Are modes like Diamond Dynasty legitimately well received by fans?

[catswithbats]

Re: Are modes like Diamond Dynasty legitimately well received by fans?

That is such an elitist and insulting attitude to have.


"We are the anointed. We are the only true baseball fans. All others are pretenders".


What a load of crap.

Agreed 150%.

I can't and don't speak for any other franchise-only/franchise-mostly fans but I'm not insulted that they pour a lot of resources into DD. I want big, jaw-dropping upgrades to franchise, and I understand being frustrated at the lack of big strides being made with the mode, but blaming the DD fans/DD mode for existing seems rather silly to me.

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: Are modes like Diamond Dynasty legitimately well received by fans?

Agreed 150%.

I can't and don't speak for any other franchise-only/franchise-mostly fans but I'm not insulted that they pour a lot of resources into DD. I want big, jaw-dropping upgrades to franchise, and I understand being frustrated at the lack of big strides being made with the mode, but blaming the DD fans/DD mode for existing seems rather silly to me.

Agreed. Why can't our disappointment (for those of us who are disappointed) with Franchise mode just stop there? Why do people need to call out others who play the game a different way and bear absolutely no responsibility for what SDS decided to do (or not do) with the game?

I don't use DD, but I don't feel the need to Franchise-splain at those who do. If you like it, cool. If they gave us real baseball cards, I would probably play it too honestly. But, you don't even need a physical trophy if you are being entertained by the mode and how you spend your time. That is valuable.

[kehlis]

Re: Are modes like Diamond Dynasty legitimately well received by fans?

This is an interesting conversation. I'm going to quote this post below because this really is the crux of my point but it's not to single this post out as similar things have been posted throughout.

Instead I think they are more worried about sales and getting people who maybe kind of like baseball to buy the game.

I think franchise players like to complain about the other modes getting attention (not getting into whether that is right or wrong).

I'm exclusively an offline player (I don't even have a ps plus subscription). I accepted a long time ago that without those modes there is a real possibility we wouldn't even have a game to play right now.


So yea, they do want to drive sales. Every game has this mode now and thus, it drives their sales. The show wouldn't sell the copies it does without this mode.

Shareholders would probably look at the sales numbers of this game (if it didn't have a mode like DD which has the potential to ADD revenue when franchise doesn't) and probably say no thanks.

The sports games that have faded out of the picture recently are games that didn't have a micro transaction mode or they had one that was rarely used.


Franchise players may hate the attention DD and online players get, but it's important to understand that without those modes, it's possible we wouldn't even have a franchise mode to play anymore.


(Yes, I realize this is a stretch but just look at the other sports games on the market right now and think about it for a second before crushing me)

[redsox4evur]

Re: Are modes like Diamond Dynasty legitimately well received by fans?

This is an interesting conversation. I'm going to quote this post below because this really is the crux of my point but it's not to single this post out as similar things have been posted throughout.




I think franchise players like to complain about the other modes getting attention (not getting into whether that is right or wrong).

I'm exclusively an offline player (I don't even have a ps plus subscription). I accepted a long time ago that without those modes there is a real possibility we wouldn't even have a game to play right now.


So yea, they do want to drive sales. Every game has this mode now and thus, it drives their sales. The show wouldn't sell the copies it does without this mode.

Shareholders would probably look at the sales numbers of this game (if it didn't have a mode like DD which has the potential to ADD revenue when franchise doesn't) and probably say no thanks.

The sports games that have faded out of the picture recently are games that didn't have a micro transaction mode or they had one that was rarely used.


Franchise players may hate the attention DD and online players get, but it's important to understand that without those modes, it's possible we wouldn't even have a franchise mode to play anymore.


(Yes, I realize this is a stretch but just look at the other sports games on the market right now and think about it for a second before crushing me)

To add on to this, I've heard numerous times that the NHL franchise doesn't even make it past year 1 on this generation if it didn't have Ultimate Team. So definitely agree with you that without these Ultimate Team modes, I wouldn't be shocked if we didn't have video games for a couple sports. Also I doubt we would have 2 soccer games and 2 basketball games.

