MLB games to begin their ad push
by 
Ads for MLB 2K8 and MLB 08: The Show will begin airing this Friday. Adweek has a look at what they’ll be focusing on and the goals behind them. There are also giveaways for each game that are detailed. You can read the full article here.
2K8’s campain will go for making the sport (and subsequently the game) seem energetic and exciting. A Jose Reyes bobblehead will be available to those who pick up the game on release day through a mail-in rebate form.
“I wanna,” with narration by comedian and actor Dennis Leary, mixes clips of live baseball play with video game footage.
“Our previous campaigns were feature driven and about video game play footage. This one is about the love of the sport, the passion of baseball as well as great video game play.”
“Baseball is traditionally a little slower than hockey or basketball. The idea was to make it fun and energize it,”
The Show will concentrate on the Road to the Show mode through cover athlete Ryan Howard. As has been done in previous years a New Era hat will be given away. A card will be included in the PS3 version of the game that can be sent in for the team hat that is chosen.
“The theme of the spots is staying true to the game. Howard talks about being a kid and dreaming of being a Major League player while hitting rocks over the fence,”
For online, three different sets of banners show Howard, a baseball card creator that is part of the game and game play.
“We’re taking a very inside sports approach to the whole thing,” said Mack. It’s all stayed relatively true to the game as well as our athlete as far as talking about their past experiences in making it to the show,”
February 28, 2008 at 12:04 am
This is a comment
February 28, 2008 at 12:08 am
can i comment
February 28, 2008 at 12:10 am
I never could comment b4 on my PS3, this is amazing. anyway is it official now that The Show will come out next week
February 28, 2008 at 12:44 am
I just freakin got the ps3 and just been playin the freakin demo of the show…
man man man is the game good.
February 28, 2008 at 3:34 am
Hey pasta how is the LOST game, I love the show but not sure about this game…what you think about it??
February 28, 2008 at 6:04 am
[quote comment="14391"]Hey pasta how is the LOST game, I love the show but not sure about this game…what you think about it??[/quote]
Its decent, it isn’t anything extraordinary but as a fan of the show its kinda cool. I really like the music probably the most of it all. The voice acting has its ups and downs (only Ben and Desmond are voiced by the show’s actors). From what I’ve played so far I’d say its worth a rent at least if you’re a fan of the show.
February 28, 2008 at 6:17 am
[quote comment="14371"]I just freakin got the ps3 and just been playin the freakin demo of the show…
man man man is the game good.[/quote]
Feels like a big relief to have that choice right? Thats how I’ve felt ever since I picked up a PS3. The Show is one of the few sports titles I’ll play on it (in most cases multiplatform I’ll likely go 360) but it still feels well worth it.
February 28, 2008 at 6:20 am
Good news in that SCEA is sending me out a copy of the game and I’ve been told to expect it by tomorrow. Whether it arrives today or tomorrow my coverage would begin tomorrow afternoon and run strong all the way through release with videos and road to the show updates. I’ll leave an update as soon as I get it in my hands.
February 28, 2008 at 6:51 am
Pasta, do you know if they’ve tweaked fielding animations as compared to the demo? I seem to have a problem getting the guy to turn the double-play quickly even if I preload the throw….. sometimes the guy will lob it to 2nd base or 1st base and not even come close to an out…. other times the 3rd baseman or shortstop will take their time getting the force at 2nd and the guy will beat the throw easily…..
February 28, 2008 at 7:08 am
[quote comment="14404"]Pasta, do you know if they’ve tweaked fielding animations as compared to the demo? I seem to have a problem getting the guy to turn the double-play quickly even if I preload the throw….. sometimes the guy will lob it to 2nd base or 1st base and not even come close to an out…. other times the 3rd baseman or shortstop will take their time getting the force at 2nd and the guy will beat the throw easily…..[/quote]
I can’t speak to specifics but the demo build will have been at least 2-3 weeks behind in what they were finishing up so the potential is there that some minor improvements will have been made. The preloading thing is something I’ll look for with the final copy once I get some time playing with it.
