Implementing a Better Spring Training in MLB: The Show

Feature Article

Submitted on: 03/13/2015 by Ben Vollmer

Every sports game is forced to tackle the same issue every year: how can you add a pre-season that feels both efficient and meaningful?

It is a complex issue because, while hardcore gamers are going to want spring training to feel as important as it is in real life, others simply want to simulate right through it and get on with the regular season. So accommodating both sides is the crux of the problem. Giving those who would normally simulate a reason to actually play through spring training seems like the most simple answer, so here are five ways MLB: The Show could more successfully implement spring training:

1. Treat it as a true tryout: This is one problem that is going to persist in sports gaming for as long as ratings exist. The Show tackles it the best, with hot and cold streaks often dictating a player's performance despite rankings. Still, it would be nice if player-ratings were a little more vague and slightly more flexible around spring training. Then, as spring training goes on, their ratings become more fixed and the picture of who your best options are becomes more clear. Depending on performance, the rating might be slightly higher or lower going into the regular season than when going into spring training.

2. Unique Presentation: Spring training should have a unique feel. The games are relaxed, broadcasts are much less formal, and fans react differently. This should be apparent in MLB: The Show.

3. Substitutions should be extremely frequent: This would require a major overhaul to CPU A.I., but it would be nice if teams were constantly replacing players on the field with new ones -- so as to get a look at everyone.

4. Create-A-Park: Would there ever be a better time to have a created ballpark than for spring training? Being able to use your own park for about a month every year would keep the game fresh and give more incentive to play some spring training games.

5. A time for "gems" and "busts": Having some kind of system where spring training opens the door for one "gem" and one "bust" every year would keep things interesting. This could be dictated by statistics over the course of spring training.

Have any spring training implementations you would like to share? Let's hear them!

MLB 15 The Show Videos

Member Comments

# 81 sha_ba22 @ 03/18/15 04:53 PM

Madden of the mid 2000's on PS2 is the only game where I've ever felt satisfied by the preseason/training camp modes. Training Camp in these games was awesome! Skill drills like rushing attack, catch ball, pocket presence, swat ball, chase and tackle, etc. were the best part of the franchise mode, especially if you're a game simmer like my friends and I.

In addition to the relaxed commentary and other aesthetic changes suggested earlier, I think putting in fun and interesting Spring Training "mini-games" if you will, would spruce this up.

- Want to improve baserunning? Play a game of hotbox/pickle/whatever you'd like to call it on the back fields.
- Want to improve arm accuracy from the outfield? Do the bucket drill (we did it in little league, hit a bucket on home plate, and get rewarded with a $1).
- Improve contact? Play some pepper

The list goes on and on. They don't all have to use the normal game controls, in fact it might be more fun if they differed a little bit for things like a soft toss HR derby or pepper, or a relay throw drill (arm strength?).

Like in Madden, you'd be limited to one drill per player, and one player per drill. So if you used Bryce Harper in a game of pickle, you can't play pickle with anyone else, and you can't use Harper in any other drill.

Combine that with revamped Spring Training game presentation, more stadiums, fixed substitution, and perhaps the variable attributes that hone in the more you play, and you've got an awesome mode that I'll play every time. Mini games sound WAY more fun than assigning training points, and spring is the perfect time to do that.

# 82 sydrogerdavid @ 03/18/15 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sha_ba22


	In addition to the relaxed commentary and other aesthetic changes suggested earlier, I think putting in fun and interesting Spring Training "mini-games" if you will, would spruce this up. - Want to improve baserunning? Play a game of hotbox/pickle/whatever you'd like to call it on the back fields. - Want to improve arm accuracy from the outfield? Do the bucket drill (we did it in little league, hit a bucket on home plate, and get rewarded with a $1). - Improve contact? Play some pepper

FIFA has a bunch of mini games that help you learn the controls and how to play the game before a match begins. Those are fun and are along the same like as the Madden Mini-Camp.

It could be fun to have 10 or so mini games to play as soon as pitchers and catchers report before the Spring Training games begin.

# 83 Ghost Of The Year @ 03/18/15 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by @legendm0de


	My only "agenda toward this game" is for it to become COMPLETE and avoid going backwards.

I love this game, but as many things as I want added, I fear it will never be complete

« Previous 1 2 3 45Next »

More Links