ALSO, You forgot to add "PITCH GRIP" to your features list as well as an addditional 4k animations, Real Coaches and Managers.
Youve got questions
hopefully weve got answers. I am starting this thread to answer some of your questions regarding MLB 07:The Show. I dont know if I am allowed to put official in the title of this thread, so hopefully a moderator will correct me. I assume it takes a moderator to make it officially official.
Let me get things started by answering a few of the questions/comments I have seen on here in the last few weeks
.
Question: Why was the PS3 version of MLB 07 delayed?
Answer: Well, the simple answer is
.It was not ready. Yes, I know. Famous developer answer
but what can I say
that is the truth. The fact is, we made a decision early on in this years development cycle to NOT ignore our PS2 and PSP versions of the game. We put a lot of new features and game play improvements into the PS2 and PSP versions. Those new features have received a tremendous amount of praise, and we think we made the correct decision. This decision put us a little behind on PS3, but it also enabled us to polish some of those features for PS3. Some of the other reasons are touched on below.
Question: Is the PS3 hard to program for
is that the real reason for the delay?
Answer: Well, as an animator, I am not really qualified to answer this question, so I will drag in one of our programmers as a guest answerer (is that a word???)
Programmer answer: PS3 programming isn't necessarily any harder than programming for the PS2 or PSP. It's a new platform and with new platforms come a host of obstacles, not least of which is learning how the damn thing works . It's not hard, it just takes time. In addition to figuring out the hardware, there are a host of other things that need to be addressed. For example, as far as I'm aware, all the artwork in the game is new. There wasn't a whole lot that we could carry over from the PS2. In addition to all new artwork, all the tools had to go through a massive overhaul as well. In order to support new rendering techniques, new lighting models, new animation technologies, the PS2 tools just weren't going to cut it.
The PS2 version of the game has had 5 years worth of work added to it and it takes a huge amount of effort to boil down 5 years of work into a single development cycle.
Question: Is the PS3 version of MLB 07: The Show just a port of the PS2 game?
Answer: No. It is not just a port. From an art standpoint, Stadiums were rebuilt from scratch, the player model was re-built, and the OSD screens were re-done in High Definition. There are sections of animation that are completely PS3 specific
.new swing animations, new strikeouts, new base runner animations, new cut scenes, etc. From a code standpoint, the only portion of the code that was cross-platform was the AI, which was enhanced greatly for the PS3. You will see many new things in the PS3 version.
Question: Why bother shipping a baseball game after the start of the season?
Answer: Mainly because we refused to rush the game out the door. We want to deliver a solid, quality product each and every year.
Question: You guys are 1st Party
.Dont you get Development kits early and all kinds of special treatment.
Answer: No, we dont. Im not sure where this myth started, but we are treated like every other development house. Granted, we talk to other 1st party teams about things, but we are not 1st in line for anything.
Question: What resolutions do you support?
Answer: 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p.
Question: I love all the new whiz bang next-gen graphic effects, will I see these in MLB 07: The Show for PS3?
Answer: From cloth effects, to bump mapping, to subtle lighting effects, you will see many next-gen effects in PS3. Like every developer, we have a choice to make. Graphical effects or frame rate? The battle between these two is especially pronounced on a 1st generation next-gen game. As we harness the power of the PS3, you will see more and more from us on the graphics front.
Question: Do you guys really read Operation Sports? Do you really care what we think??
Answer: Yes and Yes. Although Kolbe and I have the most visual presence on this board, most members of our dev team read it.
Question: Arent you guys just here to hype the game?
Answer: No, I we aren't. I am here to answer questions. I think I once said The game will be worth the wait
in reference to one of our releases a couple of years ago. Apparently, it wasnt for 1 or 2 people, and I got accused of over-hyping the game. What can ya do?
Question: Are personalized follow-thrus in the game this year?
