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All I know is I’m fairly certain I got the crud end of the stick more often than not…
Large part of why I didn’t purchase this years game. (Still peruse the forum occasionally out of curiosity).

Irony is my internet speed and ping is consistently far and above what would be expected, makes me wonder if I somehow got penalized for that?
Also, for whatever reason, the past couple years I found virtually every team I was matched with had some Chicago name/theme, or other midwestern city.
I live in Virginia.
This was opposed to 19’ where teams seemed to represent Virginia as well, or lots of seemingly New York. And I had a great experience online.

Sorry if this is a bit of a tangent not entirely in topic, but venting a bit as someone who largely gave up on the game because I’d have to go on legendary, max pitch speeds, Degrom, just to try and be able to play on AS online.

@capt_awesome34 said in Improved hitting:

@go4stros25_psn said in Improved hitting:

Last year was my first year switching to zone, and I'll never go back. I've watched just about every tutorial on youtube, and the one thing that almost everyone said that I feel actually helps is Control freaks. If you haven't tried them I highly recommend them, they are like 19.99 on Amazon. I also tried the precision rings but they are garbage, the restrict to much movement on defense.

I just wish they wouldn't pop off the darn joystick so much or maybe that's just me lol

I didn’t want you to feel left out, I used CF’d and mine would pop off.
It wasn’t a common occurrence, maybe like once a game tops. Guessing it would get loose and eventually come off, usually on Defense when I was going after a ball.

In hindsight now; as I’m typing, I’m wondering if I took it off and made sure it was secure before each play session, I wonder if that would have alleviated the issue,

I mean, the first reason you should be playing the game is because it’s fun.

The amount of people that seem to endure hours of tedious un-enjoyment, to unlock cards that they can use to go grind more tedious un-enjoyment, I’d rather disturbing.

If your sole reason for playing the game is a compulsion and addiction to completing reward paths and whatever extrinsic carrot SDS is dangling in front of your face, then you may want to reassess your situation.

And to clarify, this doesn’t mean you can’t be critical of the reward structures. I think it’s the “waste of time” that struck me and the amount of posts from people who seem to be spending hundreds of hours in something they don’t even enjoy and don’t seem to realize the game is designed to be manipulative, and it may literally be an unhealthy addiction for them.

@chombondo_psn said in Lack of Content:

@dolenz_psn said in Lack of Content:

@chombondo_psn said in Lack of Content:

@dolenz_psn said in Lack of Content:

@briankoke_mlbts said in Lack of Content:

There a serious lack of content though. I feel like it’s been dumbed down too much and there isn’t enough to do.

We are still in the early access period so it is a little too soon to lament that. If last year is any indication then they will continue to add to it.

There is still quite a lot to do for early access, although not everyone will enjoy it or feel that it is worth it.

• There are 30 moments, once for each FOTF
• There are 31 missions asking you to earn parallel XP with all of the flashbacks you can earn during the program
• Three (or four) mini conquests and the main conquest
• 2 programs
• 2 showdowns
• Mini seasons
• 2 daily moments
• Try to get to the WS packs in ranked
• BR

So when I see people lament that there is a lack of content I assume that they mean a lack of content that they personally want to do.

Tell me you work for the company you're defending without saying it. You guys are pathetic, Rob your playerbase for years then use bot accounts to gaslight them. IDK how up to tune your legal department is but that is illegal; and my team is ready to eat.

LOL. I don't but if they want to pay me something then I'd be more than happy to accept it.

Your post though also lets me draw conclusions about you too, and they are just as negative as yours are about me.

Have a nice day stoking your own outrage.

MVP... triple play whatever they want to call it is coming out along with NCAA baseball either next year or the one following. They truly couldn't afford to poo the bed this year and they did.

There’s a rather wide margin of error when every aspect of your product is designed to be psychologically manipulative and create addictive and compulsive behavior from its users.

The top selling franchises each year continually prove this. A game has to virtually be broken and unplayable to actually create blowback. Sometimes that doesn’t even matter, I seem to recall last years Show being a s-show for nearly a month. It was the worst experience I ever had with a game, yet here everyone is. (Fwiw I didn’t purchase the game this year due to last, part of me missed it which is why I’m poking around here, and now feeling better about my decision)

And to the poster above…their certainly was early access last year. IIRC my experience on those days was more of less fine, the game became a mess on actual release date. I also don’t recall an influx of new content on wide release,

Here’s the dirty secret, and something I’ve noticed since I got into DD in 19’.

