MLB The Show 22
MLB The Show 22 Franchise and March to October Deep Dive
The fifth Feature Premiere for MLB The Show 22 was the hotly anticipated franchise mode and Road to the Show presentation from SDS. Last week’s commentary and presentation Feature Premiere was well regarded and heavy on details, and there was hope the same would ring true today. On top of that, franchise mode has been taking body blows from the community the last couple years, with it only intensifying when some key features (year-to-year saves and Sounds of the Show) were left in the past. We knew year-to-year saves would remain out for ’22, so today was more about restoring some faith in the longer term outlook for franchise and MtO.
Coming out of the Feature Premiere, is faith restored? I don’t think it is at this point, but I think it’s fair to say we got more than we expected today. It’s just less than we wanted considering that — like commentary — The Show had fallen so far back that there was a lot of catching up to do. That said, there’s plenty to cover so let’s get to it.
MLB The Show 22 Franchise Mode
First off, no “features” were promised in the build up to this premiere — franchise mode was not even on the Feature Premiere schedule originally — so it should shock no one that a lot of “under the hood” stuff did end up being the focus here. If you came in with outsized expectations, that’s just setting yourself up to be bummed out. This is not me saying franchise mode shouldn’t have received more, but this was not some bait and switch on the part of SDS.
Player Metric 2.0
The developers started off by saying that Player Metric is not what determined trade logic, which I took as them trying to tell the community not to “hate” something they implemented just last year and blame it on the other parts of franchise mode that were lacking in logic. This was probably done because clearly SDS believes in this Player Metric concept and added to it this cycle. On top of that, it was SDS admitting that they know their trade logic was a hot mess last year.
In general, Player Metric seems to be best described as the importance of X player to your team both in the present and future. It does not seem to go as deep as something more intangible like what X player means to the clubhouse, but it’s more like “how good is X player, and do we have any player that can do what he can do in the organization?”
As an example, Gleyber Torres was used as how much more the Player Metric can fluctuate within franchise mode now. In this example, Torres went from being very important coming into a season, but by the end of the year the Yankees had traded for another 2B (in part because Torres had a terrible year). By the offseason, the Yankees deemed Torres not worth his contract and he was DFA’d. This is perhaps a more extreme example, but the point is to showcase the multiple ways a player starts to mean less to an organization.
However, SDS did also point out that one year was being weighted too much in this metric (and that’s very true), so they have gone to a model that is weighted on a three-year cycle of stats (much like they do for rating players overall anyway so it just makes logical sense). On top of that, this also means some of your depth pieces at AAA will matter more now because, again, it seems the implication is that the team is more aware of the weaknesses and strengths within the totality of the organization.
Roster Logic Improvements
I want to skip ahead now in the Feature Premiere to roster logic because Player Metric seems to be what’s going to be the reason AI organizations do not sabotage themselves (assuming it works as intended). With Player Metric now weighting three-year stat totals and taking a wider look at the organization overall, the priorities of the AI teams should improve both in-season and during the offseason.
So if an organization is light on starting pitching, the organization should be less likely to leave a middling SP prospect unprotected in the Rule 5 draft. The same should apply to your 40-man roster overall and probably deciding between those last couple spots for players you might need just to get through the next season. The discussion around arbitration also applies here as I presume teams will be less likely to just DFA a player who is an important (but average) depth piece.
However, to use a Moneyball comparison, Player Metric seems to be something that is working in a Billy Beane sense of things rather than an Art Howe sense of things — at least how it was described. Your overall organization is going to be improved, but it doesn’t necessarily mean these players will always be used right. Nothing was called out that relates to lineup construction or bullpen logic. In other words, AI managers might still be going rogue and making a lot of boneheaded plays while AI GMs are bangin’ and clangin’ in the weight room.
Trade Logic Improvements
That said, yes, trade logic was a straight up disaster last year. SDS more or less again admitted that by showing off a Juan Soto trade here for MLB The Show 22 since Soto was someone who was turned into a meme by the community because of how easy he was to snag from the Nationals in ’21. In this example, Soto was traded to the Yankees for two of the best five prospects in all of baseball. Would that be enough? I don’t know, but considering Soto would need a new contract and so forth, it’s probably in the ballpark.
This also brings to the table the weaknesses that still are going to exist in this system even if the logic is presumably improved.
- There are no three-team trades
- There are no cash considerations
- There is no way to add more than three players to one side of the ledger
In other words, finding “fair value” is tricky because the more you expand the system to include more players/cash, the more the opportunity arises to screw the AI. However, the more limited it is, the more you can still end up with unfair trades because being constricted to 3-for-1 deals as the most you can do still creates gaps. Regardless, considering the fact that logic improvements were boasted about last year means I would not even take a “trust but verify” approach here. Instead, I would take a “hope but verify” approach and dig in once you get the game. We’re not expecting perfection, we just don’t want to see one-sided deals left and right.
More components tying into this logic deal directly with the type of team you are. Contenders and rebuilding teams were tweaked again, so now actual contenders should be more likely to give up a bit more around the deadline to get that one last piece, while rebuilding teams are going to be less eager to give up players on long-term deals. In addition, rebuilding teams will give up players who will soon be free agents (on top of still looking for prospects overall).
Relief pitchers and closers getting their fair shake is another crucial change here because they simply were not respected in trades or in free agency. Teams now can put those players on the block and chase them, and they’ll be an important part of the mix in trades it seems. Another noted tweak was that a big free agent signing won’t just get immediately moved the next season, which just makes sense.
Free Agency/Offseason Improvements
Beyond the aforementioned roster logic improvements that will also help out here, there was a general focus on making the free agency period more “realistic” in comparison to the real MLB. This starts with max contracts now being able to go to 15 years and have an AAV (average annual value) of $35M. Players will be more realistic in their expectations, and this means they’ll know their value if they’re coming off a great year (or string of great years) or sort of looking for that smaller contract to rebuild their value after a down year. This also means high-end relievers should no longer sign for peanuts.
However, the biggest change here (to me) seems to be that the free agent pool will no longer be littered with players as we go deeper into franchise mode. Teams ran out of money, and the progression system was messed up in such ways where free agents just started lingering out there. We did not get a lot on how progression was improved, so I’m going to assume it’s still not in a great spot — especially as it relates to older players falling off a cliff — but teams should have funds to sign guys at least.
This in part is happening because the whole organization is not taking up your budget now, just the 40-man roster (which is more true to real life). The CBT is basically the luxury tax, and SDS wanted to call out that it’s accurate (which is cool), but the bigger point is that teams should have more funds for players now. The market sizes were also updated, which should play into these pools of funds.
On top of that, free agency is still going to be more dynamic now because not all the top players are going to sign right in this frenzy at the start of the offseason. The lockout warped our perception a bit this year, but in general, MLB free agency has been slow going at times. So while players are certainly going to sign, players are not just going to settle out of the box. They will still end up on teams before the season begins, but you’ll need to do some risk-reward planning if you really want to wait out a player and see if he finally caves before the season starts.
Miscellaneous Improvements
With Ohtani being on the cover, two-way player improvements had to be discussed. The key part for Ohtani is that he will recover pitcher stamina even if he plays DH or is out in the field on the days he’s not pitching. In addition, other players can have secondary two-way positions now, and if teams believe X player is the right person to be on the mound one day and then in the field the next, they will be out there.