Answer: Not this year. We have added to the number of personalized pitch styles and batting stances, but individual follow thrus will not make it in. Im sure I said this last year, but this has moved to the top of my priority list.
Note: That sound you just heard was ericjwm screaming in disgust. Sorry eric, I feel your pain.
Questions: Some times I notice the ball going thru the ShortStop, or the bat floating when the scene changes to a cutscene. Dont you guys see this stuff? Why dont you fix it?
Answer: Yes, we see it. The fact is, we do a lot of streaming of data to support many of the cool cutscenes, animations and audio that we have in the game. These visual anomalies are just a by-product of the streaming. They are more pronounced on some PS2 systems than others and they do not effect gameplay in the least, therefore they often fall to the bottom of the fix list each year. Many times things like this are much harder to fix than you would think, it may take an entire re-write of an area of code.
Question: Dont we deserve a perfect game every year? We pay a lot for these games.
Answer: Yes you do
and like I said in a previous answer, we strive every year to deliver a perfect game.
Question: Why dont you answer every question posted?
Answer: We answer what we can. We are afforded some great leeway to even be in here posting at all. We try and read every post. We are kept pretty busy, developing MLB for 3 platforms. When a thread turns into an argument, we tune out and move on.
Question: Why isnt Player X in the game?
Answer: I posted a response to this question in the Online Forum here at OS.
Question: Game X had feature Y back in 19XX
. Why doesnt the MLB series have feature Y?
Answer: Good question. I guess if we had unlimited resources and unlimited time, every feature anyone could ever think of would make it into the game. Every year, we add many new features to the game
, unfortunately, every year, we must leave a few features out as well. Also, for every feature Game X may have that we do not, I am sure we have a feature (or two..or three) that they do not have.
Originally Posted by jim416
Still have control of all teams so that rosters can be kept current.
MOM still in the game?
Yes and Yes.
Quote:
Originally Posted by green94
Hi Chris... really cool of you to come on and answer some questions. Game really looks great, can't wait to see more videos and play the game.
Quick question: Will we see authentic stadium specific HR celebrations (IE. Fireworks at Comiskey, Apple at Shea, Train at Minute Maid)? Playing the PS2 version I noticed that, at Comiskey for instance, they pan up to the scoreboard but nothing happens after that. I think this is one area that your competition does a very poor job of resembling. On the same note, do fans react appropriately to HR's, game winning hits, etc, etc....
Thanks again for answering questions...
BTW, I refuse to call the new Comiskey by its new name.
HR animations did not make it in. Basically, we didnt get animating objects in the PS3 this year
As for crowd reactions, yes, they react as you'd expect for hits, HR's etc. The "reaching into the field" thing was from a VERY old marketing list, which they never seem to run past us again before they toss it up somewhere... So no that isnt happening.
-Kolbe
Originally Posted by GTheorenHobbes
Chris, everything sounds great...can't wait. I loved how you nailed the practice swings in this year's PS2 game. Are they the same with PS3 (I hope so).
Also, any new fielding camera angles in PS3, or still just low, medium and high?
Any idea if Stan the Man Musial is in the game?
30 or 60 fps?
Did user names make it in with the announcer? Many thanks! You guys are awesome.
I *believe* practice swings are basically the same. Chris is the animator, I'm just a lowly Production/Design guy.
No new fielding cameras.
Uh... Stan didn't make it...
Read Chris' OG post - he spells out the frame rate.
User names made it in for those who responded (and responded correctly) roughly 70% of you did so.
-Kolbe
Originally Posted by Marinerss
Are there more Accercories to put on the players? like more armbands?differnt shoes? nike, addias, easton? more glove colors? necklace/chains? sun glasses?hoodies?tape around the wrists?more bats? maple? ash?
is franchise mode the same as the ps2 version?
thank you for answering my questions.
No more accessories. We really wanted to add many (if not all) of the things you've listed there, but ran out of time. Hopefully we can work quite a bit of the original design items into next year's game.
