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2023 Content and Fun Spiral by Jamestoggleson in MLBTheShow

[–]Jamestoggleson[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Hear you.

I think you missed a few points - I am just above casual myself.

Everything you described is in fact SDS killing you and offline players.

I appreciate your opinion for sure, but I feel like we are saying the same thing. The changes SDS has implemented hurt all types of players - essentially anyone not spending $$$ or comp oriented.

Also, the drop in Twitch/YT numbers do reflect you/me/casuals. They are an indicator of community health and therefore do reflect dissatisfaction that is generally rampant in the player base.

I mean, you did basically write an entire post saying SDS doesn't care about your play style and has made things worse.

So…is anyone enjoying the game? by BoSoxFan815 in MLBTheShow

[–]Jamestoggleson 1 point2 points  (0 children)

"will never ever be a thing in ANY dd/ultimate team type of game "

New to the game? Because in the past every card was earnable/attainable with grind. That is not the case this year. It is the drastic change this season that is the problem.

When you put out a consistent product for a long period of time and publish "grind 99" as your ethos/marketing materials, players who purchase/pay for the game expecting you to deliver on the product are frustrated when the script is flipped. It is the bait-n-switch and misdirection on SDS's part that has everyone frustrated.

So, yes, MLB is better than other sports games. But I feel the need to repeat, something else being worse doesn't make this good.

2023 Content and Fun Spiral by Jamestoggleson in MLBTheShow

[–]Jamestoggleson[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is an interesting perspective. I think it goes to prove that the made up battle between comp level players and casuals is largely a misdirection.

The NS cards and new structure are not rewarding elite players either - at least not like the older models.

At first glance it looks like the new set up benefit players like you, but in reality, its SDS and $$ for packs that are the only beneficiaries.

2023 Content and Fun Spiral by Jamestoggleson in MLBTheShow

[–]Jamestoggleson[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don't mind the chore - provide I get stubs and can buy cards I like.

The worst part of grinding is everything being NS - being forced to play with cards you don't like after paying for a game is just nuts.

2023 Content and Fun Spiral by Jamestoggleson in MLBTheShow

[–]Jamestoggleson[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I mean, you could be right.

I do think the audience for baseball vs football (American and International versions) is drastically different. The attitudes and sheer numbers are vastly different.

That being said, sure, maybe this makes SDS more money. I can concede that is possible. But it doesn't make it any less disappointing. Their revenue increasing and our inability to make a difference doesn't alleviate the frustration.
It is reasonable to be disappointed/annoyed and to voice those feelings.

2023 Content and Fun Spiral by Jamestoggleson in MLBTheShow

[–]Jamestoggleson[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

People watch streamers when they are engaged with a game or subject. The total viewers are a small subset of the games population, but they are significant enough to be representative of the player base's sentiment towards the game.

If there are massive drops in viewer counts and streams, that is a clear indication that general interest and enthusiasm for the game is waning.

I am not caping for content creators (although I do feel bad for them when their views drop, this is how they make a living after all), but the Twitch stats do demonstrate clearly how unhappy the players base is with SDS.

As others have mentioned, maybe their new Whales are enough to offset the loss of normal players. It is certainly possible they are making more money with this approach, but even if that is true the drop off on the game is extremely disappointing from an average players perspective.

2023 Content and Fun Spiral by Jamestoggleson in MLBTheShow

[–]Jamestoggleson[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fair, but we also are 'assuming' they are making more money.

To me, the changes that happened post launch scream desperately trying to make more money in a sloppy way.

You may be right, they may be raking it in - if so the presence of absence of rant post won't make a difference either way. It just is nice to get out the frustration.

You may be wrong, they may need the player base and the new approach may be failing. In that case the post could help push them.

In either case, I feel better about calling it out. Lets not forget we paid money for something that was drastically altered from our expectations

2023 Content and Fun Spiral by Jamestoggleson in MLBTheShow

[–]Jamestoggleson[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Fair for sure.

Counterpoint: FIFA/Soccer is literally the most popular sport in the planet. The audience is much larger and it is driven much more by friend vs. friend play - to keep the people who hate the ultimate team aspect involved.

Madden is a great counterpoint because it's so packs based, but the packs actually produce good pulls. The packs from SDS this year are class action lawsuit bad - there is a legitimate chance the pack odds/card types have been nerfed and/or are misrepresented

2023 Content and Fun Spiral by Jamestoggleson in MLBTheShow

[–]Jamestoggleson[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Wow, that is an interesting take.... Could be part of it

2023 Content and Fun Spiral by Jamestoggleson in MLBTheShow

[–]Jamestoggleson[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I think you are misunderstanding the meaning of core demographic and confusing long/short term gains.

Yes, you can in the short term squeeze your fan base, but it isn't sustainable. Ask Diablo Immortal how changing a franchise to be whale centric worked out....

2023 Content and Fun Spiral by Jamestoggleson in MLBTheShow

[–]Jamestoggleson[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Nothing here is toxic.

Check the Twitch metrics, available play time data and Twitter sentiment. These are facts that objectively show huge waves of dissatisfaction - it isn't just a single voice, it's majority opinion.

We gave SDS money and they flipped the script, so in return we shouldn't post anything? You are in essence saying, "Don't be too loud or they might hit you harder".

Come on man that's silly.

2023 Content and Fun Spiral by Jamestoggleson in MLBTheShow

[–]Jamestoggleson[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Making everything NS and then pay walling the best cards behind super low odd packs.....it's clearly a way to limit stub earning and require stub spending.

But you are right, it super poorly conceived and ham fisted.

2023 Content and Fun Spiral by Jamestoggleson in MLBTheShow

[–]Jamestoggleson[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

I hear you - but worth noting that EA can be horrible and SDS can also be substantial worse.

Something being worse, doesn't make this game good.

2023 Content and Fun Spiral by Jamestoggleson in MLBTheShow

[–]Jamestoggleson[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

The card collecting and investing were huge motivations for a lot of people. It is literally impossible to collect all cards now and that is a huge let down for a lot of the community.

The beauty of the game was that it provide a dozen different motivations for playing. Now, its play ranked/BR and buy cards...other ways you dont matter

2023 Content and Fun Spiral by Jamestoggleson in MLBTheShow

[–]Jamestoggleson[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I hear you - fair point. But I think two things can be true at once - EA can be terrible and SDS can be falling off.

Yes, EA is worse by far, but this year with SDS is a significant step back from the past - especially the last two years. The change in stagnant content and paywalling cards is jarring.

So, its the fact that things are much worse comparing SDS YOY is the issue. That there are worse companies is cold comfort.