A closed alpha for MLB The Show 18 is coming December 22 to stress test the servers and improve the online experience before the official release. Check out some of the details below.

The Closed Alpha Test will open December 22nd at 10 AM PDT and close December 26 at 10 AM PDT. 

UPDATE: (12-21) Some users have received invites to download. Those users can play at 10 AM PDT tomorrow.

FYI, just because you haven’t received a closed alpha MLB The Show 18 invite, doesn’t mean you won’t get one. They are sending them throughout the evening.

Watch 12.19.17 @ 2:00PM PT – MLB The Show 18 Development Update from SonySanDiegoStudio on www.twitch.tv

To improve the online experience for MLB The Show 18, we’d like to invite players to participate in an exclusive Closed Alpha Test.

WHEN WILL IT START?

The Closed Alpha Test will open December 22nd at 10 AM PDT and close December 26 at 10 AM PDT.

HOW CAN YOU PARTICIPATE?

The Closed Alpha invites are being sent to players via a PlayStation 4 notification message. You’ll know that you’ve received an invite by a notification pop-up on upper left side of the home screen which when opened will provide you with a link to download the Alpha version of the game. (Check the Notifications screen if you think you missed it).

• Q: Is everyone invited?
• A: No, we’ve targeted a number of players who’ve previously played MLB The Show 17.
• Q: When should I look for the invite message?
• A: Invites will be sent out throughout the day of Thursday, December 21st.
• Q: Can I download the game before the Alpha servers go live?
• A: Yes. Downloads may begin on Thursday, December 21st (if you’ve received an invite).
• Q: Do I need to pre-order MLB The Show 18 to get invited into the Closed Alpha Test?
• A: No.
• Q: Is PlayStation Plus required at all to play in the Closed Alpha Test?
• A: No.

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT?

The Closed Alpha Test will be a limited Diamond Dynasty experience – specifically, the only modes available to play will be: Head to Head, Battle Royale, Conquest, and Extra Innings. You may experience a number bugs, crashes, disconnects, and animation issues. Please remember this is by no means representative of the final product. This is an early build of The Show 18 and we want to work with you to make it the best game possible.

WE WANT YOUR FEEDBACK.

We appreciate your support and feedback to help make our game better. A Closed Alpha forum has been created for those players who have access to the game. Please join the discussion and let us know your thoughts! Only those who have been invited to participate in the Closed Alpha Test will have access to these forums.

Forum Terms of Use still apply – read them here.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

• Q: Can I stream gameplay or make YouTube video content, during the Closed Alpha Test?
• A: No. Doing so may result in your account being suspended from the Closed Alpha, and possibly future tests or release versions of the game. (See: Private Alpha Agreement).
• Q: Can we discuss our experiences in the Closed Alpha in other forums, communities, or social media?
• A: No. We ask that you keep conversation about the closed alpha on the closed forum we’ve provided here at The Show Nation. (See: Private Alpha Agreement).
  • 12/21/17 3:05 PM – To clarify: In the stream we said you could create content about your experience in the Alpha. This is no longer correct. We ask you to please keep all discussion of the Closed Alpha Test to the Closed Alpha Forums on The Show Nation.
• Q: I never got an invite. How can I get into the test?
• A: The only way to get invited into the Closed Alpha Test is through a PlayStation Network notification detailed above. If you did not received the notification, you cannot participate.
• Q: Are the player attributes we see in the Closed Alpha Test final?
• A: Nope.

READ THE PRIVATE ALPHA AGREEMENT HERE