MLB '16 & '17: An Experiment and Observation

[sirwoodz]

Re: MLB '16 & '17: An Experiment and Observation

one thing that feels off to me is the hitters timing
they plant their feet too early and sometimes they're waiting there frozen on a 90+ mph fastball

[Bullit]

Re: MLB '16 & '17: An Experiment and Observation

I needed to take some time and gather some thoughts on this subject. After talking to *clears throat* a friend and playing some '16, I think I have an idea of what I want to say.

First, I think MLB The Show '17 has the "potential" to be the epic game I thought it was going to be. However right now in my opinion it falls very short of being the game it should be. From Server issues, to various bugs and glitches, design decisions to changes in parts of base modes, for me this years game just comes across as a disjointed mess. Besides the server issue I do not think anything in the game is inherently broken, but I also don't think anything in this years game works well out of the box. Everything just seems off a little bit. It is just my opinion but I do feel that '17 falls very short in every single aspect of its content. Tying everything to online just seems like a very poor decision on my part as it has adversely affected every mode and not in a good way.

While I do not think that '16 is a better game. I do think given the current state of '17 that it is the more enjoyable of the two right now. It feels more 'organic' for lack of a better word. While it has its issues, as it seems nowadays all games do, it works for me and is a whole lot of fun. This is where '16 wins the argument for me.

When I load up '17 I find myself hoping that everything works and that the SP bug doesn't pop up or that the HR's dont get out of control, that I don't have stuttering or horrific load times because the game is trying to do whatever with the servers. When I load '16 I know I am just going to enjoy a game of baseball and that is what is important to me.

While I feel that a lot of this can be laid at SDS doorstep, I also don't feel playing the blame game is constructive. This is the game they wanted to develop, for better or worse we either have to live with it or make other choices with our gaming dollar. I personally think that it is only going to get worse for those of us that don't play the online card collecting modes and that the offline experience of franchise and RTTS are going to get pushed further and further back on the priority lists. I am also concerned that SDS studios has become victims of their own success and that they feel that they know better than the customer of what is wanted in the game. But it is their property do with as they will.

For the time being, unless '17 gets fixed, which in all honesty I don't think it will. I am going back to '16 and for the first time since I bought a Playstation for this game 10+ years ago, I am very disappointed in this game and it will certainly no longer be a day one pickup for me. They have moved from trusted developer to the buyer beware category.

[jeffy777]

Re: MLB '16 & '17: An Experiment and Observation

Man, I guess I shouldn't have skipped 16. Aside from the glitches and server issues, I'm really digging 17 though.

[HypoLuxa13]

Re: MLB '16 & '17: An Experiment and Observation

For the time being, unless '17 gets fixed, which in all honesty I don't think it will. I am going back to '16 and for the first time since I bought a Playstation for this game 10+ years ago, I am very disappointed in this game and it will certainly no longer be a day one pickup for me. They have moved from trusted developer to the buyer beware category.

I can see your points in regards to the way the single player/offline game plays at this time, but I don't necessarily agree that it won't get "fixed". Several of the glitches/bugs/gameplay issues being talked about in multiple threads here at OS seem like things that can be tuned, tweaked, corrected, or otherwise "fixed". Obviously which ones will be addressed and when will be up to SDS.

And I can't go back to 16 at this point. There is so much to love in 17. That being said...
- The monster home runs haven't shown up that much for me yet (I have yet to see one over 500 feet in my own gameplay).
- The non-stop spectacular infield plays, jump throws, and double play turns by every player regardless of rating haven't been frequent enough to become annoying to me yet.
- I do kind of miss using quick counts sometimes, which I'm not using because of the SP/Bullpen logic issues.
- The goodness of the new ball physics far outweighs the times when they seem to be a exaggerated.
- I've only seen the bad CPU substitution/roster logic (backup RF playing catcher or a team not having a single SS on the MLB roster) a couple times so far.
-- The automatic free base by the CPU on just about every ball in the dirt is really the only thing that is starting to get to me so far.