February 28, 2008 at 8:11 am
Hey Pasta,
As of right now, I only own the 360, but The Show is really tempting me to get a PS3. I am wondering if overall, you are happy with the PS3? Are there any features on the PS3 that you really like, compared to the 360?
I really like everything about the 360, especially the controller and xbox live and in the future if titles come out for both, I can see myself sticking with the 360 version, when given the option. My only worry is that the PS3 would play the occasional Sony-exclusive title and a few blu-rays and eventually end up collecting dust. I’m just trying to decide if the PS3 would be a wise purchase before I drop the $400-$500.
Any insight?
Thanks…
February 28, 2008 at 8:24 am
[quote comment="14410"]Hey Pasta,
As of right now, I only own the 360, but The Show is really tempting me to get a PS3. I am wondering if overall, you are happy with the PS3? Are there any features on the PS3 that you really like, compared to the 360?
I really like everything about the 360, especially the controller and xbox live and in the future if titles come out for both, I can see myself sticking with the 360 version, when given the option. My only worry is that the PS3 would play the occasional Sony-exclusive title and a few blu-rays and eventually end up collecting dust. I’m just trying to decide if the PS3 would be a wise purchase before I drop the $400-$500.
Any insight?
Thanks…[/quote]
Well for me its mainly about The Show and Blu-ray. Most of the games I play are multi-platform and I’ll end up going 360 on those. Home for the PS3 might end up being interesting too. It just depends on the value for you and I wouldn’t want to say one way or the other on what would be best for you.
February 28, 2008 at 8:37 am
[quote comment="14410"]Hey Pasta,
As of right now, I only own the 360, but The Show is really tempting me to get a PS3. I am wondering if overall, you are happy with the PS3? Are there any features on the PS3 that you really like, compared to the 360?
I really like everything about the 360, especially the controller and xbox live and in the future if titles come out for both, I can see myself sticking with the 360 version, when given the option. My only worry is that the PS3 would play the occasional Sony-exclusive title and a few blu-rays and eventually end up collecting dust. I’m just trying to decide if the PS3 would be a wise purchase before I drop the $400-$500.
Any insight?
Thanks…[/quote]
I would wait to see if MLB 2K8 plays a good game of baseball or not….. if you are disappointed with 2K8, and you love baseball, I would defintely get a PS3….
I too was in the same predicament, and ultimately decided to sell my 360 (which I loved) and get a PS3…. I am mainly a sports gamer so I don’t see much difference between the systems…..plus the decision to do away with HD-DVD made it much easier to purchase the PS3…..
February 28, 2008 at 8:49 am
Pasta, will MLB 2K8 be available on Monday at EB games or gamestop? Their site says ships on Monday (3/3) but The Show says their game ships Tues (3/4) and will be available on Tues….
February 28, 2008 at 9:34 am
[quote comment="14397"][quote comment="14371"]I just freakin got the ps3 and just been playin the freakin demo of the show…
man man man is the game good.[/quote]
Feels like a big relief to have that choice right? Thats how I’ve felt ever since I picked up a PS3. The Show is one of the few sports titles I’ll play on it (in most cases multiplatform I’ll likely go 360) but it still feels well worth it.[/quote]
No it seriously is. the amount of texture work gone into the game is what sets this game apart from MLB 2k8. the games is justa joy to watch and it plays a good game of babseball just like last year. Right now i’m mopre amazed by the games polish than anything else. it’s avery professionally made game can’t say the same for mlb 2k8 at all. that game l;ooks to have been an example of bad comprimises and poor programming
February 28, 2008 at 10:34 am
I find for myself that if I press the button 4 the base I want to throw to as soon as I touch the ball he throws it quicker
February 28, 2008 at 10:53 am
I have recently switched to the PS3, pretty much soley because of The Show- but in reading some of the limited info on 2k8 they sated that in franchise mode you could see the top 100 prospects as well as the list of player due for free agency in this years edition. I have never played the Show before, has this been an option before and if not is it an option in this years game. Seems like a key component to add depth to a franchise mode?
