Customer Reviews (500)

Fire frombelow • 2025-03-25T08:51:07-07:00

One of the best mobile games and time killer ever, but I would love if it had sport commentators

Aiden camera • 2025-03-25T08:33:17-07:00

How is there going to be a 35-36 overall outfielder catching everything I drive down the right side of the field this game infuriates me. (But I play it because I love it at the same time)

robolx it cool • 2025-03-25T06:51:57-07:00

Its garbage how come everytime i hit a popup its out but when the other team hits one its not

Summary of Key Insights

  • BASEBALL 9 is a generally well-received mobile game with a strong base of loyal players, evidenced by the high percentage of 5-star reviews. The game is praised for its simple mechanics, ease of use, customizability, and offline playability.
  • A major weakness, highlighted by numerous reviews, is the lack of multiplayer or online play functionality. This is a highly requested feature that could significantly enhance the game's appeal and longevity.
  • Another recurring pain point is the difficulty in upgrading players and acquiring resources (gems, recruit tickets, etc.) without spending real money, leading some users to perceive the game as pay-to-win.
  • There are also concerns about perceived "rigged" gameplay, where the AI seems to have an unfair advantage or where hitting results don't align with player skill/input.
  • Overall sentiment is positive, but addressing the user pain points and implementing requested features could greatly improve user satisfaction and retention.

Quantitative Metrics:

  • Overall Rating: App Store rating is not explicitly stated, but inferred to be high based on the review distribution.
  • Score Distribution:
    • 5-star: 299 (59.8%)
    • 4-star: 74 (14.8%)
    • 3-star: 35 (7%)
    • 2-star: 19 (3.8%)
    • 1-star: 73 (14.6%)

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 500 reviews
  • Time Frame: The reviews appear to be a recent snapshot, with many referencing current game versions and updates. No specific time frame is explicitly provided.
  • Analysis Methods: Manual review and thematic analysis were used to identify recurring themes, sentiment, and feature requests. Keyword extraction was implicitly used to identify the most frequently mentioned topics.

Key User Pain Points

  • Lack of Multiplayer/Online Play: The most frequently mentioned complaint. Users desire to play against friends and other players, creating a competitive and social experience.
  • Difficulty Upgrading Players/Pay-to-Win: Many users feel that progressing and upgrading players becomes excessively difficult without spending real money, leading to frustration and a feeling that the game is unfair.
  • Perceived "Rigged" Gameplay/AI Advantage: Users complain about the AI making unrealistic plays, the game seemingly favoring the AI, and hitting results not reflecting player skill.
  • Resource Scarcity (Gems, Recruit Tickets): Users find it difficult to acquire sufficient gems and recruit tickets to improve their team, further exacerbating the difficulty in upgrading players.
  • Repetitive Gameplay/Lack of Content: After playing for a while, some users find the gameplay repetitive and desire more content, such as new game modes, stadiums, and customization options.
  • Glitches/Bugs/Crashes: Several reviews mention game crashes, glitches, and bugs that negatively impact the user experience.
  • Outfield Fielding Issues: Some users complain about outfielders making unrealistic catches or the inability to control the fielding process effectively.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Multiplayer/Online Play: By far the most requested feature, including the ability to play against friends and participate in ranked matches or tournaments.
  • Trading Players: Users want the ability to trade players with other teams or friends.
  • More Customization Options: Requests for more customization options for players (faces, hair, body types), uniforms, emblems, and stadiums.
  • Career Mode/Road to the Show: Some users want a single-player career mode where they can create and play as their own player.
  • Controller Support: Many users have requested controller support, particularly for devices like Backbone.
  • More Realistic Gameplay Elements: Requests for features like injuries, weather effects, challenge plays, more fielding control, and more detailed statistics.
  • More Stadiums/Environments: Users want more variety in stadiums and environments.
  • Replays: The ability to view replays of diving plays and home runs.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Simple and Easy to Learn Gameplay: Users appreciate the game's simple mechanics and ease of use, making it accessible to a wide audience.
  • Customization Options: The ability to customize players' names, appearances, and gear is a popular feature.
  • Offline Playability: The ability to play the game offline is a major advantage for many users.
  • Time Killer/Addictive: Many users find the game addictive and a great way to pass the time.
  • Realistic (to a degree): Some users find the game to be somewhat realistic and enjoyable for baseball fans.
  • Lack of Annoying Ads: Many reviewers specifically mention that the game does not bombard them with intrusive advertisements.
  • Regular Updates: Users appreciate the developers actively updating the game, even though they often request specific features.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Implement Multiplayer/Online Play: This is the most requested feature and would likely have the biggest impact on user engagement and retention.
  • Address the Perceived Pay-to-Win Aspect: Rebalance the game's economy to make it easier to upgrade players and acquire resources without spending real money. Consider offering more ways to earn gems and recruit tickets through gameplay.
  • Investigate and Fix "Rigged" Gameplay Concerns: Analyze the AI behavior and hitting mechanics to ensure fairness and transparency. Provide clearer feedback to players about why certain outcomes occur.
  • Address Glitches and Bugs: Prioritize bug fixes and stability improvements to enhance the user experience.

