Live Cricket 2008-2009

[kurtkz]

Hi all,

this is my first time back in a looong time - I see the thread about my game has been taken down :P Anyway, I've been working on the game in my spare time again and have made quite a few improvements:

* new sprite sets (not finished yet)
* improved AI (batting, bowling, fielding, field settings, etc.)
* better ball physics
* more realistic stroke play
* removed editors & turned them into separate applications
* update player statistics & team sheets from online database
* improved graphics & can switch resolutions
* fixed numerous smaller bugs

I'll be updating this thread semi-frequently from now on (once/week). In the meantime, I'd like to get some feedback regarding the following things:

* game title - Live Cricket gets lost in search engines so I need a more representative name

* game logo - I'll need a new game logo if the title changes and I'm open to suggestions

* batting control method - the current method uses 4 directional keys and 2 control buttons to move the batsman, play front-foot, back-foot and lofted shots and run between the wickets. Gamepad support will be overhauled to only support dual analogue sticks (one to move, the other to play shots and the shoulder buttons to select front-foot or back-foot). In addition, I was thinking of adding mouse support - the keyboard would be used to move the batsman while a mouse gesture could be used to play strokes (again, the mouse buttons would determine front- or back-foot). Any thoughts?

* bowling control method - the current method uses the classic 4 button-press. 1st - select delivery type, 2nd - select movement/swing/spin, 3rd - select speed, 4th - bowl...I'm not sure that this is the best method and would like some more ideas regarding this...

* career mode - I am planning a comprehensive career mode once the game is more polished and most of the bugs are zapped. If you have any recommendations, please list them in this thread. Once I'm ready to tackle the career mode I'll start polls to see which features should be included.

* live commentary - I'm considering adding text commentary to the game instead of audio commentary - I'm trying to remove all copy-righted material from it. IF I add this, I was considering adding a live commentary section to my website (TBA) where people could log in and track how others are doing

* multiplayer - At the moment, multiplayer will be possible once I include different control schemes. If all goes well, once the game is polished and patched up, I'll start implementing internet multiplayer and an online ranking system

* 2D vs 3D - I've decided to stick to 2D graphics for the game. 3D would be nice, but it's extremely difficult to find 3D modelers and animators. In any event, it's easier to develop a realist game in 2D than it is in 3D as you would require scripted events to model all the nuances of the game. For example, how many 3D cricket games out there can realistically model a batsman lunging forward to a spinner, inside-edging the ball onto his front pad and having it pop up to short-leg without it looking like it was scripted? Or...how many could claim to have a batsman try to hook a short delivery, top-edge it and have it rebound off his body and be caught by the bowler? It's these small touches that I think differentiates my game from the 3D games out there. If you must differ, let me know. I'm willing to listen

If any of your recommendations are included in the final game, you'll receive a mention in the credits screen along with exactly what it is that you contributed (this will be done properly from now on).

What I'm working on currently:

* testing the results from ODI's, T20's and tests to make sure that the AI works correctly

* updating the control schemes

* updating the UI graphics

* updating the sprite sheets (retouching the animations, adding celebration animations, etc.)

Looking forward to hearing back from you

Cheers
Kurt

PS I apologise for the long post :P

kurtkz added 6 Minutes and 26 Seconds later...

Just another quick update:

I'm trying to prep this game to go commercial - essentially, there'll be 3 versions available:

1. PBM (commercial, discounted) - basic GUI, editors & text commentary - I think I could corner a niche market here as my match engine is physically based, instead of just being based on statistics

2. lite (free) - full game without multiplayer capabilities & online statistics update

3. full (commercial) - BigMac with fries

Having said that, it's *very* far from being finished, but I have high hopes that it'll be done come year end...

Cheers
Kurt

[Hitterman]

Good luck to you. If need any help, please PM me .

[dbest]

All d best mate.

Ping me if you need any sorta help with the code.

[kurtkz]

Hey guys, thanks for the offers. Coding wise the game is nearly feature complete, so I'm sorted with that The problems I'd like help with are the design decisions and graphics. I'm starting to learn how to use Inkscape, but it's going to take a while before I start making decent logos/banners. Any help on these 2 fronts will be greatly appreciated.

KK

[ZoraxDoom]

This is fantastic news


The bowling method sound fine. I don't know if batting will work with a mouse, if anything the mouse could be used to control the batsman and then the keyboard to play the shots.

I've already given my thoughts on Career mode (I think)

Commentary sounds cool, but it is uneeded. If you want people to be able to track commentary, allow the people playing the game to provide their own commentary though a mic or something. Otherwise, simple text commentary is fine for now.

2D is good.


I'm not good with graphics, but I'm sure one of many graphic designers here could help. As for design decisions, I could help with those.

[Cricketdude]

If you did a career mode it could become like new star soccer. All the best mate.

PS. I dont live/am not India/indian.

[ZoraxDoom]

Originally Posted by cricketdudemad

If you did a career mode it could become like new star soccer. All the best mate.

PS. I dont live/am not India/indian.

Haha, what happened? Lost a bet?

[Cricketdude]

Originally Posted by ZoraxDoom

Haha, what happened? Lost a bet?

Nah, just got it bit bored being an aussie.

[ZoraxDoom]

Originally Posted by cricketdudemad

Nah, just got it bit bored being an aussie.

It is a very dull lifestyle.

Quite co-incidental you chose Jaipur. Quite a bit of my family currently lives there.

[kurtkz]

@ ZoraxDoom: Yes, thanks, I remember your ideas about the career mode and all of those have been taken onboard Do you know if that thread is floating around somewhere on PC? I'd like to summarise the ideas there and post them here so that people don't double post.

@ cricketdudemad: Yup, that was the idea bandied about last time. It'll definitely be like NSS - with a bit of a twist

KK

[ZoraxDoom]

Here it is:

http://www.planetcricket.net/forums/...-v2-37305.html

[Cricketdude]

Originally Posted by ZoraxDoom

It is a very dull lifestyle.

Quite co-incidental you chose Jaipur. Quite a bit of my family currently lives there.

Yes it is a very dull lifestyle. Tonight I will be eating Curry Chicken with my papadum while watching slumdog millionare.

lol, moving on you could join the NSS team and make and sell you game(after you're completely satisfied and finished). Easy.

[ZoraxDoom]

I was talking about being an Aussie. The Indian lifestyle is da bomb

[kurtkz]

Guys please don't derail the thread. Keep it on topic. Suggestions, criticisms and help only.

kurtkz added 0 Minutes and 55 Seconds later...

@ ZoraxDoom: Thanks for the link. I'll summarise your thoughts and post them here.

[Burnsy1]

a name change suggestion to keep with the Live part:

Live From The Middle Cricket 09 or some kind of variation on that(possibly take out the the word Live or Cricket) I'll try and come up with some more ideas to make it a bit more unique.