Cricket is arguably one of the most underrepresented sports when it comes to video games. In essence, there is one developer – Big Ant Studios, owned by Nacon – that is responsible for the vast majority of cricket gaming experiences today, with no contenders challenging for the throne. This means that although modern cricket games are solid in terms of quality, they’re also all of a piece with one another, and improvements that fans clamour for can sometimes go unacknowledged because of this monopoly. If you’re a developer reading this – or just a fan looking for a great cricket experience – here’s how to make a great cricket video game.
Understand the sport fully
Naturally, the developer making the cricket game should completely and utterly understand cricket at a fundamental level. We’re not just talking about the basics; a good cricket game developer should live and breathe cricket, talk about it in their spare time, and think about it even when they’re not working. This will ensure that they infuse their work with enough passion and drive to make it feel like a true product for the fans and not just a soulless cash-in designed to exploit cricket lovers.
License the right leagues
Speaking to Betway, the cricket commentator Kevin Pietersen shared his views about what would happen at this year’s IPL 2022 playoffs and which teams deserved to make it. Conversations like that, held by true analysts with a passion for their sport, should inform your licensing decisions. It’s clear, for example, that the IPL is an important league, so licensing it is essential. Test match cricket and major worldwide tournaments should also be on the list, as these will be the tournaments in which fans are looking to immerse themselves.
Implement a custom career
Players want to see themselves in the sporting world they love to watch, so one way you can make a great cricket video game is to allow players to create their own in-universe player. Let them specialise in whatever they want – batting, bowling, or all-round skills – and then let them join one of their favourite teams by working their way up the ranks of a career ladder. Make sure to implement varied events and modes as part of the career, or things will quickly start to feel stale.
Balance realism and fun
While realism should, of course, be high on your priority list when it comes to making a great cricket video game, it’s not the be-all and end-all that you might think it is. It’s a known fact among developers that games are rarely realistic; if they were, you wouldn’t have much fun, because it takes more than just a controller to play cricket, after all. Still, balancing the impression of realism and the ability to have fun with the game is one of the most important aspects of a great cricket video game.
Get the visuals right
When Konami released its ill-fated football game eFootball 2022, fans were harshly negative about the game for a number of reasons. One of them was the game’s facial scanning, which was deemed almost comedic in its ineptitude. Don’t be like Konami. If you’re making a cricket video game, make sure you get player facial scanning right if you’re going to use this tech. The last thing you want is for iconic cricketers to look ridiculous in a game that’s supposed to be an accurate simulation.
Consider whether it needs to be a sim
Can you think of a way to make cricket fun for a general audience? That’s a challenge that many developers have faced, so if you can get it right, there’s a huge potential market waiting for you. Consider making a more arcade-style cricket sim for those who aren’t as interested in absolute realism. It’s a strategy that has worked for games like WWE All-Stars and F1 Race Stars, so you might be able to strike the same gold for the cricket world.
Include management elements
Many players who want to get into cricket video games don’t just want to experience the player side of the game; they also want to think about managing a team. If you can, try to include management elements to your game as well. You might even consider making a full-blown cricket management sim, as this is a niche that still feels underserved. Be sure to include as many in-depth stats, decisions, and stories as you can, as these are the details that make or break management sims.
Talk to the fans
Talking to players is incredibly important no matter what type of game you’re trying to develop. That goes double for a cricket sim, though; players are going to be hypercritical of your efforts because they’re looking for a game that’s as realistic as it can possibly be, which is why it’s important to get it right. Send out surveys and ask players what they want to see from the game. You could also think about releasing your game in Early Access and letting community feedback shape the direction it takes.
We hope that these tips on how to make a great cricket video game have been helpful for you. Whether you’re a seasoned developer looking to craft your first foray into the sports genre or an indie hopeful wanting to break the market, the cricket world isn’t well-served by varied and diverse offerings right now, so it’s crying out for the one definitive cricketing experience that can bring fans from all over the world together. Who knows? Your game could be that experience!
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