The PlayStation Studios published and Sony San Diego Studio developed MLB The Show 21 isn’t just coming to Xbox platforms, it’s also launching as a free title on Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass service, a move that shocked many when it was announced earlier this week. Apparently the decision to release the game on Xbox Game Pass was made by MLB, not Sony.
Speaking with Inverse, a representative for PlayStation said “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.?
The decision to bring MLB The Show to Xbox was made when Sony renewed the licensing agreements back at the end of 2019. While not explicitly stated, it’s widely understood that part of the agreement included a requirement from MLB to bring the formerly PlayStation exclusive game outside of the PlayStation ecosystem to other platforms. Similarly, it appears that the choice to launch MLB The Show 21 on Xbox Game Pass was a strategic move by MLB to get the game into the hands of more players on a platform the game has never been on before. Ampere Analysis Research Director Piers Harding-Rolls says the decision was about audience reach for potential in-game monetization, not premium sales. “I?m sure [MLB] has been watching the in-game monetization of other sports games franchises such as Madden and FIF...