Almost a decade ago I was lured into the fascinating world of football by a franchise which was already making inroads into becoming “The colossal gaming franchise” of this planet. For most of the games, EA’s attention to detail, gave the gamers a lot to cheer about. With the new installment of the next-gen FIFA 08 series it has added another feather to its cap. (Bravo EA, bravo!!!) The buzz is that EA has already set out to make the 09 version, “The Best Soccer Sim” available (my friends at KONAMI might beg to differ). As an ardent soccer fanatic I am waiting with bated breath to see what unfolds from this exhilarating saga.
But amidst this hoopla there is still one glaring fact that empowers me with gloom. And that is the step-sisterly treatment towards another equally popular sport which we all know as CRICKET. The efficacy of the aussies, the tenacity of the Indians and the glamour and glory of the T20 have added to the popularity of the sport, leaving a true cricket fan wonder, why EA has not managed to perform admirably with its Cricket module. I have been following the evolution of EA’s cricket games since its glorious Cricket-97 era. From then on, EA has taken baby steps towards making the game a comprehensive and a delightful package for its gamers. There is no outright change in the entire setup starting from the Cricket 02 to the current version, all of which have left a lot to be desired. The upgrades as one might like to project it, have been few and far between.
The fielders running after the ball still resemble the velociraptors from the Jurassic Park movie. The batsmen are awfully rigid and the ambience, repetitive and dull. The game itself suffers from lethargy, slowly dragging itself to oblivion and beyond. Player movements have time and again been emphasized in football and basketball versions. Why not cricket? Euro 08 game has an ambience which makes you feel a part of the team and gives you goose bumps every time the player on screen enters the arena. Then why not cricket? If one has seen the cricket matches live from a stadium in INDIA, one might agree that whenever TENDULKAR has walked out to bat there has been a deafening roar from the buoyant crowd across the stadium. On the other hand, the ambience noticed in Cricket 07 feels as though we are watching two second division clubs playing against each other.
Keeping in mind the giant steps EA has taken with its football and NBA franchise, I only hope we see a dramatic overhaul of its cricketing module. The advancements in gaming have reached unprecedented heights but the ones made towards EA’s cricket games are dilatory and depressing. I dream, not the one that Martin Luther King Jr. had, but the one that a day will arrive when EA wakes up and takes note of the fact that Cricket is a serious game and needs to be dealt with utmost professionalism and sincerity. Till then I guess I need to turn my attention towards Codemasters impish take on the game.
Guest Blogger: Nikhil Naik from Bangalore.
Hi Nikhil,
Though not being a cricket fan, i would still like to remark on behalf of the plethora of EA, which indeed is the Gaming Giant.Ive had a peruse of EA’s latest cricketing games and they are indeed tardy or i would say a remiss compared to its other games. EA should look forward to perk up its deliberation to the cricket diligence
This is absolutely true all other titles from EA are getting better by each version but EA CRICKET still have not been revolved as other sport titles (like NBA, FIFA). IT has huge potential. As far I am concerned i think may be all game developers may not know too much about cricket ,that is why it is still in pathetic stage as it was.
Yeah Nikhil i do agree with your view. EA hasn’t manage to upgrade the details in the newer Cricket versions unlike the case in FIFA or NBA for that matter . And the point I havent seen much gamers complaining about it , may be it is not as popular as FIFA or NBA