MLB 14 The Show ‘Quick Counts & Player Lock’ explained

Sony San Diego Studios has released a new video for MLB 14 The Show, the PlayStation exclusive baseball sim due out April 1 (some time in May for PS4). The first dev blog focuses on how Sony plans to address one of the most common pieces of feedback from fans — the ability to play complete games faster.

Look, I'm a die hard fan, but even I admit baseball can be a slow game. So to help you play more baseball in less time, Sony San Diego is adding two new features: Quick Counts and Player Lock. While both features were briefly touched upon in previews earlier this month, the video below goes into more depth.

Quick Count speeds up the game by using an algorithm to create a generated pitch count. With this feature enabled, every at bat will start in either middle or late counts: 1-1, 2-1, 3-1, 0-2, 1-2, 2-2, and 3-1. The pitcher/batter attribute matchup will have an influence on the type of pitch down it sims to. Quick Counts will not compromise realistic stats, but you may see a slight increase in strike outs and walks. According to game designer and community specialist Ramone Russell, Quick Counts can cut your game completion times in half if used in conjunction with the Fast Play presentation setting.

"Games can now be completed in as little as 30 minutes," Russell notes.

Another feature to help speed up the game is Player Lock. This allows you to play a complete game as a single player (think Road to the Show). To enable this mode, simply press R2 on the player you wish to lock on to in the pre-game lineup menu. This mode will allow you to play as little or as much of the game as you want.

Both of these game options are available in all game modes except Road to the Show. Neither of them are mandatory.

[PS Blog]