February 28, 2008 at 11:00 am
I bet Sony never thought that The Show could be a system seller? I think this speaks volumes about how important good sports games are to a console….
February 28, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Hey,
Thanks for the responses everyone. I’m definitely tempted to go out and buy a PS3 as soon as today. Not having a demo for 2k8 on 360 yet really sucks. I almost want to buy the PS3 just to play the demo of The Show (based off of all the hype its getting in the online communities). But I am forcing myself to wait. Seriously looking forward to the new content this weekend, Pasta. Once I get a better feel for how the full version plays I’ll base my PS3 purchase decision off of that.
About 2K8, I am really concerned about a few things. Vetsballin(sp)? posted footage of a full 9 inning game of 2K8 with the Rockies v. Red Sox, and I’m getting concerned about this latest installment.
-commentary sounds identical to last year and at times, not in-sync with the action on the field.
-a few weird glitches
A homerun goes into the upper deck of Fenway Park and then you see it fall behind the green monster (if that makes sense).
Home-run robbing issues MAY still be present-I hated in 2K7 how the comp could always rob you, but it was nearly impossible to rob the comp. And how many home run robbing catches do you see in a year of “real” baseball? A handful? Definitely not multiples in a single game.
Most of the runs scored in the game came off of home runs.
A weird glitch in the outfield where the CF and the LF are closing in on a fly and they run into eachother (with no collision animation) and the ball falls right in between them.
All-in-all the game just doesn’t seem fresh. Not to say its terrible, but it reminds me too much of last year. If I bought it, with the exception of the pitching mechanics (which look fantastic), I have a feeling that I wouldn’t notice much difference from 2K7. Maybe I’m just looking forward to a new baseball experience.
Here’s the link to that game. Apologies if it has been posted before…
http://www.vetzballin.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=92&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0
February 28, 2008 at 3:06 pm
wait so pasta u are getting the show today or tommarow iif so can u get some gameplay of them mets
February 28, 2008 at 4:54 pm
[quote comment="14450"]wait so pasta u are getting the show today or tommarow iif so can u get some gameplay of them mets[/quote]
as soon as I have the game in hand (from what I’ve been told either today or tomorrow) I’ll get a post up and from there people can make requests for screenshots and videos. I won’t be able to guarantee I get to everyone’s but I’ll take from the pool of suggestions.
February 28, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Pasta,
Is Gamecrazy really the only retailer selling MLB 08 tomorrow? That doesn’t make much sense. You would think that other retailers would be selling it tomorrow as well for extra money from an early release and to create competition.
February 28, 2008 at 6:10 pm
[quote comment="14459"]Pasta,
Is Gamecrazy really the only retailer selling MLB 08 tomorrow? That doesn’t make much sense. You would think that other retailers would be selling it tomorrow as well for extra money from an early release and to create competition.[/quote]
depends on the restrictions put on the gaming companies. It could be street dated for the 4th, in which case the stores that would sell it early could open themselves up to being fined. Since Amazon and Gamefly have both adjusted their dates to next week that could be the case.
February 28, 2008 at 6:43 pm
pasta,
once you get the game can u tell me the ratings of the reds starting 9
February 28, 2008 at 7:05 pm
thnks pasta but try to get the mets in there
February 28, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Hey pasta if you could, list the player ratings for the atlanta braves..thanks
February 28, 2008 at 10:32 pm
If you could do a quick search through the basic franchise setup and report anything that catches your eye, that’d be great. RTTS looks great, but I’d like to play a fairly solid franchise as well.
Thanks if you get to it. Thanks if don’t. Enjoy your early release party
February 29, 2008 at 6:53 am
Pasta,
I’m very interested in the franchise mode, any information on it would be wonderful, plus, I would like to get as many of the player ratings as possible? Seems like they would have posted these somewhere by now, but I haven’t seen any.
February 29, 2008 at 10:08 am
It’s kinda hard for them to post player ratings because they use a ratings bar as opposed to numbers. Sometimes it can be tough to tell with the ratings bars, but they work.