It's basically the same. We improved some logic, improved trades (well... hard to not improve on broken, but they're better than they *would* have been had they worked) - we made some tweaks to stamina, and durability - just trying to get things closer to what we want to see.
-Kolbe
Originally Posted by backbreaker
Fault me, I love gimmicky things as long as they add to gameplay in a natural way. That being said, What kind of SixAxiS controls could we expect if any and if so are the optional?
I've noticed in a lot of the Sony 1st party titles, i.e. Resistance, F1, and Motorstorm they have dedicated servers for online play, will Sony give you guys some of that love, in addittion to that question will their be in-game invites from the "XMB" on the PS3.
Sorry for being greedy with my questions.
We have some SIXAXIS fielding controls, nothing with batting, and nothing with pitching.
We do have our own servers which we run and maintain internally. In game invites from the XMB... I'm not sure what you mean exactly. What I do know is, we are NP integrated. So you will be able to see when folks on your friends list log on and off line - Also, while in game, even if you're goofing off in RTTS mode, if you're connected to the NP server, you will be able to get buddy chat, game challenges, and look at online profiles.
-Kolbe
Originally Posted by SoxChamp
Are CPU AI issues finally going to be fixed for MOM? Examples: two years ago, the CPU made no pitcher substitutions whatsoever. Last year, the CPU never stole bases. Ever. This year (PS2), the CPU never pinch hits for the pitcher. These are simple baseball things, yet terrible game killing bugs for us MOM folks, and you guys seem to botch this mode every single year and make it damn near unplayable.
So am I finally in luck?
We totally ruined some other part of MoM - Just for you!
In all honesty, we don't just waive those bugs, if they're found, they're fixed. WE hate gameplay bugs just as much as you guys. Its not that we don't care, or that we don't make MoM a priority, its just that we rely A_LOT on the testers, and if they happen to miss a bug, we don't get a chance to fix it. This isn't to say the testers don't do a fantastic job, they're getting new builds from us at a very rapid pace, and we expect them to go through the entire game EVERY time... Its a very tall order.
-Kolbe
Originally Posted by Stormyhog
Will minor league teams be playable in exhibition mode or are they only playable in franchise mode? Is their an in game save option? Will their be weather such as rain?
Yes, you can play minor league teams in exhibition. No ingame saves, and no rain (wind tho...)
With that, I'm out for the night. So tired
-Kolbe
Originally Posted by Knight165
One last thing Kolbe.
Any chance we will eventually get to either get AAA and AA(and maybe A) generated BEFORE we start a franchise, so that we could edit them and make a "base roster" set that anyone could use to start a franchise with any team they choose OR...the ability to change control of a team in franchise from CPU to USER and vice versa?
That would be HUGE!
M.K.
Knight165
Yes - you can pre-fix your rosters. I GRANT THEE ONE MORE WISH! (For next year)
-Kolbe
Let me start this off with a quick "heads up"
I'm going to be as honest as I can be with you guys... I'm also at home, and I dont intend to go anywhere near work for the next 4 weeks - so if I dont know off hand, or have any way to easily find out without getting off the couch, you'll have to wait for the game to ship for the answer.
Please try not to "discuss" the answers in here... You can send me PM's or post on the board, but reading hundreds of pages sifting out remarks is really not on the top of my "fun" list.
Lastly, Please realize that I dont have all the answers. I am also human, I will miss questions, responses, forget things folks have asked for... so please, be nice my ego is very soft and pudgy
Quote:
How many minor league/spring training stadiums are there?
5/5 (All new)
Quote:
Will we have a choice of Stadiums including "Classic Stadiums?
No Old time stadiums this year.
Quote:
If so will these Stadiums be included in Franchise and Season modes?
Yes (to the Spring/Minor League)
Quote:
Are "STIRRUP SOCKS" offered in the sock selection this year?
