How SDS Has Become Disconnected from the MLB The Show Community
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As a long-time fan of the MLB The Show franchise, it's disheartening to witness the growing disconnect between San Diego Studios (SDS) and the dedicated community of players this year. MLB The Show has been a staple for baseball fans, providing a realistic and engaging experience that has set the standard for sports video games. However, recent decisions and updates have left many in the community feeling unheard and frustrated.
Lack of Meaningful Communication
One of the most glaring issues this year has been the lack of meaningful communication from SDS. In previous years, the development team was actively engaged with the community, responding to feedback and keeping players informed about upcoming changes and updates. This year, however, there has been a noticeable silence. Patch notes have become less detailed, and the once vibrant interaction on social media and forums has dwindled. Players are left in the dark about important gameplay changes and the rationale behind them.Ignoring Player Feedback
The MLB The Show community is passionate and vocal about their experiences and expectations. Unfortunately, it seems that SDS is not taking this feedback into account. Numerous issues, such as gameplay bugs, server instability, and balance problems, have been highlighted by players repeatedly. Despite this, many of these concerns remain unaddressed. This disregard for player input not only frustrates the community but also hampers the overall quality of the game.Monetization Over Gameplay
Another point of contention has been the apparent shift in focus towards monetization rather than enhancing the core gameplay experience. While in-game purchases and microtransactions have been part of the game for a while, this year has seen an aggressive push towards spending real money. Essential features and desirable content are increasingly locked behind paywalls, leading to a "pay-to-win" environment that alienates a significant portion of the player base.Event and Content Mismanagement
Event scheduling and content updates have also been mishandled this year. Many players look forward to seasonal events and special content drops, but these have been plagued with poor timing, lackluster rewards, and minimal innovation. Instead of fresh and exciting challenges, players are met with recycled content and uninspired events that fail to maintain interest. The community's anticipation for new and engaging experiences has turned into disappointment and apathy.The Path Forward
For MLB The Show to regain its standing and reconnect with its community, SDS needs to take several crucial steps:-
Reopen Communication Channels: Engage with the community through regular updates, detailed patch notes, and active participation in forums and social media. Transparency is key to rebuilding trust.
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Act on Feedback: Listen to the community’s concerns and take actionable steps to address them. Demonstrating that player input matters will go a long way in repairing relationships.
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Balance Monetization and Gameplay: Ensure that the game remains enjoyable and competitive without forcing players to spend money to stay relevant. A fair and balanced approach to microtransactions can help retain a loyal player base.
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Innovate and Refresh Content: Introduce new and exciting content that keeps the game fresh and engaging. Thoughtfully planned events and updates can reignite enthusiasm and interest among players.
San Diego Studios has the opportunity to turn things around and rekindle the passion that players have for MLB The Show. By addressing these concerns and realigning their focus with the community's needs, SDS can restore the game's reputation and ensure its continued success in the future.
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@BadaBing_0 said in How SDS Has Become Disconnected from the MLB The Show Community:
As a long-time fan of the MLB The Show franchise, it's disheartening to witness the growing disconnect between San Diego Studios (SDS) and the dedicated community of players this year. MLB The Show has been a staple for baseball fans, providing a realistic and engaging experience that has set the standard for sports video games. However, recent decisions and updates have left many in the community feeling unheard and frustrated.
Lack of Meaningful Communication
One of the most glaring issues this year has been the lack of meaningful communication from SDS. In previous years, the development team was actively engaged with the community, responding to feedback and keeping players informed about upcoming changes and updates. This year, however, there has been a noticeable silence. Patch notes have become less detailed, and the once vibrant interaction on social media and forums has dwindled. Players are left in the dark about important gameplay changes and the rationale behind them.Ignoring Player Feedback
The MLB The Show community is passionate and vocal about their experiences and expectations. Unfortunately, it seems that SDS is not taking this feedback into account. Numerous issues, such as gameplay bugs, server instability, and balance problems, have been highlighted by players repeatedly. Despite this, many of these concerns remain unaddressed. This disregard for player input not only frustrates the community but also hampers the overall quality of the game.Monetization Over Gameplay
Another point of contention has been the apparent shift in focus towards monetization rather than enhancing the core gameplay experience. While in-game purchases and microtransactions have been part of the game for a while, this year has seen an aggressive push towards spending real money. Essential features and desirable content are increasingly locked behind paywalls, leading to a "pay-to-win" environment that alienates a significant portion of the player base.Event and Content Mismanagement
Event scheduling and content updates have also been mishandled this year. Many players look forward to seasonal events and special content drops, but these have been plagued with poor timing, lackluster rewards, and minimal innovation. Instead of fresh and exciting challenges, players are met with recycled content and uninspired events that fail to maintain interest. The community's anticipation for new and engaging experiences has turned into disappointment and apathy.The Path Forward
For MLB The Show to regain its standing and reconnect with its community, SDS needs to take several crucial steps:-
Reopen Communication Channels: Engage with the community through regular updates, detailed patch notes, and active participation in forums and social media. Transparency is key to rebuilding trust.
