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MLB 12: The Show Franchise Improvements
Though Franchise mode in MLB 12: The Show may have missed out on a complete overhaul due to resources being shifted to the Vita version that of course didn’t mean the mode went completely untouched. Today SCEA detailed some of the improvements that have been made to Franchise this year including better trade logic, more realistic CPU generated players, more authenticity in CPU generated lineups, and the much discussed PS3-Vita integration.
These enhancements aren’t necessarily going to excite anyone who was looking for something fresh from the mode – but Franchise has remained a strength of the series due to its authentic and detailed nature and that is what the company clearly is looking to build on further here in favor of making sweeping changes or new additions.
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New Videos for UFC Undisputed 3 Include Look at Career Mode in Action
THQ has released a handful of new videos – one features a run through of career mode (which was detailed recently), one hypes Pride mode, and two are fight sims that act as previews for Saturday night’s UFC on Fox event (Rashad Evans vs Phil Davis and Chael Sonnen vs Michael Bisping). Continue on to check them out and leave any thoughts in the comments! Read more
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Patch Details for WWE 12
WWE 12 released back in November with a number of issues – the most publicized of which was the completely unreliable online servers. Today THQ announced details on a patch that will release next Monday on both the Xbox 360 and PS3. In addition free DLC is being given away as an apology for all the problems in the form of a retro masked Kane which will be available for download on Tuesday. Continue on for the complete patch details. Read more
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PS3 Version of MLB 12: The Show Hampered by PS Vita Development
From all accounts the PlayStation Vita version of MLB 12: The Show is shaping up to be excellent – not only as a standalone product on par with the PS3 version but by offering the ability to save on one and continue on the other for those who buy a copy on each. The downside to this is the same development team was tasked with working on the two versions of the game.
That means time and resources that would have went into the PS3 instead were siphoned off in favor of working on the Vita and the cost of doing so was the loss of significant potential features. A rep for SCEA in a posting over at Operation Sports had the following to say:
The PS3 version of the game has more features this year than last year. Vita development only stopped us from doing another major lighting update, a major franchise overhaul, and new grass patterns for the most part.
Most consumers aren’t going to miss what isn’t there but still SCEA risks the perception that not enough was done from MLB 11 to MLB 12 and that has been a concern facing the series the last few years. That more would, or at least could, have been done otherwise for the PS3 version will make the decision to spend time on the Vita side (where indications don’t have the handheld coming out of the gates strong sales wise) at the very least a questionable one.
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THQ Lays Out UFC Undisputed 3 DLC Plans
It has been known for a while that THQ was planning downloadable content for UFC Undisputed 3 and now comes some general details on what to expect and when. While specific fighters are not named the “packs” are themed and could hint at who will ultimately be included considering a number of notable fighters were left off the base rosters. Read more
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Street Network Announced for FIFA Street
Considering the failure of FIFA Street 3 in 2008 and the rapidly degrading perception of arcade-style games as viable products under the current market conditions and due to league license imposed restrictions it was initially a surprise that the return of FIFA Street would be a full $60 retail release. As the feature reveals are made though it is clear that EA Sports is putting resources into the game that could potentially give it the necessary value while reaching a level of quality that would justify a purchase.
The company has now announced a feature known as the “Street Network” which acts as its own social network of sorts. It will provide the ability to capture and share highlight videos as well as track and compare progress with friends in World Tour story mode and Online Seasons.
While FIFA Street still looks to be a tough sell on the surface with how successful the sim FIFA franchise has been in the past four years it may now have an opportunity to capitalize on all the popularity. It seems like a risk in domestic terms, given it wasn’t until recently that FIFA gained serious traction, but overseas it could flourish particularly given the more authentic approach being taken.
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Tiger Woods 13 Kinect Integration Detailed
In a recent preview ESPN broke down the implementation of Kinect for Xbox 360 in the upcoming Tiger Woods PGA Tour 13 and EA Sports has also rolled out a trailer of the features in action. For the first time a sim title will fully utilize the motion-device both in capturing the swings as well as taking advantage of voice capabilities.
Interestingly swings will take place parallel to the TV screen/Kinect placement rather than facing it with the side of the body – that will allow for the camera to capture the entire body and movement and apparently will translate with a much more accurate on-screen representation.
As far as voice commands it’ll be a lot like what I wrote about coming out of trying the functionality in Kinect Sports: Season Two. Voice can be utilized to make on-screen selections such as club changes, camera setup, or to ask for caddy recommendations. Read more
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Debut Trailer for MLB 12: The Show
SCEA has released the first official trailer featuring footage from MLB 12: The Show. The trailer runs through some of the enhancements made to the series this year including areas such as broadcast presentation, PlayStation Move, an online home run derby, as well as a glimpse at the “Ultimate Team” style card management based mode to be known as “Diamond Dynasty”. Continue on to check out the trailer and leave any thoughts in the comments! Read more
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UFC Undisputed 3 Demo Out Now
The demo for UFC Undisputed 3 is now available for download on the Xbox 360 (can be queued up here) and has since arrived on the PS3 as well. It features two different matchups that run just one round – Jon Jones vs Anderson Silva under standard UFC rules and presentation and ‘Rampage’ Jackson vs Wanderlei Silva in Pride mode. Leave your thoughts on the demo in the comments and look for videos and impressions later in the week!
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NBA 2K12 Updates Toronto’s Court With 3D-Style Baseline Logo
This season the Toronto Raptors added what comes across on television as a 3D graphic to the baseline of their court. While it has drawn mixed reviews it presented itself as a very visible and publicized alteration and as such 2K Sports could take advantage of the feature brought in for NBA 2K12 that provides the ability to dynamically make art updates for elements of the game such as player models and courts.
Having been criticized for not utilizing the feature much (really only the slimming down of Kendrick Perkins has been of note) since the start of the season a month ago the latest update from 2K has added the unique baseline image for the Raptors.
Keep in mind that the 3D effect comes through only in broadcast camera style views and any others that are situated on the side of the court. The other angles (drive, wire, high, iso) give it a flat and/or distorted and ugly look which can be a distraction. That is how it should appear from those perspectives however as it is painted on the court specifically for how it will come across on TV and is not a dynamically added graphic along the lines of those that show up behind home plate for MLB games.
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