The Future of Franchise Mode in MLB The Show 21 and Beyond

[Funkycorm]

Re: The Future of Franchise Mode in MLB The Show 21 and Beyond

I try to get fully immersed in the game, but it bummed me out when I noticed the broadcasters didnt mention once a trade I made for Evan White in my Pads chise... Be cool to hear about the details of the trade or have it slightly mentioned during the next game.

I do think there are broadcast elements that could definitely be improved on MLB. At times, the commentary does get stale and there are a few small presentation bugs that could be fixed.

Again completely disagree. It's the opposite in regards to "work as intended".

Whether you like the infrastructure and progression in madden, it works. I'm in 2037 and dont have to mess around with other teams rosters. Or bump rookies ratings up. I can simply play and not worry about CPU

The Show does not work as intended the deeper you get into franchise. I just dont think many people get 5+ years in to see. I do, and there are tons of manual things I have to do around the league to keep it afloat.

While there are issues the further you go, they do tend to start balancing out. Some draft class editing (at the end of the season) is necessary but a big help to all of this is starting out with a roster that is balanced for long term play with potentials more in line to what the league average is. I tend to have to lower player ratings more the further I go or else you get MLB teams with multiple 90+ players a piece before even looking at morale effects as opposed to increasing them.

But I don't have to do a lot to keep it afloat.

I would like to see better progression/regression and scouting. Fixing this would go a long way but it is not the opposite of work as intended.

The Shows gameplay is horrific. I’ve been playing this franchise since 2009 and the 09 version is way more enjoyable than any release in the PS4 era. The pitching animation alone still looks like absolute garbage and has the speed of a grandpa.

At least Madden looks and feels amazing. Nothing about The Show feels immersive anymore.



That is completely true. I rarely venture into these forums anymore, just to get a slider base set and after that all the toxicity gets on my nerves.

There is no doubt that both of these games still have room for growth.

I would say Madden needs more help on the field even though 21 is a better game that the last few. I still would not say it feels amazing. And there are definitely immersion issues in game. When my 4th year QB is called signal caller at his introduction because the name database is subpar hurts and the fact that players look different than their pictures on the roster menu also kills immersion for me.

I would say that MLB has very solid gameplay. 20 is a great game. So have the last few versions. I lean slightly toward 19 personally but that is more of a nostalgia/experience reason. I will also say that MLB has room to grow when it comes to immersion and off the field improvements but on the field there is a big difference.

MLB is just better game play.


To each their own. I respect your opinion but I did want to respond.

[dalger21]

Re: The Future of Franchise Mode in MLB The Show 21 and Beyond

I've said this before, we are no longer the target audience. It sure looks like SDS is switching to a Call of Duty model of yearly releases with microtransactions out the ying-yang and us offline franchise, RttS and Season oldies are an afterthought.

[Armor and Sword]

Re: The Future of Franchise Mode in MLB The Show 21 and Beyond

I've said this before, we are no longer the target audience. It sure looks like SDS is switching to a Call of Duty model of yearly releases with microtransactions out the ying-yang and us offline franchise, RttS and Season oldies are an afterthought.

It is quite obvious we are not the target audience. Not in the least bit.

Play faster...get through seasons in less than 18 hours.....that is not representative of a part of this Show community here on OS. Yeah we are a niche group and we support each other in how to make the best of what we get.

But at some point we may not be getting a good enough platform to do the things we love playing baseball.....but until we see otherwise all we can do is make the best of what we get.

I can easily say what we got on the PS3 and PS4 has been marvelous. I can only hope they at least keep the gameplay as incredible as it has been for simulation minded players like myself. And as long as I at least have the sandbox of a franchise mode I can make it work in it’s current state.

What was the death blow for 21 though was the loss of Y2Y because I am not a player who must have the latest roster and start over every year. I have been using the Y2Y feature to it’s fullest potential since it’s introduction 7 years ago. It has been a joyful ride and I will continue to enjoy it with all the older titles as well as 20.

