MLB The Show Server Issues: Detailing the Saga So Far

[Speedy]

Quote: Originally Posted by dasfette

I don't think I totally understand this mentality that some in the OS community have around developers. It very much feels like, per those folks, no one is ever, ever, ever to become upset over the way a game releases. You're allowed to provide "constructive criticism", but anything other than that can become reason for deletion of posts or banning (and, for the record, I'm not, by any means, condoning personal attacks on devs).

I disagree.

I think we can be upset and be critical of a game, its development/direction or the implementation of promoted features. MLB The Show has received a lot of criticism this year whether it be it's lack of franchise improvements or the HORRIBLE online experience and various gameplay logic (numerous HRs, bad SP logic).

The issue is when folks come and post in frustration/anger and bash the game because of their annoyance...stating the game is trash, nobody should waste money on this piece of crap, the devs are liars, etc. OS is not going to tolerate that type of childish behavior as the TOS is written and Mill/Steve harbor a mindset that the forum will be mature and respectful in all postings. All of us here want the game to be better...bashing the game because we're frustrated helps nobody - it's better to voice out specifically what is incorrect and how it can be improved.

As far as the devs go...SCEA developers I think are great people. I see their passion thru the streams and their postings and have heard the same from users that went to the Community Days. The fact these devs frequent this forum without obligation is not something OS takes lightly...It is expected and forced upon our members that devs will be treated with respect as OS values that relationship.

SCEA as a whole has garnered a lot of respect on this forum thru the years with which a lot of the members here pass back (it's much better when compared to the 2K/Madden forums)...as Bullit said though, we keep having faith the game will turn in our favor but the past couple of years has somewhat broken down that relationship, at least to me. As much as I love this game and the series, nostalgia cannot keep allowing me to think this is a good game...we have to hold the gaming company and its developers accountable if the series is not improving in core areas.

I know that's rambling a bit as I'm not speaking to you in general, just a broad thought surrounding the topic.

Quote: Originally Posted by dasfette

Well, funny thing around constructive criticism: I'm not a software engineer. And even if I was I simply don't have access to the game's coding. So it's a little difficult to provide constructive criticism around why the game's online modes don't work. I can't imagine ANY other industry/commercial product where this is acceptable. If you buy a new car from Chevy and it doesn't go into reverse, are you satisfied with "you just have to be patient until Chevy finds a fix"? No! "Oh, and you better be an engineer because, unless you can tell us WHY the car won't go into reverse, we don't wanna hear it." Sure, a car costs considerably more than a video game. But let's use a battery-operated shower cleaner. If you put the batteries in and it doesn't spray, would anyone find it reasonable for the consumer to "wait for a fix"? No! You'd return it as broken and have the choice, as a consumer, to buy a different product from another developer. But video games don't work that way. Once you open that plastic wrapping, it's yours. If it doesn't perform to established expectations? Well, sucks for you, because no returning it. So you're either forced to wait for a fix (and you BETTER not say anything bad about the product - only constructive criticism!) or you sell it on the open market. It's absolutely absurd that we let the video game industry get away with such things. But, that's where capitalism is so great. If you truly want to change those practices, you simply stop buying the product. SDS is a business here to make a profit. No profit means changes to the product, or no more business. So, maybe we should all put our money where our mouths are and stop buying the game until the devs decide to put out a working product that is worth the cost they charge.

I think is EXTREMELY well said and well put. I agree wholeheartedly that consumers are now getting an unfinished, 95%, 90%, sometimes even 80-85% game. I've fallen into the mindset to be patient on a game with patch #1, #2, #3, #4, etc....versus expecting the game to work as intended and as I expected when I purchased it.

[sbauer318]

Quote: Originally Posted by capa

I don't know who their backend Cloud service provider is but they should be terminating that contract and hook up with IBM, Google, or some major player that has a proven track record of success in the Cloud for major programs and millions of transactions. C

Cloud infrastructure isn't some magical thing that can heal all wounds. The services and backend have to be well written and scalable too. Not only that, but you have to set up the infrastructure properly as well. These issues could be caused by any number of things.

[Retropyro]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mike Lowe

And even if we consider the game a total loss, it's $60. Sucks, but not the end of the world. I get what folks are saying about saying what they want, but I guess outside of venting, I'm not sure the purpose it serves.

I hate seeing statements like these. Those are the very types of thoughts that lead to company's getting off the hook for not living up to the promises they advertise and continues the cycle of rinse and repeat releases.

No, it's not the end of the world. The only thing that is the end of the world is "The end of the world", so no one should get mad at anything else?

Obviously the venting does nothing, the studio already made their money. But people are angry because for months, up front and constantly in videos, live-streams and written articles are the devs pushing this game and making themselves available. Because it's all positive. All they want to do is talk about the game, everyone's happy. But post launch when some problems begin to show, radio silence. They disappear.