When it comes to playoffs, four-man rotations will be a thing, and “workhorse” sorts of pitchers will now be able to effectively go out there in the playoffs and go on short rest. We did see a six-man rotation depth chart screen at one point, but since SDS did not talk about it, I assume it’s just there for spring training rather than the regular season.
Again, not much was said about progression on a broader scale (or the draft), but SDS did say from A ball all the way to MLB, there will be no more fake players. This means everyone in your organization should be either a current real minor league player or real MLB player. In addition, more effort was put into the top 150 prospects, their ages were made accurate this time around, and those players should be more respected both from a trade and progression standpoint.
Lastly, there is now a separate slider for injuries in played games vs. simulated games. On top of that, the transaction log now will be available for the entire season so you can go back to April and look at what transactions went down even when you’re now in September.
MLB The Show 22 March To October
At the outset, I want to point out that it does feel like there’s a weird divergence beginning to occur here between MtO and franchise mode, but I do hope it ultimately ends up in a convergence of sorts. With March to October now going with a multi-season approach, this is no longer a more presentation-heavy season mode where you just play some of the games. It’s now just becoming another franchise mode. However, the franchise mode we already have isn’t great, so it’s obviously a bit weird to have another version of the mode.
I am not someone saying to stop creating either franchise mode or March to October, but it does seem in SDS’ best interest to make these two modes as good as they can be, and it certainly seems like that probably means they should be one and the same. You obviously want to be able to play all 162 games still (if you want) in this scenario, but I’m at that point where I want my franchise mode depth but also like this deeper form of free agency now coming to MtO — and would rather not have to play every inning of every game.
In short, the free agency system being added to MtO this year looks really cool, but it sure would be nice if I could have access to it in franchise mode as well.
Free Agency Overhaul
So how this free agency system is going to work is based on how you set your priorities and then react to the changing marketplace. You have three general priority buckets, and from there you’ll set a couple “needs” either in the form of positional needs or general needs for certain types of players. Depending on the needs an priorities you set (you’re limited to just a couple for each of these buckets), you will get an initial boost with any players who fit those buckets.
This system will then play out over days and weeks as you hunt for acquisitions and engage in the rumor mill and last-ditch efforts to go for players. It has aspects of the old recruiting system from NCAA Football in that you can really try to focus in on certain players, but you’re not guaranteed to get them even if they’re your top priority. Meanwhile, while you were trying to lure this one particular player, a whole bunch of other guys might be coming off the board.
In addition, there is an even more “game-like” aspect where you have one “last chance” per offseason to try and sign a player on your big board. This event occurs when a player is about to sign elsewhere. You will have to go well above market value and make your pitch. This does not guarantee he will sign, but it does guarantee you will be able to make the best offer if you choose to do it.
On top of that, the top free agents have a nice little anticipatory presentation aspect to them now where MtO basically steals the Diamond Dynasty diamond player walkouts and uses them when someone on your big board signs. It may or may not be your team who gets the player, but it’s cool to see this moment in the game so you can react with joy or sadness in the moment.
There’s a couple more smaller components here, but the point is that free agency is the biggest change to March to October this year. Other smaller changes include your ability to now be able to edit your jerseys and stadium. However, you still can’t go into MtO with a custom roster, which again showcases some of these weird split points being created between franchise and MtO.
Bottom Line
I think it’s fair to say SDS delivered more than most reasonable people expected. There’s no online franchise, custom draft classes, overhauled progression system, story elements, an expanded draft and so on, but it’s not nothing either. SDS does need to start adding big things to this area of the game, but we also need to see if MtO and franchise are going to continue to be these separate modes, or if perhaps we’re moving towards a system where both morph into one general all-purpose mode. If everything revealed today had been applicable to both MtO and franchise mode, it still probably would not have been enough to please everyone, but it would have been much closer to doing so. In either case, SDS has added developers to the franchise/MtO team, and there was clearly more commitment to the mode(s) this year than last year.

AAA Imporvments!
This is AMAZING.
Did I just see a 6 man rotation there too???
Yep for sure!! I am impressed and now the long 2 week wait
Hopefully this year the logic changes are much better when we get our hands on the game.
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
plz don't blow your load, friend.
Are you an SDS plant? Nothings really exciting at all lol
Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports
Maybe this is a year or two down the road and Franmil flamed out?
Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Actually if you see my posts they usually have been negative as far as franchise goes..
I am happy with what they have done today. and no need to complain at all
Injury sliders is huge Stamina in post season fixed
2 way players done right
all real players no fake players including A ball.
and I think I seen a screenshot with a 6 man rotation too
How can I not be excited?
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
yes you are right it doesn't bother me because I control all the teams and manually fix it. and I don't mind doing that. but some prefer a 'set and forget'
I am happy with what they have done today. and no need to complain at all
Injury sliders is huge Stamina in post season fixed
2 way players done right
all real players no fake players including A ball.
and I think I seen a screenshot with a 6 man rotation too
How can I not be excited?
Cause we have no idea if they did it right? They improved logic last year and it still wasn’t good
Really? Dang. I’m guessing someone had to put in some hours with the faces as they probably aren’t all scanned. Wonder if the CAP template was updated. This sounds really good.
And they did say this is a foundation to build on for franchise in the future. So they are definitely not ignoring it. That is the best news of all imo.
edit: made this comment while watching the stream when they started discussing the updates to MTO...free agency, team/positional needs, etc.
They probably just used the caps the community made last year lol Maybe they'll have more of a nba 2k template where they constantly scan people in throughout the year. They added a bunch last year.
I did not see them say this
'improved' means exactly what it is..... it never will be perfect. you know how in school if a teacher told you that you were 'improving' that means you were getting better at something doesn't mean you were a A class student
They did not. I imagine if the CAP is tweaked, we'll see that for RttS next week.
And they did say this is a foundation to build on for franchise in the future. So they are definitely not ignoring it. That is the best news of all imo.
They did pretty much nothing. EA NHL completely overhauled their franchise mode in a year with probably a smaller team. Like someone in steam said these are patch notes.
Everything mentioned in this thread thus far, are for Franchise mode.
And they did say this is a foundation to build on for franchise in the future. So they are definitely not ignoring it. That is the best news of all imo.
Logic changes being their main selling points tells us all we need to know about the state of the mode. They aren't only doing logic changes because the mode is so fleshed out there is nothing left to add to it. They're only doing logic changes because they're not doing anything major to the mode because it isn't their focus and that's been clear for years now.
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Wouldn't be so bad if they did I guess the only issue here is if they lock it and you can't edit anyone or export them.
I am sure though that they still have the rule of Vets that didn't play the the majors last year can't be in the game though so we will have to create them. but this cuts down on a lot of work if it is only that to worry about
Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports
Every player is real?
They said it, I was commenting on if they had someone work on these faces. They certainly wouldn’t just release the game with some of the awful fake CAP faces that used to come with the game.
So I can't flame franchise mode for my own metamorphosis, I guess. For those who are excited, good for you, and play ball!
Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sorry I should have clarified...I made that comment as I was watching the stream when they are talking about the March to October improvements...where they proceeded to offseason after getting eliminated in playoffs...so the improvements to w/ free agency screen (priority/targets), team/positional needs, etc
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
There are 4-man rotations and "workhorse" types who will have stamina more quickly for postseason.
Oh my bad..I thought it was response to the thread.
Agreed I'd like to see some of this migrate over.
Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk
Wondering how it can be done with the Angels with Ohtani
I feel there is an opportunity to merge these two screens together...e.g. when I select SP as a positional need..there should be a extra pop-out that let's me select power pitcher, finesse pitcher, etc. for non-pitchers, if I select LF, then options for power hitter, contact hitter, speed, etc. Instead it's a separate screen and limits you to 2 selections...even though you've selected up to 3 positional needs.
I am sure though that they still have the rule of Vets that didn't play the the majors last year can't be in the game though so we will have to create them. but this cuts down on a lot of work if it is only that to worry about
Definitely, plus the fact that they balanced the roster and redid the potentials. This might be ootb ready. Maybe not ootb, but after the first big roster update like you said that adds those vets
Im not sure many franchise fans wanted or needed a "complete overhaul", whatever that is.
Also, imagine actually putting a bullet point telling people prospects will now have the correct age. Lol
Also, imagine actually putting a bullet point telling people prospects will now have the correct age. Lol
This would be an incorrect summation of things in total, but some of what you have here is correct.
So does that mean guys like Eric Thames, Anibal Sanchez, etc who didnt play last year… Will be there day one?
If true, I cant imagine they would have face scans tho.
Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports
So does that mean guys like Eric Thames, Anibal Sanchez, etc who didnt play last year… Will be there day one?
If true, I cant imagine they would have face scans tho.
Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports
The implication seemed to be no more "fake" players anywhere. So if Sanchez or Thames aren't in the MLBPA or minors pool for some reason, I assume they won't be in the game.
Sent from my SM-F916U using Tapatalk
Have not watched the MTO part yet.
And no fake players out the box so rosters will be playable day 1. He said people would be very happy.
If you’ve ever played OOTP, it definitely doesn’t almost feel like OOTP lol.
But pleasantly surprised with the changes. I’m in.
So does that mean guys like Eric Thames, Anibal Sanchez, etc who didnt play last year… Will be there day one?
If true, I cant imagine they would have face scans tho.
Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports
yes but those missing Vets I doubt will still be allowed to be in the game who didn't play in Majors last year. but that is less work to create players I guess just a pain in the arse to sim fake Career stats to
kill rookie status.
Also doubt any Korean and Japan players will be in the game.. like that Cubs player that just signed. but that easier to create as they will be rookies.
But pleasantly surprised with the changes. I’m in.
What I mean stats wise.
I am sure they will have injuries. Did they not last year? i did not mess with it too much
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Can you just play endless seasons in M2O? Or is it limited to how many seasons you can go through?
Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk
It is going to be a very long 2 weeks.....
It is going to be a very long 2 weeks.....
It usually feels more real when that pre load is done and I feel like a kid waiting for Xmas day that last week. they sold me this year. I can't wait.
LOL no its not even close to OOTP
Sent from my thoughts
Ever actually played OOTP?
Literally had Franchise players talk about about how bad offline Franchise mode is, and how it needs work, and at the same time they want SDS to bring back the online version of that very same thing that they're vocal about being bad offline.
Make it make sense.
kill rookie status.
Also doubt any Korean and Japan players will be in the game.. like that Cubs player that just signed. but that easier to create as they will be rookies.
So I didnt buy 2021, which I guess was first year of the no carry over saves, and I guess that matters for these missing players? Can someone answer whether, due to his status last year and starting this year on 60 day DL, if Mike Soroka will be missing from the rosters? And if he has to be added in, does that mean he would not have his career stats? That's almost a deal breaker alone for me lol. Silly, but as a braves fan, he is a big deal for me.
Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports
Soroka will be there because he was on the 40 man roster
Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports
It wasn’t mentioned
Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports
Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports
Sent from my SM-F711U using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-F711U using Tapatalk
think madden you can actually sim and chose if the home or away team wins it and it generates a win for who you chose to force the win for that team
add except if its the same exact injury system names and types/lengths then that sucks. But im really curious did you notice that Freemans contract was only showing him asking for 4yrs at 13.5 m per yr...thats not even close to realistic for his caliber..is this only cuase MTO has different budgets? They elaborated how much work they did with budgets to show currebt baseball trends/markets they say but e en Rizzo got 16m per year and hes not on the same level as Freemans thats odd. Does the game still not see the difference of player levels?Cuz that would mean if this is the way it is the big names like freeman dont have actual contracts realistic to start with OOB which would mean changing them which in turn may effect the new systems accuracy. T barnes was up on all that so im sure it was discussed. I really was impressed though from there words and effort in what they say theyve done.
Speaking of draft, did they fix it at all? Weird facial hair, body composition, awful attributes and potential etc? Or am i really going to have to edit almost 100 players every off season again?
Also, very very minor request but i would love it if they brought back the little green "R" icon for rookies. It's nice to see who's a rookie in a team's lineup or rotation.
Speaking of draft, did they fix it at all? Weird facial hair, body composition, awful attributes and potential etc? Or am i really going to have to edit almost 100 players every off season again?
Also, very very minor request but i would love it if they brought back the little green "R" icon for rookies. It's nice to see who's a rookie in a team's lineup or rotation.
Sent from my thoughts
That is a huge relief! Could you explain a bit more if you don't mind? He wasn't on 40 man all year last year I don't think, because he was taken off when placed on DL. Now he's already been placed on 60 day IL this year, (which I guess means prior to that he was on 40 man) so I'm just trying to figure out how he makes it. What are the criteria that makes a player not be included exactly?
Not arguing at all here,, just trying to figure it out, because if he's not on this year's game, I'm considering getting 2021 instead and simming the first year to catch up. Would feel a little hollow, but so would not having him to bring in at mid-season this year, with his career stats there.
Sent from my thoughts
add ezcept if its the same exact injury system names and types/lengths then that sucks. But im really curious did you notice that Freemans contract was only showing him asking for 4yrs at 13.5 m per yr...thats not even close to realistic for his caliber..is this only cuase MTO has different budgets? They elaborated how much work they did with budgets to show currebt baseball trends/markets they say but e en Rizzo got 16m per year and hes not on the same level as Freemans thats odd. Does the game still not see the difference of player levels?Cuz that would mean if this is the way it is the big names like freeman dont have actual contracts realistic to start with OOB which would mean changing them which in turn may effect the new systems accuracy. T barnes was up on all that so im sure it was discussed. I really was impressed though from there words and effort in what they say theyve done.
Responding to the bolded part (side note paragraphs are your friend my dude):
I am actually glad that someone else noticed this and I actually think it's a good thing based on what they mentioned about the player metric. First off you need to remember that they ran a simulation of the 2022 season, so that offseason is actually the 2022-23 offseason. In this sim Freddie Freeman was not on a team since they haven't updated the rosters yet (don't worry I am sure he will be on the Dodgers at launch). So he is coming off a season in which he played zero games. In previous versions of the game he probably still would have signed a big deal because his OVR rating was still pretty high, but thanks to the player metric he is forced to take a much smaller deal.
