MLB 09 The Show: Lighting

by pastapadre
Posted February 19th, 2009 at 4:04 pm

mlb09theshowlighting

The latest Playstation Blog has some details on the process behind the lighting in MLB 09 The Show. There are even some screenshots included that display sort of how they come together step-by-step. You can check out the full blog posting here.

Lighting was a major focus for us this year, and we implemented a Global Lighting model. What does that mean? It means that objects are lit by their surroundings. It means that when players are in shadow, they can still get light from the sunlight hitting the dirt just beyond the shadow’s edge, or a bright wall behind them. It means that in stadiums, red floors cast red light on neighboring objects. It is another step towards that realism we all want in our baseball game.

Coming out of the community preview event this was probably the most discussed improvement made to the game due how drastically it enhances the experience. From the demo you can get a feel for the nighttime progression and the screenshots have highlighted some other examples. But you really need to experience the different lighting situations and in various stadiums to understand the scope of what SCEA has done with the lighting this year.

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~JR~

I have no idea how anyone can say the player models in 2k9 look good at all. I saw a screen shot of Josh Beckett and well....it looked nothing like Becket. Those screen shots from The Show are very impressive though.

AmenRa

Man this sidewinder due ain't listening to no one but himself. Stop arguing with him.

Pierre

Whoever wants to play a great baseball game has about a week to get a PS3!Save your 64 dollars from MLB2k and get a PS3.Dont be let down again!!!!!!!!!!

Sidewinder

Woods, so you actually played The Show 08. That's even more revealing....and sad. The huge majority appreciate how good it is as a baseball sim.

Apparently, you didnt and like 2k's game better. Oh well to each his own, but you wont get any credibility around here.

I never played the older Sony baseball games, 08 PS3 was my first, but why mess with the basic controls when you get it right.

I played 2k7 a lot and had fun with it, but it doesnt have the true sim feel and AI someone of my experience wants. Plus the swing stick is a gimmick with no checkswing basically. It was too easy to locate your pitches too, but at least you didnt have the idiot meatballs of 2k8. That was broken and 2k admitted to that and have supposedly now changed it for 2k9.

Before that I played MVP 05 PC modded for a few years. That game is outstanding with the mods. Good without. But, The Show takes the game to another level for those of us that prefer a true sim experience with next gen graphics. But you had to love the flexibility of the PC mod experience.

Mister_Woods

Well first of all, I've never stated that 2k8 was better than 08 the show, I never even said it was a bad sim - I simply stated that the game was a PORT, which it is. and it is essentially the SAME exact game as MLB THE SHOW 06 for the PS2...

and since you yourself have stated that 08 was the first time you'd even played it...why are you even trying to discuss this?

again - I'm not discussing previous installments of the 2k series, just 2k9. those other games were horrible, bad, sucked, terrible, the worst...we agree. but 2k9 is another story and you know it.

Sidewinder

It doesnt matter what the controls are if they work seamlessly and intuitively to the baseball experience. The Show does just that and does it very well with a very similar thought process to being on the field.

2k tried a new concept with their pitching and it was seriouly flawed. Kudos for the effort, but boos for the execution.

2k's swing stick has been crap and a check swing is basicaly non-existent. The Show nails this and does it to where you dont even think about it, because it works intuitively they way a real ballplayer thinks on the field. That is what makes a real baseball sim and not an arcade game that invents some gimmick that you have to master, even if it is counter-intuitive to what a real ballplayer thinks.

Sidewinder

Dont forget about Motorstorm Pacific Rift. Great game and they just came out with first patch.

Sidewinder

The lighting in 2k7 was one of the major features that made it unique. I missed that in The Show 08. Glad to see it for 09.

bobschofield13

I also really do not understand all the hoopla about progressive lighting in The Show 09. 2K has had this implemented already, and last night as I was playing 2K8 an afternoon game going til early evening was remarkable. I truly feel with superior online leagues in 2K including individual player stat tracking (had to run a Show league through a paid website to get player stats) and great league websites , this is the way to go.

Mister_Woods

ironic that your name is "LOL" b/c all of your replies make me do just that...

