My opinion on the "Current State" of MLB The Show

[Caulfield]

Re: My opinion on the "Current State" of MLB The Show

I don't think the current state of the game is in a bad place where franchise users are being ignored. In fact, I think its quite the opposite. I think for the first time in several years that franchise mode is looked upon as a focal point of development with the addition of sim heads/franchise nuts like Tim (Tbarnes). While I'm as saddened and frustrated as the next person that Y2Y saves was removed, I do believe that it might be, at this time, what is best and what is needed for franchise mode to expand to the level that the franchise gamer wants, and honestly where it should've been years ago. And yes I'm aware that there hasn't been a drastic improvement in franchise mode since the removal of Y2Y saves, but I attribute this to the thought that a lot of "under the hood" coding needs to be re-done or re-written to provide a foundation to add those features and depths that we want.

As for my leaving '22, it really isn't due to the state of franchise mode, but more so because of an "issue" that I encountered that dampened my enjoyment of my current franchise. All things told, the overall package of franchise mode is better in '22 than '21, but this "issue" doesn't allow me to enjoy the mode as much as I did in previous years. And the issue may be self inflicted due to how I structured my rosters, or could be a happenstance within my particular franchise where something occurred that wouldn't occur again if I repeated the same situation several times over. But in the end, it knocked the wind out of the sails of my franchise and its hard for me to re-gain that same level of immersion when something like this happens...

yeah, I myself haven't 100% given up hope on the future for franchise, I'm still optimistic that the new platforms (xbox & nintendo) for the Show will eventually pay off in spades, and hopefully Sony will begin to reinvest heavily in franchise. but if that doesn't pan out, they're dangerously close to jumping the shark IMO

[KingOfLanglade]

Re: My opinion on the "Current State" of MLB The Show

Game is still so much fun for me. Haven’t been as active on the forum being a first time dad this year, and first time home buyer this summer. I think those life events have put gaming in perspective in my life. I more so lurk here now, and I’m not so bent out of shape anymore when a jersey isn’t right or a stadium isn’t updated.

I’m still hunting for a sim experience in my franchise, and appreciate the work done by the contributors on this site. It’s just, times have changed personally.

[LowerWolf]

Re: My opinion on the "Current State" of MLB The Show

Activity is down across OS, not just in The Show forum. I don't think that's indicative of anything with the game.

I haven't played 22 as I'm still quite happy with 21. I've wanted, for awhile now, to get to a point to where I buy new sports games every other year. You can make the argument the game is actually "too good" when you don't feel the need to "upgrade" every year.

I liked Madden 22 better than most, but it's still missing something to where I decided to get 23. But MLB 21 has been nearly perfect for me. There really isn't much to where I thought 22 could improve on, and as invested as I am in my current franchise, I decided to just stick with 21. I have no regrets about that decision.

[Culture Rot]

Re: My opinion on the "Current State" of MLB The Show

The "OS Era" for sports games for lack of a better word is over. They don't care about the community anymore. And the feeling is becoming mutual. People are moving on. Quitting sports games entirely, or moving backwards to the retro reclamation projects taking place on ps2 and ps3 era sports games. The people making this era of games don't care about the franchise modes, "sim" gameplay, the offline experience, the stuff OS was built around. MLB The Show are chasing a young audience that they've decided are only interested in a very narrow experience. I don't believe its necessarily true. And it's definitely not true that there is no way to satisfy both sides. But that's the current direction of all modern sports games. MLB The Show was a long hold out, but it too has succumbed unfortunately. Sure, the engine in place is still a good one, but that foundation was built a long time ago at this point. They are going to just ride it out until the wheels fall off.

