• Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.

MLB 15: The Show details and features, more on Feb 5

You know, I didn't realize that post had the entire fact sheet linked as well.


It's larger than the one in the OP.

[Year-to-Year Saves
(PS4, PS3, VITA)
Users who purchased MLB 14 The Show will be able to continue their Franchise and Road to the Show progress in MLB 15 The Show with the Year-to-Year Saves feature. Saves between the two releases will be forward-compatible, meaning you don’t have to worry about starting your Franchise or Road to The Show seasons over!



Gameplay Improvements
(PS4 & PS3 Only)

Advanced AI logic results in outfielders taking more realistic routes to the ball
Upgraded motion system allows for dynamic speed matching from run to catch to throw
User controlled cut offs
All new slide and tag system
New speed paradigm for fielders and base runners
Enhanced ball physics for pop ups, fly balls, and shots into the gap
Dynamic pitch breaks: Allows for more realistic pitch recognition when batting
Simplified Analog swing controls
Dynamic Difficulty 2.0
New situational base covering intelligence allows for new animations to play when a player has time or is in a hurry to get to his base.
More than 70 new situational third out fielding animations
New Input Type option for hitting
We’ve separated swing input as a separate option
Licensed Equipment
(PS4 & PS3 Only)
For the first time ever MLB The Show will include licensed equipment from some of the most recognizable brands in baseball. Earn as you play to enhance your RTTS or Diamond Dynasty players and partner with iconic brands by bringing sponsorships to your Franchise team! (Equipment on PS3 version is not seen during gameplay.)

Universal Rewards
(PS4 & PS3 Only)
In the last couple years we added the Universal Profile, which tracks your playstyle tendencies and passively rewards you with XP and Stubs while you play. This year, in addition to XP and Stubs, you will earn new Items usable throughout different game modes:

Virtual Baseball cards to be collected and easily assembled into a competitive Diamond Dynasty team
Licensed Bats, Gloves, Batting Gloves, and Cleats that enhance your Road to the Show or Diamond Dynasty player’s ability
Brand Sponsorships for your Franchise team that spice up your in-game interface and earn your team some extra income
Collect entire teams to unlock iconic MLB alumni players from each MLB team


Graphical Improvements
(PS4 Only)

Real-time seasonal sun and shadows
Player Skin tone realism. More variations of skin tones with gloss and specular improvements
Revamped Night lighting
More accurate and photorealistic rendering system
PS4 gets 10 more Minor League stadiums
Directional Hitting Interface
(PS3, PS4, VITA)
Featured for the first time in MLB 15 The Show is the new Directional Hitting interface, which allows you to influence the direction of your hits in real-time while you swing. Using the L-Stick, you can attempt to influence fly balls, ground balls, pushed hits, pulled hits, or any of those in combination. The most success will be had by swinging at pitches that are conducive to the hit direction you are aiming for. Outside pitches are better for hitting to the opposite field, while inside pitches are best for pulling. If no direction is pressed with the L-Stick, it’s just like using the old Timing Hitting interface. Like never before, Directional Hitting allows you to play into each hitter’s strengths and utilize the strategies of proper situational hitting.

Franchise Mode Refresh
(PS4, PS3, VITA)
With the addition of General Manager Contracts, you now have to consider Ownership Expectations when running your team, and your performance will determine the job offers that come your way. Building a championship-caliber team is more fun and dynamic than ever before, with the new Performance-based Player Progression, as well as much improved Trade and Contract logic. Partner up with Brand Sponsors, giving your broadcast elements an official sponsor and earn some extra dough to spend on your team.

Players and teams get Personality: Aesthetics and Emotion
(PS4 & PS3 Only)
Players on the field get improvements to show their individuality. (Necklaces, Tilted caps, etc..) Real-time situational/emotional AI scenes (dugouts, crowd, etc..) have also been added, and more Team and Player celebrations.

“Inside The Show” News Suite
(PS4, partial PS3)
Franchise, RTTS, and Season modes all feature a new suite of features centered on providing news updates from around the league. Inside The Show is a new radio broadcast that will be heard at the beginning of each new day and will discuss recent scores, notable performances, team news, milestones, records, standings, and more.