I mean you aren't even DENYING the things i'm saying about THE SHOW, let alone attempting to pretend that I even mentioned anything in the first place...not exactly a person of character on the other end of that "lol" i see...

Now, as far as a patch, THE SHOW 08 released a patch for its game, but like i stated before, you have to make yourself PRETEND that it didn't come out in order to blindly support this game to no end...

Mister_Woods

ironic that your name is "LOL" b/c all of your replies make me do just that...

I mean you aren't even DENYING the things i'm saying about THE SHOW, let alone attempting to pretend that I even mentioned anything in the first place...not exactly a person of character on the other end of that "lol" i see...

Now, as far as a patch, THE SHOW 08 released a patch for its game, but like i stated before, you have to make yourself PRETEND that it didn't come out in order to blindly support this game to no end...

Mister_Woods

ironic that your name is "LOL" b/c all of your replies make me do just that...

I mean you aren't even DENYING the things i'm saying about THE SHOW, let alone attempting to pretend that I even mentioned anything in the first place...not exactly a person of character on the other end of that "lol" i see...

Now, as far as a patch, THE SHOW 08 released a patch for its game, but like i stated before, you have to make yourself PRETEND that it didn't come out in order to blindly support this game to no end...

do you wear a big red nose with your clown outfit?

Mister_Woods

ironic that your name is "LOL" b/c all of your replies make me do just that...

I mean you aren't even DENYING the things i'm saying about THE SHOW, let alone attempting to pretend that I even mentioned anything in the first place...not exactly a person of character on the other end of that "lol" i see...

Now, as far as a patch, THE SHOW 08 released a patch for its game, but like i stated before, you have to make yourself PRETEND that it didn't come out in order to blindly support this game to no end...wow. u are trying to redefine "PATHETIC" all by yourself aren't you?

do you wear a big red nose with your clown outfit?

lol

We all have been playing the same baseball games since the fucking era's before it.

You are a clown.

2K has the worst buggiest sports engines around, that ALWAYS need patching. Carry on.

Skihawks

I own both...Sony's library, two + years after launch is FINALLY starting to catch up with Microsoft. However, the one area where Sony's system is lacking is online. Yes, Sony is free however XBox Live is a much stronger service.

The thing I hate about Sony's online offering is that there is no way to avoid players, or submit ratings to provide some sort of regulation to those clowns that cheat or use the "N" word every other sentence. It gets old...

Not to mention HOME is an absolute joke. HOME would have been sweet two years ago but who really wants to have an avatar living in an apartment that you have to furnish by using REAL money. No thanks...

Not to mention trophies came into the picture way too late....

Skihawks

I own both...Sony's library, two + years after launch is FINALLY starting to catch up with Microsoft. However, the one are where Sony's system is lacking is online. Yes, Sony is free however XBox Live is a much stronger service.

The thing I hate about Sony's online offering is that there is no way to avoid players, or submit ratings to provide some sort of regulation to those clowns that cheat or use the "N" word every other sentence. It gets old...

Not to mention HOME is an absolute joke. HOME would have been sweet two years ago but who really wants to have an avatar living in an apartment that you have to furnish by using REAL money. No thanks...

Not to mention trophies came into the picture way too late....

Mister_Woods

You do realize that an "interface" is something that can be seen with your eyes? this is not something that a developer has to "admit" to at all...please tell me that you realize this.

but thanks for proving my point anyway - in order to fully support THE SHOW, you have to make yourself ignorant - you have to blatantly ignore the fact that you are LITERALLY playing the same game from the ps2 era with brand new bells and whistles.

that's sad..clearly a problem in these individuals that go beyond baseball and gaming altogether.

Josh

Oh yea & God of War III!

LOL

You do realize 2K admitted that their engine, interface, etc, is still from the original Xbox days? And has been Frankenstein into shit?

Right stick and Ha-Du-Ken controls are all gimmik, when the rest of the game is crap. LMAO Ha-du-ken pitching, so lame.

Carry on troll. It is a fucking sports game, they dont change much.

