Interview on Australian Website.

[Hero]

Here is some more answers provided by Andrew Wilson and asked by communtiy of Eaplay.com.We can get some more details here.


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.

[faraz haider]

wow his answering capablities is very high he uses to talk like a philospher,

[vibs89]

Great Interview.

[sameer0807]

nice interview

[andrew_nixon]

In a previous interview he said that all international teams were in the game.

In this interview he says that there is "over 50" teams.

Over 50 probably means it's no more than 60.

The two interview statements are irreconcilable. (big word for this time of the morning)

[skater]

The interviewers have hardly given him difficult questions to answer. As andrew_nixon has been saying for a while, we need to send him tough questions to make him spill the truth about Cricket 2005 rather than being nice to him.

There were a number of interviews like this for Cricket 2004 and many answers were similar to the ones he gave in this interview. What a disappointment that turned out to be! When we send the next set of questions to Wilson from Planetcricket, make sure we ask him tough questions which will make him tell the truth.

I know when Andrew Wilson's lieing. His lips move. I hope he makes me change that idea!

[barmyarmy]

Not sure why the interviewer described the only disappointment with C2k4 as the graphics. I thought that was the only good thing.

[faraz haider]

well there is no benefit of sending him hard question. andrew wilson is a very cunning man he will answer only easy questions.

[brad352]

Originally Posted by andrew_nixon

In a previous interview he said that all international teams were in the game.

In this interview he says that there is "over 50" teams.

Over 50 probably means it's no more than 60.

The two interview statements are irreconcilable. (big word for this time of the morning)

There were 56 in Cricket 2004, they'll probably use the same ones

[barmyarmy]

They might add in Scotland and USA especially as BLIC will have both,

[gamerkid22]

sounds good

[Shailesh]

EAPlay.com: Will we be able to view or save highlights of the game?

AW: Yes.

interesting I thought earlier he said we will not be able to save replays..then what's the deal with saving highlights

[durrani1]

it means we can see the FOW after the match.or something else

[stevie]

Originally Posted by Hero

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

Does he think we're stupid, we know that man has been working on the Cricket series since the start.

Originally Posted by Hero

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.

Didn't take long to get onto the graphics again did it.

Originally Posted by Hero

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.

Will they stop talking about the Fifa engine, anyone would think Fifa was a top class game...

Originally Posted by Hero

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.

Well, you're going to have to say what differences there are at some stage, afterall, you do want us gamers to buy your product, don't you?

Originally Posted by Hero

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

Andrew! The answer you are looking for is no! No, the stats won't update after each tournament. Why not just say so? We'd 'respect' you so much mor if you actually just told us what's there and what's not.

Originally Posted by Hero

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

Oh, come on, you know very well what the question means. 'Will there be a ranking system of players as well as teams?' How can you not know what that means!

Originally Posted by Hero

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.

If both are more involved, say more and are more interesting then good.

Originally Posted by Hero

EAPlay.com: Are there any new weather options such as rain in EA SPORTS Cricket 2005?

AW: Yes.

What! New options such as rain?! You fool, didn't you know it was in Cricket 2004?

Originally Posted by Hero

EAPlay.com: Will we be able to view or save highlights of the game?

AW: Yes.

The answer you're looking for Andrew is yes and no. Saying just yes means that we can also save replay's, but yet, you've already told us the opposite so....

Originally Posted by Hero

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.

Now, whilst he may not have said a 'career mode' is actually in there, I like the sound of that.

Originally Posted by Hero

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.

Just say there won't be a create a tournamet option instead of avoiding it!

Originally Posted by Hero

EAPlay.com: Have run outs and wicket keeping features been added/changed?

AW: Yes and yes.

So what have you changed about those 'features' then?

Originally Posted by Hero

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.

So in otherwords, you're ignoring the question, right? This is where a simple 'yes or no' answer would actually suffice!

Originally Posted by Hero

EAPlay.com: Will there be a full toss ball in EA SPORTS Cricket 2005?

AW: Sure will.

Good

Originally Posted by Hero

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.

Not particularly bothered about umpires anyway.

Originally Posted by Hero

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.

So that means we get the same crappy crowd that dances around all the time, sorry, but thats hardly fitting in a cricket game.

Originally Posted by Hero

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.

Fair play for actually giving some sort of hint to what the requirements might be.

[Pat]

Originally Posted by Shailesh

interesting I thought earlier he said we will not be able to save replays..then what's the deal with saving highlights

Yes, in an earlier interview,andrew clearly stated that because of the different platforms, (and problems with memory cards or sticks or whatever) the game was being released,it will NOT have the feature allowing saving of replays !!