OS Beta Impressions Q&A

[LetsGoOakland]

http://previews.operationsports.com/previe...ame=mvp2005xbox

Beta First Impression Q&A

We have had a beta version of MVP Baseball 2005 for a few days now. To keep things more organized, here is a small Q&A session we have put together from our Forum members.

pstrickert: Is there any kind of on-field Manager Only mode?

Operation Sports: Under game modes, there is a manage only mode. It looks to be the same as last year. You can't run a dynasty or anything with it. It's just a single game type deal, from what I can tell.

dales: Does the game run smoother than last year (i.e. no stuttering)?

Operation Sports: Yes, it DEFINITELY runs a lot smoother, but every now and then, depending on the camera view I choose, you can see some stuttering. 720p is impressive, but again, there's some stuttering in certain camera views. Not much, but it's there.

Ramminyou: Hitter's Eye: how is it? Is it a welcomed addition, or does it make hitting too easy?

Operation Sports: Nice screen name there, buddy. As for Hitter's Eye, I think it's pretty damn cool. I've never played baseball, but a lot of my friends say you can tell what a pitcher is pitching before he pitches it, while you are at bat, just by the way he holds the ball before release. In MVP 05, you can tell when the fastball is coming, as the ball stays white. You'll see it turn red for a breaking ball, green for off speed, purple for a sinker and orange for a knuckler. Even if you know what pitch is coming, you still have to have the hand eye coordination to actually hit it. I really like it.

deeman11747: We've been hearing about the "most advanced pick-off control system ever." What makes the pick-offs this year so special.

Operation Sports: Well, there is a normal pick off throw, where you hold the "R" trigger and select B, Y, or X for the base you want to throw to or you can hold the "L" trigger and select B, Y or X and attempt a quick pickoff attempt. Using the quick pickoff is risky though, because if you throw it at full strength, you run the risk of throwing it off target. Of course, you can get a pickoff as well, with a good throw, so it's a risk/reward type deal.

ndeezlo: How's the pitching meter, and what level you playing on?

Operation Sports: I'm playing on All-Star level and the pitching meter is the same as last year. If you didn't play last year, basically you hold the button for the pitch to get the bar moving, then release it and hit the button again in the "Green Zone" for accuracy. Hope that makes sense.

EmpireWF: Does the CPU actually use some strategy ingame? Meaning...hit and runs, steals, etc.

Operation Sports: Well, so far I've seen the AI walk Barry Bonds twice w/ nobody on. I've seen 1 hit and run, I've seen steals, I've also seen the bullpen warm up at realistic times.

ajaveri2: Have you played with the create-a-stadium feature at all? How is it?

Operation Sports: Well, it looks like you can only play w/ create a stadium in Owner Mode. I'll grab some screenshots tonight and post them for tomorrow.

Gagnon39: Are there any blown calls that benefit the user? Or are all the blown calls only against the user?

Operation Sports: So far, I've seen a mix of both, mostly going against me, however.

tabarnes19: Will we be able to look at players and see what teams they played on and what year? I know we will supposedly have individual season stat tracking, but I wonder how easily it will be abtainable? Looking through the screen shots I see no place new on the menus for this. Hopefully Steve can answer this, it will be nice to see how players have progressed and what teams they have played for etc.

Operation Sports: Yes, you can see that. I'll post a screenshot or 2 tomorrow.

Urban Gator: Can you select to control more than one team (i.e., select all of the teams like you could in the High Heat series), so that you can set the rosters, lineups and rotations for all of the teams and have the computer use those rosters, lineups and rotations when it simulates games played during a season?

Operation Sports: Nope, you can only select one team.

Diablo25: My question has to do with walks and pitch counts. The screens you posted the other day showed some new sliders that MAY affect pitcher control, etc. (CPU Pitch Ball Rate, Pitch Meter Difficulty, etc.) Have you seen many walks yet? Last year they were darn near nonexistent and pitch counts were way too low. Thanks.

Operation Sports: Oh yeah!! Sliders work this year. I've slapped the ball slider all the way up, just to test the sliders and while it's not an automatic walk, it's very noticable the pitcher has less control. I don't think we'll have much trouble finding the right sliders to get the realism there, since the sliders DO WORK!! Give the slider guys a few days and we'll be loving life.

nemesis04: After you finish a game, how are the end game boxscores? Do they give us more info or is it set up the same way as last year?

Operation Sports: They look the same as last year, if memory serves me right.

poster: Is it harder to hit homers this year with good players, like Bonds, A Rod etc. Last year it was too easy.

Operation Sports: It's not easy for me, but w/ all the sliders this year, it shouldn't be a problem for anyone to find the right mix.

dust247: Do the announcers say anything new? Do they pretty much say the same stuff as last year is what I am asking.