Now I think it would be a bit more realistic that he would take a 1-year prove-it type deal instead of a 4-year deal, but I think this is the logic improvement they were talking about
Sent from my SM-T870 using Operation Sports mobile app
Sent from my thoughts
Its in madden and 2k
Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports
I didn’t look closely but maybe was that because josh bells performance was low and they couldn’t get much for him? I mean none of those players or prospects that were offered for him were household names but maybe the logic for this trade was so crazy it sounds unbelievable? My only thought
Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports
Not arguing at all here,, just trying to figure it out, because if he's not on this year's game, I'm considering getting 2021 instead and simming the first year to catch up. Would feel a little hollow, but so would not having him to bring in at mid-season this year, with his career stats there.
he was on the disabled list but was on the 40 man roster before the season started. so that is fine
Someone like Thames didn't play at all in the Majors last year and wasn't on any 40 man roster so he can't be in the game this year till he has a MLB at bat. as part of the MLBPA (think the lockout Soroka was locked out Thames wasn't) so that is why he would not be added in a roster update till mid to late April. (assuming he makes the As team)
Wondering how it can be done with the Angels with Ohtani
The 6th person on the starting pitching depth chart screen is the top minor league pitching prospect. Just like in 21.
Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports
Kirby's one of the top prospects in baseball. BA has him at #12. Seattle doesn't need a 1B at all. Seems like the logic just isn't there.
Yep you are right I re-watched the video
A shame.. oh well just have to manually fix teams like the Angels and Seattle who use 6 man rotations.. it looks like expanded rosters will happen in April too so I can see more teams using 6 man rotations this year too.
I said it in the article that it will be a "hope but verify" approach to take to this stuff rather than "trust but verify" for it. That said, it was already mentioned, we are going to see some wonky stuff in these pre-release sims still due to the lockout and players either not being on teams or having been off teams a whole year and so forth. This doesn't apply to Bell, but just saying I'm not going to go too crazy one way or the other for now.
They had the Cardinals offering Liberatore, who is their best pitching prospect. While it might be improved, it’s definitely still not perfect.
Sent from my thoughts
Wow. Just read up on that. I totally missed it. Each team will play each other in the regular season for 2023 and beyond. Thats cool. Thank you!
Side note, someone mentioned it. Everyone calls the franchise community toxic, that stream chat was terrible just to see people’s reaction who could give two ****s about franchise.
All in all, I’m in this year… again… after saying I’d be sitting this year out because there was no prior mention of franchise… well, I should’ve been more patient.
Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports
Sent from my SM-G950U using Operation Sports mobile app
Can you explain this one? Which teams? All throughout a franchise, it was almost all day games for certain teams every year?
Yeah, I get that. Just trying to hold optimism on the logic. Maybe something we didn’t see, was an injury situation forcing the Mariners hand at needing a 1st baseman as they were having a great year? I know I’m likely thinking too far ahead but honestly, I’m just hoping for the best possible thing lol not trying to argue with you
Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports
Sent from my SM-G930VL using Operation Sports mobile app
I was really pleased on the upgrades in franchise. I like how they said they been working on some of that for two years. So they do have a plan and a direction to go.
This was not a quick add or update to franchise to make us happy.
I like how they tested it and had Barnes test it. They knew what we were seeing and hopefully fixed it.
With the trade logic for Josh Bell going to Seattle. That was the 2022-2023 offseason and Bell could have had an awesome year. And the Mariners only have Ty France right? Maybe for them it was an upgrade.
I’m 99% certain it wasn’t. Hope it’s in this year. If so, I’ll give a serious shot at MTO for sure.
I was pretty interested in the multi year March to October. If I want to do a full season of franchise, one where I sim the majority of the games, then I will do that in OOTP. So the more streamlined March to October could pull me in.
Sounds like the Day 1 roster might be franchise ready (unless there’s a lot of MLB Veterans missing). With accurate ages and ratings for prospects.
The MTO section really intrigued me with the off-season system. My biggest gripe with off-seasons in franchise mode is like they said players would sign with other teams without giving you a chance. I like the positional needs and target system that allows you to gain interest other than throwing more money and year at a player hoping they sign.
TBarnes clearly made his mark and this is a good foundation.
I was really hoping for improved scouting, progression/regression and bullpen logic but seems like that’s not gonna be in this year.
As someone who plays a lot more than I sim because of the poor logic, maybe I’ll run a secondary franchise and mess around with some long term rebuilds.
Also no mention of expanded playoffs???
Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports
I was really pleased on the upgrades in franchise. I like how they said they been working on some of that for two years. So they do have a plan and a direction to go.
This was not a quick add or update to franchise to make us happy.
I like how they tested it and had Barnes test it. They knew what we were seeing and hopefully fixed it.
With the trade logic for Josh Bell going to Seattle. That was the 2022-2023 offseason and Bell could have had an awesome year. And the Mariners only have Ty France right? Maybe for them it was an upgrade.
Yeah I agree with most of this.
As for the Bell/Kirby trade that people keep bringing up, there are a few things here:
1. If their player metric really works like they say it does, then cherry picking one trade from a video with out any context (how was each team playing, how were the players performing) really doesn't tell us anything about the logic.
2. Teams make weird trades all the time. I'm pretty confident the Reds got fleeced for the value they gave up in the Winker/Suarez trade the other day. So as long as the bad trades are somewhat rare and at least somewhat explainable I am fine.
3. Trade logic is something that no sports game has mastered. Not that this means the Show deserves a pass, because IMO they have still been behind the times compared to those other games, but this stuff is much harder to get right than a lot of people realize
Overall I think I have calmed down a bit from being so excited from the stream. It was definitely awesome, but there are still a few things that don't seem like they have been touched (drafting/scouting being one of them). I really do think this a solid improvement over the foundation they laid last year, so hopefully they keep improving each year. TABarnes really did kind of go to bat for some common community requests which is awesome. I think there's more good stuff to come while he is on the dev team
Excellent. If the stuff they showed today actually works the way it should, I think this might be enough for me to finally move on from my beloved franchise that I had been carrying over for so long.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
And the Blue Jays we’re offering Gabriel Moreno for him as well.
Still I’m slightly encouraged.
My only disappointment is how much more it appears MTO got. I liked some of what they showed for that mode but definitely not nearly enough to make me want to play it. All it did was make me wish they'd put more of that energy into Franchise. Or at least figured out how to share some of the features like the free agent announcement videos.
If you look at this launch overall, SDS really knocked this out of the park if you take all what they gave us. Gameplay, announcers, presentation, and improved logic. It was really aimed for offline users.
My only disappointment is how much more it appears MTO got. I liked some of what they showed for that mode but definitely not nearly enough to make me want to play it. All it did was make me wish they'd put more of that energy into Franchise. Or at least figured out how to share some of the features like the free agent announcement videos.
I agree. I wish that stuff was in franchise as well. Even the position and team needs would be a really good benefit in franchise.
Sent from my thoughts
Keep expectations low the rotating schedules were around for years and never addressed
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-F711U using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I certainly am not a game designer, but I feel MLBs new schedule will actually be easier to implement than a rotating interleague schedule.
3 game series vs everybody in the other league. Alternate home team every year.
Seems easier than figuring out a rotating division to play each year.
3 game series vs everybody in the other league. Alternate home team every year.
Seems easier than figuring out a rotating division to play each year.
Sent from my thoughts
Sent from my thoughts
The only potential I see is the actual rotating of home vs away against the interleague games. If they can actually make year 2 switch them.
Even if it's all true though, I don't really see the point of these changes without expanded rosters, expanded trades, and a new progression/regression system. This improved logic stuffed into the current system is just going to create an even more frustrating quagmire of hitting roadblocks, limitations, and exploits of the mode itself that aren't present in real life.
It's like starting to write a book by making the binding glue first.
He pointed out a lot of ways franchise could be improved last year. I remeber his comments on this thread about salaries and logic issues.
