Deep analysis of the Ashes cricket game

[silverthorne]

The actual real-life players will be mortified they have these error messages:


NewZealand_Kyle Mills (1253)_Home: No valid index found in valid animation list! Action = Chase

(Filename: C:/BuildAgent/work/d3d49558e4d408f4/artifacts/StandalonePlayerGenerated/UnityEngineDebug.cpp Line: 53)

NewZealand_Kyle Mills (1253)_Home: NOW WAITING FOR BALL

NewZealand_Brendon McCullum (1245)_(WK)_Home: GOING INTO PICKUP

Check if we broke the wickets

NewZealand_Brendon McCullum (1245)_(WK)_Home: GOING INTO PICKUP


(Filename: C:/BuildAgent/work/d3d49558e4d408f4/artifacts/StandalonePlayerGenerated/UnityEngineDebug.cpp Line: 53)

Boring post delivery analysis, can we talk about the weather instead?

Embarassing debug information...

(Filename: C:/BuildAgent/work/d3d49558e4d408f4/artifacts/StandalonePlayerGenerated/UnityEngineDebug.cpp Line: 53)

NewZealand_Kane Williamson (1244)_Home THROWING TO: (0.0, 0.0, 10.1)

(Filename: C:/BuildAgent/work/d3d49558e4d408f4/artifacts/StandalonePlayerGenerated/UnityEngineDebug.cpp Line: 53)

NewZealand_Kane Williamson (1244)_Home THROW ANGLE: 45.69027, THROW ORIGIN: (-19.5, 0.0, 7.9)

(Filename: C:/BuildAgent/work/d3d49558e4d408f4/artifacts/StandalonePlayerGenerated/UnityEngineDebug.cpp Line: 53)

NewZealand_Kane Williamson (1244)_Home THROWING TO: (0.0, 0.0, 10.1)

(Filename: C:/BuildAgent/work/d3d49558e4d408f4/artifacts/StandalonePlayerGenerated/UnityEngineDebug.cpp Line: 53)

NewZealand_Kane Williamson (1244)_Home THROW ANGLE: 45.69027, THROW ORIGIN: (-19.5, 0.0, 7.9)

(Filename: C:/BuildAgent/work/d3d49558e4d408f4/artifacts/StandalonePlayerGenerated/UnityEngineDebug.cpp Line: 53)

NewZealand_Kane Williamson (1244)_Home THROWING TO: (0.0, 0.0, 10.1)

(Filename: C:/BuildAgent/work/d3d49558e4d408f4/artifacts/StandalonePlayerGenerated/UnityEngineDebug.cpp Line: 53)

NewZealand_Kane Williamson (1244)_Home THROW ANGLE: 45.69027, THROW ORIGIN: (-19.5, 0.0, 7.9)

(Filename: C:/BuildAgent/work/d3d49558e4d408f4/artifacts/StandalonePlayerGenerated/UnityEngineDebug.cpp Line: 53)

NewZealand_Kane Williamson (1244)_Home THROWING TO: (0.0, 0.0, 10.1)

(Filename: C:/BuildAgent/work/d3d49558e4d408f4/artifacts/StandalonePlayerGenerated/UnityEngineDebug.cpp Line: 53)

NewZealand_Kane Williamson (1244)_Home THROW ANGLE: 45.69027, THROW ORIGIN: (-19.5, 0.0, 7.9)

(Filename: C:/BuildAgent/work/d3d49558e4d408f4/artifacts/StandalonePlayerGenerated/UnityEngineDebug.cpp Line: 53)

NewZealand_Kane Williamson (1244)_Home THROWING TO: (0.0, 0.0, 10.1)

(Filename: C:/BuildAgent/work/d3d49558e4d408f4/artifacts/StandalonePlayerGenerated/UnityEngineDebug.cpp Line: 53)

NewZealand_Kane Williamson (1244)_Home THROW ANGLE: 45.69027, THROW ORIGIN: (-19.5, 0.0, 7.9)

(Filename: C:/BuildAgent/work/d3d49558e4d408f4/artifacts/StandalonePlayerGenerated/UnityEngineDebug.cpp Line: 53)

NewZealand_Kane Williamson (1244)_Home THROWING TO: (0.0, 0.0, 10.1)

