MLB The Show 18 Won't Feature Online Franchise Mode

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Won't Feature Online Franchise Mode

My bad. I wish someone like EA would then get back into it then. I bet a lot of people would buy their game since MVP '05 was a very popular title back in the day.

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There was talk a year or so ago about them getting back into baseball, but nothing more came from it.

I'm a Show fan, but I wouldn't mind seeing another developer getting into the mix (2K, EA, a reunion of the Acclaim staff). Choices are always better for the consumer.

[SoxFan01605]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Won't Feature Online Franchise Mode

It was actually only a few years ago where all franchise resources went into online franchise. Nothing was touched for offline that year. I thought the resources would be split and franchise became too district modes.

I hope when it is rebooted it is feature for feature with offline. I would be more inclined to play online if every feature was the same.

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I was just thinking about this. I remember saying something at the time along the lines of "I get it and support it, since online guys have certainly eaten more than their fair share of crap, but as an offline franchise guy it sucks to keep waiting for our turn"

Obviously hindsight is 20/20 and all that (and I get why the devs prioritized the way they did, when they did), but it is kind of a gut punch knowing we lost dev time that potentially could have gone towards offline franchise (or anything else significant) to work that had to be scrapped anyway.

Selfishly, beyond just what this means for online franchise going forward (I do believe it will be back but, unlike others, I'm not sold on it being next year), I wonder if it impacts offline franchise plans in any way...particularly if the do indeed attempt to bring feature parity between on and offline franchise.

Not to make it about me, of course ...obviously the loss for online franchise players is a big blow, regardless of whether or not the reasons are right/make sense overall or what potential ramifications rest elsewhere. It just sucks really. I hope for everyone's sake that online is vastly improved...I can't imagine the number of pitchforks if it looks like this was removed for nothing.

[thewalrustwaspaul]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Won't Feature Online Franchise Mode

Would love for EA to get back into the game but I don't see it since Sony has the rights.

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Sony only owns first party rights EA could jump in and buy third party rights if they wanted.

[nemesis04]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Won't Feature Online Franchise Mode

Sony only owns first party rights EA could jump in and buy third party rights if they wanted.

They don't own first party rights, Microsoft could make something.

[thewalrustwaspaul]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Won't Feature Online Franchise Mode

They don't own first party rights, Microsoft could make something.

Yeah, first party rights mean you can make it for your platform only yes Microsoft could also buy first party rights and make a game for xbox or windows 10.

[bcruise]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Won't Feature Online Franchise Mode

Sony only owns first party rights EA could jump in and buy third party rights if they wanted.

Sony never had any kind of First/Third party exclusive agreement. The only reason they're ever mentioned in this context is because for a while 2K DID have a third party exclusive with MLB, which froze EA out of baseball while still allowing Sony to make a game on their own console (The Show). That license, however, expired along with the demise of the MLB2k series. So there are no restrictions anymore other than the license agreement with MLB itself (which, of course, isn't cheap).

Edit: Not responding further on this topic - see post directly below this one.

[kehlis]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Won't Feature Online Franchise Mode

So, back to OL franchise being removed..........

[thewalrustwaspaul]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Won't Feature Online Franchise Mode

Sony never had any kind of First/Third party exclusive agreement. The only reason they're ever mentioned in this context is because for a while 2K DID have a third party exclusive with MLB, which froze EA out of baseball while still allowing Sony to make a game on their own console (The Show). That license, however, expired along with the demise of the MLB2k series. So there are no restrictions anymore other than the license agreement with MLB itself (which, of course, isn't cheap).

I never said they did, read what I wrote, Jesus.

They own the rights for playstation(first party rights) there is nothing stopping anyone else from doing what sony is doing.

[bcruise]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Won't Feature Online Franchise Mode

So anyway, back on topic....

I touched on it earlier, but I think this is a really bold move for SDS. They're really putting themselves out there that they've gone to great lengths to improve the online play for '18. It's not so much due to removing online franchise specifically, but that they're making it clear that BECAUSE of that online upgrade, OF didn't make the cut. if you're gonna say that publicly before release, either you've got a lot of confidence that it actually WILL be better than previous years, or you risk really losing the faith of your fanbase if it's not. Even though I haven't played OF for several years, I will be pretty upset if the online experience isn't a lot better this year. The Show has lagged behind the other sports games in this department for far too long.

I do feel bad for the guys that did play the mode regularly, and hope that it comes back once it can be given some proper attention.

[redsox4evur]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Won't Feature Online Franchise Mode

So anyway, back on topic....

I touched on it earlier, but I think this is a really bold move for SDS. They're really putting themselves out there that they've gone to great lengths to improve the online play for '18. It's not so much due to removing online franchise specifically, but that they're making it clear that BECAUSE of that online upgrade, OF didn't make the cut. if you're gonna say that publicly before release, either you've got a lot of confidence that it actually WILL be better than previous years, or you risk really losing the faith of your fanbase if it's not. Even though I haven't played OF for several years, I will be pretty upset if the online experience isn't a lot better this year. The Show has lagged behind the other sports games in this department for far too long.

I do feel bad for the guys that did play the mode regularly, and hope that it comes back once it can be given some proper attention.

Yea I feel they are confident with the servers this year because they have already had a stress test on them (closed alpha) and it seems to have worked out well from what I have heard. Also in one of their posts at some point they said something about another stress test closer to release (maybe talking about the pre order incentives).

[nemesis04]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Won't Feature Online Franchise Mode

Yea I feel they are confident with the servers this year because they have already had a stress test on them (closed alpha) and it seems to have worked out well from what I have heard. Also in one of their posts at some point they said something about another stress test closer to release (maybe talking about the pre order incentives).

I will believe it when I see it. We have been down this road numerous times only to be disappointed. I want nothing more than to have a great online experience but at this point no words can instill confidence, we need results.

[MLB14]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Won't Feature Online Franchise Mode

Sony doesn't have exclusive rights. 2K purchased exclusive rights to produce 3rd party baseball titles but that has since lapsed.

Anyone can make a baseball game.

I still think Microsoft should try creating one.

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Won't Feature Online Franchise Mode

Yea I feel they are confident with the servers this year because they have already had a stress test on them (closed alpha) and it seems to have worked out well from what I have heard. Also in one of their posts at some point they said something about another stress test closer to release (maybe talking about the pre order incentives).

Time will tell. I'm not sure being pushed to "re-write their entire code" (not sure if that is hyperbole or not) and cut Online Franchise, too, is a sign of confidence or of them entering into the unknown a bit. A couple of stress tests and a small-ish closed alpha ain't gonna test them like release will. It simply remains to be seen if things will be improved or not.

I think we can agree that another rollout similar to the past couple of years with online play would give a huge black eye to SDS' reputation. Even among those who normally defend them to the hilt. When you end up giving your customers free stuff to get them to put the pitchforks down, that's definitely not Plan A in any business model.

[Jr.]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Won't Feature Online Franchise Mode

couldn't have said it better myself.

Lol, to the letter!

I'd make a joke about Barry Bonds' number being retired in August against the Pirates, but I'm not sure it'd catch on here.

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Won't Feature Online Franchise Mode

I'd make a joke about Barry Bonds' number being retired in August against the Pirates, but I'm not sure it'd catch on here.

When in August?