Community Forum

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.

They aren't going to unban you. We report idiots like you for team names and awful logos because children play this game. The last thing I want my kid seeing is a pair of b on a uniform or a spewing p for a logo or some racist stuff for a team name while playing a baseball game. Enjoy your ban, see you next year and hopefully you learn your lesson.

It's not just ohChev. DaddyDimmuTV, Shelfy, Mills, Adam Samuels, Fuzzy, Nutzy and the list goes on. They are all calling out SDS. When the top streamers who make a living playing your game are complaining about the state of things. That is bad for business.

Edit: I want to add that I don't care if they like it or not but SDS should. That is their advertising to all the younger generations who live on Twitch/YT/TT and make their decisions based on what they see on their favorite streamers videos.

Looks like Samy finally got the ban he deserved, hopefully a long one. I'd imagine he'll return to Reddit and well you all know the rest.

40k pack, a program with some free sounds, 500 stubs and 1k XP that takes all of 20 mins to finish.

After years of loyalty and countless hours invested in MLB The Show, it’s with great disappointment that I’ve decided to move on from the franchise. The lack of meaningful communication from San Diego Studios, the disregard for player feedback, and the shift towards aggressive monetization have made the game unrecognizable from what it once was. Despite the community’s passion and dedication, SDS has failed to address our concerns, leaving us frustrated and unheard.

While I may still play All-Star Weekend content and occasionally log in to give the game log watchers something to post about, the passion is gone. It’s time to bid farewell to a game that was once a beloved staple. Thank you for the memories, MLB The Show.

Today, April 15th, marks Jackie Robinson Day, a day of tribute and reflection on the enduring legacy of a true pioneer in American sports and civil rights. It's a day where baseball fans, players, and communities around the world come together to honor the incredible impact of Jackie Robinson on and off the field.

Jackie Robinson made history on April 15, 1947, when he stepped onto Ebbets Field as the first African American to play in Major League Baseball in the modern era, breaking the sport's color barrier. His debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers not only marked a significant moment in baseball history but also symbolized a monumental step forward in the ongoing struggle for racial equality in the United States.

Robinson faced immense adversity and discrimination throughout his career, enduring racial slurs, threats, and even violence from fans, opposing players, and sometimes his own teammates. Yet, through his exceptional talent, unwavering determination, and unyielding courage, Robinson persevered, paving the way for future generations of black athletes and inspiring countless individuals to confront injustice with dignity and resolve.

Beyond his contributions to the game of baseball, Jackie Robinson was a passionate advocate for civil rights and social justice. He used his platform to challenge segregation and inequality, becoming a prominent figure in the fight for racial integration and equality in America. His legacy extends far beyond the confines of the baseball diamond, serving as a beacon of hope and inspiration for all who strive for a more just and inclusive society.

As we commemorate Jackie Robinson Day, let us not only celebrate his remarkable achievements but also reaffirm our commitment to the principles of equality, diversity, and respect that he embodied. Let us honor his memory by continuing to work towards a future where every individual, regardless of race or background, has the opportunity to pursue their dreams and thrive without fear of discrimination or prejudice.

Today, and every day, let us remember Jackie Robinson's courage, resilience, and enduring legacy, and let us strive to emulate his spirit of perseverance and determination in our own lives. Happy Jackie Robinson Day!

I am still going to play because I enjoy the game regardless of the flaws.

I thought they figured this out? Lmao, creepy as hell.

@jake98833 said in How SDS Has Become Disconnected from the MLB The Show Community:

@AdeptOfMemory said in How SDS Has Become Disconnected from the MLB The Show Community:

@Sarge1387 every other game in the world is cross platform and doesn't have issues. Why is that issue here?

I'm assuming it's legacy code that's conflicting with the newer code being stacked on top because the Show's game engine is from 2007 the same thing happened with Madden

You're definitely onto something. MLB The Show has been using the same game engine for a long time, dating back to the early 2010s (maybe earlier), and while they’ve updated it over the years, that core architecture is still pretty old. This can lead to what’s known as technical debt, where older code becomes more complex and harder to maintain or extend without introducing new issues.

Now, with the game being on three different console generations (PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S), and recently on Nintendo Switch, it creates a lot of development challenges. Making sure everything works perfectly across all these platforms means overlapping codebases and different configurations, which can introduce bugs and make it harder to fix them consistently.

Then there's the issue of resources. San Diego Studios has to focus on new features, content, and keeping up with the yearly release schedule, which probably means they don't have as much time or manpower dedicated to fixing all the existing bugs. This can lead to older bugs reappearing in new versions of the game.

Thorough testing across multiple consoles and game modes is also really time-consuming and resource-intensive. Even with their best efforts, some bugs slip through, especially in a complex game like MLB The Show. Plus, the pressure to meet annual release deadlines means that less critical bugs might be put off for future updates, leading to them showing up again if they're not fully addressed.

So, it’s likely a combination of an aging game engine, the complexity of supporting multiple consoles, limited resources for bug fixing, and the challenges of thorough testing that’s causing these repeating bugs in MLB The Show. Addressing all of this would require a big investment in updating the core engine, enhancing cross-platform support, and possibly extending development cycles to allow more time for debugging and testing.

Needless to say, they need to cut support for previous gen for a start.

