Franchise Ain’t Dead

Franchise Ain’t Dead

I’ve played, I’ve coached but I enjoy managing sports teams into greatness. My knees don’t work like my thumbs do. Welcome to the sports gaming podcast, Franchise Ain’t Dead, where I shine a heavenly light on the sports gaming landscape that is Franchise & career modes. Whether you’re a long time hardcore gamer of these modes or just a casual fan who likes to dabble in building teams from the ground up, I want to talk about the foundational mode to many sports video games. Each episode, we’ll explore different sports games & topics, from the latest releases to timeless classics, and discuss everything from content creators who play and influence the game to development teams who are creating some of the latest offerings as well as real life aspects we would like to see from future titles and those who add that extra spice of life to your gaming experience. From MLB the Show to Madden NFL to NBA 2K to FIFA and non-professional sports leagues and even sports that aren’t as widely seen in the US, this podcast has got you covered. Tune in each week to join the conversation as we remind the gaming community that we aren’t just a copy & paste genre that has a bounding pulse!

Episodes

February 28, 2025 14 mins

Sony San Diego is releasing MLB the Show 25 in under 2 weeks. They recently had an hour and a half stream to showcase some thing that did not truly feel worth the time sink BUT it could be leading us in the right direction if they get it right as the game is current gen (XBox Series S/X, PS5 and Switch unfortunately) only.

 

Video Version: https://youtu.be/1GeDu2TbZBs?si=k4gphJlLQG1YvgvJ

Mark as Played

MLB the Show 25 releases in less than a month and it's most popular mode for the last 20 years has been Road to the Show where you can play out your baseball fantasies from the minors to the majors. Has Sony San Diego done enough to bring people coming back for more? 

 

Video Version: https://youtu.be/mRldVjsWnas

Mark as Played
February 14, 2025 16 mins

MLB the Show 25 begins their marketing of their newest game releasing March 14th for early access, March 18th for everyone else. So what did they add to make the game within the foul lines so players have a better experience in their 20th anniversary of The Show series?

 

Video Version: https://youtu.be/EZo_KCe18ok

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If the Dynasty mode in EA College Football will focus on the head coach aspect of the game, with my experience in coaching sports including assisting a division 3 school in football. These are the features I want to see in future games!

 

Video version: https://youtu.be/WuJibTBbddI

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I have become enamored with Professional Baseball Spirits 2024-2025 (aka Pro Yakyuu Spirits) given the depth of features, many of which I have asked for from MLB the Show who makes the number 1 baseball game in the world.

 

Video Version: https://youtu.be/gy4ELxczuiI

Mark as Played

New MLB the Show 25 News has leaked into the public and I hope they don't expect a pat on the back.

Video Version: https://youtu.be/Q9jtgzFJjCg

X/Twitter: @StateFranchise

Mark as Played

When franchise players feel like Diamond Dynasty gets all of the love from developers, we aren't just complaining into the ether. These features prove that Franchise can get better if the time is dedicated.

 

Video Version: https://youtu.be/C_NFGznuIbE

Support the Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@StateoftheFranchiseGaming

Twitter/X: @StateFranchise

Mark as Played

What new myEra will we get for NBA 2K25, I speculate one will be an easy layup of a choice, the other would acknowledge the history of a rising league!

Video Version: https://youtu.be/nzBKfvrZT1Y

Support the Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@StateoftheFranchiseGaming

Twitter/X: @StateFranchise

Mark as Played
July 14, 2024 51 mins

NCAA Football 14 held us down for 11 solid years but it time to move into a new generation of college football gaming with EA College Football 25 along side the podcasts first guest  @BRonSports  https://www.youtube.com/@BRonSports

 

Video Version: https://youtu.be/xunOwYta80E

Support the Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@StateoftheFranchiseGaming

Twitter/X: @StateFranchise

Mark as Played

We were told 2 months ago the Teambuilder site would be out this summer BEFORE EA College Football 25 releases and we are near it's scheduled release date, so will we get it in time for early release on the 15th?

Video version: https://youtu.be/0TaY6C3YaLc

Support the Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/StateoftheFranchiseGaming?view_as=subscriber?

Mark as Played

Teambuilder makes it's return in EA College Football 25 and while we do not know the details we can start brain storming some schools to bring back in states where there is no current FBS presence! 

Video Version: https://youtu.be/1lAX3l8I1E8

Support the channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/StateoftheFranchiseGaming?view_as=subscriber?

Find me on Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/StateFranchise

Mark as Played

I have some gripes about MLB the Show's Free Agency and how it is constructed with some improvements I would like to see in the near future!

Video Version: https://youtu.be/s4v8TI5xQUc

Support the channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/StateoftheFranchiseGaming?view_as=subscriber?

Find me on Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/StateFranchise

Mark as Played

Proper 40-man roster management plays an integral role in your teams' success. Who gets called up following an injury? Who is on the verge of replacing a struggling player? Who gets to play in the postseason? All of these questions and many more are answered in this episode.

 

Video Version: https://youtu.be/vZDBeDv0Gew

Support the channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/StateoftheFranchiseGaming?view_as=subscriber?

Find me on Twitter/X...

Mark as Played

I cannot reasonably tell you the last time MLB the Show Franchise received a new, game changing feature in Franchise mode in it's 19 year history. Now call me skeptical, pessimistic if you want to but I call it realistic. March to October while a brilliant name MLB the Show starting this year needs a massive upgrade with at least ONE of these NEW features I have mentioned on today's #FranchiseAintDeadPod for us franchise players to...

Mark as Played

In MLB the Show 22 we finally received an update to understand our financial earnings in a simpler way going from a weekly projection system to knowing for sure how much money has been made by our team over the course of a season. MLB the Show 12 did finances in a much better manner by showing us a simple balance sheet where we see where our efforts are giving our franchise teams the money needed to get better. This money can be us...

Mark as Played

2023 was a great year in gaming, so many highly acclaimed games from Life of P to Baldur's Gate 3 to High-Fi Rush, and we should have a great 2024 in store for us as well. But when most think of great games why do sports games rarely, it ever get mentioned? Do gaming reviewers not take the time out to understand these games or do they just play for a day's worth of time all the while never being the type of gamer that the game comp...

Mark as Played
November 20, 2023 21 mins

WWE 2K23's latest patch 1.21 sets a bad example of how to handle community creators such as those who create characters/players, rosters & scenarios within our favorite sports video games. Offline games do not typically enjoy the plethora of updates that the more lucrative modes gain during the yearly cycle. None of us want to face cheaters & exploiters of the game but when people unearth unused & hidden assets is where...

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Are CPU teams in franchise games utilizing scouting effectively? In some games, it seems like they either don't use it or take advantage of it when they do. This episode explores the balance between user and CPU team scouting strategies. Find out if there's a fair playing field and don't forget to subscribe for more gaming insights!

MLB the Show built up the hype of their revamped scouting for MLB the Show 23 but was it enough to k...

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Unlike TLC I am too proud to beg for something that should be accessible by all who look to consume the beta/demo of Madden 24 (which has since ended). In 2023 EA decided it was a good idea to open up the beta to all via signup and codes to access were received via email. I received my code 3-4 days before the beta ended. I will praise them for having all modes available but look how well that worked out for them as a 'polished' ga...

Mark as Played
June 12, 2023 25 mins

As it currently stands we are in the midst of Madden 24 beta testing with the game to release in August. EA College Football is possibly in limbo with college players not accepting the $500 being offered as even semi-relevant players can and will make more through an NIL deal let alone the stars & superstars. Maximum Football has pushed back it's beta testing to late summer/early fall. Legend Bowl has been out for a couple years no...

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