[jcar0725]

Re: My opinion on the "Current State" of MLB The Show

The "OS Era" for sports games for lack of a better word is over. They don't care about the community anymore. And the feeling is becoming mutual. People are moving on. Quitting sports games entirely, or moving backwards to the retro reclamation projects taking place on ps2 and ps3 era sports games. The people making this era of games don't care about the franchise modes, "sim" gameplay, the offline experience, the stuff OS was built around. MLB The Show are chasing a young audience that they've decided are only interested in a very narrow experience. I don't believe its necessarily true. And it's definitely not true that there is no way to satisfy both sides. But that's the current direction of all modern sports games. MLB The Show was a long hold out, but it too has succumbed unfortunately. Sure, the engine in place is still a good one, but that foundation was built a long time ago at this point. They are going to just ride it out until the wheels fall off.

I don't know about all that, but I'm having a great time with franchise mode for '22. Been playing it all summer long.

[Cod]

Re: My opinion on the "Current State" of MLB The Show

Unfortunately, the current state of the game is as much an engineering problem as a design problem. As a software engineer by day, I don't envy The Show developers and the predicament they are running into. The game has been around for decades and the code base has been built from that initial foundation. Over time, to meet deadlines, shortcuts and tricks are taken to ensure a quality product is released. Problem is, over time, developers leave and some of the carnal knowledge of these "hacks" vanishes. Also, as the code gets more complex and larger, the ability to go back and refactor things the right way becomes near impossible without more resources (time, money, etc.).

This is part of the reason MTO and DD sees more updates than any other mode in my opinion. The code is much newer and I doubt there has been a lot of developer turnover in the past couple of years. Like with Franchise though, eventually this code will become a house of cards.

All of that is to say I understand what the developers are going through and I truly believe if they could make the entire game a better product, they would. A good friend of mine is a developer at EA and he has told me multiple times that the developers on the FIFA series would kill to update the game more, but the code base is so large and knowledge of the old mechanics left with developers.

Personally, I'd like to see every other year releases with roster updates, etc. occurring during the between years. However, I don't know what the economics of this looks like. Would releasing every other year, but selling a $10 DLC update in the between years be substantially different in profit numbers? Probably, but I don't know...I'm just an engineer .

[Caulfield]

Re: My opinion on the "Current State" of MLB The Show

Unfortunately, the current state of the game is as much an engineering problem as a design problem. As a software engineer by day, I don't envy The Show developers and the predicament they are running into. The game has been around for decades and the code base has been built from that initial foundation. Over time, to meet deadlines, shortcuts and tricks are taken to ensure a quality product is released. Problem is, over time, developers leave and some of the carnal knowledge of these "hacks" vanishes. Also, as the code gets more complex and larger, the ability to go back and refactor things the right way becomes near impossible without more resources (time, money, etc.).

This is part of the reason MTO and DD sees more updates than any other mode in my opinion. The code is much newer and I doubt there has been a lot of developer turnover in the past couple of years. Like with Franchise though, eventually this code will become a house of cards.

All of that is to say I understand what the developers are going through and I truly believe if they could make the entire game a better product, they would. A good friend of mine is a developer at EA and he has told me multiple times that the developers on the FIFA series would kill to update the game more, but the code base is so large and knowledge of the old mechanics left with developers.

Personally, I'd like to see every other year releases with roster updates, etc. occurring during the between years. However, I don't know what the economics of this looks like. Would releasing every other year, but selling a $10 DLC update in the between years be substantially different in profit numbers? Probably, but I don't know...I'm just an engineer .

yeah, I'm definitely all for all sports titles going to a one release every two years cycle.
with plenty updates in their down year. but probably not gonna happen anytime soon, if ever

[Holy Toledo]

Re: My opinion on the "Current State" of MLB The Show

With y2y saves gone this game is no longer an every year purchase for me. The game feels more dated with every release. The lack of graphic updates, updates to stadiums/fans and the AI bullpen and roster construction/management take away from the enjoyment of the gameplay and grinding through a season.

It is starting to feel more like the Madden franchise. I used to buy Madden every year but eventually became frustrated with the lack of attention to franchise mode and took a year off. I ended up never buying Madden again and haven’t looked back. I wouldn’t be surprised if this turns out to be the same with The Show.