Glad he's a part of the team now
Even if it's all true though, I don't really see the point of these changes without expanded rosters, expanded trades, and a new progression/regression system. This improved logic stuffed into the current system is just going to create an even more frustrating quagmire of hitting roadblocks, limitations, and exploits of the mode itself that aren't present in real life.
It's like starting to write a book by making the binding glue first.
I couldn't see if we had more roster slots. they did say A ball players wouldn't be fake though. but I was trying to see any glimpse if it was still at 93 in hope that maybe they gave us 7 more class A players to 100. but none of the roster screens would show me anything
Sent from my CLT-L29 using Operation Sports mobile app
There was a mention of 92 or 93 players.
Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports
Sent from my CLT-L29 using Operation Sports mobile app
It should be just fine....I doubt if all of the players are face-scanned - so it should be pretty straightforward like always....they just don't have generic "filler" guys at the back-end of each team's roster.
They mentioned 93 man rosters when they were talking about the new budgets only counting the 40 man rosters. They said instead of all 93 players.
It does feel like that's the way they are leaning. But it could also remain two seperate modes. I will say that it feels like in terms of UI changes, MTO is getting more attention. Some of the FA period stuff in MTO is cool. I like how it's streamlined in that mode and how you can set what priorities to target.
I wouldn't play MTO serriously until custom rosters are an option though. I also am not sure how I feel about that "Guaranteed Acceptance" thing where you ensure a FA signs with your team. Yes, I recognize that you're only allowed 1 and that you're overpaying relative to asking price/market value, but the concept of it rubbed me wrong initially.
ZERO FRANCHISE specific features were added. Playoff rotation should have been in the game long ago. You still can’t relocate or realign the league. Still no coaching carousel or even coaching staff that you can hire and fire and no front office either. It’s a shell of a mode but not as horrible as Madden yet. In the next few years the mode will be eliminated.
Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports
ZERO FRANCHISE specific features were added. Playoff rotation should have been in the game long ago. You still can’t relocate or realign the league. Still no coaching carousel or even coaching staff that you can hire and fire and no front office either. It’s a shell of a mode but not as horrible as Madden yet. In the next few years the mode will be eliminated.
Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports
No it won't
I wouldn't play MTO serriously until custom rosters are an option though. I also am not sure how I feel about that "Guaranteed Acceptance" thing where you ensure a FA signs with your team. Yes, I recognize that you're only allowed 1 and that you're overpaying relative to asking price/market value, but the concept of it rubbed me wrong initially.
Very true, I was blown away when they had Blake T walk up and it showed who he picked. It was almost like watching college football decision day with the hats. Someone had told me its easier to update MTO as its on newer code then Franchise. Not sure if that was accurate just what I had read somewhere. I would like to see them keep both as I play both. I usually play with my Mets in Franchise and choose another team for MTO to mess with like maybe this year the Blue Jays
He mentioned player metrics as a reasoning for this. I say that to say that while it wasn’t addressed head on, it seems this new 3 year weighted player metric may have an impact on player progression/regression.
At least that is the context in which I took it
Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports
ZERO FRANCHISE specific features were added. Playoff rotation should have been in the game long ago. You still can’t relocate or realign the league. Still no coaching carousel or even coaching staff that you can hire and fire and no front office either. It’s a shell of a mode but not as horrible as Madden yet. In the next few years the mode will be eliminated.
Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports
Disagree that it will be eliminated. I think we as gamers always want to pick apart the negative. Lets look at the positive there was a lot of it this year. I mean they could have not touched it at all. I know everyone wants it to be like OOTP and have every feature in the world but that would take so much code work on a game that is also about graphics. Could you image how much work OOTP would need to put in if they wanted to add MLB style graphics to their game? And doing into for rosters of 9000 players.
Sent from my SM-N960U using Operation Sports mobile app
Means as soon as the game fully installs I’m starting spring training
Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports
Means as soon as the game fully installs I’m starting spring training
Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports
Not a big deal but I wonder what they are going to use for salaries for the arbitration players that haven't had their arbitration cases yet. I read that they will be held during the season. Wondering if they would just use the previous year's or use an estimate.
Means as soon as the game fully installs I’m starting spring training
Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports
Agreed, As much as I love Ridin rosters being able to start day 1 is huge.
MtO is a simplified, condensed and curated experience which helps guide players through the intricacies of MLBs crazy roster rules and structure (ask an average fan to explain the Rule 5 draft....). It hits on the "high points" of the baseball season while helping the gamer to stay engaged.
For folks who may like baseball but don't KNOW it well, going through the full franchise experience (and MLBTS does it pretty well) can be daunting - forcing players into either muddling through things (which can be frustrating) or setting things to auto (which is the worst possible thing you can do to a gamer from an engagement perspective).
Merging the two would be a nightmare. Just the UI alone would be problematic. There's no way those MtO screens make any sense when you're managing the entire roster down through A ball. And even if you somehow adapted it; you begin to backtrack from the guided experience MtO offers. As a franchise guy, I don't need a button to look for a finesse pitcher....I go through the options available in the FA list and look at the pitch mix plus ratings for the guys available. I don't want it distilled down by some algorithm, I want to do my own digging.
I think the two modes have value but they are for two completely different audiences; merging them will almost assuredly require compromises (that one or both audiences may not like). Adding 4 billion menu options is not an appropriate answer either; you're just begging for issues.
One other spin on this topic....I have zero interest in playing MtO. But if there was a curated mode like this for a sport I know less about (like soccer) I could totally see myself giving it a whirl.
MtO is a simplified, condensed and curated experience which helps guide players through the intricacies of MLBs crazy roster rules and structure (ask an average fan to explain the Rule 5 draft....). It hits on the "high points" of the baseball season while helping the gamer to stay engaged.
For folks who may like baseball but don't KNOW it well, going through the full franchise experience (and MLBTS does it pretty well) can be daunting - forcing players into either muddling through things (which can be frustrating) or setting things to auto (which is the worst possible thing you can do to a gamer from an engagement perspective).
Merging the two would be a nightmare. Just the UI alone would be problematic. There's no way those MtO screens make any sense when you're managing the entire roster down through A ball. And even if you somehow adapted it; you begin to backtrack from the guided experience MtO offers. As a franchise guy, I don't need a button to look for a finesse pitcher....I go through the options available in the FA list and look at the pitch mix plus ratings for the guys available. I don't want it distilled down by some algorithm, I want to do my own digging.
I think the two modes have value but they are for two completely different audiences; merging them will almost assuredly require compromises (that one or both audiences may not like). Adding 4 billion menu options is not an appropriate answer either; you're just begging for issues.
One other spin on this topic....I have zero interest in playing MtO. But if there was a curated mode like this for a sport I know less about (like soccer) I could totally see myself giving it a whirl.
I am with you on this, While I do play both modes. I get way to much enjoyment out of 30 team control in franchise to see that go away. I look forward to it.
MtO is a simplified, condensed and curated experience which helps guide players through the intricacies of MLBs crazy roster rules and structure (ask an average fan to explain the Rule 5 draft....). It hits on the "high points" of the baseball season while helping the gamer to stay engaged.
For folks who may like baseball but don't KNOW it well, going through the full franchise experience (and MLBTS does it pretty well) can be daunting - forcing players into either muddling through things (which can be frustrating) or setting things to auto (which is the worst possible thing you can do to a gamer from an engagement perspective).