We all want Y2Y to come back for the new consoles. I just have a lot less faith today that it ever will. It simply is not a priority in the least bit IMO. I venture to say 95% of the Show players are one and done guys or online DD players exclusively.

It is what it is.

As far as the future of franchise mode. I simply do not see much coming our way in terms of what we are really wanting.

1. Massive AI improvements
2. Expanded Rosters
3. Expanded scouting and player development

I simply do not see that at all coming. Todays target audience is not interested in those details. They want to be in the post season in less than 24 hours.

[Yeah...THAT Guy]

Re: The Future of Franchise Mode in MLB The Show 21 and Beyond

As far as the franchise mode goes, I think we can all agree that expanded rosters/expanded minor league systems would be a huge improvement, international signings and stuff would be amazing too.

A few things I'd really like to see added are:

1. Minor league stat history. We get everyone's major league stats on their player card and we get the current season's minor league stats (I think?), but it would be nice to be able to see Prospect X's AA numbers in 2019, AA numbers in 2020, and AAA numbers in 2021 so that I can see how he's performed. Maybe a progression history as well even if it's as shallow as simply showing how the player's overall has fluctuated from year to year.

2. Minor league stadiums (or the Create a Stadium feature being deep enough to create them ourselves and assign them to minor league affiliates). I grew up in a city that had no major sports teams but had minor league affiliates in all the sports and it would be so cool to be able to play in their AAA stadium. Or in the very least, to not have 60+ minor league teams share 10 generic stadiums.

3. Postseason Pitching Rotations. It's just dumb that every team uses a shortened rotation in real life for the postseason and nobody does that in The Show.

I'd love to see the expanded rosters, international signings, better scouting systems, custom draft classes, more realistic potentials, progression sliders, etc., but the three things above (particularly #1 and #3) would be relatively small changes that have a huge impact IMO. The Show's gameplay and franchise (and the carry-over saves, RIP) make it probably my favorite sports game to build a franchise in, so I'm already happy as is, but I'd really really love to see those couple of things added (and in a dream scenario, the bigger things that people have mentioned in this thread added).

[Fuimus Troes]

Re: The Future of Franchise Mode in MLB The Show 21 and Beyond

I've said this before, we are no longer the target audience. It sure looks like SDS is switching to a Call of Duty model of yearly releases with microtransactions out the ying-yang and us offline franchise, RttS and Season oldies are an afterthought.

I have to balance this out. I did not touch DD until the past 2 months, and I can assure you that it's NOT a predatory mode. There's a microtransaction aspect to it for sure, but I was shocked at how quickly I was able to accumulate stubs and XP from Conquest alone. It's far more of a GRIND than anything else, especially if you don't dabble in online.

The only aspect of this mode that remains unattractive to me is that it rewards online competitive players far more than offline players. BUT it seems like SDS might be trying to balance that out as well.

If franchise mode is the same this year as it's been -- pathetic scouting, pathetic prospects, no update to UI, no deeper finance options, no customizability -- then I think I'll start up with DD from the get-go and give it an honest try.

[Armor and Sword]

Re: The Future of Franchise Mode in MLB The Show 21 and Beyond

I have to balance this out. I did not touch DD until the past 2 months, and I can assure you that it's NOT a predatory mode. There's a microtransaction aspect to it for sure, but I was shocked at how quickly I was able to accumulate stubs and XP from Conquest alone. It's far more of a GRIND than anything else, especially if you don't dabble in online.

The only aspect of this mode that remains unattractive to me is that it rewards online competitive players far more than offline players. BUT it seems like SDS might be trying to balance that out as well.

If franchise mode is the same this year as it's been -- pathetic scouting, pathetic prospects, no update to UI, no deeper finance options, no customizability -- then I think I'll start up with DD from the get-go and give it an honest try.

That is exactly what the suits want you to do. Simple as that. Get ready to do that. Because there will not likely be nothing of true “wow” in the area you want improved to change your mind otherwise.

Based on history.....it is almost a slamdunk. The whole wait till we get to next gen stuff is all horse ****.

Calling it like I see it.

