MLB 12: The Show goes online everywhere.

The latest iteration of the game — due out on PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita on March 6th — hopes to take things to the next level by blurring the lines between online and offline gameplay.

Explained on the PlayStation Blog, each of MLB 12: The Show's modes will now feature an online mode. That includes the popular Home Run Derby, and anything else you see on the menu. A community menu will also be included to the right of the screen, to allow you to keep track of all the online features.

Enhancing the game's "Online Everywhere" message is a new mode called Diamond Dynasty, which is pitched as "an entirely new mode that mixes offline and online components and includes elements never before seen in a sports game". More details on that are forthcoming, apparently.

Another new addition includes unified settings. The feature works just as it sounds, with players able to create one set of "Master" settings which applies throughout the entirety of the game. This is complimented by the new "Play Now" mode, which still allows you to quickly jump into a game, albeit with filtered settings. For example, if you prefer to play with the "Guess Pitch" setting turned off, you'll match opponents that play in the same way.

Sounds pretty neat. Given the success of the MLB series, we're surprised Sony hasn't decided to release it internationally yet. We know that baseball's not particularly popular in Europe, but surely a digital release would allow the few fans to avoid having to stump up for a costly import every year?

[source shacknews.com]