[Dolenz]

Re: Are modes like Diamond Dynasty legitimately well received by fans?

Fans want to have past legend and present players on their roster teams battling it out with other players online to be the best team "Money can Buy". I've seen Twitch MLB DD players popping $$$ out these electronic cards like candy!

This goes back to what I said earlier (I don't remember which thread). The people that go on tangents about DD usually don't even fully understand the mode. They have their preconceived notions and they are sticking to them.

Let me enlighten you.

1. As you mentioned, you don't have to spend a penny to play this mode.

2. The mode has several options for offline play. I spent roughly 166 hours in DD mode in '17. All but maybe 2 of those hours were spent playing offline games vs the CPU. This year you can accomplish all programs and missions either offline or online.

I am not denying that there are people that probably dump a ton of money into their team. Twitch streamers do it for one main reason. It brings in viewers. But I believe that they are in the minority.

Now, if I spend dozens, if not hundreds of hours playing offline games to earn certain players to create a bit of a fantasy team for myself so that I can compete against the CPU even more then how much different is that to having a Franchise mode where you start with a fantasy draft (and you can even include legends). And news flash, I don't need an all 99 team to play offline. I did not even have an all diamond team last year after 166 hours of play.

I hope that Franchise players eventually get the update they want, I really do. But, I am getting tired of them trying to build their favorite mode up by trying to tear the other modes down and insult those who play those modes.

[Formula1Racing]

Re: Are modes like Diamond Dynasty legitimately well received by fans?

Oh, I understand the mode very well thank you very much, and I know what it's all about from a business point of view for SDS/Sony and as kehlis pointed out so eloquently in his post above..I agree with him.

Maybe it was the way I came across saying it was a scam which I was wrong, sorry about that. I didn't mean it that way. I used the wrong wording, I should have said that it's a business decision that Sony and SDS did to get more revenue from the game and this of course is not a problem at all. Nothing wrong with acquiring more cash from your very successful baseball game IMO.

I am not arguing whether DD is a horrible mode and people should not play it, hey, I might try it again myself for MLBTS 2018! I've watch people on Twitch have lots of fun and enjoying it and that's wonderful! Please, I'm not bashing the mode at all. I might not like it too much but what the hell do I know? Not much apparently...lol

It's just too bad that Sony doesn't just use some resources from DD to at least throw a bone at the other modes like Franchise like a DLC that I'm sure some of us are willing to pay for with some small extra goodies that we been asking for..that's all...

This goes back to what I said earlier (I don't remember which thread). The people that go on tangents about DD usually don't even fully understand the mode. They have their preconceived notions and they are sticking to them.

Let me enlighten you.

1. As you mentioned, you don't have to spend a penny to play this mode.

2. The mode has several options for offline play. I spent roughly 166 hours in DD mode in '17. All but maybe 2 of those hours were spent playing offline games vs the CPU. This year you can accomplish all programs and missions either offline or online.

I am not denying that there are people that probably dump a ton of money into their team. Twitch streamers do it for one main reason. It brings in viewers. But I believe that they are in the minority.

Now, if I spend dozens, if not hundreds of hours playing offline games to earn certain players to create a bit of a fantasy team for myself so that I can compete against the CPU even more then how much different is that to having a Franchise mode where you start with a fantasy draft (and you can even include legends). And news flash, I don't need an all 99 team to play offline. I did not even have an all diamond team last year after 166 hours of play.

I hope that Franchise players eventually get the update they want, I really do. But, I am getting tired of them trying to build their favorite mode up by trying to tear the other modes down and insult those who play those modes.

[Comduklakis]

Re: Are modes like Diamond Dynasty legitimately well received by fans?

Agreed 150%.

