Today, SDS announced the first new features coming to MLB The Show 23. This includes a new game mode intended to teach fans and players about a lesser known part of baseball history. Also, pre-orders for the game went live today. This led to us getting some more information about improvements coming to Franchise mode and Diamond Dynasty.
Storylines Mode: The Negro Leagues Season 1
In the new game mode, Storylines, the Negro Leagues will finally be coming to MLB The Show. This has been something fans of the game have been asking to be added for a long time. This new mode will aim to expose players to these great players and their stories. The mode will feature 8 players: Leroy “Satchel” Paige, Jackie Robinson, Andrew “Rube” Foster, Hilton Smith, Hank Thompson, John Donaldson, Matin Dihigo, and John Jordan “Buck” O’Neil. Each of these eight players will have a unique narrative experience with videos narrated by Negro Leagues Baseball Museum President Bob Kendrick. This will be followed by gameplay showcasing important moments in the player’s career.
This new mode is something that will be updated in future releases of MLB The Show with more Negro League legends. MLB The Show 23 is Season 1 of this mode, with next year’s game being Season 2. As well as adding these legends, this mode also features some incredible details. Screenshots released earlier today show historically accurate jerseys, character models and equipment that helps immerse players in the time-period these legends played in.
MLB The Show 23 will also help support The Negro League Baseball Museum throughout its life cycle. For ever MLB The Show 23 Collector’s Edition sold in the US from now until the end of 2023, SDS will donate $1 to The Negro League Baseball Museum. This is a national institution dedicated to honoring the preserving the history of black baseball in America.
More information about the mode will be released this Thursday in the first Feature Premiere live stream of the year. You can watch this Feature Premiere on February 9th on the SDS Twitch and YouTube channels.
Pre-Order Information
Pre-orders for MLB The Show 23 are now live for all players. The pre-order pages for the game have offered a few chunks of information about what fans can expect to see in this year’s game.
The first part of the page talks about more improvements to presentation and commentary. This one of my favorite improvements to MLB The Show 22, so hearing they are continuing to make it even better is great to hear. The page says that MLB The Show 23 will feature expanded commentary, updates to the in-game presentation which will feature more broadcast themes and external shots of the MLB stadiums. The game will also offer more detail to uniforms and equipment.
Diamond Dynasty
Three of the bullet points on the page talk about new improvements coming to Diamond Dynasty. First, the page advertises more than 25 new legends coming to Diamond Dynasty. Also, now players will be able to continue to earn rewards after completing a featured program. This will be a welcomed reward for the diehard players who finish the programs early. Each time players earn a certain threshold after completing the program, they will be able to spin a wheel to claim a reward.
Another new feature in Diamond Dynasty are Captain Cards. This seems to go in with The Captain theme that goes along with having Derek Jeter on the cover of the collector’s edition. Players will be able to designate a position player and pitcher as captains. These captains will unlock in-game boosts by meeting criteria unique to these players.
Franchise Mode
Finally, Franchise mode was mentioned with a few improvements. This is encouraging, because it wasn’t even mentioned or put on the Feature Premiere schedule until the week before its live stream. The new playoff format that went into effect last year will finally be added to the mode. The page also says more CBA updates will be included, but does not say specifically which ones. There are several new rules going into effect in MLB this season like a pitch clock, larger bases, and shift restrictions. It will be interesting to see if all of these get added and how they are implemented.
The MLB Draft experience will also be revamped this year. The page says the changes will add strategy and depth in managing your organization. What exact changes are being made to the draft are yet to be announced.