MLB The Show Going Multiplatform Shows Sony Can Learn to Play Ball

lifeisgamesok1589d ago

I also agree with the stance sports games should be multiplatform

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dirkdady1589d ago

Think it’s a good idea for some franchises to be multi platform. It could potentially double or triple the profit for Sony.
For those saying MLB had something to do with this if you read the article that organization will license out to any developer willing to pay the fees so I believe this is purely Sony’s decision.

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dirkdady1589d ago

The licensor would not dictate which platform the game should be on. If EA or any developer wanted to license and make a MLB or any other sport or racing game they just have to pay the fees to use the teams and logo. Remember 2K sports also licensed MLB up until 2014 and gave up on it due to it not being profitable. There is nothing preventing a developer from making an MLB game for Xbox or Nintendo or pc. It’s just that there isn’t a good developer that can do a good enough job.

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dirkdady1588d ago (Edited 1588d ago )

@imgummy
No your wrong. You think mlb licensing is like a movie licensing deal where one studio can only have the right at a time? If you read my comment you would realize 2K sports also held a MLB license for many years while Sony also held the license in parallel. 2K stopped licensing because it wasn’t profitable. EA can also become a licensee as well there have been other MLB licenses games in the past like MLB Slugfest which was also licensed in parallel to The Show. There is no exclusivity on licensing as evident by history.

Edit: I checked and EA was working with another developer on an already MLB licensed game Out of the Park 19. Guess that shows what you know with your “rumors” from thin air.

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Italiano12345671589d ago

No they shouldn't but considering the game is made by a Sony owned studio makes it even more mind boggling. My guess is it was an MLB stipulation and Sony didnt want to lose the license so they went with it.

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SmielmaN1589d ago (Edited 1589d ago )

I’m sure Sony won’t mind selling millions more copies of the game it makes either. This isn’t a 3rd party making a game multi plat, its Sony’s game and they are going to sell it on more platforms and get that fat multi plat cash

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neutralgamer19921589d ago

Italiano1234567

Or how about mlb coming to Sony saying could you please make this game for more platforms. Sony can still make the game exclusive and mlb can partner with a 3rd party

But they saw how poorly 2k did with mlb license. When Ea and 2k signed with nfl and mlb respectively they signed exclusive 3rd party licenses but under those contracts first party studios can still make nfl or mlb games. Because those 1st party games aren't available on all platforms. If Sony wants it can bring back nfl GameDay and there is nothing EA can do about it as long as it's only on playstation. 2k had exclusive deal with mlb yet Sony were making mlb the show

Mlb needs Sony here since they want their product represented right way

Sony can learn to play ball you say? They have allowed cross play during ps3 days but it only became a big issue when a last place Xbox one begged Sony. And how about F2p games without requiring psn plus

But no on this site the narrative is Sony is anti consumers when ms wanted all sort of DRM to begin with 😂 logic don't exist on this site. To Xbox fanboys this is a loss for Sony when they should be happy their console will finally get a mlb game worth playing and sony will make money 😂

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rainslacker1589d ago

If I had to guess, this was a stipulation with the new contract with MLB to keep the rights to license the game. Madden for instance is required to be multi-plat for EA to keep their license.

This isn't likely Sony just "playing ball" in some change of business practices ushered in because MS decided to put games on PC.

If in the future, Sony decides to put other games on other platforms, then it may be they changed their business structure for such things, but there are outside influences likely at play with this franchise.

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battlegrog1589d ago

Get used to it. Both sony and ms have stated more of its games will be multi platform

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3-4-51589d ago

It's great.....we lost mlb 2k on Xbox....which was awesome on the 360.....so if that is what we get then so be it.

The show still needs to catch up to MLB 2k in terms of trading, and minor league team dealings......it's way more in depth in a last gen game with 2k than this gens MLB the show..............other than that it's a great series.

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thejigisup1588d ago

I would take mlb the show over mlb 2k any day of the week for many reasons.

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lifeisgamesok1589d ago

I can imagine it has something to do with MLB pushing for the game to be on all consoles

I don't think it was up to Sony, they still value exclusives

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Spurg1589d ago

I can picture their third party exclusive making their way to PC. It already happened with Quantic dream's games and Death Stranding.

