MLB 11: The Show announced. Release date is March 8, 2011 on PS3, PSP and PS2

MLB The Show 11 gameplay screenshot
MLB: The Show 11 has been announced for release on PS3, PSP and even PS2 on March 8, 2011.

The newest Major League Baseball game from Sony will include a number of new changes, additions and shake-ups from last year’s game.

For the first time this game will feature fully analog controls, where players can control pitching, hitting and fielding all using the two control sticks on the PS3 (not sure how this will work on PSP but sure they’ll figure something out).

“This is the feature everyone has wanted in our game for years, but we didn’t want to do it until we could do it right,” game producer Chris Gill told ESPN.

Fielding controls are mapped to the right stick and match the baseball diamond (move the stick to the right to throw to first base, for example), with accuracy depending on how accurately players move the stick. Hitting meanwhile requires players to pull back to get ready and then push up to swing. You can choose whether you want to focus on Power or Contact and can guess the location or type of pitch.

Pitching meanwhile has the player pulling back to wind up and pushing up to throw. But there’s definitely more to it than that.

“This causes the ball on the meter to drop toward a line about three-quarters of the way down. As soon as the ball hits the line, the pitcher will then press up on the right stick, but here’s the twist — if your location is on the outside part of the plate to a right-handed batter, you’ll need to press up and to the right in order to guide the ball into the target that will appear at the top of the meter.” The speed of the ball will change depending on how quickly players push up on the stick.

Other new feature announcements include:

  • Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer will return to grace the cover once again.
  • Major improvements will be made to the “Road to the Show” career mode and zone hitting.
  • The game will include PlayStation Move controller support.
  • The game will support stereoscopic 3D.
  • The game will include a 30-day free trail for MLB.tv on PSN.
  • New offline and online co-op modes will be included.
  • The online experience will be greatly enhanced to address criticisms from the last game.
  • There will be an all-new baseball-themed Dual Shock 3 controller releasing alongside Major League Baseball The Show 11.
  • Last but not least, here is an all-new announcement trailer.

    Pretty epic trailer!

    Via USA Today