Review Demo impressions thread

[Golden28]

We got a demo a week before release. As you say, they probably mastered about the 1st week of July. That's ample time to put together a demo of the final build.

Is it though? Since going gold they have probably (hopefully ) been hard at work on patches. There must be PR assignments to do aswell, and also some staff must take leave?

Anyway, time shouldn't come in to it. If you have to wait until after release to put out a demo of the final product then do it, you don't try and sell a product, which may be worse than the final version. It's simple business knowledge.

I can just imagine the conspiracy theories if no demo was released. People would be calling heresy and trying to make out that the Codies were not confident in their game. At least we can see it's got potential to be great before it arrives.

Golden28 added 7 Minutes and 25 Seconds later...

Honestly what is the point of a demo that isn't final release. It's like going to a Ford garage for a test drive, you are happily on a test drive when all the wheels fall off and the engine catches fire. Then the rep says "it's not the final version of the car, on the final version the wheels will stay attached an you don't need a direct line to the emergency services". If you test drove a Ford like that, you'd walk down the road to the Vauxhall garage wouldn't you?

I think we're fogetting that Ashes 09 is not like a Ford that has all it's wheels falling off and catching fire, is it?

I think it's quite a good game. The major issues it has thrown up at the moment are the AI run outs and the potential for AI bowling to be a little inconsistent. With these two I'm not even sure they have made it into the final build from what certain previewers are saying?

The main problem with the demo is that, as you said, it is too short so we can't get a full idea of the AI pacing etc. I think the core mechanics of the game are wonderful and allude to a great came come release and/or post patch.

I have had a great time with the demo, if you realise that it is just that, a demo.

 

[Dutch]

We got a demo a week before release. As you say, they probably mastered about the 1st week of July. That's ample time to put together a demo of the final build.

Anyway, time shouldn't come in to it. If you have to wait until after release to put out a demo of the final product then do it, you don't try and sell a product, which may be worse than the final version. It's simple business knowledge.



Oh, I know what the game is like. I can also compare it to the demo. But it makes no odds to anything I've mentioned. The demo has been a poor marketing exercise by Codies.

Totally and utterly agree. In any buisness the first impressions of any product are going to be so crucial. Many hardcore fans will be willing to see through some of the bad things if the potential is showing through. Others will just leave it. Time is never a consideration in other ways of buisness. Whole departments have the task to ensure that the first impressions are perfect and that the product really shines. Some of how they are trying to sell this thing is just lacking in basic buisness sense. Dont get me wrong I will be buying the game and wish to support it. Just my few pence for what its worth.

 

[Kev]

For legal reasons, I'd like to say that Ford cars do not catch fire all the time, and the wheels do not fall off all the time either. My current car is a Ford and in 80000 miles it has never caught fire, nor have any wheels fallen off. But you get my point, it might be exaggerated. Perhaps It would have been more sensible to suggest an analogy where a car dealer allows you to test drive a car by driving it 100 meters down the road in a straight line then purchase it based on those 100 meters. You just wouldn't do it.

 

[Dutch]

Golden28:"I think we're fogetting that Ashes 09 is not like a Ford that has all it's wheels falling off and catching fire, is it?

I think it's quite a good game. The major issues it has thrown up at the moment are the AI run outs and the potential for AI bowling to be a little inconsistent. With these two I'm not even sure they have made it into the final build from what certain previewers are saying?

The main problem with the demo is that, as you said, it is too short so we can't get a full idea of the AI pacing etc. I think the core mechanics of the game are wonderful and allude to a great came come release and/or post patch.

I have had a great time with the demo, if you realise that it is just that, a demo."


But the point is still valid that when you get to test drive something you expect it to give you a clear impression of what it would be like to have the real thing and you would expect the people giving you the test drive to want to put their best foot forward to really convice you to buy it.

 

[Golden28]

For legal reasons, I'd like to say that Ford cars do not catch fire all the time, and the wheels do not fall off all the time either. My current car is a Ford and in 80000 miles it has never caught fire, nor have any wheels fallen off.

:rtfl:rtfl:rtfl:rtfl:rtfl:rtfl:rtfl:rtfl

Golden28 added 3 Minutes and 31 Seconds later...

But you get my point, it might be exaggerated. Perhaps It would have been more sensible to suggest an analogy where a car dealer allows you to test drive a car by driving it 100 meters down the road in a straight line then purchase it based on those 100 meters. You just wouldn't do it.

But the point is still valid that when you get to test drive something you expect it to give you a clear impression of what it would be like to have the real thing and you would expect the people giving you the test drive to want to put their best foot forward to really convice you to buy it.

