Ashes Cricket 2013 General Discussion

[zeustrojanstark]

Even if this game comes out, DB Cricket will make this look like a half cooked chicken taken out midway from the oven. Lost all hopes i pinned in this game.

 

[MattW]

I disagree - DB14 is taking massive risks on control schemes while this game is making some changes but broadly being similar to what people who have played past games expect.

There will be a large group of people who will play DB14 and not like it because it's different. A lot of that crowd might be receptive to AC13.

An Ashes game during the Ashes has a lot of appeal to the general public. The name alone will sell copies.

 

[Biggs]

Exactly. They're going to be two very different games, which is a good thing. Variety is not something we're used to in this sport on computers...

One will be a classic-style experience, what we know, with a good smattering of licensed stuff. One will be a complete unknown experience with a whole bunch of new toys and controls. Something for everyone. Really.

 

[whiteninness]

Exactly. They're going to be two very different games, which is a good thing. Variety is not something we're used to in this sport on computers...

One will be a classic-style experience, what we know, with a good smattering of licensed stuff. One will be a complete unknown experience with a whole bunch of new toys and controls. Something for everyone. Really.

But not a good one, in my opinion. The past Transmission games were reasonably fun for batting but incredibly boring for bowling as there was no tactics, just a case of making the bowling reticule turn green.

 

[MattW]

But not a good one, in my opinion. The past Transmission games were reasonably fun for batting but incredibly boring for bowling as there was no tactics, just a case of making the bowling reticule turn green.

And bowling is where they've changed the most - but it's still a pre-determined aim and then press a button to start the delivery, which is what people are used to.

Having a pitch marker is exactly what a bunch of people playing cricket games will expect.

Indeed the same people who complain about AI letting them hit everything for 6 would probably also complain if there wasn't a pitch marker.

 

[whiteninness]

And bowling is where they've changed the most - but it's still a pre-determined aim and then press a button to start the delivery, which is what people are used to.

Having a pitch marker is exactly what a bunch of people playing cricket games will expect.

Indeed the same people who complain about AI letting them hit everything for 6 would probably also complain if there wasn't a pitch marker.

We don't know how the bowling has changed though, except for buzzwords touted like "randomisation" and "line and length bowling".

 

[dadarocks]

I have a mixed opinion on this. Even though the new and (hopefully) revolutionary batting technique is hard, we'll learn the basics in a few weeks, and get used to it.

I'm nothing but a casual fan, who, still complain about the un-patched AC09 bowling system (well, who'll be happy to see their yorkers bouncing straight up to the bat ending up like a half volley and being hit for a six? And the worst thing is that you get to see this clearly in the replays) , but is perfectly OK with the BLC 07 fielding system, which was criticized in every single review I've read. The latter is atleast something you can learn in a few weeks time.

Likewise, unless "too many controls spoil the game" is not the case with DB14, we will learn it in a few weeks, and it'll be great fun after that...

 

[zeustrojanstark]

I disagree - DB14 is taking massive risks on control schemes while this game is making some changes but broadly being similar to what people who have played past games expect.

There will be a large group of people who will play DB14 and not like it because it's different. A lot of that crowd might be receptive to AC13.

An Ashes game during the Ashes has a lot of appeal to the general public. The name alone will sell copies.

I strongly agree with you about the control scheme. I didnt give that a peanut of thought. That is actually one main plus point in this game.

 

[MattW]

We don't know how the bowling has changed though, except for buzzwords touted like "randomisation" and "line and length bowling".

We've also got a description of it from the press day.

Obviously it would be great for Mike to start talking more about that - but it's at least not going to be a donut, but you do visually set things.

I can't see the next editions of the two games being as different on controls - I think like with 360 degree batting, a game will come along, do it right and have all others follow.

 

[whiteninness]

We've also got a description of it from the press day.

Obviously it would be great for Mike to start talking more about that - but it's at least not going to be a donut, but you do visually set things.

I can't see the next editions of the two games being as different on controls - I think like with 360 degree batting, a game will come along, do it right and have all others follow.

That doesn't actually change the bowling mechanic. Sure, instead of moving a cursor to select line and length simultaneously, you now select them one by one, but that doesn't necessarily change anything important. The worst part of their previous games was that there was no strategy to the bowling. The computer knew what was a "good" ball every time, regardless of the batsman facing, the previous balls bowled, the match situation and pitch type. Not only that, but you were told exactly what was a good ball based on the "greenness" of the pitch marker. There is nothing that has been said so far that confirms this has been removed.

