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The Show Finally Has Reasonable Load Times with MLB 15
Extensive loading times have always plagued the MLB: The Show franchise. Expectation last year on PS4 was for that to become a non-issue with the move to more powerful hardware. Unfortunately not only did loading times not improve but they worsened significantly.
Shortened loading times were promised though with MLB 15: The Show and the game has undoutedly delivered on that. Thankfully it’s now comparable to all the other sports franchises and when combined with the new Suspend/Resume feature The Show as a whole is much more pleasant to fire up and play than ever before. Read more
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MLB 15: The Show Opening Night Live Stream
Join me for a live stream of MLB 15: The Show tonight as the digital release unlocks at 12ET/9PT. I’ll be testing out the save migration feature from MLB 14, playing some Road to the Show, starting up a Diamond Dynasty squad and more! Follow along on Twitch and/or watch through the streaming player and chat below.
Look for much more on The Show throughout the week including a live Press Row Hangout on Tuesday night, another Wednesday night, and full impressions article.
[Update] Thanks for all who joined for part of all of the time on the stream, the entirety of which is archived below.
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NBA 2K15 Available Today for $11 (Now Dead)
Over the last few weeks 2K Sports has been attempting to run a promotion where particular players would have their number of points scored taken off the price of NBA 2K15 the following day. It had been spectacular failure with not a single deal coming out of the promotion.
Finally yesterday the results paid off, by combining points scored by James Harden and John Wall, and NBA 2K15 is available now on Amazon for $11. The deal will be available for up to 12 hours, though it has been noted that it’s only “while supplies last” which could bring it to an end much sooner, so those interested should take advantage ASAP.
It makes some sense to practically give the game away at this point. NBA Live 15 is free on Xbox One for those with an EA Access subscription. The far bigger consideration though comes with drawing in additional consumers who will spend money within the game. The farther from release the game goes, the more of a focus 2K has put on generating digital revenue from MyTeam mode and the sale of Virtual Currency, and that makes sense as potential profits from digital will now outweigh those from the sale of the game.
[Update] After about 20 minutes PS4Â went out of stock, 10 minutes later XB1 followed.
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Spotify Available Now on PlayStation
The Spotify app through PlayStation Music released today on PS4 and PS3. Install the app on the console – it’ll automatically be showing on the dashboard activity bar – and then sign in either by entering your username/password or by linking it though the app on your phone or tablet which can also be used to control the music.
The service will play music whether you’re in the dashboard of playing games thereby essentially acting as custom soundtracks. Free accounts are able to utilize Spotify on the gaming systems though paid accounts will of course have the primary benefits of features like ad-free listening and better sound quality.
Spotify represents the second update for PS4 that arrived just in time to benefit those picking up MLB 15: The Show. Last week it was the system update that included Suspend/Resume, and now PS Music is here to save everyone from The Show’s built-in soundtrack.
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The Line Drive for March 29
The Line Drive is a weekly collection of news, links, deal alerts, and updates that didn’t necessarily warrant their own postings.
♦Will begin live streaming MLB 15: The Show at 9PT Monday night! Look for a ton of content on MLB 15 this week including streams, articles, and live Hangouts.
♦RBI Baseball 15, which has shown ZERO gameplay, will release Tuesday for $20.
♦Check out the complete list of Trophies for MLB 15: The Show on PS4.
♦New screenshots have been added to the FB album for MLB 15: The Show.
♦New screenshots have been added to the FB album for Rory McIlroy PGA Tour.
♦Operation Sports examines a shooting flaw in NBA 2K15 following the latest patch.
♦More price adjustments have been made to player values in FIFA 15 Ultimate Team.
♦Blog from EA Sports attempts to lay out the reasoning behind the FUT changes.
♦Taking a closer look at the new features and improvements in MLB Manager 2015.
♦An updated version of Out of the Park Baseball 16 is now available to download.
♦Early Access edition of Eastside Hockey Manager is now available on Steam.
♦EA Sports has released a new roster update for NHL 15.
♦EA Sports has released a new roster update for NBA Live 15.
♦Check out the uniforms that were recently unveiled for the 2016 NFL Pro Bowl.
♦Minnesota was granted the 23rd team for the MLS and will debut in 2018.
♦Microsoft released details on the April system update coming to Xbox One.
♦Microsoft announced the free games for XBL in April on Xbox One and 360.
♦The first trailer has gone out for Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation.
♦Amazon has a PS4 bundle with Bloodborne, Last of Us, and $20 GC for $400.
♦Battlefield Hardline on PS4, Xbox One, PC is already on sale for $40.
♦Blu-ray releases this week headlined by Interstellar and The Imitation Game. -
What the Frostbite Engine Means for Rory McIlroy PGA Tour
Rory McIlroy PGA Tour is the first EA Sports game to utilize the Frostbite Engine. The company has now detailed what exactly that means with a new developer blog and accompanying video. The primary benefits relate to improvements in visuals and the elimination of load times between holes. Frostbite has previously been featured with the Battlefield series, a couple Need for Speed entries, PvZ Garden Warfare, and Dragon Age: Inquisition.
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Press Row Podcast: Checking in on Spring Releases
The latest Press Row Podcast features three individual segments dedicated to games that are set to arrive this spring –Â one of which is already out.
The first stretch features audio from the recent discussion of most anticipated features for MLB 15: The Show that accompanied the article that went up on Sporting News. That is followed by an interview with Rory McIlroy PGA Tour executive producer Brent Nielsen as promotion for the game has kicked off. The podcast ends with an interview with Out of the Park Baseball’s Brad Cook to discuss the PC and mobile management sim which arrived just this week and carries with it the MLB license for the first time.
Check out the podcast through iTunes for iOS and the Stitcher app for Android – subscribe while there to help support the show! You can also listen with the streaming player below.
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Forza Furious 7 Now Available for Free on Xbox One and 360
Forza Horizon 2 Presents Fast & Furious went out today on Xbox One and Xbox 360 which is one week ahead of the tie-in film’s theatrical release. The free game, an expansion on Forza Horizon 2 that doesn’t require owning or even having played it, is available through April 10. After that point it will be sold for $10 – however those who previously downloaded it will still own it without ever having to pay anything. Queue it up here for Xbox One or here for 360.
In Forza Horizon 2 Presents Fast & Furious, players will be recruited by Fast & Furious expert mechanic Tej Parker, voiced by Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, to source cars for the Fast & Furious crew’s next big mission. Players will take part in a series of thrilling car challenges set in the idyllic south of France, challenges inspired by both the Fast & Furious films and Forza’s legendary gameplay.
Among the vehicles included are “Fast & Furious Editions” of the 1970 Dodge Charger R/T, 2012 Nissan GT-R, 1998 Toyota Supra, 2014 Maserati Ghibli S, 1970 Plymouth Road Runner, 2015 Dodge Charger R/T, 1970 Plymouth Cuda, and 2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.
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