I don't even personally care about the online side of the game, I'm strictly offline. But I hate seeing those that do care about it get brushed aside. As that's how I've felt for months with NBA 2K17 and it being completely unplayable. (Yes unplayable, the game won't load). Sucks having your concerns brushed off. Especially by the one place you hope would "have your back" and be able to use their contacts to push for answers.

I am happy to see this article though. Would love to see OS holding more developers (2K) accountable with similar ones.

[335TDC]

Quote: Originally Posted by Retropyro

I am happy to see this article though. Would love to see OS holding more developers (2K) accountable with similar ones.

Agree. I dislike how but understand why OS "protects" developers on its forums, but this is the closest thing to an outright relationship-threatening condemnation that we're likely to see by OS against one of the big games (Madden, 2K, et al.). Good on them.

[theu715]

"Because of this, large portions of the game are at times unplayable for users. With the possibility that this instability could continue, it's hard to justify recommending MLB The Show 17 for a purchase right now. We need to see that the game is fully functional and stable again to more comfortably say the game is safe to pick up -- at least when it comes to recommending it to anyone who has an internet connection." - Quote from the article

As someone who has played almost exclusively Online Franchise mode the past two years, it is old seeing the same server issues year after year. I'm really glad I ordered the cheapest version of the game I could get this year and didn't spend a dime more for "special editions" or extra online content that would mostly meaningless. The issue IMO is that the devs put so much effort in promoting the game and especially the online modes and they don't work well at launch, and even weeks later. On top of that do things like add events, programs, cards, and packs instead of taking 2 minutes to update their twitter account with what is going on. Small things like "still working on server connectivity today" or "thanks for the patience everyone, we're sorry it's taking so long, but working on it" or even an honest update, "we aren't sure why things aren't stabilizing but we're working hard at it" would all go a long way. Instead, of this we get April Fools legend pranks. For everyone wanting cards back, I'd rather get a cheaper version of the game next year or a refund back for part of the game the year. That's the fair way to handle it. Again, just my opinion.

[Millennium]

Quote: Originally Posted by 335TDC

Agree. I dislike how but understand why OS "protects" developers on its forums, but this is the closest thing to an outright relationship-threatening condemnation that we're likely to see by OS against one of the big games (Madden, 2K, et al.). Good on them.

I've actually seen about enough of your accusations. We don't protect devs. We ask that people speak to them like adults in a mature way.

Just because we don't lash out at devs in articles in no way means we "protect" them. You need to get past that mindset or, as others have said, find another place to push your agenda.

[baseballsim]

Quote: Originally Posted by GWPump23

Again, coming from a "fanboy" here... This game has been released for a month? I'd imagine some of these issues requiring some time to resolve? I'm ALL for holding people accountable. Don't feel this group deserves a "pass", either. DO feel that some time (to resolve issues) is fair though... Did any of you hear Ramone Russell during Millennium's 3-day pre-release game stream? The guy was WIPED OUT! The game's post release hang over will pass, developer's batteries will recharge & these guys will "right" what's "wrong"... SDS's past track record will prove me right... -GW-

If memory serves me, games have been going in the queue since 2012. I hope they can find a way to change how they process these stats, wins, etc in the next few years.

These issues are nothing new either. Issue always reappear in the next release. One would think they would be able to put in preventive measures for the upcoming release but video game development might be a different animal compared to other software.

[rtwilli4]

Quote: Originally Posted by Dolenz

Well , many paid $100, and that extra $40 was specifically so we could have the extras that would allow us to play DD. The mode that is most broken. I can be patient but there is a limit to that patience, especially when there is little to no communication that gives me any idea about how much longer I am supposed to remain patient.

Exactly.

I'm not really into video games. I bought a PS4 Pro so I could play baseball. MLBTS 16 was my first video game since 2005. Online was totally new to me and I wasn't even sure I wanted to play it, but thought that it would be cool to try DD while I waited for OSFM rosters to come out for 17. I was back and forth about what edition to buy, but my wife said "go ahead, get the best one, what's the worst than can happen? You'll enjoy the extras."

Boy was she wrong. A month later and not only has than extra $40 been TOTALLY wasted, but I can't even play OFFLINE franchise games for fear of those being lost as well! Every time I disconnect my PS4 Pro from the internet so I can play The Show, I wonder why I didn't just drive to my parents house and dig out my old PS2.

I'm not one to complain about money. I nearly always buy the most expensive version of things, whether I need it or not. But out of principle, I will not be pre-ordering anything from this studio again and I will certainly not spend any extra money on content. That is, if I even buy the game at all next year.