Also, we must remember that the press release you linked also contains this, which we must admit is the most non-sensical drivel ever spouted in relation to a cricket game.

So after a lot of conversations we decided that when bowling it makes more sense if you are commanding your fielding unit rather than controlling them directly so what we?ve developed is a sophisticated bowling system that allows players to act as bowler and kind of like the captain, change the field to suit the match situation. So we?ve got total control of the fielder and for the first time control over the individuals in the field.

 

[Chief]

Also, we must remember that the press release you linked also contains this, which we must admit is the most non-sensical drivel ever spouted in relation to a cricket game.

That's actually a transcript of me talking about the design decisions at the time, rather than a press release.
And to be honest, after reading your emboldened points, I personally still agree with me.

 

[Biggs]

You would though... wouldn't you...

 

[whiteninness]

That's actually a transcript of me talking about the design decisions at the time, rather than a press release.
And to be honest, after reading your emboldened points, I personally still agree with me.

First bolded point: you cannot directly control the fielders

Second bolded point: for the first time ever we have total control over the fielders

Please explain (a) how that isn't a contradiction and (b) what you define as total control?

Mike Fegan has boasted about how in this game you can move the fielders to anywhere you want on the ground, and not just to set positions. Yes, that is a good feature of course, but it's hardly anything new. It has been missing from recent games but you could do it way back in World Cup Cricket 99.

 

[MattW]

That doesn't actually change the bowling mechanic. Sure, instead of moving a cursor to select line and length simultaneously, you now select them one by one, but that doesn't necessarily change anything important. The worst part of their previous games was that there was no strategy to the bowling. The computer knew what was a "good" ball every time, regardless of the batsman facing, the previous balls bowled, the match situation and pitch type. Not only that, but you were told exactly what was a good ball based on the "greenness" of the pitch marker. There is nothing that has been said so far that confirms this has been removed.

It won't be colour coded at least? I assume that their answer on it will just talk about how all the 'random' they've added will make the 'good' spots be different all the time - which will probably end up sucking.

All I know is that the system from my understanding of it will fix a major issue I have with bowling in cricket games, that the donut placement resulted in it either being too easy to put the ball exactly where you want it (combined with AI exploits) or was so random you couldn't keep it on the right side of the pitch (EA's efforts relied heavily on that)

I'm not saying it will be great - but I'm certain that trying to change up the traditional control structures will leave a lot of people wanting a control scheme like the one offered here.

I suppose people will have at least a month to master the DB14 controls before making a decision, by then perhaps most won't want to go back.

Yes, that is a good feature of course

I actually disagree - full field placement flexibility is a terrible feature. It infinitely multiplies the potential for AI exploits and will destroy online play, because you know that people will just ring field around the bat and bowl at the stumps or similar.

At the very least I think around the bat should be restricted to traditional spots.

 

[whiteninness]

It won't be colour coded at least? I assume that their answer on it will just talk about how all the 'random' they've added will make the 'good' spots be different all the time - which will probably end up sucking.

All I know is that the system from my understanding of it will fix a major issue I have with bowling in cricket games, that the donut placement resulted in it either being too easy to put the ball exactly where you want it (combined with AI exploits) or was so random you couldn't keep it on the right side of the pitch (EA's efforts relied heavily on that)

I'm not saying it will be great - but I'm certain that trying to change up the traditional control structures will leave a lot of people wanting a control scheme like the one offered here.

I suppose people will have at least a month to master the DB14 controls before making a decision, by then perhaps most won't want to go back.


I actually disagree - full field placement flexibility is a terrible feature. It infinitely multiplies the potential for AI exploits and will destroy online play, because you know that people will just ring field around the bat and bowl at the stumps or similar.

At the very least I think around the bat should be restricted to traditional spots.

Okay I perhaps should have said "a good feature if it cannot be exploited". Does Bradman have it?

Have previous games Ashes 09 and IC 2010 had close in fielders ducking to avoid balls smashed at them? I honestly can't remember. I also never played either game online so I can't really discuss any exploits although I can see how they'd exist.

I don't think selecting line and length separately necessarily makes bowling easier. In fact, not having to do two things at once may make it easier.