Preface: I debated on throwing this in one of the wishlist threads, but having put a great deal of effort into, I hope you all take the time to review and contribute to the discussion. I look forward to your reading your responses!
tl;dr - RTTS Complacency?
I realize I am a bit late to the party here, as we are coming to the end of the development cycle for The Show ‘14. I’ve been an avid reader of this forum for a few years now, and am really drawn to the insight the members here continue to interject each cycle. I have noticed a steady decline in regards to the conversation of RTTS, particularly in the level of depth the player is allowed to experience. This piece I have written, to hopefully inspire some conversation, is half wishful thinking and half commentary on the future direction of the RTTS mode.
Before we delve into the gameplay, I would first like to explain my perspective so that you may better understand where I am coming from. I have been an avid supporter of MLB The Show for several years now, and the driving force for me has always been the RTTS. I understand why so many players invest their time into Diamond Dynasty and Franchise modes, but it has never been something that has garnered my interest. When I play RTTS, I play every game, every spring training, every year until the next installment comes out. I play a wide variety of other games, but inevitably, I always come back to The Show and continue my progress. Years ago it was more than enough to just be able to create myself and experience a boyhood dream through, perhaps, the most accurate sports simulation available. Yet, for a series that has continued to push the boundaries of realism with everything from ball physics to stadium sounds I cannot help but want so much more moving into the next generation of consoles.
Each year fans of the series compile their lists of wishes to include uniforms, stadiums, sounds, and everything in between. With each passing year the conversations become even more specific to request not just uniforms and stadiums, but things like, “the one time the White Sox wore shorts”, or “the woman who sits in the front row behind home plate at Miller Park”. While I do not mean to denigrate anyone else’s opinion, my point is that we appear to have become complacent with our expectations of the game modes. As if, what we have is good enough, perpetually. The mode has progressed over the years, don’t get me wrong. The process of becoming a Major Leaguer and a Hall of Famer has been elongated and become more difficult, which is certainly appreciated. However, there is a much broader understanding of the game mode that has not been challenged within the entire life span of the mode, and more bothersome, is a lack of inclusion of inspiration from other sports game series.
Once upon a time I would push for my player to sign with the highest bidder, taking as much money at the negotiation table as possible. As I have gotten older, I now sign for as little money as possible to a team of my choosing, in hopes that the organization will seek out other big free agents to join me. Now, I do not intend to make money the focal point of this discussion but rather a spear head to open up a vast quantity of potential. Whenever I speak to fellow fans of the RTTS mode, the conversation most often ends up with the NBA 2K series and its continual strides to blurring the lines between sports sim and RPG. The ability to create a player that can earn endorsements, marketing efforts, a shoe line, magazine covers, and more has not only been successful but has created an avid following in itself. The mode has grown to the point where you control your player’s interactions with the media and teammates ultimately affecting your game time performance.
One of my favorite sports game memories comes from the late NCAA Football franchise, starting off as a high school stand out battling through their senior season on the way to winning a state championship. Not only does this add more depth to the game mode, but serves as a way to organically create the attributes of your player. As you play each game, your performance not only effects your player’s abilities but also prospective universities’ interest in recruiting you.
While I understand that the idea of RPG elements can sometimes create controversy, I would argue that the RTTS mode at it’s core is an RPG albeit of very limited features. You control your player’s future by navigating through free agency, earning skill points to add to your player’s overall ranking. I am not asking for The Elder Scrolls here, but simply adding a greater level of depth to an established game mode. For a video game series known for its sophisticated realism and meticulous attention to detail, why has this game mode been stagnant for so long? I would argue that before the Diamond Dynasty and Franchise modes have become as great as they have today it was the RTTS mode that truly put the Show on map, and distinguished the series as the premier baseball franchise. So how about some love?
Here is how I would like to see it....
Finally, we have the ability to carry over our RTTS player’s from one title to the next starting with the transition from ‘14 to ‘15. With that, the progression from the start to the end of a career should only be expanded upon. You design and create your RTTS player and begin the journey as a high school senior seeking to obtain a state championship and a professional draft slot. You play through your high school season which could be customized to be anywhere between 5-30 games, all of which help sculpt the abilities of your character. Towards the end of your senior season your player will be entered into MLB draft, and from there you will be sent to anywhere between Class A ball to MLB depending on your efforts as a high school senior and your organization’s needs.
