MLB The Show 23 Releases March 28th - New Features, Controversies, and Impressions

Introduction to MLB The Show 23

MLB The Show 23 is the latest installment in the popular MLB The Show baseball video game franchise developed by San Diego Studio and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment exclusively for PlayStation consoles. The game is scheduled for release on March 28, 2023 and will feature Tampa Bay Rays phenom Wander Franco as the cover athlete.

The Show series is widely considered the most realistic and simulation-style baseball video game on the market, with The Show 23 looking to continue that reputation with improvements to gameplay mechanics, graphics, game modes, roster updates and more. The game will include updated rosters for all 30 MLB teams as well as minor league affiliates and free agent players.

Key New Features in MLB The Show 23

Some of the key new features that have been confirmed for MLB The Show 23 so far include:

Revamped Franchise Mode

The fan-favorite Franchise mode is getting its first major overhaul in years, with improvements to team management, player development, scouting and more. There are also updates to the Amateur Draft and International Free Agency systems.

New Legends Added

Historic MLB legends are a staple of The Show series, with The Show 23 adding even more all-time greats to the already stacked roster. New Legends expected include Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez, Matt Kemp, Dwight Gooden, Gary Carter, John Franco and more.

Improvements to Diamond Dynasty

Diamond Dynasty returns as the premier card-collecting mode in The Show 23, with developers promising new ways to customize and progress your team. There are also hints at special events, rewards and card types to give players more ways to build their dream squads.

Enhanced Stadium Creator

The popular Stadium Creator feature is back with upgrades like new customization assets, sharing capabilities and other tools to make your own ballpark feel more unique than ever before.

Cross-Platform Play

For the first time ever, MLB The Show 23 will allow for online cross-platform play between PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 and Xbox consoles. This opens up the online player pool and auction house marketplace in game modes like Diamond Dynasty.

Custom Leagues Online

Custom leagues are now available online, allowing players to fully customize and craft their own leagues using real MLB players. You can tweak every detail imaginable and invite friends to participate in your online fantasy league.

Cover Athlete Wander Franco

The cover star for MLB The Show 23 is Tampa Bay Rays star Wander Franco, who becomes one of the youngest players ever to grace the cover. Still just 21 years old, Franco took the league by storm in 2021 by recording a 43-game on-base streak to start his MLB career.

The Rays phenom is coming off a 2022 campaign where he batted .274 with 9 home runs and 50 RBIs despite missing significant time with injuries. The ultra-talented switch hitter has the potential to develop into one of baseball's biggest superstars and putting him on the cover of The Show 23 reflects that.

Reception & Review Scores

Early reviews of preview builds from media outlets have been overwhelmingly positive so far regarding MLB The Show 23. The consensus seems to be that the development team is wisely sticking to the successful formula of incremental improvements while also shaking things up with the Franchise mode overhaul and new online league capabilities.

The Show series has consistently scored in the high 80s and low 90s on review aggregate sites like Metacritic and Opencritic, establishing itself as the premier baseball sim franchise. Expectations are that The Show 23 will land somewhere in that range when the final reviews start rolling in around release date.

The Two-Way Player Controversy

What is the Two-Way Player CAP Glitch?

There has been some controversy stemming from MLB The Show 23 involving the ability to exploit Create-A-Player mode to make overpowered "two-way" player builds. The glitch allows users to assign full pitching and hitting skill loadouts to their custom creations, circumventing the balancing trade-offs that are supposed to exist.

YouTubers and streamers have demonstrated the glitch, creating CAPs with maxed out 99 ratings as both elite aces on the mound and MVP sluggers at the plate. This essentially breaks the competitive balance of online modes like Diamond Dynasty.

Community Frustration

The MLB The Show community on social media and forums has voiced frustration and concern about this glitch ruining the integrity of online play. Fans invest significant time and money building their Diamond Dynasty teams, and this exploit undermines that hard work by letting others cheat the system.

Seeing stat lines of CAP pitchers hitting several home runs or striking out 15 batters in a game has been jarring, as that level of two-way dominance does not exist in real baseball. There are calls from the community to patch this glitch immediately.

Developer Response

Sony San Diego Studio has acknowledged fan complaints and stated they are working on a patch to address the two-way CAP exploit. In a recent stream, developers said they are optimistic the fix can come in one of the planned early title updates in April.

They admit it is a complex issue intertwined with the player progression system, so completely eliminating this exploit is difficult. The patch aims to curb the most extreme cases of two-way CAP abuse.

The Bottom Line

Despite some online controversy around Create-A-Player exploits, MLB The Show 23 is shaping up to be another stellar entry in the revered baseball sim franchise. Gameplay and graphics continue to improve, beloved modes like Franchise and Diamond Dynasty get impactful upgrades, and the addition of cross-platform play is monumental.

With phenom Wander Franco serving as the young cover star, expectations are high that The Show 23 will launch to critical acclaim and cement its status as the gold standard for virtual hardball when it releases March 28th exclusively on PlayStation.

FAQs

What new gameplay features are in MLB The Show 23?

Gameplay enhancements include improved fielding animations, updated batting stances/swings, and more realistic ball physics off the bat. There are also hints of improvements to base running, though exact details are still sparse.

What's new with Franchise Mode in The Show 23?

The Franchise Mode has gotten its first major overhaul in several years. Improvements include revamped team management systems, an expanded minor league system, improved trade logic, and more in-depth scouting and player development.

Will I be able to use my Diamond Dynasty team across platforms?

Yes, with the addition of cross-platform play, Diamond Dynasty lineups, card collections, stub balances, and other content will be usable across PS4, PS5, and Xbox consoles.

What legends are being added in MLB The Show 23?

New legends include Ivan Rodriguez, John Franco, Gary Carter, Dwight Gooden, Matt Kemp, and more. The exact full list of new legends has not been revealed yet.

When does early access start for The Show 23?

Those who pre-order the digital deluxe edition will get 4-day early access starting March 24. The MVP and standard editions release March 28 for everyone without early access.