Cricket Australia and Big Ant Studios have today officially announced a new Ashes Cricket game. The video game will feature both men’s and women’s cricket teams, and extend the traditional rivalry beyond the boundaries and into your lounge room this summer.

The first cricket game to be fully licenced from Big Ant Studios is launching simultaneously on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Windows PC via Steam.

Check out the new Ashes Cricket game announcement trailer below:

The new Ashes Cricket game will utilise photogrammetry technology, which enables photo-real likenesses of the complete men’s and women’s Australian and English cricket teams to be rendered in-game.

“There is no competition in cricket that has the heritage and prestige of the Ashes competition” Big Ant CEO, Ross Symons, said. “We’ve worked hard to build on our existing experience with cricket to deliver a truly realistic game of cricket to our fans.”

Using the state of the art photogrammetry technology, All players have had their likenesses captured using 35 DSLR cameras to create lifelike characters in the new Ashes Cricket game. The SLR’s take 1,000,000 photos, which are then stitched together using a complex algorithm to create a player’s in-game face. There’s then approximately 15 hours more work required on each player before they’re considered ready to play.

Players will be able to create their own players, teams, stadiums and logos. They’ll also be able to create their own competitions and types of matches, from a short, furious five over match, right through to extended, multi-nation Test match tours.  Additionally, players will be able to enjoy a comprehensive career mode that allows them to take their own customised junior cricketer all the way to the ultimate dream; captaining their country to Ashes victory.

“Time and time again players tell us the feature they love most about our cricket games is the deep customisation options” Symons said. “We have produced a true Ashes Cricket game, through and through, but we’ve also made sure that our heritage in sports games remains true”.

“Cricket Australia’s new strategy recognises the growing role that gaming can play in reaching younger fans, and by working with the likes of Big Ant to develop products that meet this need we are positioning ourselves as leaders in the cricket gaming space globally,” said Cricket Australia CEO, James Sutherland. “The anticipation for the summer of cricket is building and this game will give our fans another way to be a part of the cricket excitement.”

Rocket Chainsaw discussed Big Ant Studios in an article earlier this year, noting that they are well known for collaborating and working well with other studios and companies when making video games, notably Krome Studios and Halfbrick Studios.

Ashes Cricket is expected to launch in November 2017 on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Windows PC. Make sure to check back to Rocket Chainsaw for all the latest on this exciting new cricket game.