Ashes Cricket 2013 General Discussion

[Biggs]

Chief a really quick question, but will there be "Stump Vision" in the new game and will it be a simulated 'Fish Eye' camera style ala - the real things. It's something I've really missed playing C09... seemed to be a real lack of dynamic camera shots, other than the scripted moments (Victory, Frustration, 6 Shots etc) that looked really nice.

Regarding "Online" play, I'd love to hear/see some more stats based on how many people DO actually play cricket online (and further, what the drop-off is after release dates or two or three years after release) because I suspect it's pretty heavy. I can't see "playing online" as a huge thing in a cricket game when the people with access to it who are likely to play pretty much hang around this website/forum! I couldn't imagine you're seeing millions of users each day, is what I'm getting at.

In regards to "Games being released today without online" I think Assassin's Creed got two games into the series with RIDICULOUSLY huge scores and rewards all over the web, I think you're underestimating the power of really good single or network gameplay. Personally, I've never played a cricket game online because if I want to play cricket with other folks, I'll grab some mates and head down to the park! You know? I agree that the money/time concept of building online play would be laborious so a half-assed online portal doesn't bother me in the slightest, if the game itself rocks for single-player and is loaded with features (and/or expanded upon with downloadable content later on, as most games tend to do these days)

Anyways, that's a bit of an all-over-the-show reply... but in short; Agree fully in regards to online play. It's not worth the time/effort for a Cricket brand.

 

[Gurjot95]

Since the game is build from scratch, I would like to know since how long has the development started? (surprised no one asked this question yet)

Also, where is your main focus in terms of gameplay?

 

[Biggs]

Since the game is build from scratch, I would like to know since how long has the development started? (surprised no one asked this question yet)

I actually asked it right up front at the beginning of the thread, Cheif has picked and chosen carefully the questions he's answered. You'll find a lot of them are non-specific to the current game in developement, for whatever reason. ...getting Breadcrumbs not Breadsticks

 

[Chief]

Chief a really quick question, but will there be "Stump Vision" in the new game and will it be a simulated 'Fish Eye' camera style ala - the real things. It's something I've really missed playing C09... seemed to be a real lack of dynamic camera shots, other than the scripted moments (Victory, Frustration, 6 Shots etc) that looked really nice.

Regarding "Online" play, I'd love to hear/see some more stats based on how many people DO actually play cricket online (and further, what the drop-off is after release dates or two or three years after release) because I suspect it's pretty heavy. I can't see "playing online" as a huge thing in a cricket game when the people with access to it who are likely to play pretty much hang around this website/forum! I couldn't imagine you're seeing millions of users each day, is what I'm getting at.

In regards to "Games being released today without online" I think Assassin's Creed got two games into the series with RIDICULOUSLY huge scores and rewards all over the web, I think you're underestimating the power of really good single or network gameplay. Personally, I've never played a cricket game online because if I want to play cricket with other folks, I'll grab some mates and head down to the park! You know? I agree that the money/time concept of building online play would be laborious so a half-assed online portal doesn't bother me in the slightest, if the game itself rocks for single-player and is loaded with features (and/or expanded upon with downloadable content later on, as most games tend to do these days)

Anyways, that's a bit of an all-over-the-show reply... but in short; Agree fully in regards to online play. It's not worth the time/effort for a Cricket brand.

Stump Cam - We don't have that planned, but I've put it on the list. It shouldn't be difficult to do, and it does give awesome replays as stumps fly...

"Small fraction" is all you'll get from me in terms of actual "stats", but in my experience over many genres and platforms, it's always a surprisingly low number when you consider the importance put on it by the media and therefore by most publishing folks... Like spending 40% of your budget on something that will add 2% value (numbers plucked out the air, but that sort of ratio!)

I don't question the Assassin's Creed thing, but I think that if you're offering a multiplayer OFFline game, that's the big difference. I think people accept it (Most GTA's, Tomb Raider, Tetris ) because the mechanics don't seem to suit it. If you have a team-game sports title, don't even THINK about not including it: If nothing else it's probably 10% off your average review score before anyone's even looked at it...

And as for picking and choosing the questions to answer, I'll answer the ones I can when I can, but it's going to be pretty tedious if I keep replying "CAN'T TELL YOU" for the next 6 months. Let's all assume that I'm not ignoring it, but logging it for later on...

 

[Biggs]

Stump Cam - We don't have that planned, but I've put it on the list. It shouldn't be difficult to do, and it does give awesome replays as stumps fly...

...even if it's just an easter-egg or an unlockable. It's something uniquely "Cricket" that no other sport can replicate, especially that awesome fish-eye view of the wicket, the field. You get incredible replays when the ball hits and it's just something that screams "Cricket" to me. The Channel 9 (Australia) stump cam is pretty iconic in my opinion. Also, a question you prolly can't answer... will the HUD for the score/run-rate/batsmen on strike etc be consistent (ie, most TV Networks are now placing it at the bottom of the screen in a "news scroll" style, rather than up the top left?)

Have you thought about maybe approaching a SKY UK (or similar) for sponsorship opportunities to essentially advertise themselves within the game to get a true in-game reflection of the telecast perhaps?

