MLB hyped up a video game-like replay view from the Tokyo Dome and fans justifiably hated it
Though we still have a couple weeks left of spring training, the MLB regular season officially starts this week with the Tokyo Series between the Dodgers and Cubs. Both teams have been in Japan for exhibition games against NPB teams the past few days, and it's also given MLB an opportunity to test some new replay angles.
But let's hope we don't see this on-field replay view make regular appearances in MLB broadcasts because, seriously, nobody asked for this.
To showcase a slick diving play that Dansby Swanson made against the Yomiuri Giants, MLB posted a video game-esque replay view, claiming the "replay game has changed forever."
And sure, the idea was cool. But I'm not sure how a grainy video with no contrast or depth helps the viewing experience for fans. It looked like a video game, but worse.
The replay game has changed forever 😳
— MLB (@MLB) March 16, 2025
No, this is not a video game. This is an on-field replay from the Tokyo Dome 🔥 pic.twitter.com/pPS1ecEL8l
In this replay view, only Swanson was in focus, and the refresh rate couldn't keep up with his basic movements. It's bad and adds nothing to a broadcast.
MLB seemed to expect fans to love this new look, but the video was mostly mocked on social media.
This was how Twitter/X reacted
I don't dig this. Everything is flat - there's no depth to the background nor the surface, which makes the player feel unreal. https://t.co/xuPDmbydsy
— Jesse Goldberg-Strassler (@jgoldstrass) March 17, 2025
The fact that you have to clarify it’s not a video game is a problem. https://t.co/0MhAICvuyQ
— Aaron Morse (@MorseCode206) March 17, 2025
in the never ending quest to make video games look like real life, i never considered that the solution would be to make real life look like video games https://t.co/YkEdVfZawU
— Andrew Gruttadaro (@andrewgrutt) March 17, 2025
Why is everyone freaking out about this. The quality is atrocious https://t.co/o1vwwatTZC
— TB12 🐐 (@tedaverse) March 17, 2025
too early for me to be this annoyed https://t.co/aZGwatSh23
— tot 🍉 (@backdoor_sIider) March 17, 2025
If you think a real life video looks like a video game, then it’s not a good real life video https://t.co/2CYzJRyoek
— Counting down to opening day (@bseballguru) March 16, 2025
So they've made replays look.. worse? https://t.co/Lg1hhxoDVG
— Michael With Two Y’s (@SliccMick) March 17, 2025
This article originally appeared on For The Win: MLB hyped up a video game-like replay view from the Tokyo Dome and fans justifiably hated it
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