When choosing to get the new version or stick what matters?

[wizfan2]

Re: When choosing to get the new version or stick what matters?

I play every pitch of every game. I never used carryover saves because I like starting each new version of the game fresh. So, for me, it really comes down to "do the improvements outweigh ending this dynasty to start over?"

The only version I've ever skipped is 22. That's because I was having such a blast with 21, I couldn't justify starting over. If I'm being honest, I kind of wish I had skipped 23 too.

Right now, I'm 50/50 on sticking with 24 or going to 25.

Reasons to stick with 24 for me:

• I'm having a blast
• I'm really connected to my current dynasty (even after not playing for a few months)
• The gameplay is REALLY good, probably the best it's ever been
• My Braves (with the default roster) are loaded

Reasons to go to 25 for me:

• PS5 Pro enhanced (in all likelihood)
• Maybe bullpen AI will be better
• Maybe trade logic will be better
• Maybe contract logic will be better
• The Braves are maybe too loaded in 24, so 25 may be a better challenge (especially with the Mets loading up)
• A proper Spencer Schwellenbach
• A bunch of the Vols from the national championship team should be in the game

I'm right with you, gonna be a tough decision, I absolutely LOVE the gameplay right now and swear there are some tweaks they've made to stadium atmospheres.

[SoxFan01605]

Re: When choosing to get the new version or stick what matters?

I used to always be on board yearly but, honestly, I just haven't found there to be meaningful enough updates to the franchise to pull me from '20. I mostly game on PC nowadays, so I still haven't moved from PS4. Graphics are barely improved, franchise is stale, updates are going into modes I don't care about, etc. Just no compelling reason for me to update.

Fun side note - I just recently deleted an old doc left over from forever ago with a franchise and ratings wishlist that Kolbe and I think Brian from SCEA asked me for way back when I was more active here. I think I gave it to Knight (for those that remember him) to take to a community day as he was kind of our franchise "rep"...most of those things would still be on a current wishlist.

None of this is me griping about the game btw. I get the "why," and I know I'm no longer their target audience. I'm still getting my baseball fix from '20.

I've played around with the newer ones on Gamepass streaming and I do like many of the gameplay changes, but not enough to buy a new system and a new game when I'm still able to play (and enjoy) '20 with my SOTS profile and being 7-8 years deep in my franchise.

IF it comes to PC, I'm 100% in if for no other reason than to support the move. If not, I just keep waiting to be compelled to make the move one year.

[jr86]

Re: When choosing to get the new version or stick what matters?

I want 1thing...the ability to choose less games in franchise mode.
So plain and simple it blows my mind how something so seemingly easy to implement continues to be ignored year after year..

[tessl]

Re: When choosing to get the new version or stick what matters?

I got every version until 24 and I stuck with 23 to keep my franchise.

Most franchise players sim and probably don't mind starting over every year but I play all the games so I'm invested in my franchise.

If they would either bring back y2y or fix the issues with the draft I'd probably buy the new version.

[mpklub]

Re: When choosing to get the new version or stick what matters?

I still play 20. Bacon's roster and I have a historical-ish Cleveland franchise going that's basically my version of "what could Clevleland baseball have been if the Dolans didn't suck as owners when we had prime Kluber, Bauer, Lindor, etc". Used a 2019 roster base and carried over to 20.

I have really come around on 23 tho. I find the variety in that game to be off the charts. I've had so many different game types in 23. Over the weekend I had a game where I blew a save in the 9th and then scored 7 in the 10th to win. This was after 1-0 and 4-3 losses. Just tons of variety.

I haven't really dug into 24 as much as I would like to. I'd like to do a long-term franchise with the OS 100 fictional roster but haven't been able to commit.

All of this to say that the main driver to me is based on how much is updated and roster content by the community. I'll probably get 25. But likely not until Black Friday unless it's on a deep discount.

Sent from my SM-S928U1 using Tapatalk

[jada855]

Re: When choosing to get the new version or stick what matters?

Because they have improved gameplay over the years not all but some. This year needs to be about graphics and animations if they start posting screen shots and it looks anything like 24 it's over for the show! Especially if those refs show up with block shoes. Has anyone not seen the refs in Madden 24 and 25 what the heck! I don't want to hear the bigger team argument Sony has money and so does SDS!

[Armor and Sword]

Re: When choosing to get the new version or stick what matters?

I still play 20. Bacon's roster and I have a historical-ish Cleveland franchise going that's basically my version of "what could Clevleland baseball have been if the Dolans didn't suck as owners when we had prime Kluber, Bauer, Lindor, etc". Used a 2019 roster base and carried over to 20.