"Small fraction" is all you'll get from me in terms of actual "stats", but in my experience over many genres and platforms, it's always a surprisingly low number when you consider the importance put on it by the media and therefore by most publishing folks... Like spending 40% of your budget on something that will add 2% value (numbers plucked out the air, but that sort of ratio!)

I watch Dev Diaries online for the Assassin's Creed stuff, whereby they basically outsource the production of the online component to a totally different business unit. So it's clearly not a priority yet, much like "3D" in cinemas, TV Ads and reviews shove it down your throat like it's the best thing since toast. Whenever i've played AC Online it's to kill half an hour and I can never find anyone else of similar-skill level so the match-ups take forever to load. Cricket as a franchise just doesn't seem (for me) to be a game that's going to benefit hugely by an online component, other than as a gimmick. As I said, wanna play cricket with friends, go outside.

I don't question the Assassin's Creed thing, but I think that if you're offering a multiplayer OFFline game, that's the big difference.

Yeah, that's where I think Cricket kinda works, is in the PvP "at home" with your son, or wife, or friends. That's who I want to play a cricket game with, people I know so I can laud it over them. Not nobodys on the PS network who quit when they're getting their asses kicked. My best experiences with the EA games or C09 have been playing at home with mates and a beer. So I'm with you 100% on that.

And as for picking and choosing the questions to answer, I'll answer the ones I can when I can, but it's going to be pretty tedious if I keep replying "CAN'T TELL YOU" for the next 6 months. Let's all assume that I'm not ignoring it, but logging it for later on...

There's always a method to the madness.

 

[SpiderSlatts]

Chief, since you can't comment on AC2013, maybe you can about 09 and 10. Just wondering what the barrier was to getting the licenses for international teams? I have heard that this is because of EA, but is this true or is it due to other factors such as cost? If so does this extend to the domestic Australian and English leagues? And finally, do you know when EA's license contract expires?

 

[FAZ007]

Its sad to hear that online play would be neglected again and put it as last sort of code to complete the package

There are multiple advantages of having a good online system as people have to buy genuine copies to play online instead of pirating stuff as there are checks that can be implemented to make sure the game is genuine. That brings money to the company

Another advantage is the longevity it provides to the game. AI can never be as a good as playing another person. After a month or so without modification the offline game becomes stale and repetitive

The Online play doesn't has to be extravagant. Just the code should be tested before retailing the game unlike IC2010 where it was definitely broken. And some stats like atleast win/loss and disconnect to keep track

If the online play in IC2010 wasn't broken, there wouldn't be fraction of player's playing the game online

 

[Biggs]

I've updated the first post in the thread to include all the relevant answers from Chief so far... Check there first to see if your question has been answered, or if you want him to expand upon a given answer. Keep in mind, it's early days, don't expect him to be able to tell us/you everything.

Worth checking the FAQ first as well.

 

[Allrounder18]

@Chief
Dont you think that bowling speeds were too slow in IC10 and AC09? I mean it looked like the moment ball left the hand that it will take eternity reaching the batsmen and also the batsmen looked so static till the very last moment before playing a shot , I mean there was no premeditive movement from the batsmen in order to reach the ball and lastly as Zimrahil pointed out in other thread there was too much facilitative adjustment on the ball so that it can make contact with the bat and trigger proper animation this result in ball not reacting naturally as per physics after pitching and as a result you can play hook shoot to almost a yorker as the ball rises unnaturally after pitching on the crease to facilitate hook shot animation. This was a game breaking aspect for me , plz tell me have you done something to counter this???
Also I will advice you to have a look at EA Cricket 2004 ball physics and movement off the pitch.

 

[manee]

Q. Will overpitched deliveries (/low full tosses) be easy to score off (like in real cricket) or will straight overpitched deliveries (/low full tosses) be the unrealistic deadly weapon they have been in every cricket game to date.

On a related note...

Q. Will good batsmen be able to score off straight deliveries to the leg side just like in real cricket. This makes the ideal line just outside off (realistic) rather than middle and leg (unrealistic).

 

[Kaushal]

My question is:

How will scoring in AC13 replicate scoring in real life?
In IC10 I felt that it was too easy to bat. I could easily score around 350-400 in an ODI match without even trying to be aggresive. It was far too easy to take singles, 2s and 3s.
Also I didn't feel that the game gave you enough value for shots. In powerplay overs in real life, the batting team tend to score most of their runs by scoring boundaries along the ground by piercing the infield. In IC10 and AC09 however, everytime you hit the ball along the ground and pierced the infield, the ball would seem to stop right before the boundary. So one would have to run 3s or 2s every time you timed the ball well.
This was the biggest gripe with both IC10 and AC09 for me... Hopefully you will fix it for AC13.

 

[Skippos]

Chief,

Appreciate that you're overloaded with questions. I just thought I'd ask if there were any plans to include some form of domestic cricket in there. I'd assume that with the engine taking up a lot of time, adding a new league and some new players would be a bit tedious but not difficult, and it's one of the main reasons games like cricket 07 have lasted over time. Would be really good to play as the redbacks or bulls or something.

Cheers

 

[Biggs]

...Would be really good to play as Victoria or something.

Fixed that for ya

 

[Gaurav_7]

IPL wins the domestic race hands down.

 

[Dutch]

IPL wins the domestic race hands down.

Depends what you mean with hands down. If you mean "hands down the dirty pockets of commercial slavery", I am with you on that one.