MLB 13: The Show Franchise Video Breakdown - CPRoark's Blog

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MLB 13: The Show Franchise Video Breakdown Stuck

Posted on February 7, 2013 at 06:56 PM.

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MLB 13: The Show just released a preview on Franchise Mode, my favorite mode in the series for the last five-plus years. As someone who doesn�t play a lot online, I�m happy to see them improve this area of the game--an area, that admittedly, had become a little cumbersome to navigate and full of features most players probably turned off.

Before I break down the list of improvements, there's a big caveat to any opinion I may have: this stuff better work. We�ve seen too many games �break themselves,� with features and additions that look nice, but ultimately screw up the simulation side of things. I have faith in Sony, though, and predict everything's gonna be alright.

Info Panel: Without actually navigating the menus, it�s hard to say how this will feel; but it looks nice. Any improvement to the menu is fine by me, as long as it doesn�t move to 2K�s archaic system.

Dynamic Budgets: I�m not sure how realistic it is, but it�s nice to be rewarded for a good season. Plus, if we are being honest, I�m not sure many people really want to play a multi-season franchise with no hope of clearing the red.

Acquisition Updates: This panel is only really as good as the trade logic allows. I hate seeing players who, in real life, would have no chance of being traded. I think I saw Pujols on in the rumor mill last year�just doesn�t make sense. Bringing this to the front end of the interface will be handy, but only if what�s on it is usable.

Project Free Agents: Again, nice to have this up front as you plan for seasons ahead. Will be even more useful at the trading deadline.

Ticker: A nice touch; I loved the in-game ticker last year.

Training: I�m guilty of setting it (to auto) and forgetting it, in previous versions of the game. I suppose the end results will be the determining factor if this revision is successful, but as is, it seems much easier to use. Love the bar charts across the top.

Varied Player Projections: Along with the new push/pull engine, this is a risky tweak for The Show; I feel like both have the potential to be overdone. I like what this is attempting, but I don�t want to see a ton of sub-25 year old superstars.

Scouting: The designers are correct when they state they are moving an �afterthought� to the forefront. I rarely messed with scouting last year; I didn�t see the need to navigate a ton of menus for little payoff. Now, however, there�s a lot to like, including varied scout abilities, the Top 50 icon, and specific assignments.

Final Thoughts

It�s really hard to guess how all of this will work as a cohesive whole. However, The Show has been good about making steady strides to consistently improve (as opposed to promising annual "back of box" features that soon disappear). It seems that these particular improvements are carefully planned and implemented in a way that makes sense. Hopefully, we�ll see it all payoff in March.

What new feature are you most excited about?

Comments

# 1 Lovesports @ Feb 7

I think more and more players are coming in and making a big impact right away. Your Strasburgs, Harpers, Trouts are becoming a norm

# 2 thehunt30 @ Feb 8

I'm really looking forward for the budget system.

# 3 asu666 @ Feb 8

I'm going to continue my season from last year and play in the other league with this year's game too. With the realignment, playoff structure included, and franchise revamp, it should be interesting to mix it up and see which ultimately plays better.

# 4 johnpreyes @ Feb 8

It's great that they're finally showing the actual ratings instead of bars.

# 5 mrlux @ Feb 8

They talked about how they tweaked the difficulties due to the new hitting mechanics, so I'm interested to see how that is balanced in gameplay.

# 6 NYYankees42 @ Feb 8

What's up with McCutchen in a Nats cap? Will players with real pictures now switch to an animated picture with their new team's cap? Cuz that would be awesome.

# 7 Kirby_SCEA @ Feb 8

Quote:


	What's up with McCutchen in a Nats cap? Will players with real pictures now switch to an animated picture with their new team's cap? Cuz that would be awesome.

Yes. When a player is moved off of his original team, his real mugshot will be replaced by a CGI mugshot in his new uniform/hat.

# 8 lewski19 @ Feb 10

Yea, but the mccutchen, moustakas and tillman all on the nats still makes me concerned about the trade logic.

# 9 SotehPR @ Feb 12

Maybe they traded their farm system to compete... Lol. If i were to handle the phillies i would trade the entire team for prospects... Forfeit 1-2 seasons.... They will have money to spend in the offseason.... Trade lee, Halladay, JRoll, Utley, Brown, Papelbon, Adams... The Youngs... All gone! xD rebuild! xD