Medium Priority:

  • Add More Customization Options: Expand the customization options for players, uniforms, and stadiums to provide a more personalized experience.
  • Consider Controller Support: Implementing controller support, particularly for devices like Backbone, could attract a wider audience and improve gameplay for some users.
  • Improve Outfield Fielding Mechanics: Allow players more control over outfield fielding to address concerns about unrealistic catches and errors.
  • Add More Realistic Gameplay Elements: Consider adding features like injuries, weather effects, and more detailed statistics to enhance the realism of the game.

Low Priority:

  • Add Career Mode/Road to the Show: While requested, this is a more significant development effort and may not be as impactful as other features.
  • Add Replays: While a nice-to-have feature, replays are less critical than addressing core gameplay concerns.
  • More Stadiums/Environments: While more variety would be welcome, this is less critical than other improvements.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Mobile Sports Game Development Studio: Focus on creating high-quality, engaging mobile sports games with a focus on realistic gameplay, deep customization, and robust multiplayer features.
  • Mobile Gaming Platform with Integrated Multiplayer Features: Develop a platform that makes it easy for mobile game developers to add multiplayer functionality to their games.
  • Esports Tournament Platform for Mobile Games: Create a platform that allows players to compete in organized tournaments for mobile games, with prizes and leaderboards.
  • Subscription Service for Mobile Game Resources: Offer a subscription service that provides players with a regular supply of in-game resources, such as gems, coins, and power-ups.
  • Mobile Game Controller Development: Design and manufacture high-quality mobile game controllers that are compatible with a wide range of games.

Trends and Observations

  • Strong Desire for Social Interaction: The overwhelming demand for multiplayer/online play indicates a strong desire for social interaction within the game.
  • Frustration with Monetization: The frequent complaints about the pay-to-win aspect suggest that the current monetization strategy is negatively impacting the user experience.
  • Community-Driven Feature Requests: Many users are actively suggesting specific features and improvements, indicating a passionate and engaged community.
  • Language Preference: The vast majority of reviews are in English, suggesting that the game is primarily popular in English-speaking regions. There are a few Spanish reviews also.

Conclusion

BASEBALL 9 is a popular mobile game with a strong foundation. However, addressing the user pain points related to monetization, perceived unfairness, and the lack of multiplayer functionality is crucial for improving user satisfaction and retention. Implementing the frequently requested features, particularly multiplayer, could significantly enhance the game's appeal and establish it as a leading title in the mobile sports gaming market. The developers should prioritize addressing these issues and continue to engage with the community to gather feedback and refine the game.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/baseball-9/id1340866223?uo=2