Sony is causing uproar among PlayStation owners due to a massively controversial recent announcement that it claims is completely out of its control.
For those in need of some context, MLB: The Show, the long-running baseball video game series developed by San Diego Studios, is headed to Microsoft’s Xbox for the first time ever later this month in a move that’s astounded fans and pundits alike. A well-established property renegotiating exclusivity deals is hardly a rare occurrence, of course, but this time, things are different. For starters, San Diego Studios is a subsidiary owned directly by Sony, meaning that for all intents and purposes, the MLB brand in gaming is synonymous with PlayStation.
Legally, of course, the US-based Major League Baseball organization owns the brand and license and has the final say on matters pertaining to platform and availability. That being the case, MLB – not Sony – has the power to dictate where tie-in video games end up appearing and it would seem that the association wishes to expand the franchise’s reach to a previously untapped market AKA Xbox.
An unprecedented move in itself, no doubt, but even more so following confirmation from Microsoft that MLB 2021 will not only be available on their console but essentially be ‘free’ via Game Pass (subscriptions cost $10 a month).
Conversely, the title isn’t intended to be included with PlayStation Plus or any other alternative promotion, meaning the only avenue of ownership baseball fans will have when MLB: The Show 2021 launches on April 20th will be to pay the full $70 asking price. Naturally, this has led to a massive uproar on social media, with responses ranging from dumbfoundedness to harsh criticism, and you can check out a sample for yourself below…
Can’t make this shit up! https://t.co/CWO5NWnjql
— Colin Moriarty (@notaxation) April 2, 2021
I’ve paid for MLB the Show every year at launch for the past decade and now Sony gives it away for free on Xbox?? Their own game?
I’m happy for baseball fans but this leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I guess Games Pass is in fact, a better service than PlayStation Plus https://t.co/XJzgzihHJI
— Brian English 🏆 (@PS5Trophies_) April 2, 2021
Time to call out @PlayStation here. Can’t be quiet anymore. We’re paying £70 for these games but they’re in gamepass day one. For the record I have no interest in MLB but Sonys silence is getting annoying here.
— Chris 🏆 (@Nintendad_) April 2, 2021
So wait even Sony sees the value in Gamepass? MLB The Show 21 Day one on game pass wow! Sony must have been giving good money to agree to this 😂Crazy Sony made game is free on game pass and $70 on Playstation. That has to sting 😂
— DEE (@Dee_Batch) April 2, 2021
*PS guys see Xbox Game Pass getting MLB The Show 21 day one*
PS Plus: "Sorry, best I can do is Oddworld Soulstorm" pic.twitter.com/zdJknAdz6G
— Cheat Code Radio #CCR (@CheatCodeRadio) April 2, 2021
@PlayStation a PlayStation published game is coming to Game Pass and NOT PlayStation Plus??… https://t.co/6PrVPaFRPT pic.twitter.com/kJulEALuT8
— Zac (@Zacagawea19) April 2, 2021
you're a joke @PlayStation https://t.co/Xvyz5GjX9T
— Luke ⚡ (@Brown2Tatum) April 2, 2021
https://twitter.com/Dereklions/status/1378026129941000193?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1378026129941000193%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcomicbook.com%2Fgaming%2Fnews%2Fplaystation-plus-ps4-ps5-xbox-game-pass-mlb-the-show%2F
https://twitter.com/ChrisBy92451824/status/1378012218185375745
Sony fanboys are MELTING!!! 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
— Cameron Rodgers (@cam_rod10) April 2, 2021
I'm a Playstation user and Owner…and all I want is an @Xbox and @XboxGamePass
— ⭕ IRO-Bot16 (@iro_bot16) April 3, 2021
So… Not only is a Sony First Party developing for Xbox, but the game will be on Gamepass. I wonder what the behind the scenes looks like on this.
— Jason (@FFoP_Jason) April 2, 2021
Tell us, though, what’s your take on the situation? Let us know in the usual place below.