However the process pans out for you and your player you may be immediately starting games for your MLB franchise as the next Bryce Harper or you may toil within the minor leagues for years waiting for your big break. However your story plays out, once you make the MLB, everything changes. If you ever get a chance to talk to a real life Major Leaguer ask about the first few months of their professional careers. Now a days, all players are signed to deals for everything from batting gloves, bats, trading cards, etc. Depending on your level of stardom, the contract may be for a few thousand dollars or millions. While real world brands have only just begun to make their way into the game I never understood why they never create parody brands for equipment as they do to replace many of the more prominent advertisements in the MLB stadiums. We already have the ability to customize just about every piece of leather and cloth on our players why not further that into brands and the contracts that come with them? At the conclusion of each game players will have the ability to address the media and choose from a small selection of predetermined responses much like that of the 2k series, ultimately determining the effect their words have on their teammates, fans, and reputation.
As a long time player I have filled much of the blank spots with my own imaginary narratives, such as angst against Billy Butler who seems to pimp his home runs a bit more than anyone else, or the White Sox organization for letting me walk in favor of an upstart coming out of the minors. These types of instances create a much greater level of immersion than whats physically there for you, and I wish there were more instances where you go into a rival town as a super star and hear a bit more jeers from the crowd, antagonistic questions from the media, and a few more pitches on the inner half than usual.
Above all else, money has to mean something. What is the point of signing a two hundred million dollar contract when all you are doing is preventing your organization from filling other needs? Perhaps money would contribute to an overall level of prestige that determines what endorsements, equipment, and treatment you receive. An opportunity to participate in the World Baseball Classic should be included, optional, but included. Simply as a further expansion on the journey of a Major Leaguer.
I love this game, really I do. I eagerly await to see what the next installment will bring to us in terms of innovation and added design. However, I am concerned that when a franchise becomes so successful, and stable, the degree of risk taking greatly diminishes. Simply accepting a yearly upgrade in rosters, player and stadium designs, and minor menu tweaks and additions is not enough. I do not mean to stand accusatory of the development team but rather worry that their value in the RTTS fan base is no longer worthwhile. For some people, Franchise mode has replaced RTTS as you can participate in almost every feature of RTTS with a created player, in addition to everything else in Franchise. However, I feel there is a great deal of potential and value in investing in the single player experience.
tl;dr - RTTS Complacency?
I realize I am a bit late to the party here, as we are coming to the end of the development cycle for The Show ‘14. I’ve been an avid reader of this forum for a few years now, and am really drawn to the insight the members here continue to interject each cycle. I have noticed a steady decline in regards to the conversation of RTTS, particularly in the level of depth the player is allowed to experience. This piece I have written, to hopefully inspire some conversation, is half wishful thinking and half commentary on the future direction of the RTTS mode.
Before we delve into the gameplay, I would first like to explain my perspective so that you may better understand where I am coming from. I have been an avid supporter of MLB The Show for several years now, and the driving force for me has always been the RTTS. I understand why so many players invest their time into Diamond Dynasty and Franchise modes, but it has never been something that has garnered my interest. When I play RTTS, I play every game, every spring training, every year until the next installment comes out. I play a wide variety of other games, but inevitably, I always come back to The Show and continue my progress. Years ago it was more than enough to just be able to create myself and experience a boyhood dream through, perhaps, the most accurate sports simulation available. Yet, for a series that has continued to push the boundaries of realism with everything from ball physics to stadium sounds I cannot help but want so much more moving into the next generation of consoles.
Each year fans of the series compile their lists of wishes to include uniforms, stadiums, sounds, and everything in between. With each passing year the conversations become even more specific to request not just uniforms and stadiums, but things like, “the one time the White Sox wore shorts”, or “the woman who sits in the front row behind home plate at Miller Park”. While I do not mean to denigrate anyone else’s opinion, my point is that we appear to have become complacent with our expectations of the game modes. As if, what we have is good enough, perpetually. The mode has progressed over the years, don’t get me wrong. The process of becoming a Major Leaguer and a Hall of Famer has been elongated and become more difficult, which is certainly appreciated. However, there is a much broader understanding of the game mode that has not been challenged within the entire life span of the mode, and more bothersome, is a lack of inclusion of inspiration from other sports game series.
