MLB The Show 20: Extended Gameplay Reveal Trailer Quick Hitters

The MLB The Show team released an extended version of the MLB The Show 20 gameplay trailer that was originally released last week. It provides some cool little tidbits, so we just wanted to quickly run through some of the bullet points from the trailer.

Graphics/Presentation

• All the Nike logos will be there at launch
• Dozens of new infield, dugout and home run animations/celebrations
• Over 40 new bat slams after home runs
• Some more real stadium advertisements have been noticed, like the Citgo sign in Boston

Gameplay

• Over 50 new baserunning animations were added
• There are new first baseman catches/fielding animations that will set them up to make more realistic and better double-play turns
• Over 700 new gameplay animations — tags, throws, catches, etc. go into this
• New catcher tags that start right as the catch is made, so hopefully tags happen more quickly
• New subtle start animation transitions.
  • These are not the same as bad jumps but rather another new way to separate the best fielders from the bad ones.

• The “extreme catch” indicator — the red pulses around the indicator for where the ball will land in the field — are there to help you determine how to attack the ball in the outfield.
  • You can be aggressive or pull up early, otherwise known as risk versus reward
  • You’ll want to pick one or the other as getting caught in between will lead to bad outcomes
• Button accuracy meter in the field has been tweaked
  • Now the meter will be faster and it will change based on difficulty, distance and arm accuracy of defender
• New rob home run animations, plus branching animations for more versions of negative and positive reactions depending on the outcome
• New block-ball animations for catchers, and a more advanced block-ball system to better highlight a catcher’s attributes

Legends

• Sheffield, Franco, Rivera, Papi Ortiz, Victorino mentioned as just some of the new ’90s and 2000s legends who will be added
  • So it seems like the focus with retired players will be in that specific era

Road To The Show

• Attribute gains displayed in real time based on how you’re performing
• Dynamic challenges in RttS should be smarter about noticing what’s important to both you and your team
• You’ll now build and strengthen relationships to teammates on the field via actions

Miscellaneous

• The new Showdown mode is based around drafting players, upgrading them with perks, and then taking on the most intimidating pitchers
• March To October brings more front office news, player development, more flexible settings, and a revamped awards structure