I'll start by saying that I bought my first issue of MLB the Show in 2025. I immediately fell in love with the collection concept. I became an addict, in the good sense of the term (if such a thing exist).

I bought the game late (in early May). At first, I was very intimidated. I did not know if I will ever be good enough or play enough to get the Scott Rolen wich was the first big prize. So I grind. And I had fun doing so. I played on Veteran and got Rolen. Than Williams. Than Bautista. Then Donaldson. I was very proud of me and end up having a hell of a summer. It even boost my interest in MLB (wich was very low at the time).
In early January, I start litteraly counting the days before The Show 26 release.

I bought the game on the first day. Played a lot at first. And, like so many offline players, I hit a wall really fast.

You all know the reason: hitting being very hard on easier difficulties, abysmal pack luck, best cards hidden in packs, hall of fame defense for CPU teams on rookie/veteran level and, most importantly, the absolute lack of progress in collections and Innings. The sense of getting rewarded to play the game is gone.

Lately, I said to a friend: it's ironic that, this year, what I like the least in a baseball game is to actually play baseball...

This game end up being more frustrating than fun, so, ten days ago, I stop playing.

I visit the forums from time to time and realized that I am not the only one tempted to just give up.

For me, it is clear that SDS took all the means possible to make us, players, buy stubs (to then buy packs or rare cards). I am sorry SDS, but I won't do that.

On the forums, I red that SDS wants to force us to play online.

After this long preambule, here is my question: why? What SDS have to gain to make us play online? Even more when, from what I read, the experience is a real pain because of the cheaters, the bots and the servers.

Before I delete the game from my Switch and the app from my phone, I would like to understand why SDS wants us to play online. And if MLB The Show 26 is redeemable.

After that, chances are that I will be done with this game forever. I pay good money for this game this year for about a month of gameplay. I won't do the same mistake next year. Or the one after that.

You are just too greedy, SDS.