Perfecting MLB The Show's Franchise Mode

[RaychelSnr]

This graphic overlay is just one example of a quality addition made to franchise mode in MLB The Show 16. (PSN: MikeLowe47)

Franchise mode received some significant attention in MLB The Show 16 with improvements being made to the scouting system, a new morale system, a plethora of expanded stats and even players finally being called up based on performance , not just injury (it never happened before -- go check!). These are wonderful improvements to an already terrific game. Yet I don’t think anyone would argue that while The Show is the best (only) baseball franchise on the market today, it does not have the best franchise mode in the sports world.

So what could be improved to put a future version of MLB The Show into that top echelon of franchise mode offerings such as the NBA 2K series? Here are a few ideas...

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[tessl]

Re: Perfecting MLB The Show's Franchise Mode

Good article. I understand there might be a roadblock preventing them from adding expansion but how about relocation or at least the ability to transfer a created team with user created uniforms and logos from diamond dynasty into franchise? It seems like a doable thing unless MLB for some odd reason wouldn't permit it.

My biggest issue with franchise this year is odd progression/regression but they have obviously done a lot of work on franchise.

[MLBGames]

Re: Perfecting MLB The Show's Franchise Mode

I don’t think anyone would argue that while The Show is one of the best <s>(only)</s> baseball franchises on the market today

Fixed!

[Dubsonic]

Utilize the graphics engine for quick watchable games. Some of us arm chair GM's don't care for text sims (See Football Manager series). Games should take no longer than 10-15 mins to complete.

[KBLover]

Can't have better bullpen logic without relievers represented correctly. They need splits just like hitters have. It's silly that the hitter can be better/worse vs one side or another but pitchers are all uniform. Really hurts lefty specialists.

Blindly matching hand vs hand or "always pull a guy after one inning" is not managing a bullpen. It's more nuanced than that, like many things in baseball.

[sloan28allday]

Re: Perfecting MLB The Show's Franchise Mode

I don't know if anyone can help me here but I'm a new user and it wont let me post a new thread. I'm trying to set up a 2 person franchise on the same console and running into issues no matter which mode I choose. Offline Franchise mode forces me to play 162 games, that is too many for a no sim player. Offline season mode lets me set a shorter season but doesn't give me the option for an open schedule and takes away almost of of my trade ability with no minor league system. Online franchise would be perfect, it gives me the option to shorten the season, open schedule type so we can play any games in any order without simulating the other players games. I also still have my prospects that I can trade. But for some ******* reason I cant set two user teams on one console. How can there be so many oversights to making playing a 2 person franchise enjoyable?

Does anyone know a workaround in any of these modes to help me find a setup I want? Also SDS really needs to make options that you choose before you start a franchise/season be able to be toggled on or off during the franchise/season.

[mkilcNYR]

Biggest things for me are a playable version of single A in which you can have guys do really well and crush it and speed up through the ranks to utilize the new progression system or have guys get injured. A bad injuries can happen and they can be devastating to a career and a team's long term plans. As it stands now players in A ball don't do anything, they just sit there all year unless moved. Also the bullpen AI but I feel that this can be managed if we give personalities to managers and coaching staffs. Some will be old school and want their relievers to pitch regardless of the matchups while some will be all in with the saber metrics era and keep swapping out relievers to give their team the best statistical matchup (in addition to shifting the fielders and calling for suicide squeezes, etc.)

[majestic24]

I have a few ideas myself that they can copy off of 2k.

First, is custom draft classes. Memory might be the biggest argument against this but it's worth putting this out there. Having real-life draft prospects, or at least some real-life prospects can take Franchise mode to a whole another level (combine that with the rookie ball you just mentioned).

Second is the injury system. There's already a gripe of not seeing enough injuries in-game on default sliders but something else I want to see is the injury system that 2k has. If MLB The Show can implement the real-life different injuries per body part and their proneness into the game like 2k does, it will be the best Franchise mode of any sports game IMO. I've been playing this game for almost a decade and I don't think that there's much (if any) improvements to the games injury system.

[Marcus]

Re: Perfecting MLB The Show's Franchise Mode

Great ideas...Hopefully we will see continue improvements.

[dannibalcorpse]

Re: Perfecting MLB The Show's Franchise Mode

1000000% agree with bringing back the expansion mode. They've obviously set up a detailed uniform creator in Diamond Dynasty, just port that over to franchise mode and load in a couple of pre-set teams to pair with your expansion team to make it an even 32.

Still can't believe that a baseball game from a decade and a half ago is the only console sports game that really nailed the expansion concept.

[Ghost Of The Year]

Re: Perfecting MLB The Show's Franchise Mode

I'm stunned there's not a post yet lobbying for the ability to set hotdog, rootbeer & t-shirt prices. As for expanding the minors, I wish season mode had two options, One, like it is now (40 man roster) and two, a 50 man roster where you can play AAA games. Then in franchise I wish there was also two options. Again, one like it is now and two, either 100 man rosters and playable Single A ball or 125 man rosters with both classes of A ball. If SDS ever does expand roster size I hope they go from a 7 round draft class to a 20 round draft class.

[BravesBoy]

Re: Perfecting MLB The Show's Franchise Mode

Begging for an expansion mode! The only thing I wish they could add. Building your own team, expansion draft style would be amazing.

[Mike Lowe]

Re: Perfecting MLB The Show's Franchise Mode

Thanks for commenting and enhancing the discussion, guys.

[BeatArmy]

Re: Perfecting MLB The Show's Franchise Mode

"Perfecting .... Franchise Mode."

Oh, that's easy: stop breaking the damn thing every year. Aging in 14, performance progression in 15, carryover with the morale in 16. Can't wait to see what goes pear shaped next year.

[Matt1108g]

Expansion/relocation mode or at least use the uniform creator in franchise. The tools are already there, they just need to be added to that mode by the dev team. I don't think anyone realistically expects a stadium creator, but being able to relocate or expand with created jerseys is easy.

2K, Madden, NHL all have the ability to create uniforms/expansion/relocate teams in franchise mode. They really need to let us do this.