Ashes Cricket General Discussion

[wasteyouryouth]

I am not only talking of the contact in the beta group but over the last four or five years. I agree that I am privvy to some aspects others are not and agree that it would be helpful if “BA” were able to release some form of statement but I would ask people to be circumspect in their reactions and to perhaps glean some faith and hope that the doors are not all shut and that things are happening.

I'm not denying they haven't been good over the years at community engagement and ultimately I think that is why people are frustrated that there has been little communication - good or bad news.

That things are happening is the least I'd expect but going on the evidence of the last two iterations of their cricket games they haven't been able to get them to a point where they are not flawed for what seem to be fairly straightforward issues. I played a T20 on DBC 14 the other day and AI field settings were two-men out for most of the innings, test matches were unplayable without making every compensation for the bat pad smash on DBC 17. Am I right in thinking that Tru Blu has been blamed for that? If that's the case then I'm glad they're out of the picture. But it does put the onus on BA to show people (I hope they do) that the support and goodwill isn't misplaced and decide whether or not the return is value for money. So far I'd say I have had that from DBC 14 and 17, despite the flaws, and I'm sure Ashes will be improved. But it's really gonna have to be improved a lot for me to get excited about getting another game of theirs on release day. What others do with their money is none of my business and I'm certainly not going to criticise someone for enjoying something I don't.

 

[cricket_online]

I have been and remain to this day amazed with the response, commitment, passion and willingness to listen from the developers. I know the negativity stings and hurts them and they have felt they just need to batten down the hatches somewhat publicly, but it spurs them on to get it right as far as they can.

I am not only talking of the contact in the beta group but over the last four or five years. I agree that I am privvy to some aspects others are not and agree that it would be helpful if “BA” were able to release some form of statement but I would ask people to be circumspect in their reactions and to perhaps glean some faith and hope that the doors are not all shut and that things are happening.

Dutch, folks have been more than willing to give Big Ant benefit of doubt and in fact have done so post DBC 17 lack of support fiasco. But at the end of the day "seeing is believing" and so far the evidence is that either Big Ant don't care or they don't have the resources (skills, manpower, budget etc.) to live up to their "we back our product" promise.

As a case in point I give you a simple example of broken stats in career mode. DBC 17 made career mode unplayable (at least to me) due to incorrect stats. The issue was highlighted and Big Ant claimed it was fixed by Patch 4 as per the patch notes. Despite patch notes stating so the issue persisted and Big Ant said they can't do much as it's up to the publisher Tru Blu to support the game as Big Ant's don't own the rights and can't do much, and that things would be different if Big Ant owned the rights to the game and published it themselves. Most of us said fair enough and moved on.

Then Ashes Cricket came out which was self published by Big Ant. And guess what? The same issues, including broken stats, persisted. I would love to hear how would you interpret that? Because to me as a consumer it said that Big Ant didn't really care for the same bug to be around for the third time - in DBC 17, in DBC 17 post Patch 4 despite the patch notes claiming the bug to be fixed, and in Ashes cricket. I'm sorry but I don't see this as an example of being "amazed with the response, commitment, passion and willingness to listen from the developers."

And TBH I find it astounding that you are actually calling out the folks who've backed Big Ant and their products and are actually blaming them for the lack of support Big Ant have shown. Let's call it as it is - it's the folks who ended up paying for the game based on Big Ant's promise of "we back our products" are the ones who have been taken for a ride rather than Big Ant being picked on as you claim. Yes, the consumers are not at fault in this case. And guess what? The event the game was named after (Ashes) has been over for nearly 2 months and we are still waiting for major issues to be sorted - yes I consider poor AI fields and incorrect stats in a sports game with a career mode as major issues. I don't call it "backing our product" or even decent support by any stretch of imagination.

 

[Thieves]

This is why I said that big ant should have had their staff working on both tennis and ashes. I really don't care about ao tennis.

I do not own a copy of ao tennis nor will I ever will.

Big ant please give us a date as to when the patch will be released and what exactly will be fixed. We are still your customers so please do us that favour. Many thanks in advance.....

 

[Mitchell]

This is why I said that big ant should have had their staff working on both tennis and ashes. I really don't care about ao tennis.

I do not own a copy of ao tennis nor will I ever will.

Big ant please give us a date as to when the patch will be released and what exactly will be fixed. We are still your customers so please do us that favour. Many thanks in advance.....

Well they might not no them selfs when a patch could be out I remember back last year about the same time they said there will be a patch out next mounth it didn’t happen and boy they got some stick for that weather that will be the case maybe they will conform when there fully 100% who no

 

[blockerdave]

But it's really gonna have to be improved a lot for me to get excited about getting another game of theirs on release day. What others do with their money is none of my business and I'm certainly not going to criticise someone for enjoying something I don't.