Mister_Woods

Basically.

and what kills me is that there is this online "movement" of THE SHOW supporters, where they are so blindly loyal to this series that all of its faults are quickly hushed and not openly discussed, almost like a cult...here are a few complaints i've read around the web JUST OF THE DEMO:

- the player models (these are from SHOW fans!)
- balls going THROUGH players
- too many balls hit up the middle
- lag/framerate issues

THE SHOW has some things they need to fix too before their game is released, yet all you hear about is 2k..almost like its the "cool" thing to do to shit on 2k series...like i've said - wait until the reviews come out.

Sidewinder

You seem to have this inferiority complex buddy. If you had ever played The Show 08 or 09 demo, you wouldnt be wasting space in here.

The facts are what the facts are. Stick with the facts and eliminate your ego. You havent played The Show...period.

The player models and animations are great....period. Maybe you need to seen them in widescreen HD.
Havent seen balls going through players. Have seen awesome bad hops almost take the fielders head off though!
I see a great variety of balls hit and did with 08 too.
Only a few people have had lag or framerate issues. I dont. Could be a TV setting incompatibility issue. Or it could be having the visual pitching target on. I always turn mine off and pitch that way with the vibration outlining the strike zone. Looks better and is more challenging and realistic.

Mister_Woods

I didn't even get past your first sentence...i stated above that I played THE SHOW 08...cmon now, I'm about serious discussion not this flim flam back n forth crap.

Josh

Are you crazy? Killzone 2, Metal Gear Solid, Grand Turismo, Tekken 6, Resistance, Uncharted, etc..
I love my 360 but you can't deny that the PS3 has caught up if not passed 360. Yea 360 has better online but the PS3 is way more reliable. I've been through 3 360's in a 2 year period. Blueray is awesome by the way!

Mister_Woods

Basically.

and what kills me is that there is this online "movement" of THE SHOW supporters, where they are so blindly loyal to this series that all of its faults are quickly hushed and not openly discussed, almost like a cult...here are a few complaints i've read around the web JUST OF THE DEMO:

- complaints about the player models (these are from SHOW fans!)
- balls going THROUGH players
- too many balls hit up the middle
- lag/framerate issues

THE SHOW has some things they need to fix too before their game is released, yet all you hear about is 2k..almost like its the "cool" thing to do to shit on 2k series...like i've said - wait until the reviews come out.

Mister_Woods

I couldn't agree more...PS3 owners get to play BOTH games so that "debate" is silly IMO...

and I understand peoples reservations toward MLB 2k9, and since neither game is out, all we can go by are videos/demo's...but those aren't really indicative of how either game will play...anybody remember the infamous MVP 04 lefty glitch!?

What kills me though, are people ignoring their common sense: 2k9 "LOOKS" like the better game. period. the player models, pitcher/batter interface - this looks more true to life than MLB THE SHOW. again, gameplay is the key factor, and if 2k9 gets the gameplay down - it's a wrap.

Sidewinder

Also, last year's 2k8 on PS3 was unplayable. Framerate was brutal and I dont think it ever got a patch like the 360 did. Hopefully, 2k has learned a few tricks for the PS3.

Sidewinder

You seem to be the only one to think 2k9 looks better than The Show. You really havent played The Show have you. You are just going by pics on your computer.

The Show in HD on my 60" looks outstanding. Player models and faces look great and animations are seamless. The pitcher/batter interface is as good as it gets. 2k's PBI has been mediocre the last two years. The batter's view from homeplate was not very good as the pitch physics were lacking and not realistic. 2k's player faces were crap last year and dont look much better this year. Funny thing is 2k7 had great faces.

I have played both (not 2k9)games under the optimal conditions in their HD widescreen glory and 2k doesnt measure up yet. Plus their animations look funky and their transitions are awkward.

Now those are the facts. No hidden agenda. I can play both games. I call em like I see em.

Mister_Woods

"You seem to be the only one to think 2k9 looks better than The Show"

really? i'm the only person in existence that thinks 2k9 looks better than THE SHOW? this is the second response you've made to me, where your first sentence seems to be induced by some illegal pharmaceutical extraction.

again...serious discussion only please.

