PS BLOG: Everything New in MLB The Show 18’s Franchise Mode

[Armor and Sword]

Re: PS BLOG: Everything New in MLB The Show 18’s Franchise Mode

I think that was a problem with the stream tbh, they buried the big news for franchise vets, that they'd tuned bullpen and lineup AI. They banged on about socks and legend cards more than they actually explained those important AI changes. They should have made a much bigger deal about them imo as they are potentially very big changes if they've done it well

That is a fair statement indeed.

[Fuimus Troes]

Re: PS BLOG: Everything New in MLB The Show 18’s Franchise Mode

They have found a truly elegant way to say, " we've done nothing new" with franchise. I guess it would be difficult to sell a product by saying that outright. I personally would respect it more if they did.

This response, just to be clear, is coming from someone whose overall impression of Franchise is one of disappointment...

If everything they say is fixed has been fixed (retirement logic, FA logic, lineup logic), then that's a HUGE upgrade.

The menus are MUCH more aesthetically pleasing, and the way information is presented to you ("streamlined" is a dirty word, but choose your own) is also a HUGE upgrade.

Compensatory picks and competitive balance picks are a HUGE upgrade.

Phases, while underwhelming at first blush, have the potential to really inject life into a loooooong season and help stories play out on the screen rather than just in your head. To me, a HUGE upgrade.

************************

I'm disappointed that several things weren't mentioned, which means that they probably haven't been changed or improved.

First, prospect generation and progression. This needs a LOT of work.

Second, trades. Still limited to 2 teams only and 3 maximum on each side. Bummer.

Third, in-season extensions. This NEEDS to be in the game.

Fourth, scouting and the draft. Seems like the same as last year. In need of more depth (scouting) and a better UI (draft day).

Fifth, older GM stuff that was taken out -- ticket prices, etc. I would LOVE for there to be a suite of GM upgrades that can affect your team like NBA 2K has. Hoping that comes next year.

***********************************

Before the stream, I was sure I would pass on the Show, buy OOTP (which I will do on day 1), and then buy the Show used at a later date.

Although I'm still largely disappointed in what's missing in Franchise, the logic fixes and massive UI/menu improvements have me sitting on the fence...

[Armor and Sword]

Re: PS BLOG: Everything New in MLB The Show 18’s Franchise Mode

This response, just to be clear, is coming from someone whose overall impression of Franchise is one of disappointment...

If everything they say is fixed has been fixed (retirement logic, FA logic, lineup logic), then that's a HUGE upgrade.

The menus are MUCH more aesthetically pleasing, and the way information is presented to you ("streamlined" is a dirty word, but choose your own) is also a HUGE upgrade.

Compensatory picks and competitive balance picks are a HUGE upgrade.

Phases, while underwhelming at first blush, have the potential to really inject life into a loooooong season and help stories play out on the screen rather than just in your head. To me, a HUGE upgrade.

************************

I'm disappointed that several things weren't mentioned, which means that they probably haven't been changed or improved.

First, prospect generation and progression. This needs a LOT of work.

Second, trades. Still limited to 2 teams only and 3 maximum on each side. Bummer.

Third, in-season extensions. This NEEDS to be in the game.

Fourth, scouting and the draft. Seems like the same as last year. In need of more depth (scouting) and a better UI (draft day).

Fifth, older GM stuff that was taken out -- ticket prices, etc. I would LOVE for there to be a suite of GM upgrades that can affect your team like NBA 2K has. Hoping that comes next year.

***********************************

Before the stream, I was sure I would pass on the Show, buy OOTP (which I will do on day 1), and then buy the Show used at a later date.

Although I'm still largely disappointed in what's missing in Franchise, the logic fixes and massive UI/menu improvements have me sitting on the fence...

Yes..yes it does. But a little nugget of good news is you will not run out of players to draft this year.

They fixed that. They said it in the stream. They glossed over some of these logic fixes.....but us hardcore franchise guys were tuned in and heard that.

It's a start towards a better draft and scouting/prospect generation engine.

I am confident it will get worked on. A new foundation with the UI was unleashed to us. That is a huge win.

[KBLover]

Re: PS BLOG: Everything New in MLB The Show 18’s Franchise Mode

Yes..yes it does. But a little nugget of good news is you will not run out of players to draft this year.