Diamond Dynasty Distilled
(PS4 & PS3 Only)
Diamond Dynasty is melted down to its core. Now driven by just a handful of systems, it is much more accessible and less daunting to manage. Driven heavily by a new collection based management system, everyone is building a Diamond Dynasty team just by playing any mode in MLB The Show.

New Slide Step System
(PS4 & PS3 Only)
Perform a slide step while pitching to combat pitchers with a slow delivery to the plate, or runners who consistently get great jumps. This “game within a game” creates a risk/reward factor when performing a slide step. The pitcher will now have less control and slightly less velocity when a slide step is executed, but will be quicker to the plate. As a runner, you now have to worry about your opponent using a slide step when you are attempting a steal.

Legends
(PS4, PS3, VITA)
We partnered with the MLB Player’s Alumni Association to make a total of 30 Legends playable in MLB 15 The Show. Collect an entire MLB team, and you’ll unlock an iconic alumni player from that team. There’s one from each team, and though you’ll have to find or unlock the card to slot them into your Dynasty squad, you can simply opt in to utilizing the whole pool of Legends in your Franchise mode
Presentation Improvements
(PS4)

Dynamic stat based presentations
Split screen functionality
Real-time situational/emotional AI scenes (dugouts, crowd, etc.)
All-new Jumbotron movies
More Team and Player celebrations


Play-by-Play, Commentary, and PA Improvements
(PS3 & PS4 Only)

Improved strike zone accuracy with new pitch locations for on-the-black calls and borderline balls & strikes
Improved hit call accuracy through new field zone locations and deeper parameter logic
Improved runner rounding base and runner scoring content for more exciting big-play calls
Improved deep fly ball logic that allows more diverse calls on potential home runs, and prevents the user from hearing calls that give away the play result before it occurs
Improved foul ball logic to allow for open-ended play-by-play on playable or nearly playable balls, prevents user from hearing calls that give away the result
New batter introductions and pitch result content for the new skip batter walkup system (speeds up gameplay, tightens play-by-play)
New system for handling safe result calls that includes proper acknowledgement of the runner’s slide type
New conversations with color commentary that remember and discuss the team’s recent record
New conversations with color commentary that highlight the impact of important double plays
New PA batter introductions and content for the new Home Run Derby format
New batter introductions that call out the three part stat line for Average, Home Runs, and RBI’s on the year
New create-a-player first and last names
New play by play and color commentary content for the manager challenge system
Over 1,700 new lines of play-by-play content
Over 1,400 new lines of color commentary
Instant Replay Challenge System
(PS4 & PS3 Only)
The MLB’s Instant Replay protocols are now in The Show. Certain plays give users an opportunity to challenge the outcome of a close play.

New Home Run Derby Format
(PS4, partial PS3)
Aligning Major League Baseball’s new Home Run Derby rules and progression

The Best Gets Better! MLB 15 The Show included 31 more enhancements, new features and improvements!

1. More than 90 new personal batting stances
2. More than 120 batting stance re-captures
3. More than 50 new personal pitching motions
4. More than 120 pitching motion re-captures
5. More than 45 new signature HR swings
6. More than 900 new presentation animations
7. More than 700 new gameplay animations
8. Editable Contracts (Franchise mode)
9. Player contract interest improved (based on MLB service time) (Franchise mode)
10. Player salary guide (Franchise mode)
11. GM History records (Franchise mode)
12. Trade Finder (Franchise mode)
13. Vastly improved trade logic (Franchise mode)
14. New crowd placement logic to reduce fans sitting in "cheap" seats
15. New Quick Shifts feature and revamped Defensive Positioning screen
16. Quick Counts balancing adjustments (I.E. less 3-2 counts, pitchers start with 1-1 counts, etc.)
17. Four new brands for Fielding Gloves. Each brand has three different styles.
18. Four new brands for Bats. Each brand has three different styles.
19. Four new brands for Batting Gloves. Three brands have three styles and one brand has two styles.
20. Three new brands for Cleats. Each brand has three different styles.
21. Updated shin guard, new “Without foot guard” option added.
22. Updated batting helmet with no flaps to pay homage to Old Time players. (PS4 Only)
23. New Necklace accessory with Thin or Thick as options. (PS4 Only)
24. Wrist tape has now been separated into left and right wrists with a new “Long” wrist tape option added.
25. New “Extra Wide” wristband AND armband option added. (PS4 Only)
26. New Base runner Wrist Guard accessory added. (PS4 Only)
27. New “Stirrup Low” Pant Style option added. (PS4 Only)
28. Japanese and slap-hitter swing types now selectable (PS4 Only)
29. Left analog stick bunting influence
30. Hours of new custom stadium and ambiance music (over 40 new tracks)
31. RTTS camera improvements after the ball is in play
 
I look forward to abusing instant replay.

