Baseball Games Shut-Out at E3

Feature Article

Submitted on: 06/24/2013 by Caley Roark

At the dawn of the current season, I wrote an article covering the possible futures for video game baseball. I had hoped to be able to revisit that article following E3, providing you with information on the newest hardball game from EA, 2K, or someone else.

Unfortunately, the news wasn’t just thin--it was non-existent.

E3 came and went with just as many answers as we had in March, at least regarding the specifics of baseball on the next generation of consoles. Amidst the clamor of DRM issues, price points, Ignite engine stats, and "the cloud", the baseball landscape was remarkably quiet during the show.

It could be argued that E3 isn’t the best time to debut a baseball title, since the launch would be so far away. However, many of the games shown at E3 will most likely drop after the typical March release date for baseball titles, not the least of which being UFC.

Plus, this retro trailer speaks to a time when baseball games were prolific and E3 newsworthy. Kotaku even speculated that E3 would have been the perfect Apple-like "one more thing" moment for EA (though they admit it was unlikely).

Perhaps more damning than the lack of E3 info are comments by EA which seem to indicate that baseball, for them, isn’t on the horizon. Last summer, EA Sports’ Andrew Wilson explicitly denied working on a baseball title. And, a more recent interview at Polygon gives fleeting hope but still pretty much ends any imminent EA baseball thoughts.

On the other side, 2K hyped its NBA and WWE series, but was silent regarding any plans to update MLB 2K13. Even Sony was quiet on MLB 14: The Show, though its expected this game will release as usual (wishlists are currently open on the official forums).

If you’ve been vacationing for the past few weeks, I wish I had better (or any) news to share--because, if you are like me, the state of virtual baseball will help decide what next-gen console you will buy.

If MLB 14: The Show is the only baseball option next season, it will be a “system-seller” in the truest sense of the word for the PlayStation 4.

For now, enjoy the few options you have, or explore the glory of baseball games gone-by.

We'll be keeping our eyes open for any news on what hardball title (if any) is coming to Microsoft's console next spring.

Member Comments

# 1 believeinnow @ 06/24/13 01:02 PM

I'm pretty certain that historically, there has never been a Baseball announcement made at E3. Even Sony, who has one of the more popular sports games franchises does little else than feature a 3-5 second clip in a sizzle reel. Once they moved Tiger from their previous fall release schedule to the Spring, EA stopped focusing on that game. Spring games, especially something that just released 1-3 months doesn't really warrant a mention at the conference.

If you really want to make a splash, you make mention of a new baseball game during the playoffs (look what 2K does with their NBA series)

# 2 believeinnow @ 06/24/13 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Profit89


	It's unfortunate but we are down to two sports that actually have competition: Soccer and Basketball.

There were three tennis games at one time in 2011-12 (Virtua Tennis, Top Spin and Grand Slam Tennis)

# 3 malky @ 06/24/13 02:55 PM

I know competition is good but the show really has the sport on lock down right now, companies right now are scared to put money into it , knowing they will probably get crushed

# 4 FBeaule04 @ 06/24/13 03:42 PM

Is it just a "we have football, soccer and hockey well under control, don't waste energy on sports we know we will lose anyway!". 2K did to EA with basketball what EA did to 2K with hockey, they simply beat them down. EA's trying to get back in the basketball market, and maybe they will. On the other side, 2K's clearly out of it for a long time in the hockey market.

I maybe wrong, but for EA to get back people who have left for MLB The Show, it would take almost a miracle. Most people have been playing MLB the show for a while and most people like it. Maybe, and it's just maybe, EA's waiting to see if MLB The Show suffers from lack of competition making SCEA lazy and just happy with the success they had to come out with something that makes us drop our jaw.

I may be totally wrong, as usual on the topic...:-)

# 5 artdog5110 @ 06/24/13 06:42 PM

This is very disappointing. I am a long time player of The Show and appreciate the expertise they bring but I was hoping someone would step up and provide something different preferably along historical lines. Competition is the best, I feel for any game.

# 6 SVCbearcat10 @ 06/24/13 08:29 PM

I really don't expect to see any baseball related trailers to pop up until around the World Series. That being said, announcing the return of MVP baseball or a revamped 2K game would have gotten a lot of people excited. A 30 second trailer would have done the trick. Personally, I'm going from the 360 to ps4 with a major deciding factor being a quality baseball game. Huge baseball fan and extremely disappointed with 2K on the 360.

# 7 kennyacid @ 06/24/13 11:44 PM

To early to show baseball ..its not even all-star break

# 8 Jimbo614 @ 06/25/13 12:13 AM

Y'know what? I like this news. I'm a Sony Fanboy and a Show Fanboy admittedly. I want my guys to corner the Market.
I don't like the EA/Microsoft business model which looks at every possible angle to make money thru DLC. It just rubs me wrong somehow. I didn't like when they tried to "Force" me into playing online. Etc.
So if my guys have made Baseball an unassailable fortress to EA , then I'm glad. Sign me up for the Next Gen today!

# 9 Eski33 @ 06/25/13 07:52 PM

I don't ever recall baseball games at E3, or at least they didn't get the attention.

I am still hoping that EA gets back in the game. MVP was outstanding. I love The Show because it does so much right. However, if EA were to come back this could be one of the greatest competitions in video game history.

# 10 buckeyedawgtribe @ 06/27/13 08:52 AM

Just as 2K7 was my first xbox game with the 360 when I bought it, so will the show be when I buy my playstation 4. I think they are truly underestimating the amount of consoles that wont be sold until after the new year when tax returns roll in and when baseball games get released. Xbox is either asleep at the wheel or is in denial about the amount of customers they are going to lose by not releasing their own baseball game or releasing info on a baseball game available to xbox made by some other company not named 2K.

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