This to me is the sensible position.

I have got more hours out of each of the 3 BA cricket games than I think any other game I've ever played. Civ5 and fm08 are probably the only 2 that would come even close.

I'm generally disappointed with the lack of progress over the 3 iterations in AI tactics and pitches but I've still had great fun with all 3.

But the support for ashes to me crossed a line and I can only express that meaningfully with my wallet, and they can only turn it around with actions.

I think the initial 6 weeks post release of ashes were borderline cynical, and very far from the rhetoric of backing their product

 

[Chris Swift]

I'm probably the only person here who's happy the patch is taking so long.everyone knows 14 and 17 were never properly fixed, which seems like it was tru blus fault.
The rushed patches that came out for ashes cricket, just made it worse.so I'm really hoping now that they are knuckling down and thoroughly fixing the game this time.
Or maybe the patch is taking so long because of Ao tennis, but I really hope that's not the case.

 

[Mitchell]

I'm probably the only person here who's happy the patch is taking so long.everyone knows 14 and 17 were never properly fixed, which seems like it was tru blus fault.
The rushed patches that came out for ashes cricket, just made it worse.so I'm really hoping now that they are knuckling down and thoroughly fixing the game this time.
Or maybe the patch is taking so long because of Ao tennis, but I really hope that's not the case.

U seem right to me look if we have to wait we wait there other games in the world

 

[Dutch]

And TBH I find it astounding that you are actually calling out the folks who've backed Big Ant and their products and are actually blaming them for the lack of support Big Ant have shown.

I am not though: see this is the problem: it matters not what someone says, it is read how the reader wishes it to be.

 

[Chris Swift]

U seem right to me look if we have to wait we wait there other games in the world

Hey if they fix it properly, and we get the perfect cricket game, I could wait for months lol.

 

[Mitchell]

Hey if they fix it properly, and we get the perfect cricket game, I could wait for months lol.

Yep and a decent size patch makes me excited when u see it in the gb

 

[Plotinus]

I am not only talking of the contact in the beta group but over the last four or five years. I agree that I am privvy to some aspects others are not and agree that it would be helpful if “BA” were able to release some form of statement but I would ask people to be circumspect in their reactions and to perhaps glean some faith and hope that the doors are not all shut and that things are happening.

I do tend to give BA the benefit of the doubt...mainly based on the level of interaction and involvement they used to have here prior to DBC14. If you have been part of the beta (which I haven't), then you will know through experience that they are keen to do their best. However, if you had never heard of Planet Cricket then you wouldn't even know that there was a plan to create any patch. Of course, BA have no obligation to come here... Planet Cricket is not their site and they haven't made any commitment to it. However, as an example, customers on the Steam platform...their sole channel for PC sales...have had no communication whatsoever from BA beyond a cut-and-paste message on how to use the Steam discussion forums. They haven't posted anything on their own forums, as far as I can see. As I've said before, and as you, @Dutch, are alluding to, even if they can't fix their software, they can fix their communication with their customers. They don't have to come here and say anything...but they are culpable for wilfully abandoning all meaningful communication through channels that they do own. I really can't understand it. It hurts their reputation more, by going silent. A good and constructive communication channel (even if it is not bi-directional) could do a lot to alleviate the frustrations that many customers will feel and improve levels of good will.

I also get the fact that feedback here, or anywhere else, is not always well thought through or constructive...but that shouldn't be the reason to close down communications...that should be the reason to own the communication. When everyone is left to make up their own interpretation of the silence, it is unlikely to reflect the world as BA sees it from their side. People tend to be understanding and sympathetic when they have knowledge of context and commitment. Otherwise there is a tendency for people to think the worst.

 

[cricket_online]

I am not though: see this is the problem: it matters not what someone says, it is read how the reader wishes it to be.

I was referring to the following part of your post "I know the negativity stings and hurts them and they have felt they just need to batten down the hatches somewhat publicly, but it spurs them on to get it right as far as they can."

I interpreted it as negative reaction and criticism from folks as the reason (or excuse) for Big Ant's actions, i.e. battening down the hatches and no meaningful support.

 

[Bluebagger]

For me it's unacceptable that the same problems that existed in DBC 14 and existed in DBC 17 still exist in AC such as the batsman walking down the crease randomly after a shot and getting stumped/run out and the old "7 down for not many so the final 3 wickets go for 200" rubber-band gameplay that's plagued the entire series. It also takes far too long for these patches to be implemented which suggests to me that these games should have been delayed significantly. DBC 17 should not have been released instead that entire year should have been dedicated to Ashes Cricket as the follow up; neither game was released as good as it should have been and these guys obviously need more time as shown by the patches required and the length of time it takes to do it.

