We’re getting very close to official release information for MLB The Show 25. At this point, all we know for sure is that there will be a major change to the Seasons concept in Diamond Dynasty.
There was an extensive questionnaire released that dropped a few hints about future pack series and functionality, but most of that can’t be confirmed until February 2025. There’s also a rumor that Cincinnati Reds star Elly De La Cruz will be the cover athlete for the game. We’ll see, but for now let’s focus on five concepts we need to see to improve MLB The Show 25.
Lean Into the History of Baseball Within Franchise Mode
No sport is more linked and driven by its history than baseball. That’s why it’s peculiar that The Show doesn’t allow more historical concepts in its franchise mode. Granted, users can bring in the legends available in Diamond Dynasty into franchise mode—which is more than can be said for Madden. However, NBA 2K’s Eras pays sincere homage to its sport’s history.
In 2K, you can go back to the 1983-84 season and play through history, or start in other NBA eras with the game simulating history and allowing you to alter it through gameplay and customizations.
Think of the content MLB The Show influencers could create with these tools—it’s a game-changer. MLB The Show 25 would benefit greatly by doing more with the history of baseball in franchise mode, not just with legendary player cards in Diamond Dynasty.
Eliminating the Seasonal Structure in Diamond Dynasty
Thankfully, it’s confirmed: MLB The Show 25 won’t have the Seasons concept that bogged down the last version of the game.
The introduction of Seasons in MLB The Show 24’s Diamond Dynasty was criticized for limiting the use of earned cards. Many players felt their efforts were devalued when cards became unusable, generating frustration and player fatigue.
While Seasons as a concept isn’t inherently bad, overly restricting the usage of earned content across large portions of the game is a mistake. That’s exactly what happened in MLB The Show 24. As a result, I stopped playing the mode earlier than ever before.
If Seasons returned with looser themes or were task/stat-based, the concept would be much easier to accept.
A Home Run Derby Feature in Diamond Dynasty
HR Derby is simplistic fun in MLB The Show, but it hasn’t been iterated upon enough to maximize its reach. Imagine if Sony San Diego revamped HR Derby as a Diamond Dynasty feature with a points system, challenge pitchers (similar to Showdown), hidden rewards for hitting balls into specific landmarks, or vault-opening opportunities for home runs in certain areas.
To avoid exploitation, entry could require tickets, ensuring the feature remains fresh while also limiting overuse.
Fielder Urgency Problems in MLB The Show
Many users have expressed frustration with fielders displaying a lack of urgency when fielding ground balls. These delays result in unnecessary extra bases for opponents.
A solution could involve a user setting that defaults all fielders to use urgent animations unless overridden by holding a bumper or double-tapping a button. Urgent animations would have a smaller sweet spot on the throwing meter compared to deliberate throws. However, great fielders would still maintain a large sweet spot, preserving skill-based gameplay.
The Stagnation of Road to the Show (RTTS)
Road to the Show is stagnating. It’s beginning to feel as though the development team has run out of ideas to innovate and improve the single-player experience. For years, it has relied on the base game’s strong gameplay and players’ joy in creating a character and advancing through their careers.
That time is over. RTTS needs bold innovation. One layer could involve expanding mini-games. A far more ambitious layer could allow created players to be exportable into an online multiplayer environment, potentially evolving into a full-fledged 10-on-10 eSport.
