From the Dugout: Backyard Baseball Roadmap

Hi-ho, sports fans!

First, a thank you. To the members of our community that have actively participated since launch, from reviews and bug reports to feature requests and comments across social media… we see you and we appreciate you. Your passion inspired the return of this game and your feedback is going to make it even better as we continue to make updates. Thanks to your contributions we have already addressed a multitude of bugs and rolled out several patches and hot fixes in just 2 weeks time.

As we’ve listened to the community and reviewed gameplay data, four clear priorities have emerged.

First, we continue to improve keyboard and mouse experience, with a focus on bringing it into parity with controller, especially on defense.

Second, we are refining core gameplay experience, making every pitch, swing, throw, and catch feel more responsive, rewarding, and true to Backyard Baseball, all while highlighting the unique abilities (and individual charm!) of each and every kid.

Third, we see how many of you are deeply invested in your League Teams and we are committed to making that mode even deeper and more immersive with expanded statistics, presentation improvements, and additional QoL features.

Finally, we continue to squash bugs, both large and small, so that everyone has the same great experience when they step out onto the field.

Read on for more in-depth information on what’s coming to Backyard Baseball, both in the near-term and long-term.

Gameplay Experience

AI, Fielding, Baserunning & Input Responsiveness

We’ve spent the last several weeks focused on the parts of Backyard Baseball that shape every inning. These before-and-after videos highlight some of the gameplay improvements already underway. They’re just a sample of what we’re working on, and there’s much more coming down the pipeline.

We’re improving gameplay from every angle, with multiple dev teams working across these systems at the same time.

More Responsive Controls

We’ve improved how fielders respond to player input when using a mouse, which will make defensive play feel more fluid and responsive.

Better Fielding

Clearer player selection: When playing with a mouse, the “Select” indicator now only appears when you’re hovering over a player, making it easier to know who you’re controlling when playing defense.

Smarter Baserunning

Baserunners now commit more confidently once they’re close to the next base, rather than running back as soon as the defense targets their intended base.

Pitching & Batting Improvements

One of the areas we’re spending a lot of time on is how hitting and pitching feel from both sides of the plate. We’ve heard your feedback that the current reticle can sometimes feel too predictable for batters, while the system does not feel like it rewards pitchers enough for good pitches.

We’re developing improvements to the feel of both the pitching and batting, including updates to the current swing spot, something we’re referring to as “Modern” style, and a new swing spot option that we’re calling “Classic” style, that borrows attributes and behavior from early versions of Backyard baseball.

We are rigorously testing both new modes to help us fine-tune these systems and ensure these changes create the most dynamic, engaging experience that captures the essence of what makes Backyard the most accessible, fun baseball game.

A More Immersive League Experience

UI Improvements

Keep tabs on the league: We've added a new League Leaders screen, so you can finally see how teams and players rank against each other during league play.

Scope out the competition: You can now toggle over to your opponent's strategy menu to check out their batting lineup and fielding positions.

Better stat tracking: We've updated the statistics menu in league play—now you can scroll through and check out every team's season stats just by selecting their logo.

More Narrative immersion: We’ve added a Backyard News popup to league play that keeps you updated on other game results and adds some fun world-building moments.

Enhanced HUD display: We’ve added fielding positions and in game batting and season batting average directly to player portraits in the HUD to enhance immersion and help with strategy in game.

Deep dive into your lineup: We’re adding the batting lineup to the pause menu, complete with handy icons that highlight MVPs, base stealers, strong performers, and home run hitters, so you can better position your team to succeed.

Play in a new light: You will now experience both day and night games in League Mode, with randomized start times to create a more dynamic League experience.

Other UI and Quality of Life Improvements

Control your experience: Design your ideal gameplay environment with new toggle options. You can now toggle fireworks, batting stances, and the distance counter on or off.

Settings Continuity: We've tightened up consistency across screens, ensuring team strategy, lineups, names, and logos carry over properly between games. We’ve also introduced color matching settings to make the game more accessible.

Clearer aim: We’re improving fielding reticle/shadow visibility on stadiums with dark and light fields, like Sandy Flats and Tin Can Alley,, making it much easier to track pop flies and make those catches in the outfield.

Clearer stat updates: The Team Strategy screen now highlights which players on your team are overperforming or underperforming compared to their published Batting, Running, Pitching and Fielding Stats, making it easier to evaluate your roster and adjust your lineup.

Pitcher swap alerts: We’re adding a clear pop-up notification whenever a pitcher switch happens, so you’ll never miss a change on the mound.

Still Warming Up

Other Active Workstreams

There's plenty happening around the Backyard beyond what we've shown here.

Here’s a look at some of the work already underway:

• Infusing gameplay with more of the kid personalities and player stats that make Backyard special
• Improving swing spot mechanics
• Further expanding player and League stats
• Additional League play updates
• Bringing forward more world building and storytelling
• Prioritizing additional community wishlist features

This isn’t a wishlist, these are all things we’re actively in development on that we expect to find their way into the game soon, but they’re all part of our ongoing commitment to making Backyard Baseball the best experience it can be.

If you encounter bugs, the fastest way to get them in front of us is through LiveAgent. If you want to chat with the team, share feedback, or tell us what you’d like to see next, come hang out with us on Discord. We are listening, and your feedback has already had a meaningful impact on how we are progressing.

We love this game. We know you do too. Help us continue to shape where we go next.

See you back at the ballpark!

— The Mega Cat Team 🐾