It's been a week now since Microsoft dropped the bombshell announcement on us that PlayStation Studios' MLB The Show 21 would be coming to Xbox Game Pass at launch later this month on Tuesday, April 20.
Since then, Sony has come out and stated that it was the MLB's decision to bring the title to Xbox Game Pass, suggesting PlayStation Studios was effectively forced into the move. According to Sony, the MLB wanted "to bring the franchise to more players and baseball fans", and Xbox Game Pass clearly is a good way to do that.
“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.”
However, with the title being developed in-house by Sony, the move is certainly not a great look for the PlayStation brand. And given that PS4 and PS5 players will seemingly be required to pay full price for the game at launch, you have to wonder how long it'll be allowed to stay in Xbox Game Pass. Will it really go the full (12 month) innings?
Typically, most Xbox Game Pass releases do end up staying the course for the best part of a year (or longer), but we've seen other situations in which the likes of Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption 2 have stuck around for just a few months before being removed. With MLB The Show, it's really anyone's guess.
How long do you think MLB The Show 21 will remain on Xbox Game Pass? Tell us down below.
Comments 8
I say the full year.
This one will be interesting to see play out (no pun intended).
On one hand, I would think the MLB wants the sales beyond PlayStation - I mean it was probably the main reason why MLB "forced" Sony to go multi-platform for the game.
I say "forced" simply because Sony could have just said no and abandoned the series - which we all know would be a dumb move on Sony's part. Still, Sony had the choice.
But, I digress.
We also know that Microsoft has deep pockets and getting a nice long deal for this on Game Pass is great for Xbox. Microsoft may have shelled out a nice chunk of change to the MLB here.
Still, I am thinking 4-6 months tops.
Until the Fall Classic, I'd wager.
Definitely not the full year. Probably until maybe Fall at most
@gingataisen Agreed. It would be a bad look on MS otherwise.
A couple months at most being 2nd highest choice? No way! I can't see it on there for less than at least half the MLB season.
I anticipate it lasting through the end of the MLB season, so October.
Hopefully longer than Red Dead Redemption.
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