They fixed that. They said it in the stream. They glossed over some of these logic fixes.....but us hardcore franchise guys were tuned in and heard that.

It's a start towards a better draft and scouting/prospect generation engine.

I am confident it will get worked on. A new foundation with the UI was unleashed to us. That is a huge win.

Here's hoping...

And thank goodness that's fixed. Finally, I don't need to suck to get a 7th round pick!!

(Not that I have anyone I've actually scouted left...but at least I get a grab bag chance!)

My kingdom for sliders that allow tweaking player generation...

...I probably should really just play OOTP lol

[da_centa_fielda]

I still haven't tried Retro Mode in 17. I'll wait til 18 drops in price some.  I can't justify spending another $60 this year

[Blzer]

Re: PS BLOG: Everything New in MLB The Show 18’s Franchise Mode

I still haven't tried Retro Mode in 17. I'll wait til 18 drops in price some.* I can't justify spending another $60 this year

I'm only going to pay $3 plus tax this year.

(1) I have Best Buy GCU.
(2) I bought three $150 gift cards when they had a promotion where you would get $15 e-vouchers per gift card in return for doing so, and they will expire on March 31st.

So I'm getting 20% off my $60 title with GCU which takes off $12, and I'm going to use up all three of my $15 vouchers which takes off an additional $45. I'll pay $3.26 out the door, boom.

I think I can justify paying that much.

[Skyboxer]

Re: PS BLOG: Everything New in MLB The Show 18’s Franchise Mode

Yep Best Buy MVP edition cost me 12.00 and some change..

[Scooter3]

Re: PS BLOG: Everything New in MLB The Show 18’s Franchise Mode

They don't make it easy on roster builders ideally I want a simplified franchise.
Or season mode and still have saved stats.
I will be getting the game mainly because of the ability to adjust the batting stance skin tone looks much better this year. Hope next year they concentrate on franchise.

[NAFBUC]

Re: PS BLOG: Everything New in MLB The Show 18’s Franchise Mode

I think that was a problem with the stream tbh, they buried the big news for franchise vets, that they'd tuned bullpen and lineup AI. They banged on about socks and legend cards more than they actually explained those important AI changes. They should have made a much bigger deal about them imo as they are potentially very big changes if they've done it well

Wow....have not heard that before.

[Caulfield]

Re: PS BLOG: Everything New in MLB The Show 18’s Franchise Mode

Phases! thats all I been asking for, since like forever. not lol

SM-G955F

And now you'll never have to not ask for it again!


I am really interested in seeing how retirements work. And will Ichiro retire at the end of Show season 2018. Wish SDS would have bumped the top age from 45 to 49. (hello Moyer, Niekro, Ryan, Orosco, Hough, Randy Johnson & Tommy John)

[BigOscar]

Re: PS BLOG: Everything New in MLB The Show 18’s Franchise Mode

And now you'll never have to not ask for it again!


I am really interested in seeing how retirements work. And will Ichiro retire at the end of Show season 2018. Wish SDS would have bumped the top age from 45 to 49. (hello Moyer, Niekro, Ryan, Orosco, Hough, Randy Johnson & Tommy John)

Ichiro did retire on their save, it showed him as entering the HoF (a screen that seriously needs some work, it's the bloody HoF, show it some love!)

[jerwoods]