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Kingthrash3601589d ago

MLB was going to give the license to someone like EA who would sell it multiplat...sony had a choice to lose money or gain money

lifeisgamesok1589d ago

Sounds like they made the right decision then. That money can be put back into the exclusives 👍

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travestyj1589d ago

EA has always had the chance to get the MLB license, sony has never had exclusive rights to the game. No one else wants to make them.

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alb18991589d ago

Another exclusive lost. This one is a good one.

Traecy1589d ago

Though Sony will reap the rewards of it going multiplat because Sony's San Diego studios will still be developing the game. A business win for Sony.

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alb18991589d ago

Traecy Is good to read people so positive about loosing exclusives jajajaja!

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travestyj1589d ago (Edited 1589d ago )

I dont think MLB can force that on Sony since no one else wants to make a AAA baseball games. Sony never had exclusive rights to the series. If they pushed it on Sony and they said no then there would be no AAA baseball games anymore and MLB loses out.

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DEEHULK881589d ago

Read the Press Release. This is what the MLB wanted or Sony could lose the license

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AspiringProGenji1589d ago

I read the press release. Nowhere it says that they forced Sony to do it. It says that “in addition to the extension of the license, it si also coming to other platforms.” It was an agreement from both parties

Sony is the one who own the MLB studio who they could have just said “no license? No game.” Besides RIB baseball and 2ak baseball were made this gen which proves Sony did not have the exclusive license. More like other gave up on MLB

Maybe NOW they own the license, and as a condition it had to come to other platforms. Either that to risk that others make MLB games later

travestyj1588d ago

You should read the press release. It doesn't say any of that

sampsonon1589d ago

you do know that sony has stated that some multiplayer games in the future will be multi platform.
i think the game wasn't a big seller, like real baseball nowadays, so they decided in order to keep making them they would need to make it for all platforms.
smart idea.

i never want to see their AAA single player games on anything else but a playstation console.

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timotim1589d ago

So now you have a XGS logo appearing on a PS box and a PS logo appearing on an Xbox box...times are sure getting exciting haha

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thejigisup1588d ago

What game from xgs is appearing on PS5 I didn't catch the awards.

timotim1588d ago (Edited 1588d ago )

Minecraft Bedrock

Traecy1589d ago

Seeing that Sony's owned San Diego studios are still developing the game when it goes multiplat that's more business for Sony as well.

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Fraggle19871589d ago (Edited 1589d ago )

From a business percpective its not a good idea at all. Exclusives are the main reason to get their hardware, to get people into their ecosystem. Doesnt make sense.

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ElementX1589d ago (Edited 1589d ago )

What doesn't make sense is a console having exclusive rights to a sport enjoyed by millions. If MS bought Fifa rights, Nintendo bought NFL, and Sony got the rights to NBA, you think that's a good idea?

lodossrage1589d ago

@ElementX

The difference is Sony didn't monopolize baseball by choice. Both EA and 2K felt baseball wasn't profitable for them and gave up, leaving Sony as the only one's making it. They never bought the rights to MLB games.

NFL is another matter as EA literally won the NFL's bidding war to be the only company to make NFL games.

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ElementX1589d ago (Edited 1589d ago )

@lodo Sony holds licensing rights for MLB

"Sony and MLB have signed a contract extension that allows the former to continue having exclusive rights to the official game based on Major League Baseball."
https://www.vg247.com/2019/...

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lodossrage1589d ago (Edited 1589d ago )

@ElementX

They paid for the license EXCLUSIVELY NOW. But for all these years where they were the ONLY baseball game in town, they DIDN'T pay for the license EXCLUSIVELY. They only have the license to be the only ones as of now. For the past 15 years plus, they didn't have it. EA and 2k just stopped making them

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ElementX1589d ago

As for the 2K games, Take Two did have exclusive 3rd party rights

"Take-Two bought its way into the field by signing such a contract with Major League Baseball in January 2005. The deal, which was reportedly worth $200 million to $250 million over seven years, locked out all other third-party publishers from producing baseball titles — including Electronic Arts, maker of the beloved MVP Baseball series"
https://www.polygon.com/fea...

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lodossrage1589d ago (Edited 1589d ago )

https://www.polygon.com/201...