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

[KnightTemplar]

Re: My opinion on the "Current State" of MLB The Show

yeah, I'm definitely all for all sports titles going to a one release every two years cycle.
with plenty updates in their down year. but probably not gonna happen anytime soon, if ever

It’s NEVER going to happen. You’re asking a company to sell their product every other year so that they can sit for a whole year and work on stuff WE want in the game? Even if they charge for updates. I think most of us count the days for the next years release as it gets closer to opening day. Christmas for me is The Show release date.

[jcar0725]

Re: My opinion on the "Current State" of MLB The Show

It’s NEVER going to happen. You’re asking a company to sell their product every other year so that they can sit for a whole year and work on stuff WE want in the game? Even if they charge for updates. I think most of us count the days for the next years release as it gets closer to opening day. Christmas for me is The Show release date.

Ageed. They do what makes them the most money. Can't fault them for that at all.

Sent from my thoughts

[Caulfield]

Re: My opinion on the "Current State" of MLB The Show

...I think most of us count the days for the next years release as it gets closer to opening day. Christmas for me is The Show release date.

it's been exactly like Christmas for me, release day, for the last 10-11 years.

but after Show 23 drops, most likely I'll play 23 for a couple years, and then shift to the way I play Madden: a year behind, starting with Show 24.

unless something changes to the future ''current state'', and the Show returns to the golden age state of yesteryear.

[Bullit]

Re: My opinion on the "Current State" of MLB The Show

it's been exactly like Christmas for me, release day, for the last 10-11 years.

but after Show 23 drops, most likely I'll play 23 for a couple years, and then shift to the way I play Madden: a year behind, starting with Show 24.

unless something changes to the future ''current state'', and the Show returns to the golden age state of yesteryear.

Yeah. I am pretty much done across the board with day one purchases. The state of games as a whole, not just sports titles, between launch day patches and other issues. The paying to play it early scam and all of that. I would just as soon wait a few months and get it for $30.

Plus now with no carry over saves if I get wrapped up into a new franchise I am going to be completely unmotivated to buy a new game until I am done with the franchise I am playing.

[Blzer]

Re: My opinion on the "Current State" of MLB The Show

Without reading any posts other than the OP, they shifted their focus in all the wrong areas, don't seem to improve in areas that I care for, and have removed options for other things that I always enjoyed. I'm sure there are higher-ups telling them to shift their focus to what makes them the most money (like when to add Move and VR support, plus probably to expand beyond PlayStation consoles), but that has really taken me away from buying this as a yearly title.

Switching to this PS5 generation was also a chance for them to start anew, but alas that wasn't in the cards apparently either. This game hasn't evolved enough in the past fifteen years in my opinion, and even though it's currently the only simulation baseball game in town, other titles are passing them by.

They oughta be careful doing what they do when EA sneaks up from behind and releases MVP 2024. They better not be caught with their pants down 18 months from now.

[DamnYanks2]

Re: My opinion on the "Current State" of MLB The Show

I honestly feel like this is one of the best years ever for the Show. I've enjoyed it more then any other year. It's one of the few games any more that keeps my focus and really gets emotions out of me.

This is the best offline sports game period. 2K is a **** offline experience. The CPU is dumb. Doesn't resemble the NBA at all. And Madden is really just an average experience. It's alright but doesn't do enough for me.

The Show resembles baseball so well. The streaks the slumps. When you face an ace pitcher. You can feel it. You have to adjust your hitting approach. The AI is pretty smart and adjusts to how you attack them on the mound.

I've been in baseball bliss.








Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

[KnightTemplar]

Re: My opinion on the "Current State" of MLB The Show

I honestly feel like this is one of the best years ever for the Show. I've enjoyed it more then any other year. It's one of the few games any more that keeps my focus and really gets emotions out of me. P@l.

The Show resembles baseball so well. The streaks the slumps. When you face an ace pitcher. You can feel it. You have to adjust your hitting approach. The AI is pretty smart and adjusts to how you attack them on the mound.

I've been in baseball bliss









Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

Yep….I simply don’t care, or touch online, DD, retro, MTO, home run derby (in all these year never even tried it), etc., etc. Pure baseball bliss off line v. the CPU.