Yes (well.. High socks are - I dont have the game in front of me (I'm home!!!))
Quote:
When you talk about batting stances and pitching deliveries will we see the same amount as the PS2 Version?
More - I cant go into detail here - perhaps Chris will pop in?
Quote:
Also what about teams with retractable roofs?
What about them? At any rate, no, we did not get animating retractable roofs in. In fact, no animation in the stadiums at all
Quote:
can you tell us whether we'll be able to connect our psp to the PS3 and "take our games on the road" with us via the PSP?
No, however its definitely something we really want to do for next year. It's currently on the short list.
Quote:
Fantasy Draft still in the game?
Yes
Quote:
Any chance we'll get selectable throwback/alternate unis any time soon
Not selectable in Season/Franchise... But if its really important we can potentially look into it for next year.
Quote:
Did the throwing meter get refined for the ps3 version? It seemed to have a mind of its own no matter how hard you pressed the button.
It's a bit better for PS3 (I found it totally unusable on the PS2). I honestly dont like it anyway - Not my area of the game but I do hope it gets some attention next year.
Quote:
Can you check your swing when using the power swing button because as of now you can't
I do not know - I'll check on May 15th when I get the game
Quote:
Did pitcher confidence get adjusted? Is there an option to turn it off totally as opposed to being able to only turn off individual pitch confidence
No option to turn it off... and yes, there were some small tweaks made. Not sure exactly what tho.
Quote:
There seem to be no hit by pitches this year. Has this been addressed at all?
I'm fairly sure you can get hit/hit batters... I think I accidentally hit a batter as a CP in RTTS. (Maybe I was dreaming?!)
Quote:
Is there an option to have manual sliding without the cpu's help? They slide at the wrong time when sliding is set to assisted.
This is a bit better on the PS3 - however, it's an area that needs some attention.
Quote:
Will you update the rosters as we go along and will you update the game if we find bugs in it?
We will absolutely update rosters. As for bugs I do not know. I know we've talked about it at length, but do not know the outcome of the discussions.
Quote:
Will we be able to select uniforms before the game in franchise/season mode?
I feel like I've answered this already?!
Quote:
When controlling all teams rosters, if you do a call up/send down the AI will mess up all the vs.lhp/vs.rhp/dh/no dh lineups. Has that been fixed for the PS3 version. If not you have to sit and redo all the batting orders after you do that teams roster moves.
ACK - I dont know without checking.
Quote:
Will it be possible for us to import our own music into the game for batter walk-ups
No.
Quote:
It has been confirmed. CPU roster control is bugged. Injuries occur even with it on. Have you fixed this for the PS3 version?
I'd have to check... We've fixed over 4000 bugs just on the PS3 - I dont remember even 10% of them.
Quote:
will fans try and catch homeruns/foul balls like in 2K7?
No - we didnt get that part of the crowd AI in before we shipped. A definite must for next year (along with tons of other stuff)
Quote:
Is there going to be a tournament or playoff mode in this game?
Yes to online leagues - no to offline tourney/playoff.
Ok, will hit the next block some time tomorrow if I remember
-Kolbe
Quote:
Will there be any type of eye-toy functionality on the ps3 version?
Nope. We didnt get any information on the PLAYSTATION Eye in time, and to be honest, if we had, there's very little chance we'd of had time to put it in.
Quote:
I would like to ask the developers if they know whether or not we might get a playable demo on the PSN prior to the game's release?... If so, can you confirm (or hint at) any exact dates as to when the demo and/or the game itself will be available?
We did not do a demo. The team was beyond burnt out and really needed to go. Existence > Demo
Quote:
With the recently released Official trailers, does the finish product improve graphically or are the trailers a fair representation of the final product ?