But it plays a whale of a game of baseball. Hope that stay's true on 21 for you folks who buy it. Heck I may pick it up.....for $10 if the gameplay is still top notch just to play some post season mode with updated rosters. No way I am picking this up on release or anytime soon after. The run has come to an end for me.

Sucks because I always look forward to this time of year knowing I was getting the new gameplay with my current franchise.

Ugh......

[Boedefeld]

Re: The Future of Franchise Mode in MLB The Show 21 and Beyond

I stopped after the first sentence. That is simply a mind-boggling statement. But hey that is your opinion.

I did an exercise and have gone all the way back to even The Show 11 as we love to romanticize about older games all the time around here.

I still got great enjoyment out of The Show 11 and 12 on the PS3. 2009 is unplayable for me.

On the PS4 14 is basically a relic compared to even 15.

But once you get to 17 and beyond it is simply on a totally new level of realism.

Like many here I agree about losing the pace of play from the MLB 09 - 11 era, newspapers, notable/recap, who’s hot and who’s not screen inside the franchise UI. Phases was in hindsight a terrible design decision. The removal of the third theme another bad decision.

But make no mistake....IMO the gameplay on 20 is second to none for any console sports game ever made.

Madden? LMFAO. Ok man. And I really enjoy Madden 21. But come on man. No comparison in gameplay for their respective sport. LOL!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

We all have our controversial opinions lol. The presentation in 09 alone makes it a more enjoyable experience than any PS4 title. Back then they had so many little commentary bits about so many players. “They not only have a gold glover but an MVP at second base as well” about Pedroia for example. Or talking about how Chien Ming Wang had an injury shortened season in 2008, even saying it happened while running the bases of all places. It’s those little things that made and still makes it a better game for me.

And in regards to Madden, I get the hate the whole franchises receives. I’ve been religiously playing NFL 2k5 from 2008-2020. But after all these years certain gameplay elements just don’t hold up anymore. And Madden 21 has, at least imo, very fun gameplay. Running the ball is good, passing feels good, catching actually feels good and they don’t randomly jump away from the ball like they do in 2k5.

But hey, I also think Shenmue 1 and 2 are one of the greatest games ever made, meanwhile others absolutely hate these games.

[Madden08PCgmr]

Re: The Future of Franchise Mode in MLB The Show 21 and Beyond

If franchise mode is the same this year as it's been -- pathetic scouting, pathetic prospects, no update to UI, no deeper finance options, no customizability -- then I think I'll start up with DD from the get-go and give it an honest try.

I don't know why they don't just change to season mode.

Strip out all the fluff
Give me the option to export my roster and stats at the end of teh season

I'll take the roster, move players around, create the draft picks and amatuer FAs, and start fresh for the next year.

[Armor and Sword]

Re: The Future of Franchise Mode in MLB The Show 21 and Beyond

We all have our controversial opinions lol. The presentation in 09 alone makes it a more enjoyable experience than any PS4 title. Back then they had so many little commentary bits about so many players. “They not only have a gold glover but an MVP at second base as well” about Pedroia for example. Or talking about how Chien Ming Wang had an injury shortened season in 2008, even saying it happened while running the bases of all places. It’s those little things that made and still makes it a better game for me.



And in regards to Madden, I get the hate the whole franchises receives. I’ve been religiously playing NFL 2k5 from 2008-2020. But after all these years certain gameplay elements just don’t hold up anymore. And Madden 21 has, at least imo, very fun gameplay. Running the ball is good, passing feels good, catching actually feels good and they don’t randomly jump away from the ball like they do in 2k5.



But hey, I also think Shenmue 1 and 2 are one of the greatest games ever made, meanwhile others absolutely hate these games.

Agree about Madden 21. I am having a blast with the gameplay and I am on the PS4 version to boot.

Yeah presentation was very good on PS3 Shows....a very big strong suite IMO.


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

[Madden08PCgmr]

Re: The Future of Franchise Mode in MLB The Show 21 and Beyond

And in regards to Madden, I get the hate the whole franchises receives. I’ve been religiously playing NFL 2k5 from 2008-2020. But after all these years certain gameplay elements just don’t hold up anymore. And Madden 21 has, at least imo, very fun gameplay. Running the ball is good, passing feels good, catching actually feels good and they don’t randomly jump away from the ball like they do in 2k5.