(Filename: C:/BuildAgent/work/d3d49558e4d408f4/artifacts/StandalonePlayerGenerated/UnityEngineDebug.cpp Line: 53)

NewZealand_Kane Williamson (1244)_Home THROW ANGLE: 45.69027, THROW ORIGIN: (-19.5, 0.0, 7.9)

(Filename: C:/BuildAgent/work/d3d49558e4d408f4/artifacts/StandalonePlayerGenerated/UnityEngineDebug.cpp Line: 53)

NewZealand_Kane Williamson (1244)_Home THROWING TO: (0.0, 0.0, 10.1)

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Attack of the clones...

(Filename: C:/BuildAgent/work/d3d49558e4d408f4/artifacts/StandalonePlayerGenerated/UnityEngineDebug.cpp Line: 53)

INCREMENTING WICKETS TAKEN

(Filename: C:/BuildAgent/work/d3d49558e4d408f4/artifacts/StandalonePlayerGenerated/UnityEngineDebug.cpp Line: 53)

Setting 'crowdloop(Clone)' to shut down now

(Filename: C:/BuildAgent/work/d3d49558e4d408f4/artifacts/StandalonePlayerGenerated/UnityEngineDebug.cpp Line: 53)

Starting 'Droppedcatch_02(Clone)' source

(Filename: C:/BuildAgent/work/d3d49558e4d408f4/artifacts/StandalonePlayerGenerated/UnityEngineDebug.cpp Line: 53)

Starting 'Highcrowdloop(Clone)' source

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Game crash - due to multi-thread error

This bug is caused because they run multiple threads (tasks) and then forget to shut them down...


(Filename: C:/BuildAgent/work/d3d49558e4d408f4/artifacts/StandalonePlayerGenerated/UnityEngineDebug.cpp Line: 53)

HandleD3DDeviceLost
HandleD3DDeviceLost: still lost
Skipped rendering frame because GfxDevice is in invalid state (device lost)

(Filename: Line: 1539)

HandleD3DDeviceLost
HandleD3DDeviceLost: still lost
Skipped rendering frame because GfxDevice is in invalid state (device lost)

(Filename: Line: 1539)

HandleD3DDeviceLost
HandleD3DDeviceLost: still lost
Skipped rendering frame because GfxDevice is in invalid state (device lost)

(Filename: Line: 1539)

HandleD3DDeviceLost
HandleD3DDeviceLost: still lost
Skipped rendering frame because GfxDevice is in invalid state (device lost)

(Filename: Line: 1539)

HandleD3DDeviceLost
HandleD3DDeviceLost: still lost
Skipped rendering frame because GfxDevice is in invalid state (device lost)

(Filename: Line: 1539)

HandleD3DDeviceLost
HandleD3DDeviceLost: still lost
Skipped rendering frame because GfxDevice is in invalid state (device lost)

(Filename: Line: 1539)

HandleD3DDeviceLost
HandleD3DDeviceLost: still lost
Skipped rendering frame because GfxDevice is in invalid state (device lost)

(Filename: Line: 1539)

HandleD3DDeviceLost
HandleD3DDeviceLost: still lost
Skipped rendering frame because GfxDevice is in invalid state (device lost)

(Filename: Line: 1539)

HandleD3DDeviceLost
HandleD3DDeviceLost: still lost
Skipped rendering frame because GfxDevice is in invalid state (device lost)

(Filename: Line: 1539)

HandleD3DDeviceLost
HandleD3DDeviceLost: still lost
Skipped rendering frame because GfxDevice is in invalid state (device lost)

 

[grkrama]

Awesome man

ya wouldnt use visual scriptors for anything more than point and click games.
i asked because if they where using demo version it should have been watermarked and if they have removed the watermark they can be sued by the playmaker and Ngui devs.
Do they have right to use the code samples and redistribute it commercially ?

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[silverthorne]

ya wouldnt use visual scriptors for anything more than point and click games.
i asked because if they where using demo version it should have been watermarked and if they have removed the watermark they can be sued by the playmaker and Ngui devs.
Do they have right to use the code samples and redistribute it commercially ?