MLB the show was only exclusive because the other companies gave up. The contract is exclusive by writing NOW yes. But that wasn't always the case. For the longest time they were exclusive because EA and 2k dropped off

Even in that link I posted a representative from 2k even says "we decided not to renew" back in 2014. And it was a similar thing by EA.

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ElementX1589d ago (Edited 1589d ago )

EA was forced out of MLB games by the Take Two contract. You said "Both EA and 2K felt baseball wasn't profitable for them and gave up" and "EA and 2k just stopped making them ". You were incorrect in both statements, EA didn't drop out, they had to stop. Just admit you were wrong

Take Two didn't renew their contract and apparently Sony has the rights at this time. They were able to make The Show before because Take Two had 3rd party rights. I don't know the status of 3rd party now but according to the VG247 article Sony has exclusive rights. I can't say anything other than what is in the article, because I don't know.

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ApocalypseShadow1588d ago

Element, EA wasn't forced out. The license was bought to prevent EA from locking up the license for other parties to use it like with the NFL license.

EA wanted full control. Take 2 wanted free competition. Sony just ended up with the better game. EA approached the NBA but the NBA said no. Same thing. Free competition. The NFL and EA were the ones that screwed everyone on football. Absolutely no competition.

EA was fully capable of making a baseball game. They just didn't want to. Just like they were free to make basketball. But Live ended up sucking compared to the full development from Visual Concepts not having football anymore.

ElementX1588d ago (Edited 1588d ago )

@apoc What part of " locked out all other third-party publishers from producing baseball titles — including Electronic Arts," don't you understand? Take Two didn't want competition, they didn't allow other licensed games because EA or someone else would've produced one

@lodo Sony EXTENDED their contract, you keep talking about now, but the contract had been around for years, maybe since Take Two decided not to renew the 3rd party contract. Maybe VG247 is wrong, maybe Sony doesn't have exclusivity, but it's not my job to fact check every article I read

ElementX1588d ago (Edited 1588d ago )

Take Two only allowed first party games, which isn't exactly opening up the license.

"Take Two is leaving some room for competition: first-party developers (i.e., Microsoft, Sony, or Nintendo) can still use the MLB goods."

https://www.ign.com/article...

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travestyj1589d ago

MLB has never been a big console seller. When people talk about Playstation exclusives to buy the system for it rarely comes up. Their other big games will remain exclusive though.

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CaptainHenry9161589d ago

I agree with you

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AngelicIceDiamond1589d ago (Edited 1589d ago )

As far as I'm concerned Sports games don't move consoles like they have last gen mainly because game devs have been lazy and extremely complacent in trying with the genre. I doubt MLB is moving as many units for Sony as you may think tbh because of the afro mention reasons I mentioned and sports games in general are in a extreme decline in sales and popularity. Sony isn't losing out on nothing, the ip would be DOA in EA or 2k's hands anyway so I'm glad its multiplat in attempt save the franchise.

Just FYI I don't play sports game not my thing but I know millions and millions around the world do so this is great news for them and I'm happy for sports fans.

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Chevalier1588d ago (Edited 1588d ago )

@Angelic

" I doubt MLB is moving as many units for Sony as you may think tbh"

Tbh you're clueless as usual. MLB had record sales so there goes your theory about MLB not moving units.

http://www.pushsquare.com/n...

Here's a direct quote from the announcement proving you wrong.
https://www.thesixthaxis.co...

" MLB The Show 19 also set a new sales record within the genre this year too, underlining the series’ heavy hitter status."

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AngelicIceDiamond1588d ago

I said units like system units not software selling. It doesn't move systems like it used to.

Clueless as usual kid I'm 100x smarter than you when it comes to this stuff gtfoh. Clues as usual that's funny as hell who the hell you think you're talkin to, clearly not me you already know better not to talk to me like that.

akurtz1589d ago

MLB the show wasn’t a system seller anyway

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Chevalier1588d ago

Weird it MLB 19 broke sales records and you think it's not a system seller?

https://www.thesixthaxis.co...

" MLB The Show 19 also set a new sales record within the genre this year too, underlining the series’ heavy hitter status."