Merging the two would be a nightmare. Just the UI alone would be problematic. There's no way those MtO screens make any sense when you're managing the entire roster down through A ball. And even if you somehow adapted it; you begin to backtrack from the guided experience MtO offers. As a franchise guy, I don't need a button to look for a finesse pitcher....I go through the options available in the FA list and look at the pitch mix plus ratings for the guys available. I don't want it distilled down by some algorithm, I want to do my own digging.
I think the two modes have value but they are for two completely different audiences; merging them will almost assuredly require compromises (that one or both audiences may not like). Adding 4 billion menu options is not an appropriate answer either; you're just begging for issues.
One other spin on this topic....I have zero interest in playing MtO. But if there was a curated mode like this for a sport I know less about (like soccer) I could totally see myself giving it a whirl.
Awesome points. And you hit it head on. The one thing I do wish they would bring into franchise is the interest level from players that MTO has now. And the last chance offer to try to match it before they sign somewhere else. I was going to say the rumor page would be cool but I just remembered we already have that.
I never kept a stat on this but I wonder how many players if you put a qualifying offer on them take it.
I assume MtO was built to have a new foundation for the future since it's been cited that Franchise mode is built on such an old foundation it is hard to flesh out anymore.
It makes sense to me that MtO is there to get the new foundation down, add to it, while keeping Franchise mode around, with the eventual goal of having MtO setup to where it can be enjoyed exactly like the traditional Franchise mode, but they have the foundation there to flesh it out.
I assume it will eventually allow you to play every game, every pitch, it will have all the rules of the CBA like franchise mode, etc. I would also guess that they will have multiple preset setups for the mode so that more casual players can play the mode in a streamlined manner like it is now, while other more hardcore players can play it out like they do Franchise mode now. Of course, users could change the settings and get a hybrid type mode where maybe they want to play every game, but want many things streamlined or even automated.
I do hope this is the route they're going. It makes sense with what they're adding to the mode and not also adding to franchise mode. It also makes sense because it's very odd for them to have two competing franchise modes if this wasn't the goal all along.
I do wish they'd come out and be honest and tell us what the plan is. I would be perfectly fine with minimal updates for a couple of cycles if it truly meant MtO was being built from the ground up so it could replace franchise mode and really flourish and satisfy both the casual and hardcore crowds along with all of those in between.
Their lack of communication is what leads to frustrations. We weren't told why MtO became a thing, really. It simply became a thing. We aren't being told why they are splitting resources between it and Franchise mode at a time where frustrations with Franchise mode have been an all time high in the community.
Honestly, if their plan is to have both modes side by side moving forward, it becomes even more puzzling and frustrating because if this franchise mode is to stay and be here longterm, and these minor updates are all we get all the while MtO is getting more updates to it, it just becomes a question of what made them decide that was the right plan.
Call it copium, but I feel like the only thing that makes sense is MtO eventually gets fleshed out and Franchise mode is technically removed, but MtO offers everything it had an more, meaning franchise mode is gone in name only.
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
I was feeling a little depressed for the future of franchise and am now optimistic.
I assume MtO was built to have a new foundation for the future since it's been cited that Franchise mode is built on such an old foundation it is hard to flesh out anymore.
It makes sense to me that MtO is there to get the new foundation down, add to it, while keeping Franchise mode around, with the eventual goal of having MtO setup to where it can be enjoyed exactly like the traditional Franchise mode, but they have the foundation there to flesh it out.
I assume it will eventually allow you to play every game, every pitch, it will have all the rules of the CBA like franchise mode, etc. I would also guess that they will have multiple preset setups for the mode so that more casual players can play the mode in a streamlined manner like it is now, while other more hardcore players can play it out like they do Franchise mode now. Of course, users could change the settings and get a hybrid type mode where maybe they want to play every game, but want many things streamlined or even automated.
I do hope this is the route they're going. It makes sense with what they're adding to the mode and not also adding to franchise mode. It also makes sense because it's very odd for them to have two competing franchise modes if this wasn't the goal all along.
I do wish they'd come out and be honest and tell us what the plan is. I would be perfectly fine with minimal updates for a couple of cycles if it truly meant MtO was being built from the ground up so it could replace franchise mode and really flourish and satisfy both the casual and hardcore crowds along with all of those in between.
Their lack of communication is what leads to frustrations. We weren't told why MtO became a thing, really. It simply became a thing. We aren't being told why they are splitting resources between it and Franchise mode at a time where frustrations with Franchise mode have been an all time high in the community.
Honestly, if their plan is to have both modes side by side moving forward, it becomes even more puzzling and frustrating because if this franchise mode is to stay and be here longterm, and these minor updates are all we get all the while MtO is getting more updates to it, it just becomes a question of what made them decide that was the right plan.
Call it copium, but I feel like the only thing that makes sense is MtO eventually gets fleshed out and Franchise mode is technically removed, but MtO offers everything it had an more, meaning franchise mode is gone in name only.
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
I agree. That could very well be the case. And if they can make MTO have all the options we can do on Franchise, then that is okay with me. We all win. But it would be nice like you said if they communicated that. We would like to know what the ultimate goal is of MTO.
However, if we were told that isn't the plan and they want to have both modes simultaneously, then it becomes confusing and we must ask why they felt this was the necessary move. If they simply felt franchise mode was too complex for the casual crowd then it's confusing as to why they didn't introduce settings to give casual users more options to play a simpler franchise mode. Building a completely new mode for just that doesn't make sense.
I have to assume the ultimate goal is to remove franchise mode, but have MtO offer the same experience and then some. It's the only thing that makes sense longterm.
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
He was a member of OS that had some great ideas on how to improve franchise mode and landed a job with SDS because of them.
Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports
How about awarding gold gloves based on stats AT THAT POSITION? Tired of seeing a guy who played 50 games at a position win the GG when he played 90 games at his natural position and was average OR Ohtani winning the Pitcher GG in my NON DH league. BTW, graphics look the SAME since 2018...ludicrous
Also, you WILL have to control all teams in Franchise as the teams will STILL sign a big time LF free agent even if they have 3 great RFs as the programming cannot recognize position pliability, They will also have bad lineups and a SP with 10 starts and 7.00 ERA starting even though the Long reliever has been dominant or a AAA SP is ready to come up AND the will not DFA players that are having bad years with low value contracts
Lastly, I am against every thing the new CBA agreed on and would like to have the ability to shift (what a current zeitgeist rule, lol) NO DH and customized playoffs and divisions but I doubt that will be in the game this season or next.
Stinks, I LOVE the GAME of baseball, but MLB is boring and dumbed down version of a once great game. I can only hope OOTP starts becoming on game playable even if it has old school graphics
If you love the changes, all the power to you...not trying to say it won't be a great game for YOU, but for me, it is like the death of a beloved pet for me the last 3 versions of this game along with the new MLB rules
BTW try this with MLB 21 and the new game. When pitching DON'T move the pitching cursor, throw main pitch, then throw 2nd pitch, then throw 3rd, then 4th, NOW go back from last pitch to first. Better success than trying to paint the corners with aiming. Taht shows me they go with Diamond Dynasty H2H testing before anything else.
ZERO FRANCHISE specific features were added. Playoff rotation should have been in the game long ago. You still can’t relocate or realign the league. Still no coaching carousel or even coaching staff that you can hire and fire and no front office either. It’s a shell of a mode but not as horrible as Madden yet. In the next few years the mode will be eliminated.
Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports
Franchise won't be eliminated. It's on legacy code. They can keep it in without too much work. Why remove it? My guess is MLB licensing agreement requires the game to have a full representation of the season. Which it does in franchise.
And you most definitely can hire and fire coaches. You have manager, hitting coach, pitching coach, first base coach, third base coach, and farm director.
Along with 4 scouts you can replace whenever you see fit.
You can't realign the league but you can relocate teams with the custom team option. It's not perfect but it can be done.
Franchise is in need of improvements. Namely progression, regression, roster size increase, draft round increase, and better draft class generation.
To be fair presentation and commentary play a bigger part in franchise than online modes.
I was not a fan of 21 and had many issues with it and called them out here multiple times. Some of those got addressed here. Not all but some.
I am still on the fence about 22 but to say franchise is going away is down right incorrect.
How about awarding gold gloves based on stats AT THAT POSITION? Tired of seeing a guy who played 50 games at a position win the GG when he played 90 games at his natural position and was average OR Ohtani winning the Pitcher GG in my NON DH league. BTW, graphics look the SAME since 2018...ludicrous
Also, you WILL have to control all teams in Franchise as the teams will STILL sign a big time LF free agent even if they have 3 great RFs as the programming cannot recognize position pliability, They will also have bad lineups and a SP with 10 starts and 7.00 ERA starting even though the Long reliever has been dominant or a AAA SP is ready to come up AND the will not DFA players that are having bad years with low value contracts
Lastly, I am against every thing the new CBA agreed on and would like to have the ability to shift (what a current zeitgeist rule, lol) NO DH and customized playoffs and divisions but I doubt that will be in the game this season or next.
Stinks, I LOVE the GAME of baseball, but MLB is boring and dumbed down version of a once great game. I can only hope OOTP starts becoming on game playable even if it has old school graphics
If you love the changes, all the power to you...not trying to say it won't be a great game for YOU, but for me, it is like the death of a beloved pet for me the last 3 versions of this game along with the new MLB rules
BTW try this with MLB 21 and the new game. When pitching DON'T move the pitching cursor, throw main pitch, then throw 2nd pitch, then throw 3rd, then 4th, NOW go back from last pitch to first. Better success than trying to paint the corners with aiming. Taht shows me they go with Diamond Dynasty H2H testing before anything else.
You can already play with no dh in franchise and the shift will be in ‘22 as the ban doesn’t go into effect until next season
Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports
No, I don’t expect OOTP version of the game but there is middle ground between what that game is and what MLBTS produces. This is why I like NBA 2k the best of all franchise modes. Instead of continuing with My league/GM they created an entirely new mode MYNBA on the NG versions. The old gen still has MY GM/league and those modes are really good on their own. To me the myNBA mode is the bar that the other sports games should model their franchise modes after. And one thing to keep in mind they did that during a pandemic and in the first next GEN version of the game. Now look at what madden or MLB the show has done on NexGen in the past two versions of that game. Virtually nothing.
https://youtu.be/5v2_lxl_mLc
Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports
MtO is a simplified, condensed and curated experience which helps guide players through the intricacies of MLBs crazy roster rules and structure (ask an average fan to explain the Rule 5 draft....). It hits on the "high points" of the baseball season while helping the gamer to stay engaged.
For folks who may like baseball but don't KNOW it well, going through the full franchise experience (and MLBTS does it pretty well) can be daunting - forcing players into either muddling through things (which can be frustrating) or setting things to auto (which is the worst possible thing you can do to a gamer from an engagement perspective).
Merging the two would be a nightmare. Just the UI alone would be problematic. There's no way those MtO screens make any sense when you're managing the entire roster down through A ball. And even if you somehow adapted it; you begin to backtrack from the guided experience MtO offers. As a franchise guy, I don't need a button to look for a finesse pitcher....I go through the options available in the FA list and look at the pitch mix plus ratings for the guys available. I don't want it distilled down by some algorithm, I want to do my own digging.
I think the two modes have value but they are for two completely different audiences; merging them will almost assuredly require compromises (that one or both audiences may not like). Adding 4 billion menu options is not an appropriate answer either; you're just begging for issues.
One other spin on this topic....I have zero interest in playing MtO. But if there was a curated mode like this for a sport I know less about (like soccer) I could totally see myself giving it a whirl.
I wish they would follow what 2K did with the MYNBA mode on NG. My league/GM on old gen was great but MYNBA is even better. And they’re still making billions of dollars with their my team in my player modes.
Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
I would be fine with that if they test it 5 years out, because how many Franchise players go 20 years on the same version of the game?
I'd just like customization and online leagues
And you most definitely can hire and fire coaches. You have manager, hitting coach, pitching coach, first base coach, third base coach, and farm director.
Along with 4 scouts you can replace whenever you see fit.
You can't realign the league but you can relocate teams with the custom team option. It's not perfect but it can be done.
Franchise is in need of improvements. Namely progression, regression, roster size increase, draft round increase, and better draft class generation.
To be fair presentation and commentary play a bigger part in franchise than online modes.
I was not a fan of 21 and had many issues with it and called them out here multiple times. Some of those got addressed here. Not all but some.
I am still on the fence about 22 but to say franchise is going away is down right incorrect.
Yeah forget about the staff hiring because it’s so limited and hasn’t changed in forever. The lack of customization overall removes any hint of realism.
In another. Post I mentioned MYNBA mode. That’s the bar that SDS and EA won’t try to attain.
Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports
Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports
I said if you choose ALL DH mode than you only have DH vs RH and DH vs LH and vis a vis with no DH you have only two lineups.
I do 32 team control as most Franchise players and it be nice to just have 2 lineups
and as for the shift, you cannot disable 3 batter minimum for RPs so I am trying to get ahead of the curve (NPI) and have both of those options. With licensed games they usually go with the rules of the game with NO ability to choose another option
I assume MtO was built to have a new foundation for the future since it's been cited that Franchise mode is built on such an old foundation it is hard to flesh out anymore.
It makes sense to me that MtO is there to get the new foundation down, add to it, while keeping Franchise mode around, with the eventual goal of having MtO setup to where it can be enjoyed exactly like the traditional Franchise mode, but they have the foundation there to flesh it out.
I assume it will eventually allow you to play every game, every pitch, it will have all the rules of the CBA like franchise mode, etc. I would also guess that they will have multiple preset setups for the mode so that more casual players can play the mode in a streamlined manner like it is now, while other more hardcore players can play it out like they do Franchise mode now. Of course, users could change the settings and get a hybrid type mode where maybe they want to play every game, but want many things streamlined or even automated.
I do hope this is the route they're going. It makes sense with what they're adding to the mode and not also adding to franchise mode. It also makes sense because it's very odd for them to have two competing franchise modes if this wasn't the goal all along.
I do wish they'd come out and be honest and tell us what the plan is. I would be perfectly fine with minimal updates for a couple of cycles if it truly meant MtO was being built from the ground up so it could replace franchise mode and really flourish and satisfy both the casual and hardcore crowds along with all of those in between.
Their lack of communication is what leads to frustrations. We weren't told why MtO became a thing, really. It simply became a thing. We aren't being told why they are splitting resources between it and Franchise mode at a time where frustrations with Franchise mode have been an all time high in the community.
