I think the question, "Should there be a radar?" is flawed, and misleading. It presents a radar as the only, or the preferred, solution to an underlying problem statement. Takes the focus away from the issue at heart, of which there are a couple:
- Inability to see players clearly, especially boundary riders
- The inability to see the field setting without having to actively "look around"
- The inability to know which specific players are in which specific positions
- The loss of "vision" for a period of time if the ball isn't played in the "V"
The proposed solution of a "position bubble/marker" in its current avatar solves the first issue, to an extent. Here are a few additional suggestions that, hopefully, while respecting the design philosophy offer meaningful ways to address the core issues.
- Instead of the position names it could be better to have player names as labels. Once I am able to see the fielder (which is what the label helps do), I can see (visually) what position they are in, so the position name doesn't really mean much to me. Would actually reveal more to me to know whether a particular player (say Ponting) is at point or riding the boundary. If we think the position labels actually help, there's a fundamental depth perception issue to think about.
- We already have a solution for a quick view of the field built into the system: The field editor map that is available to the bowler. What if, in addition to or in lieu of having to look around to determine the field, I was able to pull up the field setting screen? Press L3 to view; similar to how you're able to view bowler stats/confidence on R3. Its not a radar, just an existing screen made available at the right context (on field change) to the right person (batsman).
- The 4th issue seems hardest to resolve but is still possible to achieve without a radar. Am sure some of it can be improved with the camera movement but at some point am sure its a balancing act between showing us more vs. moving too quick. There's a half-baked "peripheral vision" coming into effect type idea I have in which shadows/silhouettes of the players closest to where the ball has been hit (or who are responding to the ball in their direction) are activated, but that's what it is at this point - half baked.
Big Ant have done a fantastic job of setting up a base upon which many a great cricket game will be built. There are some clear bugs (run outs, erroneous dismissals etc.) that am sure will be ironed out via a patch or two. The above however are design decisions that impact gameplay. I respect the decision to avoid typical on-screen HUD. Via this post I'd like to be the voice of those that believe the experience can be improved while respecting the design philosophy.
"Give me a radar" does disservice to the real feedback that should be conveyed: you've made some fantastic design choices but there are issues. Here they are, and we trust you to make improvements in this iteration (patch) or the next that address them while staying true to the simulation roots of this franchise.
