Don Bradman Cricket 14 General Discussion

[whiteninness]

Lara had the neutrality of not being a combatant in the Ashes. I think Ross has done an amazing job getting this title and they've obviously invested trust in him based on what Big Ant have produced but I don't think I will be alone in the UK in being more likely to buy a game called Brian Lara than Don Bradman.
Clearly I'm buying this game anyway

I'm trying to flip the case around but there are no English cricketers with the same name on and off the field (no disrespect, we all know Bradman was an outlier).

I think people in America went mad for Michael Jordon on the NBA cover and integrated into the game, despite him only playing for one (okay two) teams and routinely destroying the opposition.

But I'll admit that Ashes 2013 vs Bradman Cricket 14 is still a battle of covers in the UK, especially since England just won (although if it is delayed further and released after Australia win back home it'll be a different story )

 

[Biggs]

I totally disagree Barmy.

I think Bradman has JUST as much meaning and historical importance in the UK as he does in AUS. I think "Lara" would've been irrelevant as a title and if you'd gone for a Ponting or a Gilchrist then you're talking about a very narrow market as they're not as historically important or relevant overseas, even less than Bradman. What you've also got is the ability to INSTANTLY promote game features in the title of the game. Talking about "Bradman" you right away tell the consumer there's A LOT of content in the title that isn't just 20/20 or ODI Cricket. There's a real "heft" to the name (for lack of a better term) as a consumer the message it sends is 'there's more in this box than just an arcade cricket game'

Everyone knows Don Bradman all over the world and he's sort of timeless now, borderless as a true historical cricket legend that surpasses countries and allegiances. Really the only player that has that same effect in the modern world is someone like Tendulkar... who (like Bradman) filled grounds around the world just in name only. Whenever India was touring NZ the marketing was "come see Tendulkar" because we sure as well wern't filling the grounds to see the BlackCaps lose, haha.

Difference is Tendulkar is everywhere in India and the SubCont promoting everything from Vitamins to Movies. The Bradman foundation are incredibly protective of his name and wouldn't just stick it on any old title. I have to believe whatever BigAnt showed them to get it across the line surpasses anything we've seen to date...

You wouldn't associate his character with a title that wasn't going to deliver. It's a huge responsibility, just read that press release...

They know it.

 

[Gone4aDuck]

Meanwhile dutchad's reaction after this reply.

How did you get pics of the trickstar office?

 

[timchrist984]

 

[Dutch]

Did you make that Tim? Nice......

 

[timchrist984]

Yeah Dutch, cheers...

 

[barmyarmy]

I totally disagree Barmy.

I think Bradman has JUST as much meaning and historical importance in the UK as he does in AUS. I think "Lara" would've been irrelevant as a title and if you'd gone for a Ponting or a Gilchrist then you're talking about a very narrow market as they're not as historically important or relevant overseas, even less than Bradman. What you've also got is the ability to INSTANTLY promote game features in the title of the game. Talking about "Bradman" you right away tell the consumer there's A LOT of content in the title that isn't just 20/20 or ODI Cricket. There's a real "heft" to the name (for lack of a better term) as a consumer the message it sends is 'there's more in this box than just an arcade cricket game'

Everyone knows Don Bradman all over the world and he's sort of timeless now, borderless as a true historical cricket legend that surpasses countries and allegiances. Really the only player that has that same effect in the modern world is someone like Tendulkar... who (like Bradman) filled grounds around the world just in name only. Whenever India was touring NZ the marketing was "come see Tendulkar" because we sure as well wern't filling the grounds to see the BlackCaps lose, haha.

Difference is Tendulkar is everywhere in India and the SubCont promoting everything from Vitamins to Movies. The Bradman foundation are incredibly protective of his name and wouldn't just stick it on any old title. I have to believe whatever BigAnt showed them to get it across the line surpasses anything we've seen to date...

You wouldn't associate his character with a title that wasn't going to deliver. It's a huge responsibility, just read that press release...

They know it.

I totally agree with you about the decision to associate. Clearly this is going to be an amazing game.
However my thoughts on the UK market are, as I said, just my opinion and the only real test is whether or not people from the UK agree with me.

 

[whiteninness]

I totally agree with you about the decision to associate. Clearly this is going to be an amazing game.
However my thoughts on the UK market are, as I said, just my opinion and the only real test is whether or not people from the UK agree with me.