@SaveFarris said in On the day of Chapter 2...:

@Easy_Duhz_It_ said in On the day of Chapter 2...:

I said it the other day. Last year, we needed roughly 260-300 cards to complete set collections. We need 280 to get the FIRST PACK this year. People who dont think thats a big deal are gonna be pissed when they realize they're gonna need to buy stubs just to get to the 2nd pack.

So we're just ignoring you can now get the Seoul and Spring Breakout packs/cards for free?
And that it's more likely than not that the rest of the packs will soon follow suit?

No, I think that's great that you can get 7 of the 24 cards. Most likely all base rounds. My issue is the obvious direction they are going. They have more than tripled last years shop cards and this is only the beginning. The gap will only get larger as we move through the season. It's just unprecedented.

@Easy_Duhz_It_ said in On the day of Chapter 2...:

I said it the other day. Last year, we needed roughly 260-300 cards to complete set collections. We need 280 to get the FIRST PACK this year. People who dont think thats a big deal are gonna be pissed when they realize they're gonna need to buy stubs just to get to the 2nd pack.

No one is going to be around to buy stubs lol

@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.

They need to make it fun again. Just some ideas I've come up with.

Use any version of a player to create Dynamic Duos:

Dynamic Duos
Pair up dynamic duos like Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton to get "Power Surge" synergy, Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer to get "Fireballers" synergy, Mookie Betts and Cody Bellinger to get "Double Trouble" synergy, Francisco Lindor and Jose Ramirex to get "Dynamic Infield" synergy, Lawrence Butler and Julio Rodriguez to get "Electric Outfield" synergy, Juan Soto and Bryce Harper, activate the "Twin Towers" synergy, Gerrit Cole and Tyler Glasnow to get "Strikeout Kings" synergy, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado to get "Clutch Connection", Trea Turner and Byron Buxton to get "Speedsters" synergy.

Dynamic Duos Past & Present
Choose combinations like Clayton Kershaw and Sandy Koufax to form the "Dodger Dominance" synergy, Mike Trout and Ken Griffey Jr. might create the "Power and Finesse" synergy, Max Scherzer and Nolan Ryan could form the "Strikeout Kings", Kris Bryant and Ernie Banks might activate the "Cubs' Legacy" synergy.

Legend Duos
Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig might have a "Murderers' Row" synergy, while Jackie Robinson and Pee Wee Reese could have a "Brooklyn Double" synergy, you could pair Willie Mays and Hank Aaron to activate the "Say Hey Hammer" synergy, Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken Jr. might create the "Mr. Padre & The Iron Man" synergy, Pedro Martinez and Randy Johnson could team up with the "Dominant Duo" synergy.

Fantasy Draft Weekend:

Host weekend-long fantasy draft events where players compete in live drafts to build their ultimate Diamond Dynasty teams. Participate in drafting sessions with real-time player selections, trade negotiations, and roster adjustments. Each player is assigned a draft position randomly or based on previous performance. The draft follows a serpentine format, where players take turns selecting players for their team. The player pool consists of current cards in DD.

Following the draft, teams compete in a series of scheduled matchups against other drafted squads. The tournament format may vary, including round-robin play, single-elimination brackets, or group stages leading to playoffs.

Based on their performance in the tournament, players earn rewards such as exclusive cards, stubs, XP, etc.

Batter/Pitcher Duels

I think this would be insanely fun if done right.

Pitcher's Duel Mode:
In this mode, players exclusively control their DD pitchers and compete against each other in full games. With both teams using CPU-controlled hitters, meaning they have zero control of stealing, subs, etc.

Batter's Showcase Mode:
Conversely, in this mode, players exclusively control their DD batters and compete against each other in full games. With both teams using a completely CPU-controlled pitching staff, meaning they have no decision on when a pitcher is yanked or who comes in.

This isn't a complaint post, simply venting my frustrations with myself. I cannot adjust to this change, I know I eventually will because I always do but ffs am I struggling. The crazy part is not only am I hitting dribbler after dribbler and WEAK fly balls but I'm also hanging pitches like no tomorrow. Again, I know this is a matter of adjustment on my part and not because the patch broke anything but this is brutal none the less. I'm going to run some legend practice for the next hour, then go to the bar and bring home a 2 to put an end to this slump, then I'm going to get a good night sleep.

If the whole year was like this, I would still be playing. I can't force it anymore.

Just going out on a limb here but I would say that it's just the Cardinals. If all the teams were 2002 rosters, I'd imagine the title of the post would be "2002 MLB Roster" or something similar.

Early access is the tech test this year

What the heck am I going to do with more jelly beans that I can't exchange??

Look at the Season Awards Collection.

First it says:

"Collect Season Awards program players each week to earn Lightning Season Awards players coming after Drop 4 and Drop 8."

I highlighted Program Players because it is relevant. Also when you look at the collection the only two cards available to collect are Garrett Crochet (week 1) and Micael Comforto (Week 2), which were the final awards of each program. None of the pack cards are even an option in that collection right now.

I truly believe this wasn't the initial plan. I think they changed the plan and made sure they announced it after the backlash. The community was pretty pissed and rightfully so. I feel like the player drop off is going to be pretty severe this year. The true baseball fans will hang around and still play because we enjoy the sport but they are going to lose a lot of the casual fans because there is nothing to do in the game.