(Named MLB 2k13 wishlist because, this close to 2k12's release, they haven't shown that any of this will be in 2k12)
Alongside fixing some gameplay issues (number 1 priority, imo) and a major graphical overhaul (number 2 priority for me,) here are some more 'bells and whistles' type upgrades that I would like to see.
-Variable attendance (especially in MLB Today games)--If your team in Franchise mode is having a bad year, the fans who show up at your games should reflect that. We got a taste of that, with the average attendance, but it never affected the actual crowd in-game. In MLB today games, the attendance should be based on sales figures/projections (for games not already sold out.) Oakland playing against Baltimore midseason isn't going to bring in a capacity crowd. Star power will also come into effect here (ie- if you sign someone well known, like Albert Pujols, your average attendance will raise.)
-More ownership options--Think MVP Baseball 2005's owner mode, just not quite as in-depth (no stadium building or anything.) You should be able to set ticket price, concession prices, etc. Higher income will lead to money that can be spent on training facilities and new equipment that can help your team do better (ex- Batting Cage Level 1, your players have 3% more power, etc.) Each upgrade would cost a lot of money, and the later levels would require several seasons' income in order to purchase. This would be a new mode named 'Franchise+' (or something else) and the normal Franchise mode would be fore people who wouldn't want to delve into the whole financial aspect of the game.
-Weather/Rain Delays--There needs to be more options for playable conditions (light rain, overcast, partially overcast, etc) as well as sporadic rain delays (optional-can be activated via a toggle.) The point of these rain delays, aside from cinematics, would be- a) realism and b) effects on pitchers (getting a little worn out, the longer the delay, the more their stats take a small hit.)
-Charging the mound/fighting--Although charging the mound is officially illegal in the MLB now, it still happens. A player should have the option of charging the mound after being hit with a pitch, in certain situations (ie- that player had hit a homerun the at bat before, etc.) The benches would either clear or not clear, depending on the level of resolution.
-Arguing calls/Ejections--Apparently, ejections are coming back after multiple hit batters in 2k12. That's good, but it can be taken further. Calls should be allowed to be argued (activated by pressing right trigger after or during the replay.) There would be an aggressiveness meter. The point of this would be that arguing a bad call would give players a short morale (skill) boost for 2-3 innings (more/less depending on how bad the call was/how aggressive it was argued.) Too aggressive of an argument, however, can lead to an ejection. The level at which you get ejected would also be variable, ie, you'll have a looser leash if the call was truly a missed call (the game knows when it messes up a call- it does it on purpose), arguing balls/strikes would lead to an extremely tight leash and not much morale boost, etc. If you do get ejected, you have no control over substitution settings (again, think MVP 05.) You can only get the skill boost if the call was actually wrong, however, and you would be limited to one argument an inning (assuming you weren't ejected.)
-Deeper My Player--Expand the my player to stuff outside of the game itself. Instead of choosing your team by default, have an option to be able to be drafted. If you choose this option, you will perform in front of scouts (think drills from 2k11) and the better you do, the higher you'll be drafted. You should also be able to negotiate contracts (like in The Show) and get traded at random, as well as being able to demand trades (won't always come through.) In addition to this, stuff like houses and exploring the city (obviously not a lot, this isn't the Sims, but like the 07-08 madden games.) There would also be physical workouts to do (weight lifting) that would give you slight boosts. Negotiable contracts and spontaneous trading are the 2 major points here. Also, you will NOT have the option to change your appearance at will (barbershops) or name. Hiring an agent will also be possible (great agents, like Scott Boras, would be more expensive, but would get you higher contracts and prestige.)
-Better online leagues--Game should notify you when you have a game coming up. Official leagues would also be set up too, occasionally with small rewards (either in game or monetary.)
-In-Crowd shots like in The Show would be a nice touch.
-Better team editor--allow a logo editor and Franchise Mode integration (draft only, and replacing a current team.)
-Variable umpires--If there are good umpires, like Jim Joyce (he actually is one of the best, despite the blown call), calls should be blown at a lower rate than with bad umpires, like Joe West. Umpires with short leashes, like CB Bucknor, should eject managers faster than reasonable ones. Since they obviously can't put all umpires in the game, the unknown ones will just be neutral.
-Make managers have a more involved role (better manager=small stats boost, worse=small stats decrease.)
-Make the game harder--Even on Legend, winning still isn't much of a challenge.
-A less ugly crowd--This goes hand in hand with graphics improvement, but the crowd in this game REALLY looks awful.
A lot of these things sound like gimmicks, which they are, but with 2K having the possibility of competition on the Xbox360 market in 2013 from other games (their highest selling console, by far, and their exclusive deal is up), adding some gimmicks, as well as gameplay and graphical changes, could put them over the top of the competition.
