Exploring the Lack of Baseball Games on the Xbox One

[LosCriminales]

Just FYI, Microsoft bought the High Heat assets when 3DO dissolved. They killed it. Basically the MLB sports games make zero money and no return on investment. Hence the half-assed ness of MLB doing these games, and EA not interested. Sony feels that because they have an exclusive that people will buy the game/console because of this, but I doubt it's moving many Vitas - especially since it's just the same game with new rosters.

I agree it's pathetic that we have a lacrosse game on the XB1 but no baseball. I will say that Super Mega Baseball is very enjoyable, however.

[SamitSarkar]

Quote: Originally Posted by redsox4evur

EA could still make a baseball game when 2K had the license...they just didn't want to be it wouldn't make a lot of money. From my recollection 2K never had an exclusive license.

Not to well, actually... you, but: 2K Sports signed an exclusive contract with MLB for the MLB 2K series shortly after EA signed its exclusive deal with the NFL for Madden. Unlike the Madden contract, 2K Sports' licensing agreement only applied to third-party publishers (such as 2K and EA), not first-party publishers (i.e., the publishing arms of the platform holders -- Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo).

So 2K was the only third-party publisher that could make an MLB-licensed video game; that's why EA tried its college baseball series for two years after MVP Baseball 2005 (and then gave up). It's also why Sony, as a first-party publisher, has been able to make its MLB The Show series for the past decade.

2K's exclusive agreement expired at the end of 2012; the company renewed it just for 2013 so it could crap out MLB 2K13, and that was it.

[BBallcoach]

I've been saying this for years, but Microsoft needs to bring back Inside Pitch. While it wasn't the greatest game ever, the 2 (3?) games they made were solid foundations. Reasons like that are why I recently traded in my XB1 for a PS4. I can get all the cross platform sports games and then the show and hot shots. Since most XB1 exclusives come to PC now. I'm all set.

[Yantropov]

I owned the first two generations of Xbox. I decided to make the switch mostly after trying Mlb the Show 13. Let me tell you that I don't regret switching to PS4, I love baseball games and I was purchasing MLB 2k years after years... I hope Xbox eventually get a baseball game back.

[NINJAK2]

I'm surprised the MLB hasn't just asked the show to become their official baseball game and ask them to make it for x1 and pc...Well that's been my dream..lol

[redsox4evur]

Quote: Originally Posted by NINJAK2

I'm surprised the MLB hasn't just asked the show to become their official baseball game and ask them to make it for x1 and pc...Well that's been my dream..lol

Yea that'll happen when EA wins the NCAA lawsuit. No chance of SONY making a game to be played on their competitors system.

[TSOLEliot]

I'm still doing 2K13 on the 360...The roster work and slider work put in my contributors on OS is fantastic. 2K13 is pretty much 2K12 but it plays a little smoother.

I even still have EA's college baseball on my original Xbox since it has the MVP engine. Still love that game and doesn't bother me about the rosters not being up to date with college. Though my kids look at me and are appalled by the graphics! This new generation!

[snc237]

Quote: Originally Posted by redsox4evur

EA could still make a baseball game when 2K had the license...they just didn't want to be it wouldn't make a lot of money. From my recollection 2K never had an exclusive license.

2k had 3rd party rights. That's why the show still was made because its first party.