MLB The Show 18 is releasing a new Patch 1.11 is scheduled for Thursday June 7th at 3AM PT to try and improve PCI placement rewards when batting. The update doesn't seem to have any effects on groundballs and popups, but instead lining up the PCI accuractely left/right will expand the cutoff between a fly ball or a popup more than in previous versions. This really only focuses on balls thrown directly above or below the center of the PCI marker.
Batting issues continue to rear their ugly heads causing MLB The Show 18 to release yet another patch to try and resolve these issues. This is the sixth patch focusing on PCI batting problems to fix randomly moving PCI, less than expected results when the timing is just right, and placement issues when pitching. This year has had too many patches with the last update causing online issues with low scoring games being a problem and extra innings occuring way too often.
Patch 1.11 Highlights
- Good PCI placement is rewarded more. Specifically, the left/right placement of the PCI is more important now for hit types. Above the PCI will still be a fly ball and below the PCI will still be a groundball, but lining up the PCI accurately left/right will expand the cutoff between a fly ball or a popup more than before. This bonus mainly affects balls directly above or below the center of the PCI. Likewise, it will be much harder to generate a line drive on the extreme left or right of the PCI.
- Notes: This is a global change to MLB The Show 18 – it impacts both offline and online gameplay, and all modes of play. This fix addresses hit type generation when the PCI is placed well (ball being near the center). Prior to the patch, balls directly above and below the PCI by a small distance were generating weaker than solid hits. With patch 1.11, you are guaranteed good hit type generation when the PCI is centered approximately on the ball. You will see fewer solid hits on the extreme left or right edges of the PCI. For an average skilled user, the bonuses should balance out with the penalties, but a more skilled user will see an increase in offense. The previous PCI diagram that we showed during the gameplay stream is now modified with a greater emphasis on the center. Batter and pitcher attributes, along with the user’s input, are still the most important factors. Also, remember that good hit type results DO NOT guarantee success (you can hit the ball hard and still line out). This is a change that will better separate player skill and better match user inputs with game results. See example below:
Patch 1.11
This is a singular example of how good PCI placement is rewarded more in patch 1.11. In the example from the 1.10 patch, Eric Hosmer generated a ‘hard grounder’ hit type (as noted in the middle line of white debug text to the left of the swing analysis feedback). In the example from the 1.11 patch, Eric Hosmer generated a ‘line drive’ hit type (as noted in the middle line of white debug text). Additionally, if you look at the last line of debug text in the 1.11 patch example, you can see the change in action – Hosmer would have hit a hard grounder, but due to good user input’s, he generated a better hit type (line drive).
- Fixed an issue with outfielders jogging after balls coming to a rest. This usually occurred when the ball was hit in the gap or after a miss where the outfielder had to chase it down near the wall.
- See examples below of the changes in in action:
Patch 1.11
- Double play urgency improvements.
- See examples below of the changes in in action:
Patch 1.11
Other Notes
- Further corrections to HR/Ground Rule Double calls when balls were hit to very specific locations within certain stadiums, mostly near or around foul poles.
- Improved 1B efficiency on throws to home.