The hate is deserved. More hate is deserved.

There is no reason football gaming should be in the state it is in.

EA was given the keys to a Ferrari. And decided the masses should drive Prius'

[Fuimus Troes]

Re: The Future of Franchise Mode in MLB The Show 21 and Beyond

[/B]

That is exactly what the suits want you to do. Simple as that. Get ready to do that. Because there will not likely be nothing of true “wow” in the area you want improved to change your mind otherwise.

Based on history.....it is almost a slamdunk. The whole wait till we get to next gen stuff is all horse ****.

Calling it like I see it.

But it plays a whale of a game of baseball. Hope that stay's true on 21 for you folks who buy it. Heck I may pick it up.....for $10 if the gameplay is still top notch just to play some post season mode with updated rosters. No way I am picking this up on release or anytime soon after. The run has come to an end for me.

Sucks because I always look forward to this time of year knowing I was getting the new gameplay with my current franchise.

Ugh......

100%. Should have said that I would PREFER, even PAY MORE FOR, a vastly improved franchise mode. And were that present, I might not ever go the way of DD.

But like many things in life, this can be a both/and instead of an either/or.

I honestly believe that SDS loves DD and is doing a great job with it AND that it's far less predatory than haters claim it is. I think the devs are trying to find the spot where money is made off of it but it's not over the top and disrespectful to consumers. The grind is real but so are the rewards, and the paths to those rewards are clear rather than dependent on loot boxes, etc.

I also believe that SDS's commitment to DD directly hampers franchise mode improvements. And, yes: UGH to that, and shame on them.

[Fuimus Troes]

Re: The Future of Franchise Mode in MLB The Show 21 and Beyond

The hate is deserved. More hate is deserved.

There is no reason football gaming should be in the state it is in.

EA was given the keys to a Ferrari. And decided the masses should drive Prius'

Forgot one thing to cap off your analogy -- and still pay for the Ferrari.

[Madden08PCgmr]

Re: The Future of Franchise Mode in MLB The Show 21 and Beyond

100%. Should have said that I would PREFER, even PAY MORE FOR, a vastly improved franchise mode. And were that present, I might not ever go the way of DD.

I'm convinced pay-to-play is the only way franchise modes will improve going forward. For all sports titles.. and I am completely fine with that.

I honestly believe that SDS loves DD and is doing a great job with it AND that it's far less predatory than haters claim it is. I think the devs are trying to find the spot where money is made off of it but it's not over the top and disrespectful to consumers. The grind is real but so are the rewards, and the paths to those rewards are clear rather than dependent on loot boxes, etc.

I also believe that SDS's commitment to DD directly hampers franchise mode improvements. And, yes: UGH to that, and shame on them.

I really enjoy DD.

But I always walk away from a session thinking I would have been better off just grinding through my season/franchise.

[Fuimus Troes]

Re: The Future of Franchise Mode in MLB The Show 21 and Beyond

I don't think I can stress this point enough -- SDS claims that the data show that franchise users rarely make it through one year, and they use that as an excuse to NOT make improvements to the mode but RATHER drum up "more ways to play" as the so-called improvements.

SDS, TAKE A STATS CLASS.

It's at least as likely -- hell, almost certain -- that the stat represents USER DISSATISFACTION WITH THE MODE. Why go longer than a year when all the cpu-generated prospects suck, or the cpu makes horrible trades, or scouting sucks, or generational talents languish in free agency...?

Data is just data. SDS should reach out to see WHY the numbers are what they are.

[jrnlgrn]

Re: The Future of Franchise Mode in MLB The Show 21 and Beyond

I'm convinced pay-to-play is the only way franchise modes will improve going forward. For all sports titles.. and I am completely fine with that.

I've seen you make this statement before. Curious what do you find as a fair price for these DLC/micro-tranactions that would ultimately need to be purchased yearly by the consumer.