-
Act on Feedback: Listen to the community’s concerns and take actionable steps to address them. Demonstrating that player input matters will go a long way in repairing relationships.
-
Balance Monetization and Gameplay: Ensure that the game remains enjoyable and competitive without forcing players to spend money to stay relevant. A fair and balanced approach to microtransactions can help retain a loyal player base.
-
Innovate and Refresh Content: Introduce new and exciting content that keeps the game fresh and engaging. Thoughtfully planned events and updates can reignite enthusiasm and interest among players.
San Diego Studios has the opportunity to turn things around and rekindle the passion that players have for MLB The Show. By addressing these concerns and realigning their focus with the community's needs, SDS can restore the game's reputation and ensure its continued success in the future.
I'm just making sure this stays at the top
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unfortunately it's difficult to keep content fresh when they are handing out 90 cards from TA, 50+ cards from season awards, and whatever programs mixed in between.
150-200 (maybe more) free cards that people can earn.
I know there have been a lot of players to play this game but realistically, how many do you really think deserve to be in the game or that they even have the rights to?
We're going to be force fed the same cards next season and the season after that and the season after that.
How do you keep content fresh with this structure? You can't. Seasons and the shift to more collections has made it very difficult to keep content interesting and engaging. Very unfortunate.
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Making sure this stays at the top
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The answer is yes to everything.
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Bump bump bump
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well said
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@BadaBing_0_PSN What we don't know and probably never will is: how much is Playstation and Sony involved with the decline. Are SDS's hands being forced? In this expense-growing economy, is the game as profitable as it has been in the past? I know they made a multi-year commitment to the Negro League Museum to bring those players into the game, but it sure feels like this may be the last year of the game. I hope it isn't, but with all the problems left untouched and the lack of communication from the developers, it feels like a wind-down.
I'm sure there is a steep increase in costs to keep this game going (servers, salaries, office space, corporate fees, royalties, etc.) but the real question is: are these costs too much to keep the game profitable enough to maintain, upgrade, and bring future editions to the market?
Yes, they sell hundreds of thousands of copies of the game, but with those sales come costs to keep it running. Are those costs too much for profitability - or is the margin of profitability that Playstation and/or Sony demands there?
These are some of the ramblings my brain has been tossing about as I spend my time playing a game I have loved in the past, but am slowing getting tired of.
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@aaronjw76 said in How SDS Has Become Disconnected from the MLB The Show Community:
unfortunately it's difficult to keep content fresh when they are handing out 90 cards from TA, 50+ cards from season awards, and whatever programs mixed in between.
150-200 (maybe more) free cards that people can earn.
I know there have been a lot of players to play this game but realistically, how many do you really think deserve to be in the game or that they even have the rights to?
We're going to be force fed the same cards next season and the season after that and the season after that.
How do you keep content fresh with this structure? You can't. Seasons and the shift to more collections has made it very difficult to keep content interesting and engaging. Very unfortunate.
Content is what you do with the cards much, much more than the cards themselves. Seasons have absolutely nothing to do with the content issue
Every single mode is the same as last year. No innovation.
Mini seasons remain half assed. Conquest is OK enough, but they cut the TA maps. Showdown is still showdown. Ranked, BR, and events all same as last year.They need to shake things up. Offline especially needs a new mode, and I'm sure there is a way to spice up online as well.
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this might be the best written piece that isnt just breathing fire, and threatening to quit or tearing people apart post ive seen. Bravo!
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And it's almost certainly the publishers behind the monetisation. That's the way the games industry works. Developers generally care about their product, publishers care about money and don't care about quality or customer happiness as long as the money flows.
I do think some of the staleness of content is on SDS though.
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@Blind_Bleeder said in How SDS Has Become Disconnected from the MLB The Show Community:
@BadaBing_0 What we don't know and probably never will is: how much is Playstation and Sony involved with the decline. Are SDS's hands being forced? In this expense-growing economy, is the game as profitable as it has been in the past? I know they made a multi-year commitment to the Negro League Museum to bring those players into the game, but it sure feels like this may be the last year of the game. I hope it isn't, but with all the problems left untouched and the lack of communication from the developers, it feels like a wind-down.
I'm sure there is a steep increase in costs to keep this game going (servers, salaries, office space, corporate fees, royalties, etc.) but the real question is: are these costs too much to keep the game profitable enough to maintain, upgrade, and bring future editions to the market?
Yes, they sell hundreds of thousands of copies of the game, but with those sales come costs to keep it running. Are those costs too much for profitability - or is the margin of profitability that Playstation and/or Sony demands there?
These are some of the ramblings my brain has been tossing about as I spend my time playing a game I have loved in the past, but am slowing getting tired of.
