last year's game.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 6:40 pm

sportdan30 wrote:Anyone picking this up for the PSP?

Yeah, I will be picking up both PSP baseball games.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 7:41 pm

Well I just picked up my PS2...LOL...the 4th time I've purchased one. I also got a cheap copy of MVP NCAA and I've got Arena Football pre-ordered. Now I've got all my bases covered until MLB comes out in a few weeks. That is the real reason I got another one. I'm not confident at all in the 2k series on the 360 so I needed a backup plan.

blueduke · Post by **blueduke** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 8:34 pm

Got a PS2 for the same reason. No confidence at all in MLB2k6. Been playing MVP NCAA a little bit the last few days and I'm really having fun with it. Loaded up a set of rosters (my nephew is a hurler for NCSU btw) and started a dynasty with the NCSU Wolfpack. Never thought I'd enjoy the "ping" of the aluminum bats in a video game but it's been alot of fun. only thing lacking is stadium variety. I'm quite sure MLB The Show will deliver on my craving for MLB baseball so my butt is pretty much overed in the baseball dept.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 8:47 pm

No doubt Blueduke...I picked up NCAA today as well and it's a damn fine game. I'm really impressed with it. And it's not nearly as ugly to look at on the PS2 as I'd imagined going from the 360. The only thing I'll miss out on now is playing WE9 online with the fellas (and my brother) but oh well. I'll be getting Arena Football tomorrow and MLB at the end of the month and my PS2 gaming library will be complete. LOL. Can't wait for some MLB.

FatPitcher · Post by **FatPitcher** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 10:01 pm

I don't know if 989 would have this problem, but when we did the ESPN demo (the 2004 release), we basically had almost no development time before we had to submit the demo for approval and whatnot (plus the magazines had a huge lead time -- like 2 months). As a result, the demo ended up looking more like 2k3 than it did the final product. What a huge waste of time that was.

GTHobbes · Post by **GTHobbes** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 10:26 pm

I've got no concerns about this game after the last couple of years and the new Interview over at OS:

"Operation Sports: Will we ever see authentic batting styles of the legends in the game?

Eddy Cramm: In addition to all of the core game and current day animation additions, we have added close to 40 authentic batting styles for our Cooperstown legends."

Excellent! Can't wait for baseball season to start now that the Steelers' season is over.

GTHobbes · Post by **GTHobbes** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 10:26 pm

Whoops..here's the link:

http://features.operationsports.com/fea ... theshowint

GTHobbes · Post by **GTHobbes** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 10:30 pm

This sounds cool:

"Operation Sports: Do we have a variable ump when it comes to calling balls and strikes?

Eddy Cramm: Yes umpires have different calls, but not just for balls and strikes. As a part of our new “Situational Awareness” one thing that happens is the umpires will recognize the importance of his safe or out call and be more demonstrative on close plays, or more casual on routine calls. Our Situational Awareness takes into account different factors that influence how players, umpires and fans may react to a play and creates reactions that are appropriate. The purpose is to create an accurate sense of excitement. Realistically, a ground ball to the SS in a 5-0 game in the 3rd inning should not have the same feel as a ground ball to the SS in the 9th inning of a tie game with the bases loaded and 2 outs. For the first time, with Situational Awareness, you will feel the difference."

AJColossal · Post by **AJColossal** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 6:43 pm

FatPitcher wrote:I don't know if 989 would have this problem, but when we did the ESPN demo (the 2004 release), we basically had almost no development time before we had to submit the demo for approval and whatnot (plus the magazines had a huge lead time -- like 2 months). As a result, the demo ended up looking more like 2k3 than it did the final product. What a huge waste of time that was.

FatPitcher, that's funny you say that, bacause that demo convinced me to try the 2004 release, which I thought was a fantastic game.

I read the dev interview for MLB 06, and it all sounded very promising. Hopefully the demo I played was just an early build, and not to be scrutinized too much.