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Quick Takeaways from MLB The Show 16's Weekend Announcement

As the Winter Meetings begin, so does our first look at the next iteration of everyone's favorite -- OK, only -- MLB simulation. Besides a new naming convention, what else does MLB The Show 16 have in store for baseball fans this Spring? Here are a few quick reactions from the first wave of information:

Showtime:

I'm guessing this might be a polarizing feature, depending on how gamey this system is. In fact, it reminds me a bit of my favorite MLB arcade games, The Bigs 2 -- that's not necessarily a negative, as that game's quick-time events accurately represented player skill and highlight moments in a relatively interesting way.

I'm curious whether this a fielding only feature, or if it will impact batting at all (the trailer seems to indicate it will). I imagine that this new system will be at home in Road to the Show -- a mode that's been vastly improved over the past few years -- but that most will turn it off in regular games.

Road to the Show:

Speaking of Road to the Show, it looks like The Show's career mode receives more attention this year. Being able to crank out a few games without multiple load screens would be a blessing. "Perks" sound interesting, and may further customize your focus as a player.

However, while nothing was mentioned, I hope that these improvements don't mean that Franchise mode, perhaps the game's most stale mode, was left untouched. One of the trailer's screens seemed to show some kind of franchise improvement or localized game mode -- I predict some kind of fan-based metagame, not unlike what we used to see in FIFA or NCAA Football.

Many Editions, but...

You will definitely have options when it comes to choosing how you want to play MLB The Show 16, including two-disc based versions and a PS4-only digital edition. For the digital edition, you better like Diamond Dynasty, because that seems to be what the extra $40 is buying you.

One edition that is still up in the air is the Vita version, with no mention on the game's official page. This is too bad, not because the game was outstanding on the Vita, but because I liked using the cross-platform saves during vacation season. If it doesn't release, it shouldn't surprise -- the game received very little attention last year when it was released at a bargain $20 price via digital download.

Final Thoughts

The release also indicated other improvements, including graphical upgrades (not immediately apparent in the trailer) and two new modes.

With the information we've received, I'm moderately excited. I'm still holding out hope for franchise improvements; if they don't happen, I may end up spending more time in Road to the Show that I have in the past.


What are your initial impressions after watching the trailer and reading the press release?


MLB The Show 16 Videos
Member Comments
# 21 Speedy @ 12/08/15 09:43 PM
I don't want to be negative as that's not my intention so I'll spoiler this.

Spoiler
 
# 22 Godgers12 @ 12/09/15 12:55 PM
I can live without an owner mode or create a stadium for another year,ut if they ignored sortable league, career and positional stats again, I will not be getting The Show this year.
 
# 23 ryanmc564 @ 12/09/15 01:13 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by snaz16
You do understand it was a "Polo Field",and not built for baseball
I would of guessed by the name but I know nothing really about it.
 
# 24 SDwinder @ 12/09/15 01:37 PM
Shibe is a fun park. Very similar to Ebbetts. Those two are the original cookie cutter parks!
 
# 25 Bobhead @ 12/09/15 07:27 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by snaz16
You do understand it was a "Polo Field",and not built for baseball
Doesn't change or negate the fact that its a terrible and unfun baseball stadium.
 
# 26 Knight165 @ 12/09/15 07:29 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bobhead
Doesn't change or negate the fact that its a terrible and unfun baseball stadium.
What years did you play there?!

M.K.
Knight165
 
# 27 CaseIH @ 12/10/15 07:56 AM
Nothing really grab me because I only play franchise mode, so I really could care less about all the gimmick modes. Franchise mode needs way more Depth, and I had hoped once they switch consoles thatwithmorepower we would see more MILB clubs, and more MILB parks, even if fictional parks are all they can do. Atleast revamped Spring training. I don't know if I will even have the money to buy it day1, but if its major changes are gimmick modes and franchise is basically the same, then I might not need to worry about having the moneyto buy it, because I wont an stick with 15.
 
# 28 LastActionHero @ 12/10/15 11:01 AM
Man with all these legend players and now Polo Grounds back in the mix (if not more) I wish we'd get the oldschool baggy uniforms as well.
 
# 29 Bobhead @ 12/10/15 07:18 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Knight165
What years did you play there?!

M.K.
Knight165
The years the stadium was included in a video game.
 
# 30 TattooedEvil @ 12/11/15 02:02 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Road Rage
Talking about Classic Stadiums ... Any chances to include the Olympic Stadium ?

In the Classic Stadium or maybe in the Spring Training ?
If Olympic Stadium is in the game, the Expos better be available in some type of expansion mode or relocation mode inside of franchise mode!
 
# 31 TattooedEvil @ 12/11/15 02:06 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bobhead
Doesn't change or negate the fact that its a terrible and unfun baseball stadium.
idk bout all that...i played CF back in my playing days and any true CF would absolutely love all that room to roam around!
 
# 32 ryanmc564 @ 12/11/15 04:01 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Knight165
What years did you play there?!

M.K.
Knight165
I played there back in nineteen diggity six, which we had to use the word diggity because the Kaiser stole our word twenty....... it was horrible!
 
# 33 Knight165 @ 12/11/15 04:58 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by ryanmc564
I played there back in nineteen diggity six, which we had to use the word diggity because the Kaiser stole our word twenty....... it was horrible!
Haha....
You probably had an awesome moustache though!

M.K.
Knight165
 
# 34 TripleCrown9 @ 12/11/15 05:05 PM
Yeah the Polo Grounds is an awesome place. Not a single home run to dead center*, and down the lines was <300 feet.
 
# 35 Chisoxfan14 @ 12/12/15 11:25 AM
They can announce anything and get my money. It's literally the perfect game and any changes I want are small.

I think there are some ball trajectory issues that need addressed: balls hit around the catcher that aren't attempted to be fielded and bounce off the mask etc and half the time the ball is actually fair. The foul
balls that are going out of play and take this crazy trajectory back into play to a fielder, line drives that richochette off the pitcher or other fielders but someone always makes a superhuman play and still throws you out.

Also, I want real rain delays, rainouts, and double headers, it's part of the game.
 
# 36 Rwings832 @ 12/16/15 04:40 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by babaker14
So I'm guessing no build a stadium or ability to create divisions?
We don't know for sure yet, but I am guessing build a stadium is not in, but sounds like there is a good chance maybe we can still get the Customization of leagues....Love that Classic Stadiums are back!!!
 
# 37 Turbojugend @ 12/16/15 04:55 PM
At this point, I think league customization is #1 on my wishlist. We've got some nice classic stadiums coming back and the throwback unis are already there, along with the great historic rosters that the community provides we've got most of the bases covered. But it sucks trying to recreate a historic season with regional division structures and Tampa Bay, Arizona, etc., in the fold.

Give me the option to create a true historic season; AL, NL, best team wins the pennant, those two face off in the World Series. Done.
 

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