They have the right to use it commercially. What I said was:
The library comes with demo codes and sample projects. They used this to develop their Cricket game. This is not they use a trial version of their product.


They did, however, redistribute Arial Bold, Arial Narrow Bold which is illegal to redistribute with your App.


As for you, I told you already that it is pointless to use or attempt to find further what is in the project. Even if you fix the animations, fix the graphics, for the coding part, the thing has to be re-done all over again.


This is for you to learn how not to make a game. Learn from it in that point of view. Otherwise, you will find yourself repeating their mistakes.


The batting and fielding weird errors are part of the game itself; the game operates in that manner. To replace it with correct codes, it is to re-do the whole game again.


You need to do it with clean hands; not dirty hands like you peek into a competitor's product to get ideas. This is where your skill, all the past things you learned comes into developing a top-notch product.


If you do not have in excess of $500,000 to $1,000,000 please do not even try. You will fail. I have already given the reasons, possible solution and no need to repeat myself.


If you look at DB Cricket 2014, they have invested lots of time and money into their project. It would be cheaper for you to invest in their company so if you feel like having a power-trip, you can always find yourself invited to their offices and talk to the developers there and maybe find out how the DC 2014 game works.

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The Game logic part requires some explanation.

There is currently Game AI which is of much research. If you want to do something like Halo style or Half life style, you need to be very proficient in Game AI and it is very specialised field of work.

The solution given in post #13 tells that the game logics is made. These tools are very expensive and very specialised. @Ross might know about it because they do large scale civilian simulation of crowds.

This requires very proficient developers who write the whole entire game (without graphics, without the artwork done). They would simulate the whole game as a group of outcomes and results. Then they keep tweaking the logics so that all the cricket rules are observed.


You only need Unity for the sound and visual aspects only for the final game itself.

The rest, is all black & white models used to simulate the weather, simulate the physics, simulate the player movement and get the game logic correct.


If the person takes short-cuts and does not do the above, the end result will be failure, as what happened to Ashes 2013 Cricket game.

 

[grkrama]

ya i just was clarifying that with ,basically checking for anyway or anyone that can sue ashes13 trickies,that was the point.

As to my game i have said before its a simple one,a small part,not a full fledged one,
something that can be achieved with a small indie team.
basically if it clicks off and im able to get enough funds for next iteration,l may look into expanding it further to full fledged scale and then the factors you mention will be taken into account and proceeded.

Also im certainly not following in the footsteps of trickstar nor plan to make use
of their procedure in implementing the game.

The only common thing they have would be unity engine,and im also not a great believer of visual scripting.

My wanting that game to be opensource and the game im planning to develop have no connection.

Thanks mate for giving pointers

 

[silverthorne]

Good luck with your cricket game.

 

[grkrama]

thanks silver

 

[Lebanna]

Legally speaking do any of the cricket boards have a case?

They have clearly used the real player names both in the spreadsheet and in the output.txt (and presumably in the gamefiles as well). Is this a breach of copyright/license? And given that the game released BUT then got cancelled and pulled does it still give the possibility of legal action?

I'm definitely not a lawyer so forgive me if its not copyright or license that is being breached (if anything at all is being breached)! I'm just curious if this is possible or not.

 

[silverthorne]

If TrickStar games was given money -- yes, they would need to refund it back.


If it was a license, the license is already cancelled. What you are seeing is the result of people still able to play the game despite it being pulled from sale.


Where there is a lawsuit, is the poor quality of the development and the charade this game is.



Possible lawsuits:

- Usage of illegal or insufficient Unity licenses. This game is so badly done, it suggests that the TrickStar has not brought the correct number of licenses for Unity game engine, or they used trial versions and got into this mess.


- Redistribution of Arial Narrow, Arial Narrow Bold illegally. This is a lawsuit between Ascender Corp. (the font company) and TrickStar games.


- Lawsuit between employees of TrickStar vs. TrickStar management. Who pays for their wages after this fiasco? I think they should let lots of people go. This kind of work is so poor, so disgraceful...


- Lawsuit between publisher and developer. If the developer has been given money, would they need to refund it or pay it back. Lawsuit brewing...