Josh

MADDEN PLEASE TAKE NOTES FROM SCEA!

Mister_Woods

I have not played THE SHOW 09 demo, but I played THE SHOW 08 on ps3 and THE SHOW 08 on ps2, I've actually been playing "MLB" since they had SHAWN GREEN on the cover (2004). 2 years later is when they started THE SHOW - and it's been essentially the same ever since...

Regardless of how you feel about THE SHOW 09, when you pick it up and play it, you are playing with an interface, commentary team, and button mechanics that are about 5 years old. yes, new animations, updated graphics and lighting - the game looks phenomenal,. but you can't deny the facts I just laid out there.

Sidewinder

I keep reading all these posts of PS3 Vs 360. This is a non issue people. This is all about The Show Vs 2K's baseball game......period.

If The Show was available on the 360, no one with a brain would even bring this up. So stick with the facts. It is about the baseball games, and nothing else.

The Show has proven to be one of the best baseball sims of all-time, and already has their demo out for 09 with many major improvements.

2k's game looks to be improved a lot over 2k8, which is great, but until we have a demo, we really dont know how it will play. At least we have lots of pics and videos, that look promising.

For the record, since I have both a 360 and a PS3, I will definitely be getting The Show 09 and also possibly 2k9 for the 360 if it ends up being a solid game.

Sidewinder

Woods, it is very obvious you have not played The Show! And yet, you continue to pop off with ignorant rants about what you dont know.

Because of this, your first paragraph describing yourself is the only thing you you are qualified on. At least you got something correct!

Sidewinder

You havent played The Show 09 PS3 demo have you. The hitting and swing speed/response is much improved over 08. The fielding is more responsive also. The stadium lighting is fantastic. Animations and faces look great. Game AI is solid. What else do you want.

It is not about the systems. It is about the games. If The Show was available on the 360, this would not have come up in all the posts about The Show and 2k's game.

It would be about the two games period. The Show is a solid baseball game building year by year on a solid foundation. 2k's game has had starts and stops for a few years now. 2k7 was the only good baseball game they have put out on the next gen systems. It was a fun arcade game, but was not too sim oriented, but it looked great. 2k8 was dead on arrival. This year so far looks to have improved a lot, but that is not saying much.

Your opinion comes from a reference point of ignorance. Get informed than pop off.

A-Roid

Any miracle the Show comes out Tuesday? In the past I believe both 2K and MLB released ahead of schedule.
Thanks Pasta

AmenRA

First off System Dickriders are have got to be some of the biggest clowns walking the face of the earth!!! "PS3 is so Cool it's better than 360", "360 rules man PS3 sux and is overrated" I fell like a faggot just typing that stupid shit. That being said, I think MLB The Show is a port from the PS2, and while it's a great basebll sim, or will be should I say, Ican't believe people have all this hype about this game when I have the last PS2 version, and this game doesnt look much better than that. In fact the only thing new is the lighting and stadiums. The players look the same and the gameplay tweaks will not be that noticeable. so take all this "News" for what it's worth. It's just the same old great game with a few more graphics, no major changes.

mlbmods.com

There is no way it could have been that bad mate!

Jason

Have you played it? Even Pasta posted about how he was disappointed with it.

mlbmods.com

Meh, come on, both are starting to look good.

Timmy

i laugh at these kids here. PS3 has the worst online. don't talk about blu ray because i had blu ray be4 and for those who have a PS3 do u really use it. The SHow is a great game but that is all u have. Ur online is 4free but it is what u get for it. it really sucks ps3s online. Former PS3 OWNER

trojan92

They need to take a couple of things from 2k9 to perfect the game next year. Imagine if they borrowed 2K9's "real time" concept, so the dugouts are full of real player models? It's always been a pet peeve of mine to see one of my batters drive in a couple of runs with a double, yet he's in the dugout giving high fives to the players who just scored, when he's supposed to be on second.

By adding this feature, along with batboys, ball girls and weather (so you can get you closed roofs) The Show could finally surpass MVP 2005 as the greatest game EVER. That my friends is a FACT

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