Of course, it's difficult to predict how the community will adjust to certain changes over time, and while we figured the focus on Sets and Seasons would keep players engaged all year long, the feedback has been brutal for San Diego Studio.
But first, let's roll it back: the developer wanted to adjust the season-long power creep that occurs in team-building modes like Ultimate Team. If you've ever played one of these modes before, you'll know cards start out with relatively reasonable ratings, and then slowly get replaced as the months pass by. So, your best card may be an 89 on day one but it'll probably be a 99 by the time you've been playing for six months.
MLB The Show 24 introduced 99s on launch day, but it associated them with seasons. The idea was to funnel in a new batch of desirable cards each season to keep the game engaging all year long. But the catch was that you couldn't use cards you'd earned in previous seasons in current competitive modes.
As you can imagine, that went down like a lead balloon.
Now with Season 4, the developer's effectively removing the restrictions, saying all of your cards will be available all of the time. Furthermore, it's making the unprecedented move to confirm it won't be repeating this format in MLB The Show 25, which is due out next year.
In fact, so ferocious has the backlash been, that it's encouraging players to come back to MLB The Show 24 now in order to get a headstart in next year's game.
Community lead Ramone Russell explained: "Beginning tomorrow, you can start earning Now & Later MLB The Show Packs in playable content all throughout Diamond Dynasty. Each Now & Later MLB The Show Pack earned in MLB The Show 24 will grant an MLB The Show Pack in MLB The Show 25."
Furthermore, writing on the PS Blog, he teased some of the features you can expect in next year's game:
Road to the ShowDeepen the player's journey before being drafted, and return control to how a player develops and grows in new and interesting ways.Diamond DynastyWith Sets and Seasons retiring, our fans can look forward to all-new elements of the Diamond Dynasty experience blended with what they love most about it.FranchiseImproved trade evaluation metrics are coming along with a new fun and engaging offseason experience.GameplayWith the expansion of quick time events, defensive AI, and pathing updates, enjoy more engaging moment-to-moment gameplay.
These games are usually announced around February, so this is damage control from San Diego Studio as it tries to salvage its relationship with its community.
Obviously, we'll learn a lot more about MLB The Show 25 next year, but this list of improvements sounds decent, and we're glad the developer is listening to feedback.
[source blog.playstation.com]
MLB The Show 25 Announced Early to Quell Backlash for Current PS5, PS4 Game
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