Once upon a time I would push for my player to sign with the highest bidder, taking as much money at the negotiation table as possible. As I have gotten older, I now sign for as little money as possible to a team of my choosing, in hopes that the organization will seek out other big free agents to join me. Now, I do not intend to make money the focal point of this discussion but rather a spear head to open up a vast quantity of potential. Whenever I speak to fellow fans of the RTTS mode, the conversation most often ends up with the NBA 2K series and its continual strides to blurring the lines between sports sim and RPG. The ability to create a player that can earn endorsements, marketing efforts, a shoe line, magazine covers, and more has not only been successful but has created an avid following in itself. The mode has grown to the point where you control your player’s interactions with the media and teammates ultimately affecting your game time performance.
One of my favorite sports game memories comes from the late NCAA Football franchise, starting off as a high school stand out battling through their senior season on the way to winning a state championship. Not only does this add more depth to the game mode, but serves as a way to organically create the attributes of your player. As you play each game, your performance not only effects your player’s abilities but also prospective universities’ interest in recruiting you.
While I understand that the idea of RPG elements can sometimes create controversy, I would argue that the RTTS mode at it’s core is an RPG albeit of very limited features. You control your player’s future by navigating through free agency, earning skill points to add to your player’s overall ranking. I am not asking for The Elder Scrolls here, but simply adding a greater level of depth to an established game mode. For a video game series known for its sophisticated realism and meticulous attention to detail, why has this game mode been stagnant for so long? I would argue that before the Diamond Dynasty and Franchise modes have become as great as they have today it was the RTTS mode that truly put the Show on map, and distinguished the series as the premier baseball franchise. So how about some love?
Here is how I would like to see it....
Finally, we have the ability to carry over our RTTS player’s from one title to the next starting with the transition from ‘14 to ‘15. With that, the progression from the start to the end of a career should only be expanded upon. You design and create your RTTS player and begin the journey as a high school senior seeking to obtain a state championship and a professional draft slot. You play through your high school season which could be customized to be anywhere between 5-30 games, all of which help sculpt the abilities of your character. Towards the end of your senior season your player will be entered into MLB draft, and from there you will be sent to anywhere between Class A ball to MLB depending on your efforts as a high school senior and your organization’s needs.
However the process pans out for you and your player you may be immediately starting games for your MLB franchise as the next Bryce Harper or you may toil within the minor leagues for years waiting for your big break. However your story plays out, once you make the MLB, everything changes. If you ever get a chance to talk to a real life Major Leaguer ask about the first few months of their professional careers. Now a days, all players are signed to deals for everything from batting gloves, bats, trading cards, etc. Depending on your level of stardom, the contract may be for a few thousand dollars or millions. While real world brands have only just begun to make their way into the game I never understood why they never create parody brands for equipment as they do to replace many of the more prominent advertisements in the MLB stadiums. We already have the ability to customize just about every piece of leather and cloth on our players why not further that into brands and the contracts that come with them? At the conclusion of each game players will have the ability to address the media and choose from a small selection of predetermined responses much like that of the 2k series, ultimately determining the effect their words have on their teammates, fans, and reputation.
As a long time player I have filled much of the blank spots with my own imaginary narratives, such as angst against Billy Butler who seems to pimp his home runs a bit more than anyone else, or the White Sox organization for letting me walk in favor of an upstart coming out of the minors. These types of instances create a much greater level of immersion than whats physically there for you, and I wish there were more instances where you go into a rival town as a super star and hear a bit more jeers from the crowd, antagonistic questions from the media, and a few more pitches on the inner half than usual.
Above all else, money has to mean something. What is the point of signing a two hundred million dollar contract when all you are doing is preventing your organization from filling other needs? Perhaps money would contribute to an overall level of prestige that determines what endorsements, equipment, and treatment you receive. An opportunity to participate in the World Baseball Classic should be included, optional, but included. Simply as a further expansion on the journey of a Major Leaguer.
I love this game, really I do. I eagerly await to see what the next installment will bring to us in terms of innovation and added design. However, I am concerned that when a franchise becomes so successful, and stable, the degree of risk taking greatly diminishes. Simply accepting a yearly upgrade in rosters, player and stadium designs, and minor menu tweaks and additions is not enough. I do not mean to stand accusatory of the development team but rather worry that their value in the RTTS fan base is no longer worthwhile. For some people, Franchise mode has replaced RTTS as you can participate in almost every feature of RTTS with a created player, in addition to everything else in Franchise. However, I feel there is a great deal of potential and value in investing in the single player experience.
Comment