There is no doubt that, in video gaming terms, football is the biggest sport in the world. The art of cricket meanwhile rolls up onto the scene with previous games that have struggled to really capture the enjoyment of the game. Can Ashes Cricket change all that?
Ashes Cricket will be arriving on Xbox One, PS4 and PC come November 2017. Developed by Big Ant Studios and created in close collaboration with Cricket Australia, it promises to be the most realistic and authentic recreation of the sport ever made. Featuring real cricket stars, real grounds and photogrammetry technology to bring photo-realistic likenesses to both the men’s and women’s English and Australian teams, Ashes Cricket is being billed as letting ‘players feel like they’re right there on the field as they play’.
“There is no competition in cricket that has the heritage and prestige of the Ashes competition” Big Ant CEO, Ross Symons, said. “We’ve worked hard to build on our existing experience with cricket to deliver a truly realistic game of cricket to our fans.”
For those who are left looking for a break from the heat of the Commonwealth Bank Women’s Ashes and Magellan Men’s Ashes competitions, all the much-loved features from Big Ant’s sports games will also make a return to Ashes Cricket. You’ll be able to create your own players, teams, stadiums and logos, whilst you’ll be able to define your own competitions and types of matches, from a short, furious five over match, right through to extended, multi-nation Test match tours.
Additionally, players will be able to enjoy a comprehensive career mode that allows them to take their own customised junior cricketer all the way to the ultimate dream; captaining their country to Ashes victory.
“Time and time again players tell us the feature they love most about our cricket games is the deep customisation options” Symons said. “We have produced a true Ashes Cricket game, through and through, but we’ve also made sure that our heritage in sports games remains true”.
“Cricket Australia’s new strategy recognises the growing role that gaming can play in reaching younger fans, and by working with the likes of Big Ant to develop products that meet this need we are positioning ourselves as leaders in the cricket gaming space globally,” said Cricket Australia CEO, James Sutherland. “The anticipation for the summer of cricket is building and this game will give our fans another way to be a part of the cricket excitement.”
ECB Commercial Director Sanjay Patel said: “We want cricket to be relevant and accessible to the e-sports generation, helping us develop an even bigger nationwide following for the game at every level.
“Ashes Cricket has been designed to be as life-like and authentic as possible. It’s the ideal way for fans to recreate all the excitement and tension of a real-life Ashes contest in their own living rooms.”
Ashes Cricket will be coming to Xbox One, PS4 and PC this November. We’ll be sure to let you know once a fully confirmed date is set.