Codemasters announces that it has signed a new deal with Ricky Ponting, the Australian test and one-day cricket captain, to headline a return for the renowned cricket video game series. As one of Australian cricket's most talented players, the license will see Codemasters, the creators of Shane Warne Cricket, publish Ricky Ponting International Cricket for PlayStation 2, Xbox and PC. The game will be distributed locally by Atari.
Acclaimed as the definitive cricket game series, the new title comes ten years after Codemasters launched their first cricket game and over five years since the series last appeared on any platform. The series went on to enjoy massive success on PlayStation and PC but the arrival of Ricky Ponting International Cricket in winter will be the first appearance for the series on current formats.
International Cricket includes one-day Internationals, test matches, fast double wicket games, tournaments and historic clashes – including the test of 1882 between Australia and England, which led to the creation of the Ashes.
In addition to the world's best cricket players and stadia from around the world, Ricky Ponting International Cricket also includes a classic squad featuring some of the greatest names from cricket history.
If you want to get your skills up to international standards, there are practice nets to get in shape, and full team and player editing lets you pick the squad.
Multiplayer modes allow two players per team and four in total. Players can join the team at any time during a match.
Visually reflecting the contemporary style of televised cricket, the game will also offer commentary from some of the biggest and recognisable names in cricket, including Tony Greig, Bill Lawry and more.
Ricky Ponting says, "Codemasters has done a great job in capturing the essence of cricket previously and Ricky Ponting International Cricket will bring the strategy and excitement of cricket to a new audience."
A co-design project between Codemasters and developers Swordfish Studios, the game will launch at a date to be confirmed later in 2005.
- M