Re: PS BLOG: Everything New in MLB The Show 18’s Franchise Mode

- Yep and here is the kicker the logic on Madden is horrid and the logic on the much loved 2K MyLeague is also not great either and 30 team control is absolutely needed on that game as well. What 2K does have though is a robust customization suite, quick edit system on ratings, just more depth overall....but let’s not get crazy. The Show’s franchise mode is easily the second best to 2K’s offering. Madden CFM? Don’t get me started. Not even close to The Show’s Franchise mode. Stale as stale can be. And they are trying harder? I saw that posted here.....oh lord. I am with you get that core CPU AI better. And you know what they did some real meaningful tuning this cycle and I expect it to be done again next cycle and again and again. They are listening. They do know to have a great offline franchise mode you need excellent navigation (the new phases menus are fantastic and I am one who knows every nook and cranny and love the new interface far more than what we have been using) it refreshes what is already a fairly deep franchise mode for a console baseball game. Stop comparing this to the great text sim known as OOTP. It will never be that game. And it does not have to be. 99% of the people that play The Show want to play games on the diamond. The off the field stuff is far from a priority for them. The fact that we do have a pretty deep franchise mode that IMO is now even more user friendly is great. I want more stat tracking, I want rotating inter-league schedules, I would love even more robust presentation (which is critical for me in immersion), three team trades, sending cash in trades, expanded rosters, minor league career stat tracking. But is that going to keep me from playing this amazing baseball game? Hell freaking no. This franchise mode has had small but incremental additions. Player Morale, Quirks, Top Prospect menu, Team Morale menu sorting, Radio Show, Now we have a brand new interface. Getting a new Interface is a huge addition despite what all the doom and bloomers here think. It is a new coat of paint. A much needed new coat of paint. What is wrong with that? There are so many of us who love The Show’s franchise mode but what was growing stale was the laborious menus. They listened to us and gave it a brand new skin which gives you a nice cozy feeling of new car smell but the same reliable car. Meh let’s not get into car metaphors......I am stoked for Phases. Great great addition and a huge shout out to those guys for giving us a far better and fresh look to Franchise mode where I spend gee I don’t know.....300-400 hours a year in.

- Skyboxer...I answered your PM......hang out in my slider forum this season and you will be in Stratomatic like console baseball heaven. We got you covered.

Answers in bold.

madden mode is stale the show fran looks good to me
btw on ps4 madden 18 i am update rosters its called MADFA the goal in due time its to make enough new players so that if madden 19 is just a roster update i got everyone coved

[zello144]

Re: PS BLOG: Everything New in MLB The Show 18’s Franchise Mode

Ichiro did retire on their save, it showed him as entering the HoF (a screen that seriously needs some work, it's the bloody HoF, show it some love!)

The HOF screen also gets the years wrong in 17.
After Ichiro retired it said years played 2000-2017 when it should be 2001-2017 he came to Seattle in 2001.

It's not just him though it does it to everyone Adrian Belte it says 1997-2017 it should be 1998-2017 and so on.

[UFCMPunk]

Re: PS BLOG: Everything New in MLB The Show 18’s Franchise Mode

I do have a theory when it comes to the whole stream lining franchise thing that is going on with The Show and other games. I know for hardcore gamers they hate it, they want it to be as in depth as possible and making it easier to play through a season is insane. There are those who will play every regular season game and play through the World Series if you make it. Great, but every year you get older. Things change, you get married, have kids, work 40 hours a week and no longer have the time to contribute to your franchise like you used to.

Sony and all other developers know this, and know that your not going to have as much time to play the game as you gain more responsibilities. So while some may think that streamlining franchise is a bad thing and is marketing toward casuals, in a way they are also marketing this to the person who doesn't have the time to play it like they did before. Making it easier to get through seasons, faster and simming to each phase of the season. Playing 3 inning games because they know you won't have the time to play through all 9. These developers want to keep your business every year as you get older and they begin to make it easier on not just casuals, but also you the person who doesn't have the time you used to have in order to keep you playing every year.

So in a sense, while this seems bad now, in a way it helps when life happens.

[MLB14]

Re: PS BLOG: Everything New in MLB The Show 18’s Franchise Mode

I do have a theory when it comes to the whole stream lining franchise thing that is going on with The Show and other games. I know for hardcore gamers they hate it, they want it to be as in depth as possible and making it easier to play through a season is insane. There are those who will play every regular season game and play through the World Series if you make it. Great, but every year you get older. Things change, you get married, have kids, work 40 hours a week and no longer have the time to contribute to your franchise like you used to.

Sony and all other developers know this, and know that your not going to have as much time to play the game as you gain more responsibilities. So while some may think that streamlining franchise is a bad thing and is marketing toward casuals, in a way they are also marketing this to the person who doesn't have the time to play it like they did before. Making it easier to get through seasons, faster and simming to each phase of the season. Playing 3 inning games because they know you won't have the time to play through all 9. These developers want to keep your business every year as you get older and they begin to make it easier on not just casuals, but also you the person who doesn't have the time you used to have in order to keep you playing every year.

So in a sense, while this seems bad now, in a way it helps when life happens.

Your point is valid, but why do they remove the slower paced option from the game? They took out the possibility to have a real-time game play out.