SDS is simply 5-7 years behind in terms of shady monetization practices. EA and 2k continue to push the goalposts further on what’s deemed acceptable. Meanwhile SDS can resolve behind, implementing the same strategies that were demonized 5 or so years ago, and be praised while doing it because….”it’s not as bad as (inset game)”

It’s rather ingenious on their part.

Last years game took almost a month to work reliably.

If it’s this bad during early access, just wait until it’s up on game pass and has a general release. IIRC last year didn’t have many issues (at least for me) during the early access period and was a complete mess on traditional launch.

It’s screwed up but you’re basically playing SDS to be big testers right now.

@dolenz_psn said in Is it just me or is the hype not as strong for the game this year?:

@rabid55wolverine said in Is it just me or is the hype not as strong for the game this year?:

@doihearbossmusic_mlbts said in Is it just me or is the hype not as strong for the game this year?:

@kdclemson_mlbts said in Is it just me or is the hype not as strong for the game this year?:

Internet forums don’t seem as bustling and it just seems like overall the general hype is lower. Is this because of a lack of big legend reveals or what?

With my favorite series Borderlands/Wonderlands and Elden Ring out, and jumping into the fixed Cyberpunk after, I have zero desire to get this game this year, at least at the start. Same ole same ole, take some notes SDS. Gearbox changed it up a bit with Borderlands and have another solid addition to the Gearbox library

How fixed is cyberpunk?

Depends on what you mean by fixed. I believe most of the bugs have been addressed. To some people though it won't "fixed" until they add in all the cool features they originally promised. I played it on the PC. Never really ran into any major bugs. I thought it was a fun action/rpg that didn't really raise the bar much over other games in the genre.

Hard to compare a yearly sports game release with Borderlands. I want to play Wonderlands even though I felt that BL3 kind of overstayed it's welcome. It seemed to drag on.

Elden Ring I want to try but I have to wait for a sale. I have a fairly low patience for the Souls games since there is a good chance I give up before I finish.

Elden Ring is so good. You’ve probably already read this elsewhere, but the open world makes it so much more palatable. I never really got into the From games before this either, but the ability to explore whole grinding made Elden Ring far more accessible. I think I spent about 20 hours before even attempting the first required boss. None of it was really grinding, it was all just exploring the opening area. By the time I finally got to the battle I was scared of, it was easy.

And as to not be completely OT….
I started playing DD in 19’ and became obsessed, played it pretty much nonstop until some point last year, I realized the game was causing me more anger than fun….I have not pre-ordered this years game and I do not intend on playing (unless those crazy ps plus rumors somehow are true). Elden Ring actually does make the decision easier.
Honestly, when I put the game down and started having different gameplay experiences, I found myself much happier finally getting to games like Nier:Automata and Disco Elysium as opposed to playing through busy work moments to acquire some card I’d barely use before a better one came out and that I’d never even want to use because online play was a dumpster fire.

@tomivory23_psn said in Things Have to Change:

It's like the state of the game is like when a ponzi scheme is on its last legs. They know it's only a matter of time before the jig is up. More and more eyes are opening to what I realized in '19.

Same game same players....3-5 new legends and some half baked ideas to get you in the door. Then they will string out the features over a span of 3-5 years.
Example:

'21 new stadiums no night games
'22 now you can do night games
'23 now a dome option!!!
'24 now you can take an original mlb stadium and customize it. Want dinosaurs at dodger stadium??? You got it!!

Except this isn’t it’s last legs, we’ve seen from most developers, it’s completely sustainable, if not desirable.
I say desirable, because the people you lose each year are older players tiring of the game or just the more discernible of the fan base, while maintaining those addicted to the game and brining in new/young players. I’d wager it’s the latter group that are buying the most stubs and the most profitable.

You can lose a dozen players upset about franchise mode or legacy issues only worsening if you keep one kid that considers card variations “content” and has the compulsion to own everything one and as soon as possible.

