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Stick Cricket 2 Launches 11th March
One of the much loved greats of cricket gaming is one of the simpler ones - Stick Cricket. Ten years after the initial launch of the flash based browser game that started it all work commenced on the game's sequel, with the game launching on iOS and Android on 11th March.
Colin Rowe is the original creator of Stick Cricket and now creative director in charge of Stick Cricket 2, and took the time to chat with us about the new game.
PlanetCricket: Firstly, how did the decision to make a clean break from the original Stick Cricket come about, rather than working on more of the specialised versions like the Premier League and Super Sixes games?
Col: We felt that Stick Cricket needed to go back to the drawing board (literally). It feels dated but millions of people still play it. We started over with the graphics, animations and the game play in an effort to bring it up to today's standards but without damaging it's appeal.
PC: The style of gameplay with challenges rather than just playing a certain number of overs makes the game play a lot differently to the first version - is the idea that Stick Cricket 2 will sit side by side with the original release?
Col: Stick Cricket 2 is the evolution of Stick Cricket. In fact the working title was 'Stick Cricket Next Generation'. The most popular elements from the original game have been adapted and included Stick Cricket 2. It's the same but different. The hitting controls are still the same but we've allowed for the screen to be rotated in any direction for comfort or preference. There are Slog and Target levels ranging from 2 overs to 40 overs. The entire game is a variation of the much loved World Domination game mode (especially the International tier) but rather than just 14 levels there are now 90 levels to unlock. We have even included elements that you might recognise from Stick Cricket Super Sixes in the Time Attack, Six Derby and No Dots levels. Stick Cricket 2 will be our leading cricket batting game and it will sit beside Stick Cricket Premier League.
PC: How much longevity do you think players will get out of it? I notice the ominous gap below International on the main menu, does that mean matches in outer space?
Col: 'Origins' and 'International' themes are just the beginning. These already give the player 10-15 hours of free game play. We have plans in place to include a bunch of additional themes in future updates....and interplanetary Stick Cricket is already on that list.
PC: Does keeping the 'stick sports' theme limit the team working on the game?
Col: It's quite the opposite. Having a defined style allows us to embrace the qualities that established our Stick Sports Brand (which is not a stick figure as such). We try to use it to our advantage.
PC: One of the most requested things I've seen for Stick Cricket is bowling - how much was put in to trying to find a way to make bowling work? Is this something still being looked at for the future?
Col: Bowling is an interesting topic that has forced some lengthy debates at Stick Sports. We have prototyped many variations but in the end it's not the bowling that is the sticking point it's the computer opponents. Our attempts to make bowling enjoyable have missed the mark because we stand by Stick Cricket's principles of massive scores and ridiculous strike rates. No bowler enjoys being belted to all parts of the ground but that's what happens in Stick Cricket! However, if your batting opponent is a human there is a lot of fun to be had with bowling so stay tuned.
PC: One thing that was added is women's cricket - is there a gameplay difference here beyond appearance? How short was the conversation to decide to add the option?
Col: There is no difference in game play if you choose to play as a women. It's about time the fairer sex was included in digital cricket games. When the idea to include women in Stick Cricket was raised it was a no brainer.
PC: What cricket games do you play when not playing Stick Cricket?
Col: International Cricket Captain by Childish Things is at the top of our list. Codemasters' Ricky Ponting International 2005 on PS2 is a long time favorite.
PC: And finally, does the 10 year gap between the original game and 'Stick Cricket 2' feel right? If so, what can we look forward to in Stick Cricket 3 in 2025?
Col: At this rate you can expect a slight upgrade in graphics and some new shot animations in 2025. Ten years is a long time between major releases. The sequel to Stick Tennis is coming this year, just 3 years after the original, so we're getting better
PC: Thanks for speaking with us at PlanetCricket and good luck with the release!
Continue reading the Original Post.
Stick Cricket 2 Launches 11th March
One of the much loved greats of cricket gaming is one of the simpler ones - Stick Cricket. Ten years after the initial launch of the flash based browser game that started it all work commenced on the game's sequel, with the game launching on iOS and Android on 11th March.
Colin Rowe is the original creator of Stick Cricket and now creative director in charge of Stick Cricket 2, and took the time to chat with us about the new game.
PlanetCricket: Firstly, how did the decision to make a clean break from the original Stick Cricket come about, rather than working on more of the specialised versions like the Premier League and Super Sixes games?
Col: We felt that Stick Cricket needed to go back to the drawing board (literally). It feels dated but millions of people still play it. We started over with the graphics, animations and the game play in an effort to bring it up to today's standards but without damaging it's appeal.
PC: The style of gameplay with challenges rather than just playing a certain number of overs makes the game play a lot differently to the first version - is the idea that Stick Cricket 2 will sit side by side with the original release?
Col: Stick Cricket 2 is the evolution of Stick Cricket. In fact the working title was 'Stick Cricket Next Generation'. The most popular elements from the original game have been adapted and included Stick Cricket 2. It's the same but different. The hitting controls are still the same but we've allowed for the screen to be rotated in any direction for comfort or preference. There are Slog and Target levels ranging from 2 overs to 40 overs. The entire game is a variation of the much loved World Domination game mode (especially the International tier) but rather than just 14 levels there are now 90 levels to unlock. We have even included elements that you might recognise from Stick Cricket Super Sixes in the Time Attack, Six Derby and No Dots levels. Stick Cricket 2 will be our leading cricket batting game and it will sit beside Stick Cricket Premier League.
PC: How much longevity do you think players will get out of it? I notice the ominous gap below International on the main menu, does that mean matches in outer space?
Col: 'Origins' and 'International' themes are just the beginning. These already give the player 10-15 hours of free game play. We have plans in place to include a bunch of additional themes in future updates....and interplanetary Stick Cricket is already on that list.
PC: Does keeping the 'stick sports' theme limit the team working on the game?
Col: It's quite the opposite. Having a defined style allows us to embrace the qualities that established our Stick Sports Brand (which is not a stick figure as such). We try to use it to our advantage.
PC: One of the most requested things I've seen for Stick Cricket is bowling - how much was put in to trying to find a way to make bowling work? Is this something still being looked at for the future?
Col: Bowling is an interesting topic that has forced some lengthy debates at Stick Sports. We have prototyped many variations but in the end it's not the bowling that is the sticking point it's the computer opponents. Our attempts to make bowling enjoyable have missed the mark because we stand by Stick Cricket's principles of massive scores and ridiculous strike rates. No bowler enjoys being belted to all parts of the ground but that's what happens in Stick Cricket! However, if your batting opponent is a human there is a lot of fun to be had with bowling so stay tuned.
PC: One thing that was added is women's cricket - is there a gameplay difference here beyond appearance? How short was the conversation to decide to add the option?
Col: There is no difference in game play if you choose to play as a women. It's about time the fairer sex was included in digital cricket games. When the idea to include women in Stick Cricket was raised it was a no brainer.
PC: What cricket games do you play when not playing Stick Cricket?
Col: International Cricket Captain by Childish Things is at the top of our list. Codemasters' Ricky Ponting International 2005 on PS2 is a long time favorite.
PC: And finally, does the 10 year gap between the original game and 'Stick Cricket 2' feel right? If so, what can we look forward to in Stick Cricket 3 in 2025?
Col: At this rate you can expect a slight upgrade in graphics and some new shot animations in 2025. Ten years is a long time between major releases. The sequel to Stick Tennis is coming this year, just 3 years after the original, so we're getting better
PC: Thanks for speaking with us at PlanetCricket and good luck with the release!
Continue reading the Original Post.
