Melbourne gaming studio keeping the Summer of cricket alive ahead of Ashes

Summer might be over but it’s still cricket season for gamers, with Melbourne-based developer Big Ant Studios announcing a big new game.

Summer might be over but it’s still cricket season for gamers, with Melbourne-based developer Big Ant Studios announcing they are releasing Cricket 19 on PC and consoles in May.

The officially licensed game features men’s and women’s teams, and covers all formats and host locations from the 2019 cricket series (including The Ashes) and will feature the same motion-capturing technology featured in Big Ant’s popular Big Bash Boom, Ashes Cricket and Rugby League Live 4 games.

Big Ant say they have enhanced the cricket game’s AI, which will now target the player and team’s weaknesses with a concentrated bowling strategy, while also having an improved bowling approach.

The game will include a scenario mode, and the career mode will enable players to build a story around their in-game characters, with positive or negative media affecting their career. Ball tampering anyone?

Cricket fans looking for something to do on their daily commute will be pleased to hear the game is coming to Nintendo Switch as well, with both single-player and multiplayer modes.

Australian team Batsman Usman Khawaja is among those taking to the pitch in Cricket 19.

The game features teams and players from the 2019 international cricket series, including top Australian bowler Pat Cummins.

Big Ant CEO Ross Symons said the company had a hugely active and passionate community around its cricket games.

“Many of our players logged thousands of hours with our previous cricket titles, and Cricket 19 is very much built on the experience of those players,” he said.

“Whether you’re looking to enjoy a 20-year cricket career that takes you from the club level to captaining the national team, re-create a One-Day International or IT20 series or take part in The Ashes, or just bash some balls around with friends, Cricket 19 has you covered.”

Cricket Australia fan engagement executive general manager Anthony Everard said the organisation was excited to again be aligned with one of the game market’s leading cricket titles.

“Big Ant Studios did a superb job in creating an authentic and realistic cricket simulation with Ashes Cricket, and we’re thrilled to be working with them again to bring Cricket 19 to Australian fans,” Mr Everard said.

“With a remarkable level of authenticity and all-new features that we know fans will love, we’re sure Cricket 19 will provide the definitive cricket gaming experience as Australia’s elite teams take on the old enemy in the UK.”

Beat it, Joe Root.