MLB 14 the Show: Full Fact Sheet Released

On Monday, Sony revealed the full fact sheet for MLB 14 The Show, which arrives later this year on the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4. Late last week we learned that the PS3 version will be released on April 1 and that the PS4 version would hit stores in May.

No specific release date for the PS4 edition has been given at this time.

I talked a bit about the information that was included in the mini-fact sheet, but even more light was shed on the upcoming title with the full feature list made available by the game's community manager (and one of its designers), Ramone Russell, on the MLB The Show blog.

You can click the link above to read the entire release, but here are highlights from the new information that we learned in the full fact sheet.

The Evolution of Road to The Show Continues (All platforms)

image from Sony direct

Per the MLB The Show blog:

"

First among the major improvements is a completely revamped advancement system, complete with improved logic and the removal of advancement goals. Also being introduced is a new beginning to a player’s RTTS career with the Topps Amateur Showcase, a series of games against other draft prospects.

Additionally, the training system, logic, screens and modes have all been revamped to provide users with a more engaging experience.

Other changes include a new player-creation process, the reintroduction of the “broadcast” presentation perspective as an option, and a re-envisioned Catcher Mode, to name a few (PS3 & PS4 Only).

"

Seeing the MLB The Show series evolve its single-player mode is a great sign. The Amateur Showcase is similar to what we see in NBA 2K when you begin a My Career journey. In baseball, there will be some unique and cool features to explore with this new wrinkle.

The additional pieces added at the beginning of the process will only serve to establish more of an identity for your player.

Commentary Improvements (All Platforms)

Per the MLB The Show blog:

"

On the commentary side, the three-man booth of Matt Vasgersian, Eric Karros and Steve Lyons return for their second season together. This year's title will emphasize the three announcers in a more interactive, conversational style, yet will also continue to mine the world of baseball to find intelligent, timely and compelling commentary concerning today's teams and players.

The overall goal is for the game to get deeper, and for the announcers to better adapt to changing game conditions—including rising the enthusiasm level when the situation dictates.

"

Exceptional commentary was perhaps the one thing the MLB The Show audio package was missing. The comments were almost always relevant and timely in the older versions of the game, but it sounded as if Vasgersian, Karros and especially Lyons were in three separate booths.

Making them actually communicate, question and answer each other will take this aspect of the game to the next level. 

The camera angles, cut scenes and other eye candy in the series were already good. As long as the TV-style broadcast continues to evolve—while staying true to a real-life baseball presentation—the series will be headed in the right direction.

Other Goodies

image from Sony

Enhancing the number of animations is always good. It bridges the gaps between gaming and reality more than any other improvement.

The fact sheet boasts that the game will include the following: "more than 90 new batting stances," "160 batting stance re-captures for players who changed their stances," "50 new fielding animations," "more than 30 new pitching motions" and "20 new signature HR swings."

That's a lot of signature animations.

Based on the information we've learned and the screenshots we've seen, there is reason to be excited this spring. Stay tuned as more information becomes available.

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