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Coming from someone who has really enjoyed my time playing any version of MLB The Show, from offline franchises to our online leagues with TGS and High Heat. I don't have the experience playing Road to the Show, so I can't really comment on that, but here are some things I'd like to see for the game.
1.) Online that works. I think everyone who has ever played online wants this, and could deal with no other improvements. It was hard during High Heat season for people to connect with their games. In many instances when games went through, there would be a ridiculous lag in between sections of the play, especially related to outfield throws and base-running. Any fan of the series would love to be able to get through at least one season of online franchise play without having connectivity issues. We've wanted this for five years, and hopefully we can have it this year.
Seriously, this needs to be fixed, and if it's the only thing that is done besides the roster update, the entire community will be happy with the game.
2.) Less momentum swings. Whether online or offline, I would get extremely hot for a couple series of games where I could score 5-10 or more runs, and the opposing team couldn't hit me. Then, I would have a stretch of the same where my pitchers would be lit up and my hitters couldn't hit out of a wet paper bag. Streaks are a big part of baseball, and there is no better proof of this than the Royals and Giants making the World Series this year, but they need to be toned down in the game.
3.) International Free Agents. International free agents have become a part of the game, whether they are coming across the Pacific from Japan or South Korea, or defectors from Cuba. We follow the process of international free agents from the posting fee from Japan teams, as well as the scouting of Cuban players that usually involve half of the teams in MLB. It would be a great option to have this incorporated in the game.
4.) Create a stadium/franchise relocation. These two go hand-in-hand, and one of the best things about baseball is ballpark architecture and how to build a team that will be successful in your home park. Allowing people to create their own stadiums would be a great feature. Being able to relocate a franchise is a small item, but for people who love to simulate seasons and create their own teams, it's a must-have.
5.) Improved stat tracking. Baseball has advanced statistics referred to as sabermetrics, and it has started a trend in the other three major sports to develop more ways of evaluating players. Since this has started with baseball, there is no excuse not to include some form of advanced statistics that are tracked in the game, even if it's only limited to a few like WAR, FIP, BAPIP or UZR ratings.
6.) Historical mode, or something that would allow you to recreate events from last season or previous years. Using the Royals as an example, you can put the player into the middle of Game 4 of the ALCS with a 1-0 lead and have them choose which side they want to be on. They can use the Royals dominating bullpen to advance to the World Series, or they can take control of the Orioles and try to extend the series and win the game. With how much has happened in baseball, there is no limit to how this mode can go.
7.) Baseball trivia on loading menus, or something to keep interest. With the move to the PS4, especially to load the game, I felt that the menus took longer to load than what I am used to. Having something rotating to keep our interest, whether it's MLB trivia or history, would be pretty cool.
8.) Bringing back the "newspaper" for franchise mode, or add the Twitter feature that Madden has. I enjoyed the old newspaper and the headlines it would put up, especially if I ended up simulating any time during the season, so I could see what was going on with my team. I think adding the Twitter feature that Madden has to keep up with your team, as well as the others in the franchise, would be something to engage users and keep them updated on the league, especially if it's online.
9.) While I like the commentary team, and I don't think there is a need to change it, there certainly needs to be more lines added on- after playing about 30 games, I felt that I had heard everything that wasn't stadium specific. Having more commentary on streaks happening during the season would also be welcomed as part of the experience.
10.) Spring Training. Make the games mean something for developing players. Have mini-games that help develop players, and drills that involve specific positions. Spring training is a great experience to witness first-hand, and The Show is sorely lacking in developing this area of the game.
What are things that you want to see that I've missed? I know we have plenty of RTTS players here, so feel free to post your comments on that area here as well.
1.) Online that works. I think everyone who has ever played online wants this, and could deal with no other improvements. It was hard during High Heat season for people to connect with their games. In many instances when games went through, there would be a ridiculous lag in between sections of the play, especially related to outfield throws and base-running. Any fan of the series would love to be able to get through at least one season of online franchise play without having connectivity issues. We've wanted this for five years, and hopefully we can have it this year.
Seriously, this needs to be fixed, and if it's the only thing that is done besides the roster update, the entire community will be happy with the game.
2.) Less momentum swings. Whether online or offline, I would get extremely hot for a couple series of games where I could score 5-10 or more runs, and the opposing team couldn't hit me. Then, I would have a stretch of the same where my pitchers would be lit up and my hitters couldn't hit out of a wet paper bag. Streaks are a big part of baseball, and there is no better proof of this than the Royals and Giants making the World Series this year, but they need to be toned down in the game.
3.) International Free Agents. International free agents have become a part of the game, whether they are coming across the Pacific from Japan or South Korea, or defectors from Cuba. We follow the process of international free agents from the posting fee from Japan teams, as well as the scouting of Cuban players that usually involve half of the teams in MLB. It would be a great option to have this incorporated in the game.
4.) Create a stadium/franchise relocation. These two go hand-in-hand, and one of the best things about baseball is ballpark architecture and how to build a team that will be successful in your home park. Allowing people to create their own stadiums would be a great feature. Being able to relocate a franchise is a small item, but for people who love to simulate seasons and create their own teams, it's a must-have.
5.) Improved stat tracking. Baseball has advanced statistics referred to as sabermetrics, and it has started a trend in the other three major sports to develop more ways of evaluating players. Since this has started with baseball, there is no excuse not to include some form of advanced statistics that are tracked in the game, even if it's only limited to a few like WAR, FIP, BAPIP or UZR ratings.
6.) Historical mode, or something that would allow you to recreate events from last season or previous years. Using the Royals as an example, you can put the player into the middle of Game 4 of the ALCS with a 1-0 lead and have them choose which side they want to be on. They can use the Royals dominating bullpen to advance to the World Series, or they can take control of the Orioles and try to extend the series and win the game. With how much has happened in baseball, there is no limit to how this mode can go.
7.) Baseball trivia on loading menus, or something to keep interest. With the move to the PS4, especially to load the game, I felt that the menus took longer to load than what I am used to. Having something rotating to keep our interest, whether it's MLB trivia or history, would be pretty cool.
8.) Bringing back the "newspaper" for franchise mode, or add the Twitter feature that Madden has. I enjoyed the old newspaper and the headlines it would put up, especially if I ended up simulating any time during the season, so I could see what was going on with my team. I think adding the Twitter feature that Madden has to keep up with your team, as well as the others in the franchise, would be something to engage users and keep them updated on the league, especially if it's online.
9.) While I like the commentary team, and I don't think there is a need to change it, there certainly needs to be more lines added on- after playing about 30 games, I felt that I had heard everything that wasn't stadium specific. Having more commentary on streaks happening during the season would also be welcomed as part of the experience.
10.) Spring Training. Make the games mean something for developing players. Have mini-games that help develop players, and drills that involve specific positions. Spring training is a great experience to witness first-hand, and The Show is sorely lacking in developing this area of the game.
What are things that you want to see that I've missed? I know we have plenty of RTTS players here, so feel free to post your comments on that area here as well.
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