The game’s sustainability hinges not just on sales, but on its ability to maintain a loyal and satisfied player base. If players continue to feel ignored and underserved, the long-term viability of The Show could be in jeopardy. Ultimately, without insider information, we can only speculate on the internal dynamics at SDS and the financial pressures they face. However, the community's growing discontent signals a need for greater transparency and responsiveness from both SDS and its corporate overseers. If PlayStation and Sony value the franchise's legacy and its dedicated player base, they must address these issues head-on to ensure that MLB The Show remains a beloved staple for years to come.
Let's hope that SDS recognizes this sentiment and takes meaningful steps to bridge the gap with their community.
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@LIONED-33 said in How SDS Has Become Disconnected from the MLB The Show Community:
this might be the best written piece that isnt just breathing fire, and threatening to quit or tearing people apart post ive seen. Bravo!
Thank you! I'm glad the tone came across as intended. The goal is definitely to open up a constructive dialogue rather than just vent frustration. The community has a lot of passionate and dedicated players who genuinely want to see MLB The Show succeed. Hopefully, SDS takes note of this kind of feedback and engages with us more openly. It would be great to see them build on this conversation and start addressing some of the concerns we've raised. Here's to hoping for a more transparent and responsive future for the game we all love.
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@BadaBing_0 I’m curious how many players would opt into a monthly subscription for DD?
I’m not going to be shocked if companies like EA and SDS head in that direction for access to online content.Full disclosure I would pay monthly.
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@BJDUBBYAH said in How SDS Has Become Disconnected from the MLB The Show Community:
@BadaBing_0 I’m curious how many players would opt into a monthly subscription for DD?
I’m not going to be shocked if companies like EA and SDS head in that direction for access to online content.Full disclosure I would pay monthly.
I'd only pay a monthly fee if the game price was greatly reduced, by more than half. Plus it would depend on the monthly payment. More than likely, I wouldn't buy the game if it came to a monthly subscription.
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@BJDUBBYAH said in How SDS Has Become Disconnected from the MLB The Show Community:
@BadaBing_0 I’m curious how many players would opt into a monthly subscription for DD?
I’m not going to be shocked if companies like EA and SDS head in that direction for access to online content.Full disclosure I would pay monthly.
It depends...if they were to reduce the initial price of the game to $25 or $30? Maybe. It would also depend on the monthly price and if they're actually going to maintain relevant content flow or not
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@BJDUBBYAH said in How SDS Has Become Disconnected from the MLB The Show Community:
@BadaBing_0 I’m curious how many players would opt into a monthly subscription for DD?
I’m not going to be shocked if companies like EA and SDS head in that direction for access to online content.Full disclosure I would pay monthly.
I wouldn't be inclined to opt into a monthly subscription for Diamond Dynasty (DD) in its current state. Even with a $100 version offering a full season pass, I wouldn't see it as worth the investment without significant improvements to the game. For a subscription model to be enticing, SDS would need to overhaul the game, introduce diverse modes, and consistently release playable content over time, rather than dumping a month's worth of content in one day.
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That would be the death knell for me, a monthly subscription service. The amount of content does not warrant such a move and it would kill me, but I would have to move on from The Show. I am a cheapskate however.
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@Blind_Bleeder said in How SDS Has Become Disconnected from the MLB The Show Community:
@BadaBing_0 What we don't know and probably never will is: how much is Playstation and Sony involved with the decline. Are SDS's hands being forced? In this expense-growing economy, is the game as profitable as it has been in the past? I know they made a multi-year commitment to the Negro League Museum to bring those players into the game, but it sure feels like this may be the last year of the game. I hope it isn't, but with all the problems left untouched and the lack of communication from the developers, it feels like a wind-down.
I'm sure there is a steep increase in costs to keep this game going (servers, salaries, office space, corporate fees, royalties, etc.) but the real question is: are these costs too much to keep the game profitable enough to maintain, upgrade, and bring future editions to the market?
Yes, they sell hundreds of thousands of copies of the game, but with those sales come costs to keep it running. Are those costs too much for profitability - or is the margin of profitability that Playstation and/or Sony demands there?
These are some of the ramblings my brain has been tossing about as I spend my time playing a game I have loved in the past, but am slowing getting tired of.
Why dude?? Omg WHY are you and the lot like this? Are you seriously on the payroll or related to someone on the payroll? I've literally NEVER seen ANY reasonable criticism of the things that actually matter to this game. It's not hard to put blame where it is due and it's insanely mind numbing the lengths you will go do not put a single bit of responsibility on SDS. There are no other games Sony has that are this [censored] bad. In fact they have their hands ENTIRELY inside of Spiderman and it was a contender for the game of the year and always continues to be. Sony has no problem giving devs their liberty.
So dense. So dense. I'm sorry. I am not insulting you at this point. I am just impressed by the lengths and stretching y'all do, my goodness. -
@Blind_Bleeder absolutely, and if/when we see the game released on current gen only, I want to believe a major overhaul will come with it. With a focus on all of the things you’ve outlined in your post. And I wouldn’t be shocked to see the dabbling of monthly subscription.