Depends how you’re “bad” and what your consider “easier”…if it’s because Outlier is dumb and can be impossible for some, especially considering the often unstable connections, then I would agree.

But I’d also argue that they’d keep a skill gap by doing things such as making the pci smaller. Making very early/late misses. And actually needing to get the pci on the ball to foul pitches off, etc.
I’d argue pci placement, as a skill, can actually be improved upon, as opposed to what the game seems to have devolved to.
When the top suggestion had become, “buy a monitor” to compete on All-star. That’s just garbage game design.

Yes, yes, yes.

This has been my stance for a while, the skill gap should be dictated by pci placement and true outcomes rather than who is willing to buy a monitor and can time outlier.

Unlike the latter, I’d argue that pci placement can be practiced and improved upon. Especially if dealing with universal pitch speeds so you can actually get used to timing.

If also add things like actually needing correct timing to fall a ball off. Seriously, if someone is very late or early, that should be a swing and miss. Things like that would make up for the speed difference, it would make more pitchers useful, and I think it would keep a skill gap.

I’m not sure what grade I’d give, but what I’ll say is it’s my least favorite Show since coming back to the series in 19’.

I’ll start with the positives, the parallel system is great as well as the new BR path…surprisingly the mode I played last became the only one I could tolerate.

Now for some of what made this year more frustrating than satisfying…

The first month. Barely playable. Enough said.

A personal thing, but everyone always praises all the great “content”, but to me cards are basically skins and to me it isn’t necessarily content. And at least for me, there was so many cards…nothing felt special anymore…and I just kind of stopped caring. Now that’s better than the alternative, but when I’m grinding to get cards, only to get it and realize there’s already an upgrade that’s easily obtainable it starts to feel like, what’s the point? Especially when most are locked behind moments, showdowns and the like, which are beyond tedious at this point. It’s nothing but busy work. And maybe the worst, literally spending 22 minutes simming to clear a conquest map. Not fun.

I mentioned in positives, I did enjoy Br this year. It was nice to go in a mode and know I likely had a chance to score some runs and have fun, but the negative to this is, I don’t need cards to play BR. To me the fun of the game had been slowly building a team and using players in Ranked/Events. But when all I’m really playing is BR, again it left me asking, what’s the point of grinding for cards, or even doing a BR program for cards I don’t use…because…

Ranked seasons was a nightmare. The existence of outlier with inconsistent connections is a nightmare. The last month of constant freezes, nightmare. Bunt cheese because people know it’s the only chance they have, setting up defenses perfectly but still not being able to stop it due to animations, infuriating nightmare.
No hyperbole. The last month or so I played. I’m fairly certain I only finished 1 ranked game and it was a game i lost. It made me start to question if anyone actually enjoys playing this game…I honestly think most people are simply addicted to the reward path.

Another nail in the coffin for me was seeing Kevingohd play games from years and years ago and they look just about the same. And the presentation and animations are arguably better. Seeing that and realizing after 3 years the numerous issues that don’t get addressed made the Show start to feel like the other sports titles that I’d given up on long ago.

I stopped playing over a month ago, way sooner than the last two years. I realized the game was causing more frustration than joy, or I was just waisting my time with the afore mentioned busy work. I let this game consume me in many ways, and I thought it was great, but I think I’ve genuinely been happier not playing the game and spending my time playing all sorts of experiences such as Hades, GOTG, currently started Disco Elysium.

So, not sure a grade, as I’m also not sure how much of this is simply burnout. If I’m being generous and not completely tanking the score based on the first month, which really was unacceptable, I’m thinking around a 6. And I do not plan on picking up next years title. Only way I’d consider is if they actually built the game from scratch for next gen…and even then it would probably be wise to give a year as they work out issues.

I don’t have a ton of time to play, but it’s rare for me to get an actual game anymore….and even more rare to get a complete game without it being someone trying to cheese them game.

I’ve been left to assume that most people don’t actually like playing the game….they are just addicted to the reward paths and achievements. That’s the only thing I can assume with how many people just quit (and at times before they are even losing) or try to win by manipulating animations and what not.