We improved it up until 2 days before shipping. I know everyone here has a differing opinion about the visuals in MLB The Show - and you're all entitled to it. I honestly prefer the look of our game to the look of our competition. There are areas where we're not as polished, or fancy as we'd have liked to be, but the overall look of the game is great. One of our main goals was to achieve a fantastic visual while keeping the game at 60hz - Something 2k doesnt do.
There's been quite a bit of speculation that "we just used higher res textures" and I can assure you... those comments are dead wrong. The only real "art" that was not altered from the PS2 was the player skeleton (the "bones" that the animators use) - the rest of it was built from scratch. Every stadium, every player model, every head... Very little was reused.
Quote:
Does the game have dynamic lighting ?
That's a tricky question. I can answer it both yes and no and be correct. Yes, we have dynamic lighting... The players self shadow, the objects self shadow... But no, we do not start a 4PM game and end it at dusk.
Quote:
Can you explain the starter and relief sliders and how they tie into the overall pitcher fatigue slider, are we increasing stamina or increasing fatigue?
Off the top of my head, I want to say you're increasing fatigue.
Quote:
Is the slider set the same for the ps3?
There are a few new ones, but they're all related to video and screen items.
Quote:
I'm wondering about the future possibility of including a create-a-team option with the ability to build a custom stadium and maybe even relocate a team ?
I would love to do that - its a HUGE undertaking and not one that we're planning for next year.
Quote:
Do the Reds have their all red helmets? they are not using the red helmets with black bills anymore.
I'd have to check... We use exactly whats on the MLB style guide website. The MLB dictates all of that.
Quote:
When was the roster cutoff date for PS3?
Uhh... April 15-18th (ish) dont quote me on that
Quote:
Will the All-Star game change every year in where its held?
yes
Quote:
Is the Eye-Toy going to be offered this year? If so has the over sized head problem been addressed ?
No eye toy (see above) and yes, the heads are fixed (create player is totally different)
Quote:
My only question so far is do you know how new or old the recent vids are from?
..... are they from the most updated beta or is it from older ?
I dont know when they were made... I have nothing to do with it.
Quote:
One thing I'd like to know is, have any of the personalized HR celebrations & batting rituals been redone/updated for the PS3 version?...... or have any extra ones been added that weren't in the PS2 game?
I'd guess quite a few were added/fixed - but I dont know for sure. I do know that the PS3 has something like 4k more animations than the PS2 does. This is definitely something for Chris to answer.
Quote:
What kind of things to you and SCEA envision being able to do with The Show on PS3 that really excites you?
I cant really say... But there are a quite a few items that we're really pumped about for next year, as well as a few 2 year plans that I just cant wait for.
Quote:
Will there be active bullpens?
Yes. (I think)
Quote:
Will their ever come a time, giving the capacity of the disc space you guys have to work with,
1. When a guy pulls up lame trying to run to one of the bases, he reaches back to grab his hamstring ?
2. Twist his ankle stepping on the base the wrong way and it rolls over ?
1. Yes
2. Yes
Quote:
No home run animations?
Does this mean no INDIVIDUAL HR animations? (Carlos Lee, Sammy Sosa etc?) OR... specific stadium HR animations? (apple @ Shea, Bernie Brewer etc?)
This means no stadium animations.
Quote:
What about specific stadium sound? (trains in Sea? Fog horn in SF etc?)
Yes, tons of stadium specific sound.
Quote:
How Often does "player morale" ratings change?
Daily - but they dont go up or down in 1 point intervals. So you may not see a change for weeks.
Quote:
Will there be a time when you go to numeric values for attributes instead of the current sliders?
Not likely, but I wont flat out say NO. This is not a limitation, but something that *we* prefer. Something about seeing a player rated as a 98 vs. some guy who's a 95 - there's very little difference. Our thought is that, if you dont have access to absolutes, you will be focusing on the whole player, not just his overall rating.
-Kolbe
Chris
Well, that should get us started. As I usually do, I will leave all of the hard questions for Kolbe to answer. I'm sure he is still around here somewhere....
