For Those Who Are Not Buying MLB The Show 18, Why Not?

[torpidbeaver]

Re: For Those Who Are Not Buying MLB The Show 18, Why Not?

I wonder how many aren't buying 18 because of the price. And, if given a free copy of 18, would play anyway, despite their reasons for not purchasing?

Would love to play for free. It's almost certainly still the best on-the-field game of baseball available right now. I'd play it and probably enjoy it if I didn't have to pay for it.

I don't know if that makes me a hypocrite? Not really, maybe? Or just a little?

I paid for OOTP again this year, though, so that'll tide me over until I find a used copy or somehow find a free copy.

[coach422001]

Re: For Those Who Are Not Buying MLB The Show 18, Why Not?

For me just not enough improvement to some things in Franchise to warrant the purchase. I was disappointed to hear they still only allow the 25-man active roster and the DL for playoff eligibility. Would have liked to see a player trade for cash considerations. I learned some things late in my 17 carryover franchise that has helped make it more enjoyable and got me ready for the new season. Having to then carryover my franchise, re-edit the players not in the PA...it just didn't sound that there was enough to make the purchase for me when 17 is still giving me a good game.

[Chai2112]

Re: For Those Who Are Not Buying MLB The Show 18, Why Not?

I am still on the fence and have been monitoring this site to see whether to go ahead with the purchase at some point or not. So far I am seeing mixed reviews - some people are loving it and others are ragging on it. I have been an avid The Show player since 2006 (I don't play any other video games), many years to the point of obsession. Every year I would wait in anticipation and loved starting my Franchise in March. I didn't touch any other modes except the random Season just to see all the cool historic rosters. I feel for the people that were expecting the return of Season mode and were blindsided by its removal and disingenuous lack of heads up (I am still scratching my head over this decision by the devs, especially since they've been awesome and completely forthright for the past 12 years).

My main reason for holding off on buying the game so far is simply because ever since '16 or so, I always grow tired of my Franchise around June or July and just stop playing the game. I don't know if it's the repetition of the games, the lack of excitement (by the commentators and the crowd/atmosphere), or maybe just because I'm now 35 years old and just don't have the time to invest anymore, sadly. For years I've wanted them to improve Franchise so that it doesn't grow stale after a few months, but clearly this year doesn't accomplish that. It's possible the new animations and fluidity of the gameplay may make it have a longer shelf life, but for now I'm going to hold off and continue to monitor this site to see if I should go ahead and buy it.

[orye74]

Re: For Those Who Are Not Buying MLB The Show 18, Why Not?

I’m not sure yet so maybe someone can help me decide. Can you play a season in franchise mode and can you watch cpu vs cpu?

[bamawaz]

Re: For Those Who Are Not Buying MLB The Show 18, Why Not?

First year that I have not preordered and I am glad that I did not.

First, if you spend $60 - $70 for a game plus potential shipping or taxes, you should be able to play YOUR game the way that YOU want to. You should not be FORCED into playing the way someone else wants you to. Would you go into Burger King and order a beef patty with just ketchup and be given a veggie burger with onions and pickles, etc, and be happy with it. No, i do not think you would. This is what SDS has done to us over the last couple of years. They give us a feature we love(being able to pick team to be drafted by for instance, or max whatever stats we want) and then take it back. This is not a good business model. We could always CHOOSE to take the long drawn out road to the bigs by not using stubs or whatever, so why did they feel they had to FORCE us into doing it THEIR way. My dad played in Dodgers organization and then managed in it. My dream team to play for is the Dodgers but SDS will not let me. If I go to rent a movie I will not be told what movie I have to rent.

I play approximately 80% RTTS and and 20% Season. Guess what, they not only RUINED RTTS for me but took away Season mode! Tell me again why I would want to purchase this game.

Options are what help make the best games, just give us the option to play how we want or don't take opions away is all I am saying.

Bottom line, no purchase for me this year(even if price dropped to $10.00) and probably never again. Sad for me because I love baseball and LOVED this game.

Waz

[GlennN]

Re: For Those Who Are Not Buying MLB The Show 18, Why Not?

The last version I bought at full retail was 15 (ah, crossplay with Vita, best gaming season ever!). I bought 16 on clearance after the season. Skipped 17 entirely and will likely do the same for 18. I only play offline franchise and RTTS and they simply have not given me a reason to buy (though, frankly, if they still had crossplay with Vita, I may feel differently). I play more on my Vita, so I primarily still play 15. On my PS4, 16 is fine.

[reyes the roof]

Re: For Those Who Are Not Buying MLB The Show 18, Why Not?

I started a franchise somewhat recently in 17 and I'm only 25% done with my first season and there just weren't enough franchise improvements to make me give up on the 17 franchise I started. I'm open to the idea of buying 18 and importing my franchise after I finish my first season if I hear good enough things about the gameplay but I won't be purchasing any time soon

[KnightTemplar]

Re: For Those Who Are Not Buying MLB The Show 18, Why Not?

I’m not sure yet so maybe someone can help me decide. Can you play a season in franchise mode and can you watch cpu vs cpu?

It’s what I do, yes to season in franchise mode. Yes, to CPU vs CPU, and you can jump in to make changes to lineup/pitchers, etc.

[orye74]

Re: For Those Who Are Not Buying MLB The Show 18, Why Not?

It’s what I do, yes to season in franchise mode. Yes, to CPU vs CPU, and you can jump in to make changes to lineup/pitchers, etc.