[countryboy]

Re: MLB '16 & '17: An Experiment and Observation

I played '17 last night after playing '16 the night before. Just couldn't get into it. It just feels "off" for lack of a better description. I spent the game wondering if the issues were going to pop up or not. Just wasn't...well fun.

I agree with Bullit in the idea that I think I'm going to shelve '17 for the time being and wait on the big gameplay patch and see what it does. Then if it cures the issues that I'm having then I'll gladly pick it back up, because as I've said its a great game.

But until then I think I'll roll with my franchise in '16 for now and then carry it over to '17 when/if, the issues I'm having are resolved. Carry over saves is such a great feature.

[KnightTemplar]

Re: MLB '16 & '17: An Experiment and Observation

I had to tweak this game more than ever to get it to where I was comfortable about it. The line drive, one hop bunts were in the game last year, one of my big gripes was that it was ground hogs day when bunting. Same thing over and over. Shouldn't have to make my own house rule that I will only take the put out at first when the CPU bunts instead of the force at second and probable double play. But I guess what gets me is the hype we were given. Happens almost every year.

I don't know how they go about testing this game, but somebody should have been sitting there going "whoa" alerting the devs PRIOR to release, but we got a ton of hype. This was going to be the best ever. It's nice to have the devs so involved, but I wonder if they need to step back a bit? Has all the
involvement here helped? It's actually soured many people. Hype, then silence when the finished product hits the shelves.

Wouldn't it be nice if they didn't add a thing to this game next year and fixed all this? I don't see it happening and I personally don't see a patch fixing some of these issues (that really should have been addressed long ago). Hope I'm wrong on this.

Good level headed discussion on this.

[335TDC]

Re: MLB '16 & '17: An Experiment and Observation

I personally think that it is only going to get worse for those of us that don't play the online card collecting modes and that the offline experience of franchise and RTTS are going to get pushed further and further back on the priority lists. I am also concerned that SDS studios has become victims of their own success and that they feel that they know better than the customer of what is wanted in the game. But it is their property do with as they will.

Absolutely on point. AAA sports games' development trajectories are now all-in on these "moneymaker" modes. So sad.

I don't think that SDS studios thinks they know better -- but there's only so much time in a dev cycle, especially for a small team like SDS, and like you said: it's all about the DD stuff because it keeps the revenue stream flowing. I will give them credit, though -- at least they make cool missions and have cool throwback cards. I don't play the mode AT ALL, but I'll give them that.

I think most or all of the gameplay issues will be ironed out in the near future. For me, it's the bunting and relievers being used by the cpu for unrealistic lengths of time. I also think that Quick Manage follows a pattern -- out, out, hit...etc. More variety there.

[DJ]

Re: MLB '16 & '17: An Experiment and Observation

Interesting to read everyone's thoughts and glad this discussion has stayed on topic and not turned into attack the developer mode.

For me, in my very limited time with MLB The Show 17, I've really enjoyed it. After never really finding a groove with 15, it took me a good 6 months to feel comfortable with 16. The hit variety and ball physics won me over instantly in 17, along with the new presentation and upgraded commentary.

It all comes down to what makes you happy as a gamer. If you find more enjoyment out of 16 right now than 17, go ahead and play that. If 17 is providing you a rewarding experience, even with some bugs/issues, don't go looking for additional issues and just enjoy the game.

[tessl]

Re: MLB '16 & '17: An Experiment and Observation

I needed to take some time and gather some thoughts on this subject. After talking to *clears throat* a friend and playing some '16, I think I have an idea of what I want to say.

First, I think MLB The Show '17 has the "potential" to be the epic game I thought it was going to be. However right now in my opinion it falls very short of being the game it should be. From Server issues, to various bugs and glitches, design decisions to changes in parts of base modes, for me this years game just comes across as a disjointed mess. Besides the server issue I do not think anything in the game is inherently broken, but I also don't think anything in this years game works well out of the box. Everything just seems off a little bit. It is just my opinion but I do feel that '17 falls very short in every single aspect of its content. Tying everything to online just seems like a very poor decision on my part as it has adversely affected every mode and not in a good way.