I have really come around on 23 tho. I find the variety in that game to be off the charts. I've had so many different game types in 23. Over the weekend I had a game where I blew a save in the 9th and then scored 7 in the 10th to win. This was after 1-0 and 4-3 losses. Just tons of variety.

I haven't really dug into 24 as much as I would like to. I'd like to do a long-term franchise with the OS 100 fictional roster but haven't been able to commit.

All of this to say that the main driver to me is based on how much is updated and roster content by the community. I'll probably get 25. But likely not until Black Friday unless it's on a deep discount.

Sent from my SM-S928U1 using Tapatalk

I have been like this too since MLB 20. Well known I have played 20 extensively but I got 23 during 24’s cycle because of ATG, Boston and Knights classic rosters and I also ended up playing a 2024 Yankees season with MrMet’s updated roster.

Fast forward to December 2024 and we installed a free version from PSN of MLB 24 and I am locked in on more ATG and Knight goodness and will more than likely play a 2025 Yankees season using MrMets updated 2025 roster for 24.

Like you classic roster content is a huge part of my playing time but I have come into a new era of how I approach my baseball gaming. I choose a roster and play one season only and move onto another Classic roster rinse and repeat. I play every pitch every inning so without Y2Y saves (and it’s not coming back) I don’t get invested in long term multi season franchises anymore. I rather play multiple seasons in various eras.

And being a year behind allows the roster community to do their magic so by the time I pick up the newest version (really cheap or free on PSN) all the roster content is there.

Gameplay wise I love where The Show is after a two year decline on 21 and 22.

Those two games were simply not up to the high standards they established over the last 15 years. But 23 was really good and man 24 is the best version of baseball I have ever played from SDS. It finally had me put aside my beloved MLB 20.

Will I go back to 20? Oh yeah I am sure I will get a MLB 20 itch again and have some nostalgia….but 23 and 24 is where we are for the foreseeable future. I am having way too much fun with all the roster content to just put it aside in March.

MLB 23 is my 80's Era game
MLB 24 is my 90's and 70's era game

[reyes the roof]

Re: When choosing to get the new version or stick what matters?

For me it comes down to if the improvements in gameplay and franchise outweigh the disappointment of having to start my franchise over

[piffbernd]

Re: When choosing to get the new version or stick what matters?

I want 1thing...the ability to choose less games in franchise mode.
So plain and simple it blows my mind how something so seemingly easy to implement continues to be ignored year after year..

I Play a Kind of Fantasy franshise. I edit myself as two way pitcher and 2 good Friends 1 ist 2B and CF. I sim every 3 start, i play ~20 Games an season the Rest i sim.

This year i bought it on Holiday Sale. Main reason was trophy Awards tab. Until 2019 i bought the Show on launch. I will See where im at my career in 24.

[bronxbombers21325]

Re: When choosing to get the new version or stick what matters?

I love buying the new game every year. But in a way, I get kind of bummed because I feel like I'm starting all the way over again. I'm back to waiting for all the equipment, waiting for the international players to be added, waiting for the next patch, waiting for this waiting for that. When in the previous years game is fully tuned to my liking. I have all the equipment updates, all the patches, everything to my liking. So, in a way it's hard to leave it behind. Especially 24 as I feel like it's the best game to date.

[Ghost Of The Year]

Re: When choosing to get the new version or stick what matters?

That is crazy, I have never thought about it like that. 1 drink a week? That is only one glass of water instead of a soda. Crazy!!!

On topic, I buy this game every year and it is the only sports game I buy every year. It never disappoints me as baseball is my favourite sport to play in a video game. I also still play Baseball Stars on the NES because that was the first game I played where you could name players and improve them, fire them, hire them, etc. I always created the BlueJays and it was always fun to try to make players names recognizable with only 6 characters.

Stieb was easy, so was Olerud, but Canseco became Cnseco, Fernandez became Frnndz. But my all time favorite was Candy Maldonado whcih became Mldndo.

I can only magine trying to fit Saltalamacchia (from more recentish players) in there, lol.

[CgyFlames]

Re: When choosing to get the new version or stick what matters?

I want 1thing...the ability to choose less games in franchise mode.
So plain and simple it blows my mind how something so seemingly easy to implement continues to be ignored year after year..

Not the only reason, but this is a significant factor in Super Mega Baseball 4 becoming my dominant baseball game. I can roll through seasons in my franchise much faster while still playing every pitch. I like to play a lot of different sports games so committing to 162 is just daunting at this point in my life.