Expansion Team Mode in MLB The Show?

[esmeet7]

As I read and listen to interviews from developers for MLB The Show, I'm curious why an "Expansion Team Mode" isn't something that's being discussed. I've said this in years past, but it seems like an Expansion Team Mode would be an ideal intersection of Diamond Dynasty and Franchise modes.

Those who like DD might enjoy being able to create a new team name, logo, stadium, and to fill a clean-slate roster with players of their choice. With that said, the Franchise-style players get the challenge of managing an actual team's roster in a full-season / franchise setting that comes with all of the nuances and details of a franchise mode.

I think back to playing All-Star Baseball 2003 and its Expansion Mode, and that was the most fun I've ever had (as a 40+ year old fan) playing a video game baseball fan. -- In my mind, this game mode would hook players and keep them playing the game longer, and you could bring in features from RTTS and DD to build your expansion team franchise and see them progress from season to season.

Is anyone at SDS even talking about or thinking about Expansion Team mode?

[Archie56]

Re: Expansion Team Mode in MLB The Show?

As I read and listen to interviews from developers for MLB The Show, I'm curious why an "Expansion Team Mode" isn't something that's being discussed. I've said this in years past, but it seems like an Expansion Team Mode would be an ideal intersection of Diamond Dynasty and Franchise modes.



Those who like DD might enjoy being able to create a new team name, logo, stadium, and to fill a clean-slate roster with players of their choice. With that said, the Franchise-style players get the challenge of managing an actual team's roster in a full-season / franchise setting that comes with all of the nuances and details of a franchise mode.



I think back to playing All-Star Baseball 2003 and its Expansion Mode, and that was the most fun I've ever had (as a 40+ year old fan) playing a video game baseball fan. -- In my mind, this game mode would hook players and keep them playing the game longer, and you could bring in features from RTTS and DD to build your expansion team franchise and see them progress from season to season.



Is anyone at SDS even talking about or thinking about Expansion Team mode?

You can already create a team and insert it into franchise I believe. You basically have to take out one of the teams and replace it with the one you want in there. I've never tried it so I don't know how well it works.

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[dran1984]

Re: Expansion Team Mode in MLB The Show?

You can already create a team and insert it into franchise I believe. You basically have to take out one of the teams and replace it with the one you want in there. I've never tried it so I don't know how well it works.

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But you have to use the roster for the team you replace.

Expansion is when you expand the league to 31 or 32 teams.

[Archie56]

Re: Expansion Team Mode in MLB The Show?

But you have to use the roster for the team you replace.



Expansion is when you expand the league to 31 or 32 teams.

Ahhhhh gotcha! Didn't know that since I've never done it. Thanks for the info man[emoji4]

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[esmeet7]

Re: Expansion Team Mode in MLB The Show?

Thanks for the responses.

As dran1984 mentioned, the true "Expansion Team Mode" would replicate a realistic scenario wherein MLB chooses to expand by 1 or 2 teams. You would get to pick a city, team name, logos, uniforms, stadium, and insert your team into an existing AL or NL division.

As owner / GM of the new team, you'd have a completely empty roster, so you'd have to go through an expansion draft where the existing teams would protect X number of players, allowing you to cherry pick from actual MLB rosters to fill out your own new team roster. (You'd also participate in the amateur draft to help fill out your minor league system. -- This is where I could see a crossover with Road to the Show, allowing you to draft your own RTTS player and place him on your expansion team.)

The expansion draft would be a lot like opening a bunch of packs in DD. You'd go through each round of the draft and get to choose from "Gold" players, "Silver" players, etc. You might find a high-Gold or low-Diamond unprotected that you could add, but you'd mostly be starting with lower-level players and then having to work to build your roster over time.

I feel like this would offer the best of all worlds because you'd be playing in an actual 162-game, season-after-season setting that Franchise players enjoy (including managing your roster, ticket prices, concessions, free agency and trades), and you'd have the Diamond Dynasty challenges of building a roster from scratch and trying to create your own unique team that can compete with real MLB teams.

Those who love building stadiums, uniforms, and logos would also have a place for their creativity to shine, but in an actual MLB franchise setting.

In my mind, this would allow players to experience some of the best aspects of both DD and Franchise. I know I'd be more committed to playing season after season of that mode (versus Franchise) as I try to take an expansion team to the playoffs and World Series, knowing that it's a multi-season goal. -- I think that would get more play time and psychological commitment that SDS wants from players, and it would be an innovative new mode to change things up.