While I do not think that '16 is a better game. I do think given the current state of '17 that it is the more enjoyable of the two right now. It feels more 'organic' for lack of a better word. While it has its issues, as it seems nowadays all games do, it works for me and is a whole lot of fun. This is where '16 wins the argument for me.

When I load up '17 I find myself hoping that everything works and that the SP bug doesn't pop up or that the HR's dont get out of control, that I don't have stuttering or horrific load times because the game is trying to do whatever with the servers. When I load '16 I know I am just going to enjoy a game of baseball and that is what is important to me.

While I feel that a lot of this can be laid at SDS doorstep, I also don't feel playing the blame game is constructive. This is the game they wanted to develop, for better or worse we either have to live with it or make other choices with our gaming dollar. I personally think that it is only going to get worse for those of us that don't play the online card collecting modes and that the offline experience of franchise and RTTS are going to get pushed further and further back on the priority lists. I am also concerned that SDS studios has become victims of their own success and that they feel that they know better than the customer of what is wanted in the game. But it is their property do with as they will.

For the time being, unless '17 gets fixed, which in all honesty I don't think it will. I am going back to '16 and for the first time since I bought a Playstation for this game 10+ years ago, I am very disappointed in this game and it will certainly no longer be a day one pickup for me. They have moved from trusted developer to the buyer beware category.

To me it's all about the game on the field and in the only mode I play - manage mode - there simply isn't enough offense. I believe the two main culprits is the new odd ball curve which pushes balls foul down both foul lines. The other problem is infield defense being overpowered. Of 20 games played 15 were 1 run games - 75%. IRL 27% are 1 run games. 19 of 20 were decided by 2 runs or less.

I played one game after the most recent patch - game tied 2-2 entering the 14th inning. My plan is to play one game after each patch to see if they have fixed it but honestly I don't see it getting fixed because I don't think this is what the developers are focused on. I never thought I would reach the point with this game where I simply don't care any more but that's where I'm at. If they fix the game fine, if they don't that's okay too. The game has moved away from realism in pursuit of things I have no interest in and I don't see it reversing direction.

[Armor and Sword]

Re: MLB '16 & '17: An Experiment and Observation

Bullit and Countryboy,

The key will be under the mat for ya after patch 1.04

See you soon.

Trust me.

[countryboy]

Re: MLB '16 & '17: An Experiment and Observation

Bullit and Countryboy,

The key will be under the mat for ya after patch 1.04

See you soon.

Trust me.

I fully expect to return after the patch.

[Bullit]

Re: MLB '16 & '17: An Experiment and Observation

Bullit and Countryboy,

The key will be under the mat for ya after patch 1.04

See you soon.

Trust me.

I think you know me well enough to know that I hope this is true.

[sportsnut599]

Re: MLB '16 & '17: An Experiment and Observation

i continue my hybryd franchise into 17 i think it play better because when i bounce the ball at the plate they wasnt any time delay trying to throw out runners it wasnt ball sitting in front of plate runners didnt even try to advance you guys should try it and see what happens

[tessl]

Re: MLB '16 & '17: An Experiment and Observation

I can see your points in regards to the way the single player/offline game plays at this time, but I don't necessarily agree that it won't get "fixed".

None of us can read the minds of the devs but low runs scored are being cause by two things - balls curving foul which used to land fair and overpowered infielders. Both of those were touted as new features. I don't see them getting fixed.

[Lobo7]

Re: MLB '16 & '17: An Experiment and Observation

Ive played aprox 140 RTTS games in 17. The last couple of series my hitting really "felt" right.
Alot of HRs early, Hr drought in July early Aug. Hit 4 in the last 7 games. .345 28 hr 75 rbi.

Feel bad for the onliners but Im happy. Played 4 seasons with this guy in 16. Simmed most of the last season
so I could start a fresh season with the new game. The simmed season using 17, he went .320 25 90 fwiw.

I have not seen a 500 ft home run yet.