I hope the umpires slowly trot to the dugout for replay and they don't let you skip the scene for accuracy.
 
It did get some new stuff at least. To be honest I'm surprised they are still even making a Vita version, considering SCE seems to have more or less abandoned Vita when it comes to first party stuff.

It's also only $20 and download only this year, so they're clearly pricing it for what it is, which is the most important thing. If you can't fit any more content into your game year over year, then start to price it like a roster update.

I believe it'll be sold at retail, but it's just a code in a box.

Source: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/mlb-15-the-show-ps-vita/2132024.p?id=1219526482153&skuId=2132024

2132024_sa.jpg;canvasHeight=500;canvasWidth=500
 
It's also only $20 and download only this year, so they're clearly pricing it for what it is, which is the most important thing. If you can't fit any more content into your game year over year, then start to price it like a roster update.

I believe it'll be sold at retail, but it's just a code in a box.

Aw damn, I like collecting my Vita carts :(

But it probably didn't sell enough to justify that.
 
Aw damn, I like collecting my Vita carts :(

But it probably didn't sell enough to justify that.

Yeah, I picked up MLB 14 on Vita for like $15 at a Best Buy last year in May or June. They definitely over-printed that one, so this is probably their way of dropping the production cost.

MLB is one that I don't mind having digitally, at least. Good to know that no matter what cart is in my Vita, I can always boot up some RTTS!

Also, the fact that Best Buy is carrying it physically, even if it's just a download code, means you can use GCU on it for the 20% off, which is nice. $16 MLB 15 for me!
 
How was the Vita version last year? I heard mixed reviews about it, but I remember seeing a bunch of people enjoying it in the thread last year. I don't have a PS3 or PS4 and haven't played a baseball game in about 15 years, I'm thinking about picking this up for the Vita.
 
How was the Vita version last year? I heard mixed reviews about it, but I remember seeing a bunch of people enjoying it in the thread last year. I don't have a PS3 or PS4 and haven't played a baseball game in about 15 years, I'm thinking about picking this up for the Vita.

For $20? Go for it.
 

BFIB

Member
How was the Vita version last year? I heard mixed reviews about it, but I remember seeing a bunch of people enjoying it in the thread last year. I don't have a PS3 or PS4 and haven't played a baseball game in about 15 years, I'm thinking about picking this up for the Vita.

Its worth $20 for sure. You don't get the "broadcast" presentation (at least you did not last year), and hardly any in game replays, etc., but its a solid game on the go.

RTTS on the Vita is like crack too.
 
How was the Vita version last year? I heard mixed reviews about it, but I remember seeing a bunch of people enjoying it in the thread last year. I don't have a PS3 or PS4 and haven't played a baseball game in about 15 years, I'm thinking about picking this up for the Vita.

I haven't played a Vita version in a couple years, but I had whatever the first iteration on Vita was and it was great. I can imagine it's only got better. Not quite the same as the console experience but still a great baseball game.
 

Plinko

Wildcard berths that can't beat teams without a winning record should have homefield advantage
I thought it was solid too but definitely rough and rushed in a few areas. The frame-rate on player close-ups was inconsistent, among other things like the quality of certain player models (especially the hair). The load times were also pretty awful still. It played great on virtue of the past games being so good, but they can definitely push it further.

The load times is what killed it for me. The framerate was definitely bad on closeups and I didn't think the graphics were that great in real-time. Hopefully the improvements this year take care of all of those.
 
For $20? Go for it.

Its worth $20 for sure. You don't get the "broadcast" presentation (at least you did not last year), and hardly any in game replays, etc., but its a solid game on the go.

RTTS on the Vita is like crack too.

I haven't played a Vita version in a couple years, but I had whatever the first iteration on Vita was and it was great. I can imagine it's only got better. Not quite the same as the console experience but still a great baseball game.

Great, sounds like exactly what I'm looking for! Thanks!
 
Top Bottom