Baseball season is right around the corner, and the release of MLB The Show 21 will be following close behind when it comes out on April 20. Although the game usually comes out in tandem with the beginning of the season, the many additions that San Diego Studio is making have pushed the game back a bit. So far, it seems the wait will be worth it, as the developer appears to be making this year's version of the game the most memorable yet. In order to satiate the hunger of fans still sitting on MLB The Show 20, SDS has routinely been showing off new features for MLB The Show 21.
One of the most exciting additions to this year's version of the game is the new Stadium Creator mode. This feature is only going to be available for next-gen versions of the game, which will likely disappoint last-generation console owners. For next-gen gamers, however, this mode is sure to draw a lot of attention, especially considering it's The Show's first time coming to Xbox. Fans of the series have been spoiled with trailers for the upcoming game, and this mode is no exception. Considering how little sports games change year after year, the addition of Stadium Creator already looks like it's going to switch things up.
A Huge Amount of Customization
When it was first revealed that a Stadium Creator was coming to MLB The Show 21, some fans may have anticipated a limited amount of options. Those expectations ended up being crushed when the gameplay trailer for Stadium Creator was shown off, revealing near endless amounts of customization. Almost everything about the stadiums can be changed. For example, a stadium could have a left field wall that's ten feet tall and four hundred feet away, while right field is forty feet tall and two hundred feet away. In addition to several cosmetic customizations, the creative potential of this mode appears to be virtually limitless.
Stadium Sharing
In previous MLB The Show games, players have been able to share their custom team logos with the rest of the community. The same functionality is going to be available for Stadium Creator in MLB The Show 21, in a move that will likely bring the community closer together. The mode already looks like it will birth some truly creative ballparks, but getting to see the creations of others will likely only drive more creativity. And for those that may not have the energy to make a custom stadium, still getting to experience other players' creations will likely keep the game interesting.
Diamond Dynasty Support
One of the most controversial aspects of the Stadium Creator mode is that players will be able to take their creations online. The community at large seems mostly split down the middle on this feature. There are some that believe it will only encourage trolling, with players bringing in fields that are either impossible or all too easy to score runs in. On the other hand, some players think that it will keep games fresh, as there are often only a handful of stadiums that players will use in Diamond Dynasty. Although SDS hasn't officially said anything, it's likely that some restrictions will be placed on custom Diamond Dynasty stadiums to prevent any frustration.
MLB The Show 21 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting editions of the series in quite some time. Not only will the game be coming to Xbox for the first time, but the Stadium Creator mode will allow players to create the ballpark of their dreams. San Diego Studio has been showing numerous new features in recent weeks, like how pitching will work in the game, so there's still a chance that fans will get to see more on Stadium Creator before launch. Until then, they'll just have to hold onto their blueprints for a little while longer.
MLB The Show 21 is releasing April 20th for PS4, Ps5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.