Awesome, thank you. I’m about to get it now

[extremeskins04]

Re: For Those Who Are Not Buying MLB The Show 18, Why Not?

Is there an option for the people who bought the game but wished they hadn't? I fit into that category.

1. Never played Season mode but the fact that they did not announce it irritates me.

2. Franchise mode did not get updates. Please don't tell me about how they "streamlined" and "brought everything to the front" to make it easier for the player. That's not franchise updates, that's presentation.

3. RTTS has significant issues. See Road to the Show thread.

4. This ties into #3. I'm really tired of how SDS does not incorporate stats into a players evaluation and performance. You're evaluated based on your OVR only. That is pretty bad and needs to change.

5. Ties into #3 and #4. The immersion factor gets thrown out the window when I get called up from AA straight to MLB when they're players who could fit that role without problem. This hinders development for me and makes me not want to play. Let me progress through the minors.

Giving Diamond Dynasty a try.

[cch99]

Re: For Those Who Are Not Buying MLB The Show 18, Why Not?

I did not buy last year and am not buying this year and it is based solely on the lack on innovation in Franchise Mode.

The Show IMO has the same problem Madden does in that it doesn't integrate you into the feeling that you are part of a bigger universe. Sure the Radio Show was a step forward but as a whole the game just doesn't do enough to keep you aware of what is happening in other games while you are playing and to other teams. You can dig through menus, etc but I am waiting on a weekly/monthly highlight show or at least weekly text based "magazine" that has all the weekly going's on, etc. I never know when someone has a 3 homer game or pitches a no hitter. This stuff should pop up in your game, if people don't want it to interrupt their game then have it happen between innings. Franchise mode is just stale.

While the Show's gameplay is great even the updates don't do enough for me to justify a $60 purchase when 16 honestly didn't feel that different from 14. I am sure if I hadn't bought since 14 it would feel like a big jump but at this point I am fine with sticking with 16 if I feel like playing a baseball game.

I want to add that the bad thing for me is that it's not just The Show that has this problem. This year coming up is the first one at this point I have no plan to buy Madden unless I read and hear how the franchise has improved. I hadn't bought NBA 2k in a couple years either until this year and while they added a bunch to franchise mode it still has the same issue with immersion.

I agree with others that the sports games seem to be going away from Franchise Modes because they don't bring in the extra money so I feel pretty much resigned to the fact that this is where we are headed and I will end up eventually not playing many sports games anymore. I am 44 for what it's worth and have been playing these games for years and enjoying them and have been disheartened by these games. I used to be a Football, Basketball, Baseball buyer every year and sometimes games from multiple publishers in the same year, i/e Madden & NFL 2k, College Hoops, NBA 2k and Live. Now I am to the point where Madden was the last one I was on a year to year basis and I don't see myself even getting that this year.

The other big problem I have is they(sports devs) are constantly sighting the metrics that say people aren't playing the modes as much or they aren't getting far into them when the reason they aren't is because the developers aren't improving them enough. it's like a Negative feedback loop. The franchise mode is boring so people quit which leads the developers to say people don't play franchise mode and we have the numbers that prove it which puts less effort into the mode. Either that or they are seeing people still playing it when they haven't improved it much anyway so they take that to mean they don't need to improve it much people will still play it. I wish I knew what the true answer was.

I don't know when I'll buy MLB again, maybe PS5 when that eventually comes out and I decide to upgrade to it.

Lastly, If it was free sure I'd take it and play it instead of 16 but it wouldn't stop it from feeling more of the same in franchise mode if they haven't done enough to improve it.

[ImTellinTim]

Re: For Those Who Are Not Buying MLB The Show 18, Why Not?

Franchise Mode is stale and shallow to me. FM, and to a lesser extent OOTP, basically ruined console franchise/career modes for me.

I didn't buy last year either. The couple years before that I spent most of my time in RTTS, DD, or the mode where you paint the map (that was brilliant IMO) because collecting the cards and messing around in the market is fun for awhile.

What it comes down to is that I lose interest in these modes and the game doesn't have any replayability for me.

It's a combination of my changing taste and the game making what is, to me, very small incremental improvements. Who knows? Maybe I'll pick it up when it's cheaper, but probably not. The game does still do a lot right.

Oh, and I'm sorry for people who bought the game expecting to be able to continue their Season Mode - especially people who put hours into the historical rosters. What a BS move that was.

[KnightTemplar]

Re: For Those Who Are Not Buying MLB The Show 18, Why Not?

Awesome, thank you. I’m about to get it now

Caution. I don’t know if the season mode has trades and such, but if it didn’t and you don’t want to have to deal w/trades just make sure you put it on 30 team control.

[TheWarmWind]

Re: For Those Who Are Not Buying MLB The Show 18, Why Not?

Caution. I don’t know if the season mode has trades and such, but if it didn’t and you don’t want to have to deal w/trades just make sure you put it on 30 team control.

I may be wrong, It's been a while since I started a new franchise, but I thought there was an option to turn off CPU trades. But yes, 30 team control will work as well.

[KnightTemplar]

Re: For Those Who Are Not Buying MLB The Show 18, Why Not?

I may be wrong, It's been a while since I started a new franchise, but I thought there was an option to turn off CPU trades. But yes, 30 team control will work as well.

Could be, I've never actually looked as I've always done full roster control, real life trades, callups/send downs. If there is that option does the CPU still call up players, etc.?