Honestly, if their plan is to have both modes side by side moving forward, it becomes even more puzzling and frustrating because if this franchise mode is to stay and be here longterm, and these minor updates are all we get all the while MtO is getting more updates to it, it just becomes a question of what made them decide that was the right plan.
Call it copium, but I feel like the only thing that makes sense is MtO eventually gets fleshed out and Franchise mode is technically removed, but MtO offers everything it had an more, meaning franchise mode is gone in name only.
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Exactly, once the season starts it’s radio silence until they drop the trailer for the next seasons game. But as we learn this year they didn’t even plan on adding FRANCHISE to the stream. So if they are combining those modes eventually then give us that information but they’re working towards something instead of one mole gets new features and the other one gets tuning updates. And if that’s the case fine but don’t try to hide because you’re afraid of negative feedback. The reason there’s negative feedback for them is because they do nothing and say nothing about them all that’s been in the game since it was created and act like they basically doesn’t exist anymore. What you said was exactly right.
Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports
I do 32 team control as most Franchise players and it be nice to just have 2 lineups
and as for the shift, you cannot disable 3 batter minimum for RPs so I am trying to get ahead of the curve (NPI) and have both of those options. With licensed games they usually go with the rules of the game with NO ability to choose another option
You said you to play with the shift, NO DH, and realignment and stated none would be available this year or next and that is what my response was in regards to
Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports
And you most definitely can hire and fire coaches. You have manager, hitting coach, pitching coach, first base coach, third base coach, and farm director.
Along with 4 scouts you can replace whenever you see fit.
You can't realign the league but you can relocate teams with the custom team option. It's not perfect but it can be done.
Franchise is in need of improvements. Namely progression, regression, roster size increase, draft round increase, and better draft class generation.
To be fair presentation and commentary play a bigger part in franchise than online modes.
I was not a fan of 21 and had many issues with it and called them out here multiple times. Some of those got addressed here. Not all but some.
I am still on the fence about 22 but to say franchise is going away is down right incorrect.
To be fair, they removed Season Mode back in The Show 18 without any notice, I believe. That mode had been around forever, too. So it's not unheard of to remove a "legacy" feature.
I do 32 team control as most Franchise players and it be nice to just have 2 lineups
and as for the shift, you cannot disable 3 batter minimum for RPs so I am trying to get ahead of the curve (NPI) and have both of those options. With licensed games they usually go with the rules of the game with NO ability to choose another option
I thought MLB consisted of 30 teams LOL
I also wish they could have incorporated aspects of MTO free agency into franchise free agency. It looks like a fun, new addition. These are the type of things Franchise mode needs in my opinion.
Overall. I'm a little disappointed as I feel more could have been done. But I am intrigued by the logic changes. I'm also happy to learn TABarnes is involved. I could tell he had a passion from his posts here at Operation Sports over the years so I think this bodes well for Franchise improvements.
3 game series vs everybody in the other league. Alternate home team every year.
Seems easier than figuring out a rotating division to play each year.
I can't think of anything easier to implement. All you have to do is put the last six MLB schedules in the game and just rotate them year by year. There's no way that would take a game developer more than 10 minutes.
How about awarding gold gloves based on stats AT THAT POSITION? Tired of seeing a guy who played 50 games at a position win the GG when he played 90 games at his natural position and was average OR Ohtani winning the Pitcher GG in my NON DH league. BTW, graphics look the SAME since 2018...ludicrous
Also, you WILL have to control all teams in Franchise as the teams will STILL sign a big time LF free agent even if they have 3 great RFs as the programming cannot recognize position pliability, They will also have bad lineups and a SP with 10 starts and 7.00 ERA starting even though the Long reliever has been dominant or a AAA SP is ready to come up AND the will not DFA players that are having bad years with low value contracts
Lastly, I am against every thing the new CBA agreed on and would like to have the ability to shift (what a current zeitgeist rule, lol) NO DH and customized playoffs and divisions but I doubt that will be in the game this season or next.
Stinks, I LOVE the GAME of baseball, but MLB is boring and dumbed down version of a once great game. I can only hope OOTP starts becoming on game playable even if it has old school graphics
If you love the changes, all the power to you...not trying to say it won't be a great game for YOU, but for me, it is like the death of a beloved pet for me the last 3 versions of this game along with the new MLB rules
BTW try this with MLB 21 and the new game. When pitching DON'T move the pitching cursor, throw main pitch, then throw 2nd pitch, then throw 3rd, then 4th, NOW go back from last pitch to first. Better success than trying to paint the corners with aiming. Taht shows me they go with Diamond Dynasty H2H testing before anything else.
Strange, you want to keep the shift but no on DH. Interesting....
Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
Anything big that I'm missing from the write ups or is that the crux of it?
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Anything big that I'm missing from the write ups or is that the crux of it?
That's the general gist...
A couple of other items....
- contending teams more likely to trade prospects at the deadline. The didn't say this, but I think this could help with the positional backlog that prevents prospects from developing. (another knock-on effect)
- rebuilding teams more likely to add relievers to trade blocks.
- free agents will be more likely to go into free agency vs immediately re-signing and the free agents' signings will more accurately "drag on" through the off-season (which can impact how you approach signing guys). Signed FAs will not be immediately traded.
- high quality relievers will be valued more properly dollar-wise
- roster build from SDS will not contain any "fake" players (and it sounds like they did work in resolving past issues like prospect ages and so on)
Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports
I am now likely going to pull the trigger at some point. I also play RTTS so we will see what next week holds before I make a final decision. I do have to give SDS props at this point though, they proved me wrong.
There is a trade system within MtO, so you can sort of do this, it's just not whole hog make as many deals as you want like normal franchise mode.
You got the ‘what’ correct but the ‘how long’ is way off.
Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports
Also, unless it's changed, Mto is all about trying to win the WS, regardless of who you are, so you don't get options to trade for prospects and rebuild. All trades are around improving the teams chances of winning the WS that year.
Unless it's completely changed it's direction, Mto isn't a particularly good way of starting a rebuild. It's a great way of having one last blow out year before then having a tear down when you start franchise mode the following year (sort of, the rosters tend to be a bit of a mess after a year of Mto)
wondering if any of these things are being worked on and we just havnt been told bout it yet cuase its in the works..
the problem with Ohtani is he counts as a pitcher and the 13 pitcher min rule means the Angels can't have a 6 man rotation so his stamina is more crap pitching every 5 days.
in the game even though that rule hasn't even ever happened in real life yet and was suppose to for 3 years. I wish Ohtani didn't count as a pitcher and you can't have 6 man rotations in the game. so the Angels you have to have a 25 man roster.
Still I’m slightly encouraged.
I'll go with slightly encouraged, but that Blue Jays trade is just as crazy. I *think* you guys are pretty set at 1B.
Why online?
Presumably to be able to play with others
I doubt he will be in at launch. Maybe they add him in the first update? I think Ha-Seong Kim was added pretty early on last year
Will have to wait until the roster update after his first start most likely. I would think they probably already have his model made, they just have to wait to put it in the game.
It’s crazy they don’t count spring training for these types of players. Are there anymore players that have to wait for there 1st start this year?
in the game even though that rule hasn't even ever happened in real life yet and was suppose to for 3 years. I wish Ohtani didn't count as a pitcher and you can't have 6 man rotations in the game. so the Angels you have to have a 25 man roster.
Yeah, I was really hoping they’d finally nail down all the little parts of Ohtani this year so you could make it as close to real life as possible.