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ApocalypseShadow1588d ago

Because some of you didn't buy baseball doesn't represent others that did buy the system for baseball. The fact that The Show had sold all these years means someone was buying the system for baseball or benefiting by having the game available to buy amongst other games.

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StormLegend1589d ago

This is the best news for a Sports game. Sony will bank in cash from this selling on Xbox and Switch.

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SmielmaN1589d ago

Big time

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lodossrage1589d ago

Oh come on people, are we really going to act as if there isn't a HIGH probability that MLB told them to go multiplatform or lose the license?

MLB saw how the NFL and NBA get money from multiple gaming sources and more than likely told Sony they would give the license to another developer if they didn't expand to other places.

This is my assumption of course, but it's probably what happened. When Sony does this with something FULLY in their control, then an opinion piece like this would make more sense.

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Atom6661589d ago

Sony could have walked away under your theory. But they chose to go multplat.

If Sony now has exclusive rights, MLB almost certainly would require multiplat. Not sure if that's the case though.

Or maybe the asking price just jumped up substantially so that going multiplat is the only way to make enough profit.

No matter what, it's an awesome move for gamers.

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lodossrage1589d ago

@Atom666

Exactly, they could have let the license go and MLB would have found someone else is all. So it was better for Sony to keep it even if they have to go multi for the revenue.

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AspiringProGenji1589d ago

That could be true, but Remember San Diego studios is owned by sony and is the only one who has been able to make a good MLB game. What would have happened if Sony said “ok do it yourself then?”

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NeoGamer2321588d ago

I don't see any other Sony multi-platform announcements.

We sure aren't going to see The Last of Us II, God of War, and Uncharted on XB anytime soon. And yes, if they did go there they would sell millions.

MrVux0001589d ago

To be completely honest until today i always tought MLB was some random multiplat game and not an SONY exclusive lol

franwex1589d ago

That’s strange. Also I doubt MLB forced Sony to go multi platform. They do not care about console politics. They care about money.

This basically opens Sony to more revenue for their MLB games by expanding their audience. But at the costs of people not picking up a Play Station.

Though I doubt most people picked up a Play Station just for MLB. Strange decision, but I guess Sony executives have figured out the opportunity costs.

What I find amusing about this is that even Sony is not as loyal to Play Station as some fanboys here. Haha.

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DEEHULK881589d ago

They are also paying the MLB more as well.

mandingo1589d ago

Really hope it comes to Xbox. Was a big reason I got a ps4. Been waiting Yeeears for baseball on Xbox and 2k was trash

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Abnor_Mal1589d ago

What will be amusing is when sales figures come out for the game and it possible selling more on XBox because they haven't had a MLB game in a long time.

It is money for Sony whether it was MLBPA or Sony decision, for the game to go multi. If as people say that the other developers thought there was no money in such a series and Sony proved that there was. Then to go multiplatform was a no brainer, and if they were able to secure an exclusivity contract with the MLB where others are saying there was no exclusive contract, then it is in Sony best interest to secure one.

Sony will now reap much more rewards from what they've sow having the game on PS, XB, SW, and PC.

As long as Sony keep their "true" original first party games exclusive, then I see no harm with The Show going in the road.

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ocelot071589d ago

It will probably make Sony a few extra pennies. It will still sell the most on PlayStation. But the few extra sales from Switch and co will be decent for Sony.

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ravens521589d ago

Crossplay

Lilrizky1589d ago

Death stranding, journey, heavy rain, Detroit, MLB and if rumours are to be believed Horizon.

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ApocalypseShadow1588d ago

Every game you mentioned is not owned by Sony. Sony only published. The MLB license is not owned by Sony. Horizon is owed by Sony and you will not see that on Xbox or Switch. It's possible for PC. But why do that when the game can sell consoles and the game to PC gamers?

Xbox fans are jumping off the deep end.

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Lilrizky1588d ago

I'm pretty sure Journey is. Thatgamecompany replied to an instagram comment to me saying it was and Detroit and Beyond I know for sure are. Heavy Rain isnt after doing some digging

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UltimateRacer1589d ago

This decision is purely down to the MLB, it’s a win win anyways for Sony, they’ll make lots of money and reinvest it into there other 1st party IPs. It being a sports game and it’s not a big system seller anyways for Sony so rather then lose the license altogether they compromised.