We ended last week with the huge news that MLB The Show 21, a title developed by Sony, would be arriving into Xbox Game Pass on its launch. It appears the shock decision was made by MLB, not Sony.
A spokesperson has reportedly revealed to Inverse that "MLB decided to bring the franchise to more players", hence its appearance into Xbox Game Pass. This follows Sony Interactive Entertainment previously agreeing to the game being supported on more platforms back in 2019. We're not quite sure this is what they had in mind, though.
“As part of the goal for this year’s game, MLB decided to bring the franchise to more players and baseball fans. This decision provides a unique opportunity to further establish MLB The Show as the premier brand for baseball video games.”
It's definitely a bold choice, especially when PlayStation users will have to play for full price for what has been up until this point, a first-party franchise. But Xbox players are definitely getting the better end of the deal, as it will be 'free' to download in Game Pass when it launches on April 20. We can't wait!
Happy to see MLB The Show 21 make the leap to Xbox Game Pass? Let us know in the comments below.
[source inverse.com]
Comments 15
Well sony will see some of that Microsoft money so they are getting more than they usually would
This is what I figured especially after I read that the whole reason MLB made Sony bring it to other consoles was to reach more players. With Gamepass that can even reach more.
Will certainly try a bit of Virtual Rounders
Well clearly everyone knew that Sony wasn't the one pushing this. They had to follow suit or loose the license, sure EA and 2K would oblige to take that burden from Sony if they decide it's unacceptable. End of the day Sony is still making money so they took the deal offered to them. I'd expect a lot of games that have microtransactions to be looking to launch in GP day n date because they all want as many people as possible playing their games....like Battlefield 6
@UltimateOtaku91 thats still up on the air though isn't it? If MLB paid Sony to make them an Xbox port then they already got paid and the rest is going to MLB. Unless we see the contract we won't know where that money is going. Also it might not be a big bag as this will lead to a lot more revenue through microtransactions so it could have been just a bigger cut of that vs backing up the cash dump truck. Been hearing on podcasts that the amount that they are paying for games in gamepass isn't as big as people think due to the revenue the publishers are seeing as a result of the large player base
I have not played a baseball game since Baseball and Bases Loaded on NES. That said, I'm totally downloading this day one. The fact that GPU is making me even mildly interested in a sports game is quite impressive indeed.
Oh maaaan boycott that commie MLB!
Jk this is a great move. Video games were my gateway to watching live sports as a kid. First football through Madden (back in the day), then later soccer and hockey.
Couldn't care less about the game coming to Xbox. Great for everyone who's excited, great for MLB, and Sony is probably getting a cut of the profits regardless given they developed the game so everyone wins
Weirder things have happened, like that one time a Sony-owned studio put out a Nintendo-exclusive Wipeout game
One thing that seems to be missing in all these stories is Sony didn’t allow anything. And they aren’t getting money from Xbox. Why would they?
When the MLB license was up in 2019 MLB only agreed to license it to Sony on condition they made it available for other platforms. So they bit the bullet and caved.
MLB isn’t ‘paying’ Sony to make an Xbox version nor is Sony getting any money from Game Pass. MLB is the publisher here. It’s a condition of their license that Sony make an Xbox version.
@SegataSanshiro
Still, no reason for Sony not to make this a free PS Plus game. I think what PlayStation fans are really upset about is MLB The Show being $70 on their platform while it's "free" someplace else.
Gamepass is taking over..
@SegataSanshiro
I agree with everything you said and I still think PlayStation fans have the right to feel the way they do. Sony has to find a way to offer them more value.
I got my Xbox X a month ago with a two year gamepass ultimate deal.
I gotta say it's the best deal in gaming without a doubt. I've already easily surpassed what I would have payed for games premium during two years.
Xbox X + Switch is the ultimate gaming combo right now.
@SegataSanshiro There is one thing tho. After Jim have said that about first party on subscriptions services Sony released Destruction All-Stars for PS5 (It is published by SIE) day one on PS Plus. So I don't know if we can trust him on that.
Pushsquare guys are still not happy about this, which is kind of weird. The MLB is huge, they can do what they want.
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