Big Ant Studios post first look at Cricket game

[Gone4aDuck]

The broader question of deliberate quitting in online gameplay is a huge can of worms (the source of a huge amount of debate/rage over the years).

This is solved by playing people you know. I.e friends, people from here! Hence a save online feature is needed. (I'm not giving up on it).

 

[BigAntStudios]

I'd suppose you'd just give the other player a no-fault option to leave the game if the opponent disconnects, perhaps with a timer involved so that within a certain period the person who was disconnected has a chance to pick it up even if the other person is impatient.

The broader question of deliberate quitting in online gameplay is a huge can of worms (the source of a huge amount of debate/rage over the years).

The idea that I will put to the guys on Monday is that if we can save it mid game (not sure about that yet) then we can leave the match open forever if we tie it into the existing online tournament system (that way the person that did not disconnect can choose whenever they like to accept the forfeit with no time limit).

The disconnect issue is all down to understanding if the disconnect was intentional - unfortunately there are plenty of people that will kill a machine or pull the cable and we can't tell if it was a fault or intentional. The only way we *know* someone did it on purpose is if they quit via a menu.

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This is solved by playing people you know. I.e friends, people from here! Hence a save online feature is needed. (I'm not giving up on it).

Agreed. That is the only sure way.

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BTW thanks for putting the screenshot on the banner above

 

[MattW]

None of our games have quick time events - it's outlawed!

I suppose the logical question then is how you're implementing fielding - a natural 'quick time event'. Wherever I'm given the option I usually turn it off, because I've simply never enjoyed it - the Trickstar implementation has been the best, because it's at least possible, unlike a catching meter popping up out of nowhere in RPIC 2007 and most of EA's games, but I'd still prefer the AI did it for me.

It relates to batting a bit too - I said over in the AC13 forum that one of my main issues is how difficulty in cricket games relates to someone's ability to time a button press. My reactions aren't as fast as they could be, but that doesn't mean I want the game to be *easy*. It's one reason I enjoy bowling in cricket so much, it relies on accuracy and tactics, not your ability to hit a button at exactly the right point.

The idea that I will put to the guys on Monday is that if we can save it mid game (not sure about that yet) then we can leave the match open forever if we tie it into the existing online tournament system (that way the person that did not disconnect can choose whenever they like to accept the forfeit with no time limit).

That certainly sounds like an ideal implementation if it is possible.

The disconnect issue is all down to understanding if the disconnect was intentional - unfortunately there are plenty of people that will kill a machine or pull the cable and we can't tell if it was a fault or intentional. The only way we *know* someone did it on purpose is if they quit via a menu.

As someone who has had a game disconnect on me when I was in a bad match situation I can certainly understand the difficulty. I still have a poor rating on XBox Live because of International Cricket 2010's disconnects.

BTW thanks for putting the screenshot on the banner above

No worries.

 

[Gone4aDuck]

Does your game feature weather? I'm yet to play a test on any game and have that simple pleasure of needing say 300 from the last day, only to loose 20 overs due to rain. Not what everyone wants. But really adds a "real cricket" factor to me.

 

[barmyarmy]

Hi Ross, good to have you here. I play WGT and there is a very good online system for lost/dropped connections.
If the connection is lost you are booted back to the lobby while the other player has 5 mins to reconnect. If they reconnect you can continue the game.
3 disconnections equals a forfeit regardless of reason. There is also an "agree to drop match" option where both players can end the game without of affecting their completion percentage.
5 minutes can sometimes feel like too long but it allows for a computer and router reboot. You can also save in progress matches and resume them later although not multiplayer games.
If you don't know WGT already I'd urge you to take a look.

 

[MattW]

If the connection is lost you are booted back to the lobby

This I wouldn't like - I think it should me more naturally part of the game, perhaps show highlights or a drinks break, roll out one of the commentator's anecdotes - perhaps a bit gimmicky but better than watching a lobby screen.

 

[barmyarmy]

Well clearly there are options when waiting for a reconnect but game over shouldn't be one of them.

 

[SpiderSlatts]

Hi Ross,

Just want to say that as someone who plays cricket A LOT, I am extremely excited by the prospect of having two competing titles next year. While I agreed with some of the comments about the graphics of the first screenshot there is absolutely no way I am going to judge this game before I play it.

The cricket gaming fraternity has been waiting for far too long for some realistic games and I believe it is in all our interests that we congratulate and support the developers of a new title. Also, as an Australian living in Melbourne I am thrilled to see local companies producing what I hope will be excellent products.

I think the second screenshot looks fantastic and I cannot wait to see some more!!! Furthermore, having a career mode included is really getting me pumped!

One thing I would comment on though is the way Big Ant are handling their publicity. I have plenty of friends who are big fans of your Rugby games but were confused by how little was known about the game until a week or so before release. It would be great if Big Ant could upload all the screenshots of the game to their official website and perhaps include the FAQ list on it as well. I would have thought the best way to market this title would be to make information about it readily accessible!

But anyway, I am thrilled to be hearing some good stuff from another Melbourne developer! If there is any play testing that needs to be done, please shoot me a line! Good luck

 

[Gaurav_7]

Can chat be added while in the game during online play? I remember Howzat (only an online game) implemented it. Will definitely help both the players.

 

[BigAntStudios]

Does your game feature weather? I'm yet to play a test on any game and have that simple pleasure of needing say 300 from the last day, only to loose 20 overs due to rain. Not what everyone wants. But really adds a "real cricket" factor to me.

Weather is featured, lighting conditions and day moving into night.

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Can chat be added while in the game during online play? I remember Howzat (only an online game) implemented it. Will definitely help both the players.

Chat is a prerequisite for the platforms we are releasing on - so yes, chat is enabled.

 

[SpiderSlatts]

Quick question, will weather have an impact on pitches? And will there be a variety of pitch surfaces, eg green-tops, WACA style bouncy wickets? Also what impact will lighting have on batting? It's often the case in Test matches that scoring slows late in the day due to fading light.

 

[Champagnepapi]

btw not sure if you seen this
If the admin of big ant is reading can answer this please -
Will it have domestic teams?
In career mode will there be transfer players thing?

 

[badvintage]

Can you tell the specific modes that will be on this game?

 

[zimrahil]

Weather is featured, lighting conditions and day moving into night
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.

Just for clarification - by saying weather is featured, do you mean things like overcast, cloudy, sunny is featured etc or do you mean matches (in particular tests) will be interrupted by rain delays?

Also will matches have variable weather conditions - i.e. changing start of each day of test, or even better throughout the day?

thanks

 

[Allrounder18]

Will real time weather and pitch conditions gonna effect bowling? i-e more swing/seam more bounce etc?
Will there be different shot animations for better technique players(Virat Kohli) compare to unorthodox(Sehwag) batting style and tailenders?
Will there be different action for fast bowlers/spin bowlers?