- Lawsuit between outsiders. TrickStar may have outsourced the work to a 3rd party and they blew up the project. It could be some unknown company in India or Pakistan. Those unknown outsiders then lied.


Somewhere, someone lied, cheated or misrepresented the facts. There is no way how a team of people with vast experience, working together can do such poor quality work.

 

[silverthorne]

This kind of behaviour is normal in the game development industry. Game developers who inflate their resumes, tell all lies, don't want to work and get paid lots of money.

They only want vain glory, to be like a God, don't want to work, want others to bow down and worship them. They eyes are blind, their hands are useless.

If there are lots of these people at TrickStar, you can imagine the kind of work, kind of quality and kind of fiasco they get themselves into.

 

[BigAntStudios]

This kind of behaviour is normal in the game development industry. Game developers who inflate their resumes, tell all lies, don't want to work and get paid lots of money.

They only want vain glory, to be like a God, don't want to work, want others to bow down and worship them. They eyes are blind, their hands are useless.

If there are lots of these people at TrickStar, you can imagine the kind of work, kind of quality and kind of fiasco they get themselves into.

It really isn't normal behaviour and I know very few that of this mould.

Game development for console is hard business, we're one of very few in Australia, perhaps the only ones, that will make the jump to next-gen.

 

[SpitfiresKent]

This kind of behaviour is normal in the game development industry. Game developers who inflate their resumes, tell all lies, don't want to work and get paid lots of money.

They only want vain glory, to be like a God, don't want to work, want others to bow down and worship them. They eyes are blind, their hands are useless.

If there are lots of these people at TrickStar, you can imagine the kind of work, kind of quality and kind of fiasco they get themselves into.

No not our Mike, he's very passionate about making games...

If i wasn't passionate I would not be in the games development business I would be working for a big corporate company 9-5 and spending a lot more time with my family. There is a saying in the games business "if you want o make a small fortune in games start with a large one!". Ask any indie game developer about this and they will all tell you that they do it for the love of games and if they make money it is a bonus.

Yawn. More importantly people, get down to the MCG on boxing day!

I can't wait to be there on the opening over of the Ashes Box Day Test at the mighty MCG this December!

 

[Haynes123]

well it is not the first time 505 games also had a get rich quick scheme, if you look at rugby world cup 2011, it was really poor with no content really, and graphics wise the same as rugby 08, but they sold a lot of units. I hope they stay away from rugby and cricket now!

 

[silverthorne]

well it is not the first time 505 games also had a get rich quick scheme, if you look at rugby world cup 2011, it was really poor with no content really, and graphics wise the same as rugby 08, but they sold a lot of units. I hope they stay away from rugby and cricket now!

Sarcasm Unlicensed rubbish.

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It really isn't normal behaviour and I know very few that of this mould.

Game development for console is hard business, we're one of very few in Australia, perhaps the only ones, that will make the jump to next-gen.

You'll find plenty of these kind of people. Human Resources or the Payroll Department usually filters them out.

It is unfortunate because these kind of mistakes are deadly and can cause game studios to collapse.

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@BigAntStudios,

Interesting question. What would you do if you found of some of your guys at your work-place is doing such bad quality?

While you guys have control of things, what would you advise other developers about this Ashes Cricket 2013 fiasco?

 

[BigAntStudios]

I'm on the floor and involved in the development process, that's the key difference, this could not happen here.

It should be remembered that there really are not many of developers that produce this sort of work, it is not the norm, this is a once in a lifetime story, worst game ever made is not a title given to many.

 

[blockerdave]

I think the "broken-ness" isn't the issue for me, it's more about how they pulled off this charade and had their publisher believe they were close.

I've never been so hoodwinked in all my life.

it's the publisher bit i don't get... what milestones and deliverables where there, and how could they not see pretty early on what the score was?

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What's even more unbelievable is the game was in development for at least 2-3 years!!! At least this what we were informed. There has to be more to it and it wouldn't surprise me if this whole project was akin to the plot in The Producers (The Producers (1967) - IMDb). This scenario cannot be explained by incompetence alone and it's unfortunate we will never know what really happened.

i speculated on that a couple of times!

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@silver - just read the whole thread in one sitting. fascinating stuff, thanks.

just unbelievable what went on here... utterly unbelievable