The MLB The Show 23 release date is drawing nearer, with more Feature Premiers revealing extra details about the upcoming title.
We've seen the introduction of the new mode Storylines The Negro Leagues, as well as plenty of changes coming to the Gameplay, with a big adjustment teased for Diamond Dynasty ahead of its own deep dive trailer.
Set rotation is coming to the mode, so find out what that is and how it will affect Diamond Dynasty in MLB The Show 23 below.
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Set Rotation Explained
The way you build your squad and play Diamond Dynasty is getting a huge revamp in MLB The Show 23, with the introduction of a card set rotation system.
As explained in the latest Diamond Dynasty clip posted by the official MLB The Show Twitter account:
Some modes throughout Diamond Dynasty, like Ranked and Conquest, will require Season Squads made up of In-Season cards, keeping squads fresh and competition fierce!
In-Season cards consist of the sets released during the current and previous seasons, in addition to all Core Set cards which are always eligible.
The Core Set is listed to include Live Series Players, Negro Leagues Storylines Rewards, Live Series Collection Rewards, and a few more.
Not all game modes will require you to use Season Squads, so there will still be freedom to include all your best cards from throughout the year in one team.
Seasons will last for 6-8 weeks, with new sets introduced, staying In-Season, then rotating out, such as in the laid-out example below:
- Season 1: Core Set, Set 1
- Season 2: Core Set, Set 1, Set 2
- Season 3: Core Set, Set 2, Set 3
- Season 4: Core Set, Set 3, Set 4
This is just a sneak preview into some of the changes coming in Diamond Dynasty this year.
A feature premier will reveal all the other innovations for the mode, which will be unveiled on Thursday, 23 February.
A Home Run?...
First, let's take a look at the positives that set rotation will have in Diamond Dynasty!
As noted in the clip, it means that you can use the most powerful cards in the game from day one.
You will still need to work to unlock them, but instead of having an increase in the power curve throughout the season, you will have access to 99-rated cards from the start!
Using the best players in MLB The Show from the start could make the game more competitive, with personal skill levels being highlighted more than before.
We all love using the cream of the crop, so fielding a 99-rated side from the get-go lets us live out our dream team fantasies without having to wait.
Set rotation also forces you to update your build throughout the season, keeping your team full of fresh faces, while also having the backbone Core Set to fall back on.
It's a really interesting move from the game designers and we can't wait to see how it plays out upon MLB The Show 23's release!
...or Swing and a Miss?
However, on the other side of the coin, there are just as many negatives to be seen by the introduction set rotation to Diamond Dynasty in MLB The Show 23.
While some people may like having unreal cards from the start, part of the joy of Diamond Dynasty is the progression of your team.
Starting with lower-rated players and increasing the power of your team over time is part of the lure of the game mode and keeps you hooked throughout the campaign.
There will still be a grind to gain the best cards around, but this will likely happen in short bursts each season, as opposed to across the game's full lifecycle.
The exclusivity of owning the top-rated cards in the game will also lessen, as we would expect to see an abundance of 99-rated cards from the start.
Both previous points show how introducing a set rotation can take away from the journey of the game, which could cause a disconnect for some fans.
Although not all modes in Diamond Dynasty will use the Season Squads restriction, it is notable that Ranked - the most competitive and probably the most popular mode - will have it.
That means the majority of players will be forced to change their roster to partake.
Of course, it is always nice to keep refreshing your team, but there is a big difference between making that choice yourself and having it forced upon you.
Only Time Will Tell
Bringing in such a sweeping change to Diamond Dynasty in MLB The Show 23 is a big risk from the developers.
The issue is, some people will welcome the change, while others will hate it.
You can never please all the people all of the time, but this move could easily split the fan base down the middle, which could have a negative impact on future releases.
We have to trust the developers that the research has been done, the majority of Diamond Dynasty players want this to happen, and that it is implemented well, otherwise the season could be a write-off!