You are both right. I too would have liked to have played the final version so that I could be assured that it is without faults.

I guess we'll just have to see for ourselves in a few days. Fingers crossed all this potential won't be undone by some gamekilling bugs :upray

 

[Sureshot]

Is it though? Since going gold they have probably (hopefully ) been hard at work on patches. There must be PR assignments to do aswell, and also some staff must take leave?

I can just imagine the conspiracy theories if no demo was released. People would be calling heresy and trying to make out that the Codies were not confident in their game. At least we can see it's got potential to be great before it arrives.

Golden28 added 7 Minutes and 25 Seconds later...

I think we're fogetting that Ashes 09 is not like a Ford that has all it's wheels falling off and catching fire, is it?

I think it's quite a good game. The major issues it has thrown up at the moment are the AI run outs and the potential for AI bowling to be a little inconsistent. With these two I'm not even sure they have made it into the final build from what certain previewers are saying?

The main problem with the demo is that, as you said, it is too short so we can't get a full idea of the AI pacing etc. I think the core mechanics of the game are wonderful and allude to a great came come release and/or post patch.

I have had a great time with the demo, if you realise that it is just that, a demo.

You're making an assumption that they will patch it. Our experience tells us that simulated cricket games don't get patched. Patching has many technical difficulties, it's more than just, "it's broken, let's fix it", the ultimate call is probably with Codies.

As for staff taking leave? Well, TG themselves aren't that big, and the division of Codies which handles with them, will have a specific team dedicated to them. I suppose it is possible, but you can make up man hours if you have to. One of my friends has worked 10 days in a row, 14 hours each day, as it's the difference between their company succeeding and failing.

Totally and utterly agree. In any buisness the first impressions of any product are going to be so crucial. Many hardcore fans will be willing to see through some of the bad things if the potential is showing through. Others will just leave it. Time is never a consideration in other ways of buisness. Whole departments have the task to ensure that the first impressions are perfect and that the product really shines. Some of how they are trying to sell this thing is just lacking in basic buisness sense. Dont get me wrong I will be buying the game and wish to support it. Just my few pence for what its worth.

Working in an industry (and learning too) where the most oft used phrase is, "the first taste is with the eyes", this importance cannot be stressed. The thing I fear with this, is the standards of simulated cricket games has been awful since BLC 99. Hardcore cricket gamers will see a decent game, and forget what is wrong with it, the hype is immense for this game. We saw that from what people thought of the 3 over demo when it came out. The game is called Ashes Cricket 2009, an Ashes test may last 450 overs, and people are basing it on 3 overs? I don't know what is more wrong, the fact they are only being allowed to judge it on 3 overs, or that people are judging it on 3 overs.

In business you have to present your product. Personal selling is vital in any industry, it just has all felt a bit of a lame attempt. Sell it to me! If I was one of the TG guys reading here, I'd be horrified at the amount of times our members aren't being able to create an opinion. It's the first point of sale, and frankly, I think they've failed.

 

[Golden28]

You're making an assumption that they will patch it. Our experience tells us that simulated cricket games don't get patched. Patching has many technical difficulties, it's more than just, "it's broken, let's fix it", the ultimate call is probably with Codies.

I'm a natural optimist, despite what life has taught me

Firstly I'm assuming that all gameplay faults from the demo have been fixed pre-release and if not, then secondly, I'm assuming all gameplay faults from the demo will be patched.

 

[alioz]

Is it just me or is it freekin impossible to take catches in this game? I mean it gives you a second for the red ring, then half a second for the orange on....and the you blink your eyes and you missed the green.

Its seriously annoying, I drop at least 5 catches a game and even the orange circle is pretty much just like the ring - drop them also..

Time to take a catch depends on the fielder feilding ability. For example, if the ball goes to wicket keepr, you will have a lot of time when the circle turns green to catch. it will be really slow motion. However, if the ball goes to a fielder whose fielding abilities are not that good then it green circle will disappear quicker. Hope this helps mate.

I cant wait for this game. 13th is too far away:doh

 

[Dutch]

Okay; a question here about fielding tactics. After playing the demo for a while on hard now I came across the following. The AI fielding tactics seem odd to me. Kevin Pietersen comes in. His attitude, according to the meter is bold. Now the AI set a very one-side field. Hardly anyone on the legside. Now I can understand that but then they start bowling very close to the legs making it very easy for Pieterson to start off fluently and increasing in confidence quickly to fearless and scoring at a very fast rate. OK me thinks they will start to see its not working and change things. No they just keep at it supposedly waiting for a mistake, which doesn't come although he was out after a while runnning a risky two. Now I have to admit that I am not a proficient cricketer and my tactical awareness is on a par with George Bushes tactical awarenes on how to win over the hearts and minds of the locals. Could someone enlighten me as to whether this is sound tactics or not from AI or just another little hole that needs fixing. Sorry for the long post but any wisdom shared would be welcomed.

