Hot on the heels of our last Executive Producer interview with Scott Evans about BF2, we have managed to steal some precious time from our man from down under Andrew Wilson. As usual we asked the EAPlay.com community what they wanted to ask Andrew about EA SPORTS Cricket 2005 here. As soon as we had enough questions we forwarded them to Andrew. This is what he had to say:
EAPlay.com: It?s no secret that the EA SPORTS Cricket and Rugby franchises are now being developed out of EA Canada along with all the other blockbuster EA SPORTS titles. How has EA SPORTS Cricket benefited from this move and what global EA SPORTS technology can we see in the game?
AW: The results have been fantastic. What we get is all the experience from having Jeremy Wellard, the original chief designer and producer of the Brian Lara/Shane Warne cricket games, (not to mention a number of games for EA also), combined with the best sports technology in the world. It is a match made in heaven.
EAPlay.com: The graphics engine was criticised in EA SPORTS Cricket 2004. Players didn?t hold the bat or ball correctly and the general quality of the player models wasn?t as high as other EA SPORTS titles. Has this changed in EA SPORTS Cricket 2005?
AW: Completely. Using the FIFA engine and animation tools has meant that we are able to deliver super smooth gameplay and animations. All new mo-cap and player models are the icing on the cake. Cricket 2005 looks absolutely stunning.
EAPlay.com: Is there a new physics system in EA SPORTS Cricket 2005? Titles such as MVP and Fifa have great ball control; will EA SPORTS Cricket 2005 be using any similar technology?
AW: We are using exactly the same technology. This has contributed to Cricket 2005 being the most authentic cricket game yet.
EAPlay.com: Can you give us an overview of the main differences EA SPORTS Cricket 2005 has over EA SPORTS Cricket 2004?
AW: The list is far too long to list. Cricket 2005 is the result of a major technology overhaul. This gives huge improvements in both visuals and gameplay. Throw in some new intuitive controls and new tournaments and this is a monster jump since 2004.
EAPlay.com: How do the player stats systems work in EA SPORTS Cricket 2005? Will each player behave differently in the game or will they be generic? Will their stats be updated after every tournament or tour?
AW: We have put a great deal of work into our stats and each and every player will perform differently depending on their stats. Batsmen will do some things better than others, bowlers will have different deliveries available to them depending on their skill and style and visa versa. Stats will full track through tournaments and tours as you play them.
EAPlay.com: Will there be a ranking system of players as well as teams?
AW: If you mean will some players have better attributes than others definitely. The trick with Cricket 2005 is to ensure that you have a well balanced team.
EAPlay.com: Who are the commentators for EA SPORTS Cricket 2005? Was there an all new recording session for this game or did you use the 2004 sound files?
AW: We have continued our relationship with both Richie Benaud and Jim Maxwell. Both gentlemen are consummate professionals. We have added a great deal more commentary this year.
EAPlay.com: Are there any new weather options such as rain in EA SPORTS Cricket 2005?
AW: Yes.
EAPlay.com: Will we be able to view or save highlights of the game?
AW: Yes.
EAPlay.com: Will there be a career mode in EA SPORTS Cricket 2005?
AW: Cricket 2005 like real cricket is made up of a series of tournaments and tours. Once you get through the core tournaments you will enter into a series of season modes and take your team on tours around the world.
EAPlay.com: How many teams will there be? Will we have the option to create our own teams, players or even tournaments?
AW: There will be over 50 teams. In addition, using the Create a Player feature, you will be able to create full teams of players and take them into the action.
EAPlay.com: Have run outs and wicket keeping features been added/changed?
AW: Yes and yes.
EAPlay.com: Will EA SPORTS Cricket 2005 allow the bowler to change his delivery right up until the ball is being released from his hand?
AW: There is an all new intuitive bowling HUD in Cricket 2005 that is a little hard to explain on paper, however, rest assured that the bowler has more options than ever and is rewarded for consistent and varied line and length.
EAPlay.com: Will there be a full toss ball in EA SPORTS Cricket 2005?
AW: Sure will.
EAPlay.com: Does EA SPORTS Cricket 2005 have real life umpires or will they be generic?
AW: Our umpires look great, but as far as licensing goes, our focus was on teams and players as this is what the core game is all about.
EAPlay.com: Are the crowds livelier in EA SPORTS Cricket 2005? Can we expect the amazing crowds titles such as Fifa have?
AW: We have used the same crowd technology that FIFA uses.