There's too many other basic stuff, such as last night I cancel a run quickly and there is no way to sldie the bat in my crease so I am run out or reflex catches that aren't out because there wasn't enough time to appeal and annoying little things that were removed from DBC 14 such as the ability to select an umpire in anything other than casual mode, all the various gear (particularly retro gear) that no longer exists and the fact that competition designers are extremely limited. Something as simple as ducking a bouncer isn't even in the game and let's not even begin to discuss the woeful field placement screen with doesn't even tell you the player name and the players get randomly assigned to the positions regardless of where you put them. Some of these are basic elements of cricket

Considering this is the third iteration in the series these things should well have been ironed out not for the price these games cost. DBC 14 was obviously given a lot of leeway but that game is still unfortunately the best of the series and the two follow ups don't even come close. I've seen this stagnation happen with the Rugby League series as well which I am sure the majority of people here haven't played, the same patterns throughout both franchises appear. I don't give them the benefit of the doubt anymore after RLL3 and DBC 1

During DBC 14 and 17 Ross blamed the lack of patches squarely at TruBlu (as well as occasionally microsoft) and yet the same delays occur without TruBlu's association. I think this place has 'gone down hill' as some people will say partly because the games 17 and AC have not been up to standard, and IMO were both a leap backwards in aesthetic quality and game design from DBC 14, and partly because of Ross' temper tantrums towards the critics on this website as he clearly did not handle the criticism at all well and now we have a so called toxic environment that has been created. Simply blocking and ignoring all of the undesirable posters without getting involved with public slanging matches would have kept the BigAnt reputation a lot higher among a core group of people here IMO but all of that has contributed to the negativity. Personally I think it's better than Ross doesn't communicate at all as he lacks the composure for constructive dialogue, just fix the game and keep communications in the patch notes.

 

[Bluebagger]

Also, can someone tell me at what gameplay setting the shot replacement goes away? There's nothing worse than playing a square drive through mid wicket

 

[RobinCatta]

For me it's unacceptable that the same problems that existed in DBC 14 and existed in DBC 17 still exist in AC such as the batsman walking down the crease randomly after a shot and getting stumped/run out and the old "7 down for not many so the final 3 wickets go for 200" rubber-band gameplay that's plagued the entire series. It also takes far too long for these patches to be implemented which suggests to me that these games should have been delayed significantly. DBC 17 should not have been released instead that entire year should have been dedicated to Ashes Cricket as the follow up; neither game was released as good as it should have been and these guys obviously need more time as shown by the patches required and the length of time it takes to do it.

There's too many other basic stuff, such as last night I cancel a run quickly and there is no way to sldie the bat in my crease so I am run out or reflex catches that aren't out because there wasn't enough time to appeal and annoying little things that were removed from DBC 14 such as the ability to select an umpire in anything other than casual mode, all the various gear (particularly retro gear) that no longer exists and the fact that competition designers are extremely limited. Something as simple as ducking a bouncer isn't even in the game and let's not even begin to discuss the woeful field placement screen with doesn't even tell you the player name and the players get randomly assigned to the positions regardless of where you put them. Some of these are basic elements of cricket

Considering this is the third iteration in the series these things should well have been ironed out not for the price these games cost. DBC 14 was obviously given a lot of leeway but that game is still unfortunately the best of the series and the two follow ups don't even come close. I've seen this stagnation happen with the Rugby League series as well which I am sure the majority of people here haven't played, the same patterns throughout both franchises appear. I don't give them the benefit of the doubt anymore after RLL3 and DBC 1

During DBC 14 and 17 Ross blamed the lack of patches squarely at TruBlu (as well as occasionally microsoft) and yet the same delays occur without TruBlu's association. I think this place has 'gone down hill' as some people will say partly because the games 17 and AC have not been up to standard, and IMO were both a leap backwards in aesthetic quality and game design from DBC 14, and partly because of Ross' temper tantrums towards the critics on this website as he clearly did not handle the criticism at all well and now we have a so called toxic environment that has been created. Simply blocking and ignoring all of the undesirable posters without getting involved with public slanging matches would have kept the BigAnt reputation a lot higher among a core group of people here IMO but all of that has contributed to the negativity. Personally I think it's better than Ross doesn't communicate at all as he lacks the composure for constructive dialogue, just fix the game and keep communications in the patch notes.

(old)Ross is also a very poor umpire in career mode, he turns down all my lbw appeals , Great post and I agree with all you've said