It’s worth a try if you’re interested in the rewards. Personally, I’ve found very few Events to be worth the time, so that’s why I’d defer to BR, as I find the BR reward path to be much better, and I have limited time to play.

One issue you may have with Events is that the experience may largely be dependent on the lineup restrictions. I.e. - the majority end up having similar lineups and using the same few pitchers, so if it’s event that allows you to use some of the most dominate pitchers, it may not be all that fun, because you’re going to see those same guys over and over…though, there is a chance repetition may help you improve.

So, probably worth a true, but I think BR is superior this year,

@brainfreeze442 said in Monitor vs tv:

A monitor is a big advantage; and if playing video games is your job or you play competitively, then a gaming monitor is a necessity. Otherwise, you can play on a TV. Today’s TVs have amazing refresh rates and whatever it is that they now include that those of a handful of years ago didn’t. Play and enjoy it. If you want a monitor, by all means by one. I’m sure it will help. Make sure you are playing on a next gen system as well.

I’m fine with this. For those that do this as a job, or are the top 10% or whatever competing for WS it makes sense.
The issue I have though is that it’s begun to feel like you need a monitor to simply play on basically the default setting (all-star). Seems like try e majority can’t hit outlier and the game simply isn’t fun…even when your pitching. Your opponent is just guessing and flailing, They get lucky once or twice and hit them out almost every other at bat.
I genuinely question how many people are having fun playing the game any more, or if they are just addicted to reward paths, because I haven’t played beyond the 2nd inning in my last 8 RS games. Some just quit as soon as they see Degrom or Ryan…and I don’t blame them.

Feeling you need a monitor to compete at the highest levels makes sense, but when it feels like you need one simply to play at all, that’s awful game design.

@warpedzilla_psn said in How do you guys play 30 games a season:

My new favorite game mode is BR. 3 or 4 3-inning wins a day for a few days and you can easily be halfway to the end rewards. And those rewards go for more than RS.

And it’s nice to jump into a game and feel like I have a chance to be able to hit and possibly score some runs.

At least for me, that’s also a big advantage over RS, and most Events,

Play the last weekend?

I really only had time to play RS on Saturdays. I knew I couldn’t play enough to get rum y for rewards, but I’d just enjoy getting a game or two in.

Anyways, a couple Saturdays ago I sat down to get a game in, didn’t really think of the fact the season was ending, and wound up getting 4 wins, played two and a half Innings total, got me to a ranking where I had to worry that I could wind up playing on HOF (which I didn’t want to do)…and never even got in my game.

Seemed like it was a bunch of people scrambling to get wins and they’d just flat out quit if you had Degrom, scored first, or seemingly just showed you were a competent player that would force them into a 9 inning game they’d have to battle for.

FWIW, I’ve played the Event a bit the past few days, normal hours, and it’s taken me longer to find a game then any other mode/time this year.

There were a few times I backed out thinking the servers had to be broken, but it was simply taking that long to match up.

After it took me about 45 minutes to do those two moments that I thought would be easy…and having no lie, about a dozen perfect fly balls/liners that amounted to a total of two singles, I didn’t even think about putting that card in my lineup and getting the xbh.

Hopefully the other moments aren’t as bad. Think I can get him with those, 3 CF Homers online and the exchange.

@ericulous1_psn said in Just sold Pedro (no walk exploit):

Congrats. My question and this is no slight to you, what is the purpose of buying Pedro for a million when you can win him for free in a week or two. Just to be the first to super factor him? And what does that get you? Mad community respect? I'm definitely not slamming you, kudos for being able to win him honestly and making a nice profit. But why does someone pay that for a free card? Please inform. I admit, this is my first year so if there is a glaringly obvious reason, i'd totally eat my words.

I’ve assumed that it’s whether streamers or content creators that make money off playing the game. I have to assume that having some of the first gameplay or streaming using the new players is valuable. Basically, it’s an expense cost.
Or, it’s the individuals that are most susceptible to the predatory mechanics within such game modes. Those that have addictive tendencies and can’t control their impulsive behavior.

Nope.

Plus side, decided to get into BR this month and am having a lot of fun. The new reward path is great and seems like the best value for my time and it feels great to load into an game and feel like i actually have a chance to hit the ball and score some runs.