Alongside fixing some gameplay issues (number 1 priority, imo) and a major graphical overhaul (number 2 priority for me,) here are some more 'bells and whistles' type upgrades that I would like to see.
-Variable attendance (especially in MLB Today games)--If your team in Franchise mode is having a bad year, the fans who show up at your games should reflect that. We got a taste of that, with the average attendance, but it never affected the actual crowd in-game. In MLB today games, the attendance should be based on sales figures/projections (for games not already sold out.) Oakland playing against Baltimore midseason isn't going to bring in a capacity crowd. Star power will also come into effect here (ie- if you sign someone well known, like Albert Pujols, your average attendance will raise.)
-More ownership options--Think MVP Baseball 2005's owner mode, just not quite as in-depth (no stadium building or anything.) You should be able to set ticket price, concession prices, etc. Higher income will lead to money that can be spent on training facilities and new equipment that can help your team do better (ex- Batting Cage Level 1, your players have 3% more power, etc.) Each upgrade would cost a lot of money, and the later levels would require several seasons' income in order to purchase. This would be a new mode named 'Franchise+' (or something else) and the normal Franchise mode would be fore people who wouldn't want to delve into the whole financial aspect of the game.
-Weather/Rain Delays--There needs to be more options for playable conditions (light rain, overcast, partially overcast, etc) as well as sporadic rain delays (optional-can be activated via a toggle.) The point of these rain delays, aside from cinematics, would be- a) realism and b) effects on pitchers (getting a little worn out, the longer the delay, the more their stats take a small hit.)
-Charging the mound/fighting--Although charging the mound is officially illegal in the MLB now, it still happens. A player should have the option of charging the mound after being hit with a pitch, in certain situations (ie- that player had hit a homerun the at bat before, etc.) The benches would either clear or not clear, depending on the level of resolution.
-Arguing calls/Ejections--Apparently, ejections are coming back after multiple hit batters in 2k12. That's good, but it can be taken further. Calls should be allowed to be argued (activated by pressing right trigger after or during the replay.) There would be an aggressiveness meter. The point of this would be that arguing a bad call would give players a short morale (skill) boost for 2-3 innings (more/less depending on how bad the call was/how aggressive it was argued.) Too aggressive of an argument, however, can lead to an ejection. The level at which you get ejected would also be variable, ie, you'll have a looser leash if the call was truly a missed call (the game knows when it messes up a call- it does it on purpose), arguing balls/strikes would lead to an extremely tight leash and not much morale boost, etc. If you do get ejected, you have no control over substitution settings (again, think MVP 05.) You can only get the skill boost if the call was actually wrong, however, and you would be limited to one argument an inning (assuming you weren't ejected.)
-Deeper My Player--Expand the my player to stuff outside of the game itself. Instead of choosing your team by default, have an option to be able to be drafted. If you choose this option, you will perform in front of scouts (think drills from 2k11) and the better you do, the higher you'll be drafted. You should also be able to negotiate contracts (like in The Show) and get traded at random, as well as being able to demand trades (won't always come through.) In addition to this, stuff like houses and exploring the city (obviously not a lot, this isn't the Sims, but like the 07-08 madden games.) There would also be physical workouts to do (weight lifting) that would give you slight boosts. Negotiable contracts and spontaneous trading are the 2 major points here. Also, you will NOT have the option to change your appearance at will (barbershops) or name. Hiring an agent will also be possible (great agents, like Scott Boras, would be more expensive, but would get you higher contracts and prestige.)
-Better online leagues--Game should notify you when you have a game coming up. Official leagues would also be set up too, occasionally with small rewards (either in game or monetary.)
-In-Crowd shots like in The Show would be a nice touch.
-Better team editor--allow a logo editor and Franchise Mode integration (draft only, and replacing a current team.)
-Variable umpires--If there are good umpires, like Jim Joyce (he actually is one of the best, despite the blown call), calls should be blown at a lower rate than with bad umpires, like Joe West. Umpires with short leashes, like CB Bucknor, should eject managers faster than reasonable ones. Since they obviously can't put all umpires in the game, the unknown ones will just be neutral.
-Make managers have a more involved role (better manager=small stats boost, worse=small stats decrease.)
-Make the game harder--Even on Legend, winning still isn't much of a challenge.
-A less ugly crowd--This goes hand in hand with graphics improvement, but the crowd in this game REALLY looks awful.
A lot of these things sound like gimmicks, which they are, but with 2K having the possibility of competition on the Xbox360 market in 2013 from other games (their highest selling console, by far, and their exclusive deal is up), adding some gimmicks, as well as gameplay and graphical changes, could put them over the top of the competition.
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