I think cricket fans around the world are smartening up now though. Even if the front of the cover doesn't sell, the back sure will.

On that note, the Be A Pro mode REALLY should be pushed. Sure, here we are more excited about the new controls and proper fielding (at least I am) but people have come via EA Sports and 2k games to think that Be A Pro is normal and essential. As soon as they see that, they'll buy it.

CAN...you take a young Don Bradman through your career mode? In NHL you could do that with Be A Legend mode, using Gretzky, Lemieux etc.

Also, as a pom, you get the chance to turn off the two behind square law, kill the bouncer limit, remove the helmets and pelt bouncers at the Don like "the good ole days"....surely you'd enjoy that?

 

[barmyarmy]

Also, as a pom, you get the chance to turn off the two behind square law, kill the bouncer limit, remove the helmets and pelt bouncers at the Don like "the good ole days"....surely you'd enjoy that?

That was a scenario in BLIC05 and yeah it was fun

 

[zimrahil]

I totally disagree Barmy.

I think Bradman has JUST as much meaning and historical importance in the UK as he does in AUS. I think "Lara" would've been irrelevant as a title and if you'd gone for a Ponting or a Gilchrist then you're talking about a very narrow market as they're not as historically important or relevant overseas, even less than Bradman. What you've also got is the ability to INSTANTLY promote game features in the title of the game. Talking about "Bradman" you right away tell the consumer there's A LOT of content in the title that isn't just 20/20 or ODI Cricket. There's a real "heft" to the name (for lack of a better term) as a consumer the message it sends is 'there's more in this box than just an arcade cricket game'

Everyone knows Don Bradman all over the world and he's sort of timeless now, borderless as a true historical cricket legend that surpasses countries and allegiances. Really the only player that has that same effect in the modern world is someone like Tendulkar... who (like Bradman) filled grounds around the world just in name only. Whenever India was touring NZ the marketing was "come see Tendulkar" because we sure as well wern't filling the grounds to see the BlackCaps lose, haha.

Difference is Tendulkar is everywhere in India and the SubCont promoting everything from Vitamins to Movies. The Bradman foundation are incredibly protective of his name and wouldn't just stick it on any old title. I have to believe whatever BigAnt showed them to get it across the line surpasses anything we've seen to date...

You wouldn't associate his character with a title that wasn't going to deliver. It's a huge responsibility, just read that press release...

They know it.

Be interesting to see if casual gamers pick Bradman 14 over Ashes 13 based on title of game.
For hardcore fans its a no brainer, but will casual gamers (outside of Australasia) even know who Bradman is?

Interesting to see how it pans out..

 

[MattW]

Perhaps Ashes Cricket 1930 would be better.

 

[Orangzeb]

Perhaps Ashes Cricket 1930 would be better.

I see the grudge.

 

[barmyarmy]

Perhaps Ashes Cricket 1930 would be better.

Harold Larwood Cricket 14?

 

[Biggs]

Be interesting to see if casual gamers pick Bradman 14 over Ashes 13 based on title of game.

I can only speak on my own personal attitude to such things, but the name the game has on the box bares very little weight when it comes to purchases, especially sports titles (as they're all inherently generic). This "Bradman" title instantly stands out as something new and totally different... it's not connected to an older license or name formatting like the Ashes title. Given the "Ashes" is purely a UK/AUS rivalry in Cricket, that has limited crossover with a wider fan-base, Bradman as a player, name and game brand eclipses that with a great historical and international appeal... Furthermore, if you're a "casual" cricket gamer, the very fact you know the sport, you would have to know who Bradman is. Period.

I'm still quite amazed they were able to secure such a recognizable cricketing "name" for a cricket games title, in a market that has been abused and ignored for years... I'm not going to lie, I would've been disappointed if it was a Ponting or a Gilchrist being from NZ, it would have meant nothing to me at all. Having "Bradman" in the name inspires me more than any screen grab or video ever could.

There's a real tangible 'between the lines' sense for me of this game being something incredibly special... given my initial reactions to where I am today I think that alone speaks volumes...

 

[angad]

Furthermore, if you're a "casual" cricket gamer, the very fact you know the sport, you would have to know who Bradman is. Period.

That!!!!