The calendar has turned to 2024, and for baseball and gaming fans alike, that signifies the start of MLB The Show season anticipation. While the official release of the newest installment is still a couple of months away, the early months of the year are typically when news and rumors begin to surface. Among the most eagerly awaited pieces of information is the MLB The Show 24 release date. Alongside the release date, fans are keen to learn about potential gameplay enhancements, newly featured legends, exciting game modes, and everything in between.
Although official announcements are still pending, the hype is building for the next iteration of this beloved baseball franchise. Here at keyfobprog.com, mirroring the anticipation across the community, we’re diving into predictions, starting with the crucial question: When will MLB The Show 24 be released? Let’s explore historical release patterns to predict the MLB The Show 24 release date.
Predicting the MLB The Show 24 Release Date: A Look at History
Historical Release Dates of MLB The Show
MLB The Show 23 marked a return to the franchise’s traditional release window, launching on March 28, 2023, with Early Access beginning on March 24. This March release date was a welcome return after MLB The Show 21 and MLB The Show 22 shifted to April releases. It’s worth noting that the April 20, 2021 release of MLB The Show 21, the latest in franchise history, was likely influenced by the complexities of development during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the game’s expansion to multiple platforms for the first time.
Historically, March has been the favored month for MLB The Show releases. Looking back to the PlayStation 2 era, MLB The Show even saw February releases in 2006 and 2007. While a February MLB The Show 24 release date seems improbable today, the prospect of getting the game as Spring Training gets underway is certainly appealing. Imagine a Diamond Dynasty “Spring Training” card series featuring boosted stats for minor league players making waves – a concept many fans would embrace.
A notable point in the release timeline is the game’s introduction to PlayStation 3. MLB 07: The Show debuted on PS2 and PSP on February 27, 2007, but the PS3 version was delayed until May 15, 2007. This delay reflects the additional development time required for a new console generation. This situation raises an interesting question: if developers were to release a previous-gen version in March and a current-gen version in May for MLB The Show 24, would gamers opt for the earlier, previous-gen version to pass the time, or wait for the enhanced current-gen experience?
Starting with MLB 08: The Show, the release date consistently fell in early March. MLB 08 launched on March 4, 2008, and this early March pattern continued through MLB 13.
The release schedule shifted slightly later with the PlayStation 4 generation. MLB 14 was released for PS3 and Vita on April 1, 2014, while the PS4 version followed on May 6, 2014. Again, the need for extra development time for a new console generation is evident. This historical pattern is particularly relevant when considering the potential MLB The Show 24 release date.
Following the transition to PlayStation 4, MLB The Show settled into a late March release window. MLB 15 launched on March 31, 2015, for PS3, PS4, and Vita. MLB The Show 16 (marking the introduction of the modern title format) arrived on March 29, 2016, followed by MLB The Show 17 on March 28, 2017.
MLB The Show 18 and MLB The Show 19 continued this late March trend, mirroring the release dates of MLB 15. MLB The Show 20 saw a slightly earlier release on March 17, 2020.
Console Availability and the MLB The Show 24 Release Timing
Considering console generations plays a crucial role in predicting the MLB The Show 24 release date. MLB The Show 17 was the first installment exclusively for PlayStation 4, marking the end of PS3 development. For three years after the PS4’s release, SDS continued to develop for the older PS3 platform.
MLB The Show 21 was the first version available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. This means there have been three years of concurrent development for both previous and current generation consoles.
While it might seem logical for MLB The Show 24 to transition exclusively to current-gen hardware, the substantial install base of PlayStation 4 consoles should be considered.
Court documents from 2022 revealed Microsoft’s internal estimates of Xbox One and PlayStation 4 sales. Sony’s reported PS4 install base at that time was over 117.2 million units globally.
While not all PS4 owners are MLB The Show players, this figure illustrates the massive reach of the PS4 platform. With Sony announcing plans to phase out PS4 game releases by 2025, releasing MLB The Show 24 on PS4 presents a final opportunity to maximize sales on this widely adopted console.
Therefore, it remains a strong possibility that MLB The Show 24 will have both Previous Gen and Current Gen versions. This approach allows SDS to cater to a broader audience while potentially offering enhanced features and graphics for the latest consoles.
MLB The Show 24 Release Date Prediction
Taking all historical data and console trends into account, here’s an early prediction for the MLB The Show 24 release date:
MLB The Show 24 is predicted to release on March 26, 2024, with Early Access starting on Friday, March 22. It is anticipated to be available on PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, potentially featuring distinct cover athletes for Previous Gen and Current Gen editions. A major technological leap with a brand new engine and fully realized current-generation experience might be reserved for the following year, with MLB The Show 24 focusing on refining the current formula across all platforms.
Final Thoughts on the MLB The Show 24 Release
It’s important to remember that this is a prediction based on historical patterns and current industry trends, not official information. The anticipation and speculation surrounding the MLB The Show 24 release date is a yearly tradition that kicks off the hype season. While the accuracy of this prediction remains to be seen, it’s grounded in historical data and logical analysis. The wait for official MLB The Show 24 news continues, but until then, the speculation and excitement are part of the fun.
What’s your prediction for the MLB The Show 24 release date? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
