MLB The Show has long been a beloved baseball simulation franchise. Fans have enjoyed playing with top league players, and MLB The Show's gameplay formula has remained relatively unchanged over the years. However, MLB The Show 23 brought about significant alterations to the Diamond Dynasty game mode, the series' equivalent of FIFA and Madden NFL's Ultimate Team. This decision by developer SDS, while ambitious, had its drawbacks.
Prior to MLB The Show 23, Diamond Dynasty content was released gradually throughout the game's lifespan. Players initially had to build a team using middle-tier cards, upgrading to more viable ones as they were released. However, The Show 23 completely revamped this system with card sets and seasons, making high-level cards available from the start, albeit with the trade-off of locking them from competitive play in subsequent seasons. While this seemed promising, its execution highlighted it as a feature to leave behind for MLB The Show 24.
The Downfalls of MLB The Show 23's Sets & Seasons
Issues with The Show 23's content became evident quickly. Around the release of Season 2 of Diamond Dynasty's content, many players realized that while high-level cards were more abundant, the most sought-after ones were locked behind card packs. Obtaining these packs often required a substantial amount of in-game currency, with no guarantee of receiving the desired card. This shift from previous entries, where players could earn top cards by playing, was met with disfavor.
Aside from the change in high-level card distribution, the quality and excitement around these cards diminished in The Show 23. Previously, certain cards, like those for MLB legends Babe Ruth and Ken Griffey Jr., were highly anticipated. However, by making these cards available early and subsequently locking them, SDS essentially created duplicate cards. While the stats differed, it undercut the sense of progress in building a strong team over time.
Improving Diamond Dynasty Content for MLB The Show 24
If SDS aims to revamp Diamond Dynasty in MLB The Show 24, it may be best to return to the previous structure. Although less flashy than other live-service titles, it was accessible and offered rewarding progression. If abandoning the new system isn't feasible, SDS could seek a middle ground, ensuring early availability of high-level cards without the repetitiveness witnessed in recent iterations.
MLB The Show's Diamond Dynasty has often been lauded as a player-friendly card collecting mode in the sports genre. MLB The Show 23 dented this reputation, a situation SDS should address in MLB The Show 24. While there's little official information on MLB The Show 24 yet, SDS's receptiveness to fan feedback offers hope that Diamond Dynasty will be more satisfying in the upcoming release.