With only a couple of weeks to go before Early Access in MLB The Show 26, the Feature Premieres continued on this week. The stream this week focused on Franchise mode.
Here's everything that stood out.
The stream began with a reiteration that custom game entry parameters is a system already in the game. This highlighted the options players have to customize when their simulations pause to jump into a game. There was also a reiteration on the improved line-up logic. The "legacy" model that prioritized speed at the top of the line-up will now use more modern analytics to accurately construct line-ups.
New Trade System
Touted as "the best trade system" to be implemented yet, the new trade system has been built from scratch. SDS devs went out of their way to acknowledge the limitations of the prior system, driving home how much they believe in the new system.
It was also stated that "trading won't be easy" anymore, and that a new level of challenge has been injected into Franchise.
The CPU AI will be more aggressive in attempting to "one-up" you with counter-trade offers.
Four players can now be included on each side of a trade.
The trade interest meter is gone, but the CPU General Managers will make direct counter-offers, or directly name players they're interested in.
Rumors will tip you off that players you've targeted for a potential trade are about to be traded to a rival team.
Trade Hub
Expanded elements such as organizational strategy, market descriptions, market sizes that influence trades based on market - which had a specific call out that major superstars should no longer get traded to small market teams that have minuscule payrolls.
Secondary positions are now factored in team depth and line-up construction.
General
You can now utilize bullpen games by designating a spot in the starting rotation to do so. You select the "Opener" that acts as the starting pitcher from your bullpen. This is also a feature that the CPU will use.
Streamline Franchise is a more "casual" Franchise experience, that essentially replaces what March To October has aimed to do in recent years. Many levers can be pulled to assign manual or automatic controls across many features, so players can truly customize their Franchise settings.
Pending offers is a new feature, meaning trade offers will linger and not be accepted or rejected immediately. This adds depth and a more realistic flow, with potential effect on overall roster construction.
Regression logic has been updated. If players are performing at a high level, their respective regression is reduced while they're performance excels.
Increased fog of war in Scouting.
New Designated For Assignment logic reduces veterans being easily discarded.
Hall of Fame selection logic has been updated.
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Cory Wayne Dell
Cory has been writing about all things baseball and gaming since 2022 and has been featured at Operation Sports as well as cited by Forbes. Cory is also a multi-instrumentalist and founder of the band Cargocastle. Cargocastle's latest single, "Truth and Reconciliation," is available on Spotify and all major streaming platforms. Cory is also the author of Shadow of a Monster, a personal memoir currently seeking publication.
