 | Digital Release | Steam November 22, 2013 |
| Delisting | November 26, 2013 | |
| Developer | Trickstar Games | |
| Publisher | 505 Games | |
| Available On | None | |
| Links | SteamDB page |
Delisting
Ashes Cricket 2013 was removed from sale on November 26th, 2013, due to overwhelmingly negative reception. The game evidently suffered critical development issues, having been delayed twice from June to July and later November of 2013. Two days after removing the game from sale, 505 Games provided the following statement to Eurogamer:
“As most people who have followed the project closely can affirm, the development of Ashes Cricket 2013 has been fraught with challenges almost from the outset. The chosen developer, even with their many years of cricket game development experience, was unable to overcome the unexpected challenges that the chosen game engine threw up, even with multiple extensions to the development schedule.
“At the start of the project, 505 Games received all assurances from the developer that the engine was up to the task of creating a dynamic, cutting-edge cricket game for the modern age across multiple platforms, and unfortunately those assurances were found to be misplaced.
“The net result of the challenges we have faced was a game which, despite our best efforts over the course of a two-year development, couldn’t meet the quality benchmarks of either us, our licensors or our customers. 505 Games’ main priority right now is to protect the Ashes name and that of the ECB and Cricket Australia, and do what we can to recompense the cricket community.”
“As the licensee and publisher of name for Ashes Cricket 2013, 505 Games would like to apologise publicly and sincerely to our licensors, the ECB and Cricket Australia, and their respective partners/sponsors, who have been nothing but patient and supportive of us throughout the challenges this project has presented, and who, ultimately, we have let down.
“Our deepest apologies, however, are reserved for the fans of cricket and cricket games worldwide. 505 Games prides itself on being a safe pair of hands on which gamers of all tastes and denominations can rely to put their best foot forward to create compelling gaming experiences. It is clear that, in this instance, we have fallen way short of our stated aims and failed to deliver. We know that the mitigating factors, as highlighted above, hold little solace to the hordes of excited cricket fans worldwide who had hoped this year to be able to play out their fantasy of playing in the Ashes series.
“The people who purchased the game will be contacted very shortly with details of a full refund.”
505 Games
With the release of 505’s statement, all further development of Ashes Cricket 2013 was cancelled (including planned console ports) and its Steam store page was promptly deleted.
About the Game
THE RIVALRY RETURNS!
Ashes Cricket 2013 brings a brand new authentic gaming experience to Cricket fans. Celebrating the most intense and long standing international Test rivalry.
– Brand new engine
– Totally realistic gameplay
– Changing pitch conditions
– All new batting, bowling and fielding controls
INCLUDES:
The Investec Ashes Series 2013 – Play The Ashes as Australia or England. Play either series, consisting of five Test matches located at real match venues in both Australia and the UK.
Test Match – Play a full Test Match over five days, with two innings per side.
One Day International – Play a ODI in which each side has a maximum number of overs, selectable by the player (5, 10, 25 or 50), in which to score.
Twenty20 – Play a t20 cricket match. Each side has a maximum of twenty overs in which to score.
Tournaments – Play a tournament from the following selection:
Twenty Overs Pro League
Twenty Overs World Championship
World Premier’s Cup
International Trophy
Custom Tournament
A twenty overs tournament consisting of ten teams in a league format.
A twenty overs tournament consisting of sixteen teams in a round robin / knockout format.
An ODI tournament consisting of sixteen teams in a round robin / knockout format.
An ODI tournament consisting of eight teams in a round robin / knockout format.
Configure your own tournament of either twenty overs, ODI or Test matches with various other options.
ALSO:
Commentary from Mark Nicholas, David Lloyd and Michael Slater
Official England Cricket and Cricket Australia Licenses
Licensed kits and match venues
Official Hawk-Eye technology