EAPlay.com: Can you reveal any general system requirements we will need for the PC version?
AW: We are still locking this down, but will be somewhere around PIII 700, Win98SE.
EAPlay.com: It?s no secret that the EA SPORTS Cricket and Rugby franchises are now being developed out of EA Canada along with all the other blockbuster EA SPORTS titles. How has EA SPORTS Cricket benefited from this move and what global EA SPORTS technology can we see in the game?
AW: The results have been fantastic. What we get is all the experience from having Jeremy Wellard, the original chief designer and producer of the Brian Lara/Shane Warne cricket games, (not to mention a number of games for EA also), combined with the best sports technology in the world. It is a match made in heaven.
EAPlay.com: The graphics engine was criticised in EA SPORTS Cricket 2004. Players didn?t hold the bat or ball correctly and the general quality of the player models wasn?t as high as other EA SPORTS titles. Has this changed in EA SPORTS Cricket 2005?
AW: Completely. Using the FIFA engine and animation tools has meant that we are able to deliver super smooth gameplay and animations. All new mo-cap and player models are the icing on the cake. Cricket 2005 looks absolutely stunning.
EAPlay.com: Is there a new physics system in EA SPORTS Cricket 2005? Titles such as MVP and Fifa have great ball control; will EA SPORTS Cricket 2005 be using any similar technology?
AW: We are using exactly the same technology. This has contributed to Cricket 2005 being the most authentic cricket game yet.
EAPlay.com: Can you give us an overview of the main differences EA SPORTS Cricket 2005 has over EA SPORTS Cricket 2004?
AW: The list is far too long to list. Cricket 2005 is the result of a major technology overhaul. This gives huge improvements in both visuals and gameplay. Throw in some new intuitive controls and new tournaments and this is a monster jump since 2004.
EAPlay.com: How do the player stats systems work in EA SPORTS Cricket 2005? Will each player behave differently in the game or will they be generic? Will their stats be updated after every tournament or tour?
AW: We have put a great deal of work into our stats and each and every player will perform differently depending on their stats. Batsmen will do some things better than others, bowlers will have different deliveries available to them depending on their skill and style and visa versa. Stats will full track through tournaments and tours as you play them.
EAPlay.com: Will there be a ranking system of players as well as teams?
AW: If you mean will some players have better attributes than others definitely. The trick with Cricket 2005 is to ensure that you have a well balanced team.
EAPlay.com: Who are the commentators for EA SPORTS Cricket 2005? Was there an all new recording session for this game or did you use the 2004 sound files?
AW: We have continued our relationship with both Richie Benaud and Jim Maxwell. Both gentlemen are consummate professionals. We have added a great deal more commentary this year.
EAPlay.com: Are there any new weather options such as rain in EA SPORTS Cricket 2005?
AW: Yes.
EAPlay.com: Will we be able to view or save highlights of the game?
AW: Yes.
EAPlay.com: Will there be a career mode in EA SPORTS Cricket 2005?
AW: Cricket 2005 like real cricket is made up of a series of tournaments and tours. Once you get through the core tournaments you will enter into a series of season modes and take your team on tours around the world.
EAPlay.com: How many teams will there be? Will we have the option to create our own teams, players or even tournaments?
AW: There will be over 50 teams. In addition, using the Create a Player feature, you will be able to create full teams of players and take them into the action.
EAPlay.com: Have run outs and wicket keeping features been added/changed?
AW: Yes and yes.
EAPlay.com: Will EA SPORTS Cricket 2005 allow the bowler to change his delivery right up until the ball is being released from his hand?
AW: There is an all new intuitive bowling HUD in Cricket 2005 that is a little hard to explain on paper, however, rest assured that the bowler has more options than ever and is rewarded for consistent and varied line and length.
EAPlay.com: Will there be a full toss ball in EA SPORTS Cricket 2005?
AW: Sure will.
EAPlay.com: Does EA SPORTS Cricket 2005 have real life umpires or will they be generic?
AW: Our umpires look great, but as far as licensing goes, our focus was on teams and players as this is what the core game is all about.
EAPlay.com: Are the crowds livelier in EA SPORTS Cricket 2005? Can we expect the amazing crowds titles such as Fifa have?
AW: We have used the same crowd technology that FIFA uses.
EAPlay.com: Can you reveal any general system requirements we will need for the PC version?
AW: We are still locking this down, but will be somewhere around PIII 700, Win98SE.