I can't and don't speak for any other franchise-only/franchise-mostly fans but I'm not insulted that they pour a lot of resources into DD. I want big, jaw-dropping upgrades to franchise, and I understand being frustrated at the lack of big strides being made with the mode, but blaming the DD fans/DD mode for existing seems rather silly to me.

it's not silly. Now I don't blame fans. You like what you like. But it is a self-fulfilling prophecy. If SDS puts most of the resources into DD and most of the hype, what do you think will attract players? And then they point to the fact that more people play DD and new buyers of the game try DD. Lather, rinse, repeat.

You put the resources (which are finite) into DD, then don't be surprised when they new features continue to attract new fans.

[Armor and Sword]

Re: Are modes like Diamond Dynasty legitimately well received by fans?

Oh, I understand the mode very well thank you very much, and I know what it's all about from a business point of view for SDS/Sony and as kehlis pointed out so eloquently in his post above..I agree with him.

Maybe it was the way I came across saying it was a scam which I was wrong, sorry about that. I didn't mean it that way. I used the wrong wording, I should have said that it's a business decision that Sony and SDS did to get more revenue from the game and this of course is not a problem at all. Nothing wrong with acquiring more cash from your very successful baseball game IMO.

I am not arguing whether DD is a horrible mode and people should not play it, hey, I might try it again myself for MLBTS 2018! I've watch people on Twitch have lots of fun and enjoying it and that's wonderful! Please, I'm not bashing the mode at all. I might not like it too much but what the hell do I know? Not much apparently...lol

It's just too bad that Sony doesn't just use some resources from DD to at least throw a bone at the other modes like Franchise like a DLC that I'm sure some of us are willing to pay for with some small extra goodies that we been asking for..that's all...

AGREE 100%

We all have some things we would love with Franchise mode. And my wants are probably different than yours and vice a versa. I think after this years release....SDS is well aware their franchise fans really want to see some big improvements (revamped scouting, training, progression, three team trades, in-season extensions) in the GM side of things....and also the long asked for expansion mode (personally create a stadium would take up all resources for a cycle where as an expansion mode would be really fun and add a totally new layer to franchise mode being able to design uniforms, logos and maybe have 4-5 different park options and maybe 10-12 different cities to choose from). Just spitballing. Historical stat tracking for minor leaguers is really important and of course rotating inter-league schedules. Also a customization suite that is robust like NBA 2K’s My League. I think all these things are quite possible in future iterations. But (and I do not disagree on this) much more development time has been poured into DD and RTTS the last few years. Franchise is long overdue for some more development time love. I hope they can oblige.

In any case I am in the minority here in that I really am happy to see the under the hood logic tuning that was discussed, the new interface was sorely needed (I know the mode inside and out but I am giddy about having a fresh, clean and more vibrant interface, I am playing OOTP 19 right now and the new look is so much better than OOTP 18’s).

Fact is though......this is still easily the best playing baseball game in video game history. Just a joy to play. That is why I keep coming back. It does have plenty for me to love, some things I wish we had, and such a great track record of support each year in terms of fixing bugs and improving gameplay every single cycle.

[Mercury112491]

Re: Are modes like Diamond Dynasty legitimately well received by fans?

So I’ll be the representative of the DD player who spends money.

I was a franchise player until 2 years ago. Hell I even helped with stat corrections for OSFM one year. But my problem with Franchise was that I’m too OCD to sim games. I wanted to look at a players stats and know that I did all that with him. And as a result in all the years I’ve played baseball games the only years I finished 162 games was World Series Baseball on the genesis and MVP 05. Now add that with the increasingly frustrating CPU AI that baseball games have and I would get bored with the mode by early summer.

Then I discovered DD. And the grinding and playing for better cards scratched the same itch that loot games like Diablo scratches. It hooked me hard. And the missions gave meaning to everything I did, all the stats I collected. Last years game just ramped it up every even more. I was hooked on the game well into the fall. And for the first time with any sports game I’ve ever owned, I started playing it again recently to get ready for this season.

