The world of sports video games is always full of excitement, especially with themlb 25 stubs annual release of MLB The Show. Sony’s flagship baseball game franchise has been a fan favorite for years, and the latest installment, MLB The Show 25, is poised to continue that legacy with new features, updated rosters, and even more realistic gameplay. However, this year, MLB The Show 25 will not be coming to Xbox Game Pass or the PlayStation 4, marking a major departure from its recent tradition.



In the last few years, the gaming landscape has undergone dramatic shifts, particularly with the rise of subscription-based services like Xbox Game Pass. These services have become an integral part of the gaming experience, offering players access to a vast library of games for a monthly fee. For Microsoft, Xbox Game Pass has become a key player in its strategy, providing gamers with access to high-quality titles on day one, often including big-name franchises such as Halo, Forza, and MLB The Show. It was a major win for Xbox Game Pass subscribers when MLB The Show arrived on the service in 2021, allowing Xbox users to enjoy the series for the first time without paying full price.



In addition to Xbox Game Pass, MLB The Show was also available on the PlayStation 4 in previous years. Sony's PlayStation 4 was a hugely successful console, with millions of units sold worldwide. As a result, many players have come to expect that MLB The Show would be available on the PS4, even as the PlayStation 5 takes center stage. But for MLB The Show 25, Sony has decided to leave both Xbox Game Pass and PS4 behind. This decision is notable for several reasons, and it signals a shift in how Sony is approaching the game’s release strategy.



The most significant change is the absence of MLB The Show 25 from Xbox Game Pass. While MLB The Show was included on the service for the last few years, Sony has opted not to release the 2025 edition on Game Pass. For Xbox players, this may come as a disappointment, as it means they will have to purchase the game outright rather than access it as part of their Game Pass subscription. While some might argue that this is a blow to the value proposition of Game Pass, it’s clear that Sony’s decision is a strategic one. The company has been somewhat cautious about offering its first-party games on subscription services, preferring instead to keep its major titles exclusive to its own platforms or as paid purchases. By pulling MLB The Show from Xbox Game Pass, Sony is likely trying to preserve the game's sales revenue and control its distribution model more tightly.



Another important factor is the decision to skip the PlayStation 4 version of MLB The Show 25. Although the PS4 continues to have a large player base, Sony is shifting its focus toward the PlayStation 5. The PS5 offers superior graphics, faster load times, and more advanced gameplay mechanics, and Sony is eager to take advantage of these benefits in its games. By leaving out the PS4 version, MLB The Show 25 will be able to leverage the full power of the PS5 hardware, delivering a more immersive and visually stunning experience. This decision also reflects Sony's broader push to move players toward the next generation of consoles, despite the fact that many PS4 owners may not have upgraded to the PS5 yet.



While these moves may make business sense for Sony, they do come with some trade-offs. The exclusion of MLB The Show 25 from Xbox Game Pass and PS4 may alienate some fans, particularly those who have been accustomed to accessing the game on those platforms. The growing popularity of Game Pass has made it an attractive option for many gamers, and MLB The Show was one of the standout titles that helped justify a subscription. Without it, some Xbox users might look elsewhere for their sports gaming fix. Additionally, by leaving out the PS4 version, Sony risks upsetting a portion of its loyal fan base that has yet to upgrade to the PS5.



Despite these challenges, it’s clear that MLB The Show 25 will continue to be a major player in the sports gaming market. While its exclusion from Xbox Game Pass and PS4 might limit its accessibility, it also reflects Sony’s larger strategy to focus on next-gen hardware and prioritize the full retail sales of its games. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how other developers respond to the growing prominence of subscription services and the push toward next-gen consoles.



In the end, MLB The Show 25 may be a turning point for the series, signaling a shift in both how the game is distributed and how the industry as a whole is adapting to new technology and business models. Whether fans will embrace or resist these changes remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: MLB The Show will continue to evolve, and its place in the gaming world will be one to watch closely in the years to come.