Cheers,

Dutchad

 

[MasterBlaster76]

Okay; a question here about fielding tactics. After playing the demo for a while on hard now I came across the following. The AI fielding tactics seem odd to me. Kevin Pietersen comes in. His attitude, according to the meter is bold. Now the AI set a very one-side field. Hardly anyone on the legside. Now I can understand that but then they start bowling very close to the legs making it very easy for Pieterson to start off fluently and increasing in confidence quickly to fearless and scoring at a very fast rate. OK me thinks they will start to see its not working and change things. No they just keep at it supposedly waiting for a mistake, which doesn't come although he was out after a while runnning a risky two. Now I have to admit that I am not a proficient cricketer and my tactical awareness is on a par with George Bushes tactical awarenes on how to win over the hearts and minds of the locals. Could someone enlighten me as to whether this is sound tactics or not from AI or just another little hole that needs fixing. Sorry for the long post but any wisdom shared would be welcomed.

Cheers,

Dutchad

No - bowling on the batsman's legs isn't recommended at any time (it nearly always leads to easy runs), let alone when you've packed the offside field!! They should be doing the opposite - bowling on or outside offstump - that would be what is known as 'bowling to your field.'

 

[Dutch]

No - bowling on the batsman's legs isn't recommended at any time (it nearly leads to easy runs), let alone when you've packed the offside field!! They should be doing the opposite - bowling on or outside offstump - that would be what is known as 'bowling to your field.'

Yep I suppose its common sense really but it does worry me that even in hard the AI tactics seem to be very flawed even though the developers spoke of the tactical awareness of the game and "the many layers" of possibilities. Are you coming up against this as well?

 

[MasterBlaster76]

Yep I suppose its common sense really but it does worry me that even in hard the AI tactics seem to be very flawed even though the devlopers spoke of the tactical awareness of the game and "the many layers" of possibilities. Are you coming up against this as well?

Can't say that I have. Either way, none of this, nor the AI's running, nor the borked edges were mentioned by the members' playtests, so I'm quietly confident. We'll know soon enough, huh?

 

[Dutch]

Can't say that I have. Either way, none of this, nor the AI's running, nor the borked edges were mentioned by the members' playtests, so I'm quietly confident. We'll know soon enough, huh?

Sure will, and just to get the balance right I am having heaps of fun already with this game and will be getting it whatever reviews etcetera may say. Its got great potential and the way they have gone about creating a "sense" or a "feel" for cricket is commendable and thoroughly enjoyable.

 

[MasterBlaster76]

Sure will, and just to get the balance right I am having heaps of fun already with this game and will be getting it whatever reviews etcetera may say. Its got great potential and the way they have gone about creating a "sense" or a "feel" for cricket is commendable and thoroughly enjoyable.

You're right and even if it is still easy to bat and you go along at seven or eight an over, well, so does the AI - so no-one really loses...

MasterBlaster76 added 4 Minutes and 49 Seconds later...

This is a little snippet of a preview from Gamespot:

. Diehard England and Australian fans will be pleased to know that there are two different themes for the menus that can be toggled to your preference, complete with team colours and classic anthems including Channel 9's cricket theme for those down under.

I hope the UK's theme is the BBC's Cricket theme!

MasterBlaster76 added 6 Minutes and 36 Seconds later...

Look at this screenshot:

You can clearly see the '3-Mobile' logo on the pitch - that must mean that we won't have Codemasters stumps/pitchads in the full game - after all, it's called Ashes 2009 - so if they have got 3-Mobile in there, they must have Npower, surely!

Edit:

So, in the end we have 23 Australian and 23 English players stunningly recreated, it's not funny."

Chances are the faces will look a lot better in the full game, according to that.

Edit: I saw a Wii video just now - looks lousy, yes, but the outfield is the proper speed...

 

[Dutch]

The evidence does seem to point overwhelmingly to the full game being a more positive experience than many are thinking at the moment. I for one would be very suprised if a lot of creases haven't been ironed out. Not long to go now...although I have to wait at least another week and a half but will look forward to the reviews and impressions that are sure to flood these forums this coming weekend.