Operation Sports: I hear a little bit of both new and old stuff. But honestly, I haven't been paying much attention to that detail.

marshall11: Do they announce a player of the game this year? I know it is a minor detail, but I'm curious.

Operation Sports: Nope, I haven't seen or heard it.

hoser: There are a few new sliders in the game this year that are related to human controlled pitching and batting. If you changes these sliders does it significantly affect the user controlled pitching & batting results (i.e. the pitch meter difficulty, # of human foul balls, etc)?

Similarly, there's a couple new cpu related pitching and hitting sliders. Does adjusting these significantly change how the CPU pitches & hits (i.e. more balls, more foul balls, walks, etc).

Thanks.

Operation Sports: I just played w/ the sliders for human and while I did see some differences in foul balls and pitching control, it wasn't that much of a difference. It's hard to say how well the slider works for the user, but I have seen it work considerably well w/ the AI.

olyrunner: Is there Spring Training before your first dynasty/owner season?

Operation Sports: Nope. Just like last year, you have spring training after year 1.

Product Description

Level the playing field with the EA SPORTS™ Hitter’s Eye in MVP Baseball™ 2005. With unprecedented control of your at-bat, the ability to move in the batter’s box and the power to read the pitch, master the art of hitting and own the plate with an unprecedented offensive toolbox. Along with an enhanced Dynasty Mode™, you can take complete control of the team with the all-new Owner Mode. Make key financial decisions off the field, dictate ticket and concession prices and much more. On the field, make your run for the pennant beginning in a fully featured Spring Training Mode where you can try out your up and coming stars in a series of exhibition games. With all-new unlockable legends, classic stadiums, uniforms and head-to-head online play*, MVP Baseball 2005 is the most fun, polished, innovative, and authentic baseball simulation ever created.

Key Features

* EA SPORTS™ Hitter’s Eye: An all-new visual indicator allows the hitter to pick up the pitch the moment it leaves the pitcher’s hand. Admire a sweet swing or learn from your mistakes with an all-new enhanced EA SPORTS Hitter’s Eye Replay where you can detail, analyzes, and attain feedback on your last swing.

* Own the Plate: Change your position in the box to adjust to where the pitcher is working you, or keep the defense honest with a bunt for a hit.

* Precision Pitching: Paint the corners or send a message with the new Precision Pitch Meter, or catch runners napping with unparalleled pickoff control.

* Enhanced Big Play Control: Make an underhand toss to the pitcher as he sprints to cover first, slide around a tag at home, and make user-controlled stretches and dives. While leading off base, exercise your reflexes by beating pickoff throws with the all-new manual leadoff control.

* Build an Empire: Control every aspect of your organization in all-new Owner Mode. Create your line-up based on player progression during Spring Training, or help build player attributes by competing in a variety of mini-games.

* All-New Create Ballpark: In Owner Mode, build a pitcher’s paradise or a hitter’s dream. Will you spend your earnings to upgrade your ballpark or to sign that key free agent who could bring you a championship?

* Expanded Minor Leagues: Advanced Single A squads and additional stadiums have been added to round out the list of teams available in the minor league system.

* EA SPORTS Online*: Available for the PlayStation®2 console, PC and now on Xbox Live™, users can run the bases against the best online players – anytime, anywhere. With new quick tournaments and alerts for important EA SPORTS online events, see if you can earn badges and trophies to help jump levels in your online career.

* INTERNET CONNECTION required for online play. See product pack for details.

[cb]

And everyone claiming to have the game said there was ST before the season. LOL.

[LetsGoOakland]

Yeah, I am way bummed about that. I was looking forward to spring training before year one, like it should be.

[olyrunner]

I'm still going to buy the game, and I'm still going to really enjoy the game, but this doesn't make a lot of sense to me (and sort of bugs me):

Operation Sports: What mini-games are there going to be and will they play a role in your dynasty like in Madden?

Ben Brinkman: There are two different mini games. When we built the mini games we had three things in mind: teach people how to hit and pitch, have a fun stand alone mini game and have them affect player progression. Both the batting and pitching mini games meet these goals

olyrunner: Is there Spring Training before your first dynasty/owner season?

Operation Sports: Nope. Just like last year, you have spring training after year 1.

So how is having Spring Training and these effective mini games AFTER we've already played 162 games going to help? Like I said, I'm still going to enjoy this game, but sometimes I wonder what these people were thinking....(or weren't thinking). Oh well. :?

[LetsGoOakland]

Definitely needed ST before but oh well, it happens. It's not a "game killer" like some of these other radicals in here.

I thought it was advertised as ST first then year one but I may have misread it.

[cb]

When they say after Season 1, they mean in the season 2 preseason. After player progression.

[RonBurgundy]

Uh, EA always finds a way to **** me off.

Is it REALLY that hard for them to make Spring Training available BEFORE the first Season?...