And yes I do spend around $250 dollars on the game. Typically just to buy packs because I enjoy the rush of opening them. It’s fun for me. I like the stock market aspect of buying and trading cards as well. I’m well aware the cards don’t carry over and that it’s basically a form of gambling but it’s money to leads to fun so for me that’s money well spent. You know what else I spend hundreds of dollars on every summer that I don’t get to keep, golf. I’ll spend $60 for 4 hours of fun every week. So to me spending $20 to buy some packs every couple weeks for fun seems like a good deal.

And no, DD online is not 100% filled with people who don’t respect the sport and just cheese. Is it there? Sure. But the vast majority of games I play are against guys playing the game legit. I know others have different opinions but I’ve played over 400 DD games the last 2 years and my experience is that the cheesers are def in the minority.

So I dunno, that was kind of a rambling post but I feel like the DD player who spends money isn’t well represented on this board and is basically demonized. Probably why you don’t see them post. Just wanted to share my experience with the game and why I love the mode.

Oh and I’m a lifelong baseball fan, 35 years old, and a coach. Since baseball fan credentials seem necessary with some people here.


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

[WhiteBunny]

Re: Are modes like Diamond Dynasty legitimately well received by fans?

it's not silly. Now I don't blame fans. You like what you like. But it is a self-fulfilling prophecy. If SDS puts most of the resources into DD and most of the hype, what do you think will attract players? And then they point to the fact that more people play DD and new buyers of the game try DD. Lather, rinse, repeat.

You put the resources (which are finite) into DD, then don't be surprised when they new features continue to attract new fans.

They can do a lot to bring new players on franchise mode. Create-a-team and relocation, for example. Or adding co-op for franchise mode. But the risk of adding features like that is clear: players may prefer to play franchise instead of DD.
So create a mode and left it in the dust because all the money are in cards mode. Wait 4-5 years without adding nothing new, then claim that only 5% of the players play that mode. Seriously ?
Phases are good. But after last year in which SDS basically adds only sub-menu in franchise mode, you get another year in which SDS adds only sub-menu. Plus they cut off franchise online because, why not. And still we get guys which don't understand why players are upset.

[Bacong]

Re: Are modes like Diamond Dynasty legitimately well received by fans?

I think DD is the antithesis of sports video gaming, and an absolute insult and slap in the face to people who were basically raised on single player experiences in sports games . Madden franchise mode was such a mind-blowing addition. I can draft players and sign free agents and run a franchise just like real life for years and years?? How could that be topped?

That said DD is at its core a good idea, i can assume most of us have bought boxes of sports cards when we were kids and opened 'em up and looked for our favorite players. I know I did.

[Bacong]

Re: Are modes like Diamond Dynasty legitimately well received by fans?

well that was a little tongue-in-cheek. sorry if it didn't come off right, haha

[MrArlingtonBeach]

Re: Are modes like Diamond Dynasty legitimately well received by fans?

well that was a little tongue-in-cheek. sorry if it didn't come off right, haha

Haha...no worries! I'm just so excited for The Show, that I'm a bit on edge!

[Bacong]

Re: Are modes like Diamond Dynasty legitimately well received by fans?

Haha...no worries! I'm just so excited for The Show, that I'm a bit on edge!

me too! 12 hours..I get off at 10pm. I'm ready!

[JayhawkerStL]

Re: Are modes like Diamond Dynasty legitimately well received by fans?

I think a stronger case could be made that solo modes are the antithesis of sports games. Sports have always been about competing, with each team on equal footing.

Solo modes could be considered more of a paint-by-numbers mode. If you .300 hitter is just hitting .250, do you try to learn how to hit better? Not today. Today there is a slider to make up for that. In solo modes players create a sport that fits their view.

When you play without sliders and compete,it’s about competition, not your views on how it should look.

Truth is, both ways to play have their place, and trying to privilege one over the other is inappropriate.