As stated previously, the majority of my time playing this game has been in casual and competition mode, in different formats, often customised, so I've picked up on AI tendencies.
My take on things is that the AI batting does demonstrate competency at times when playing DBC14. Namely:
- during powerplay overs in T10's and T20's - a realistic run rate of 7-10 rpo.
- during the initial overs of test matches/long formats when bowling on veteran and legendary.
- when the AI is 7/8 down in long formats often they put up a defensive re-guard action going at 3.00 runs an over, playing smart shots, on all difficulties.
To me this indicates that things are not that far off - there is potential to make the AI the best ever seen in a cricket game.
Unfortunately, the tactics required to bring about a wicket when the AI is batting 'properly' isn't exactly a good representation of real-life cricket. There is little reward element to putting in any slips and attacking fields because of the lack of edges. There is the risk of going for big runs however, in any situation. The "go-to" tactic is to set neutral or defensive fields and be patient to wait for a lobbed catch to mid-on, mid-off or an outfielder. This is the most disheartening thing.
The AI falls down in these situations:
- 3/4/5 wickets down they attempt to hit stupid shots and get caught and take suicidal runs
The height of my enjoyment playing cricket games in all my years has been when bowling to a challenging AI and attempting to implement plans to get them out. This challenge is the most rewarding thing I look for in games. Unfortunately there have been a few golden moments in previous games where I've felt genuine enjoyment in implementing realistic tactics to dismiss the AI. These are:
- Ashes Cricket 2009: bowling to the opening batsman (4/5 wickets down the AI would start going at 10 an over)
- International Cricket 10: Again bowling to the top order (4/5 wickets down the AI would collapse). I actually think the AI pacing of innings in this game is still the best I've seen. One day matches I found challenging until the loopholes became apparent.
These games I could set realistic fielders during these 'moments', and it felt genuine getting a wicket to an edge carrying to slip for example.
A common theme is occurring though - the performance of AI batsman in the middle order. I think this is all related to batsman and bowler 'confidence' meters, and bowler stamina meters. The effect these parameters have on AI performance is something that I haven't really ever seen done well, with one exception -
Ricky Ponting Cricket 2005: I remember this game had this balance thing with a visible batsman and bowler confidence and stamina meters, and when bowling it felt rewarding when trying to execute plans to reduce batsman confidence (eg: bring about a play and miss or hit to the body) and increase bowler confidence to bring about a wicket. Unfortunately after a short amount of time loopholes and bugs became apparent, but I did think they really were onto something there.
Probably will get slayed for mentioning these games in the same breath as DBC14. No doubt DBC14 is superior in most aspects and no doubt previous games have had their horrendous bugs which have rendered them in many ways unplayable (and yes I am aware of the cover drive for six over third man bug in IC10).
All I'm trying to say is that there have been elements of other games come and gone which DBC14 might benefit from looking at in regards to AI performance.
And these are just my own experiences - people probably have had experiences completely different to mine.