[Grey_Osprey]

Re: Expansion Team Mode in MLB The Show?

Unless they've changed it, I think "rebranding" a team doesn't physically move them. IE- rebranding Tampa Bay as Montreal, the cpu still thinks they are in FL when it comes to location/close to home for players like/moral.



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[Pirate]

Re: Expansion Team Mode in MLB The Show?

NBA 2K does this extraordinarily well, allowing you to upload logos, choose a city, create a floor, and choose an arena. You apply for expansion and the governors vote. You can override this to make sure it happens. Then, you get to participate in an expansion draft.

But baseball is far more complicated. I would love to see all of this brought over to MLB the Show, but you'd need to set up minor league affiliates with logos, names, stadiums, locations, etc. and then fill those rosters. Some of the realism could be streamlined like establishing the minor league teams years in advance of the major league team arriving.

I would really like the ability to move a team and upload logos for use in the game and on uniforms. Then use a created stadium as the home.

[Funkycorm]

Re: Expansion Team Mode in MLB The Show?

While not a bad idea, I don't think it should be a priority. There are more important things to prioritize over expansion mode. We need bigger rosters, more rounds in the draft, and reworking of progression and regression amongst other things.

[Caulfield]

Re: Expansion Team Mode in MLB The Show?

with Studio's less than stellar track record with multiple schedules, I'd say this is closer to not ever likely than possibly happening

[PoppersPop]

Re: Expansion Team Mode in MLB The Show?

This would be the ultimate mode for me. As of now, I usually rebrand a team, build a new stadium, and then just go from there. But it would be a lot more fun not being saddled with the vestiges of the previous franchise. I understand there's a lot of logistical work to do before this could come to fruition, but there's hope. If/when MLB finally moves to 32 teams in the near future, SDS would be wise to figure out a mode like this.

[Caulfield]

Re: Expansion Team Mode in MLB The Show?

This would be the ultimate mode for me. As of now, I usually rebrand a team, build a new stadium, and then just go from there. But it would be a lot more fun not being saddled with the vestiges of the previous franchise. I understand there's a lot of logistical work to do before this could come to fruition, but there's hope. If/when MLB finally moves to 32 teams in the near future, SDS would be wise to figure out a mode like this.

whenever the next MLB expansion comes the Show will just put those new teams in themselves with whatever the schedule is. so not exactly an ''expansion'' mode, just only expansion teams in franchise, what I'm thinking

I'm surprised MLB hasn't already announced expansion. the last nearly 25 years since the last expansion is the longest timeframe w/o expansion since the 60 year period 1901-1960 and the 16 team format. once the original expansion started in '61, every few years up until 1998, expansion was constantly... um, expanding lol

[noseeumcreek]

Re: Expansion Team Mode in MLB The Show?

For me, this is the ultimate indicator that this game isn’t that concerned about franchise mode. To do this, it would open an entire can of worms about schedule modifying from MLB to minors, it would force realignment of how divisions line up. Expansion is coming to MLB and when it goes from 30 to 32, as Rob Manfred insinuated already, it will probably change up everything and be more like NFL’s idea of conferences instead of leagues. Divisions would likely go from 5 to 4 and everything would change. I think for MLB the show, it would be similar. I really want it. I just don’t think it’s very feasible.

[702]

Re: Expansion Team Mode in MLB The Show?

Was hoping for this in 22. Thought it was a possibility with the stadium creator added last year.

Literally would have bought a ps5 and 22 if it was included. Instead just going to keep grinding my 20 franchise on my ps4 until something changes with franchise enough to justify the jump up.

[beau21]

Re: Expansion Team Mode in MLB The Show?

I would really like the ability to move a team and upload logos for use in the game and on uniforms. Then use a created stadium as the home.

This.

This has been one of my biggest wishlist items for the past couple of years now. Having used the NBA 2k editor, the replayability is significanly higher (at least for me) if I can upload logos. This opens up opportunities for made up teams, logos, and unis, but also historic teams, logos, and unis - I would LOVE LOVE LOVE this.

[esmeet7]

Re: Expansion Team Mode in MLB The Show?

I understand the logistics would be challenging, but this would be an innovative mode that would have lasting replay value while appealing to Franchise and Diamond Dynasty players.

Finally, this mode would appeal to people who either don't live in MLB markets or who are interested in a new challenge and who want to build out their own teams, stadiums, logos, etc.

I know it's a stretch ask, but I think the return on investment would be significant. Honestly, I think it would quickly become one of the favorite modes in the game.