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In the fifth blog of the series, we’ll be looking at actually playing a game (finally!). We’ll continue the game from the last screenshot in blog four.


General Comments
Just to reiterate, we have tried throughout the design to replicate the tabletop experience on the PC. One comment from our play-testing team sums up our intent:

“If there is one PC game which would take me away from rolling dice, this is the one.”

Rolling the Dice
You roll the dice by either clicking on the dice holder, or pressing enter . You can also manually enter the dice by simply keying in the numbers (and optionally confirming with enter).
If additional rolls are required, separate dice holders will appear.

As the Play Unfolds
You have a significant amount of control over how you want the play to unfold. You can get an instant result if you wish, or you can watch the dice roll, see the results highlighted on the batter and pitcher cards and then leisurely read through the chart book (with optional sound effects)

Information Available During a Play
If you need to make a decision or roll additional dice, then all the necessary information is displayed. A good example is the Third Base Coach chart following a roll on the ballpark card.


The program firstly shows the ballpark card and the roll used to generate the result (highlighting this on the card itself).

Then the TBC chart itself is shown, with the ratings displayed which determine the column used to resolve the play. Where possible we also show information on how the play would have resolved itself if a different decision was made. I.e. what would have happened if I was in safe mode instead?

The Fielding Display
Apart from displaying the obvious information, the fielding display is also used for:

· Infield positioning – either by using the default setting buttons, or simply left-clicking on a fielder to fine tune the positioning. You also have the option to have the program initially default to the chart book recommendations.

· Quick-substitutions. Right-clicking a fielder, pitcher, batter or runner will allow you to select a substitute from a list of available players.


Substitutions
If you need to make a substitution which is not possible using the quick-substitution option (e.g. a double-switch), then you can access the screen below, which gives you full control over your lineup.


Animations
In line with our design brief, we have included basic animations in the game which are intended to mimic the tabletop experience:

Card Animation
· After each at bat you see the batter’s card being moved to the bottom of the pack

· At the start of a new inning, both the batter and pitcher cards are replaced

· After a substitution, either the card will be replaced or the old player will move off the fielding display and the new player will move on.

· On each column 4 play, the relevant fielder will move across to the pitcher’s card, reinforcing the use of his fielding grade in the play determination.

Dice Animation
The dice will ‘roll’ with the numbers changing until they stop. There is a pause between each die, so you will see the red die stop first, then the white and finally the blue. There is an option to increase the suspense with an additional delay before the final blue die.

Base-runner Animation
At the conclusion of the play, you will see the runners advance on the fielding display (as you would do on the tabletop with the base runner pawns). Occasionally they will also move during a play when a decision or roll needs to be made following advancement (third base coach following a hit comes to mind).

All animations are optional and can be individually disabled.

Sound Effects
What we wanted from the sound options was to enhance the playability of the game, and not attempt to recreate the complete ballpark experience. In other words, sound which attempt to keep you immersed in the game.

Tabletop sounds
We provide dice roll sounds both on wood and felt. We also provide sounds when the player cards are moved.

Ballpark sounds
There is an option to have a looped crowd background playing. During an at-bat, the sounds work like this:

· When the dice have been rolled, an initial sound is played representing the start of the play.

· Subsequent sounds highlight the result of the play

· Certain play results then produce a crowd reaction

For example:
On a Column 1, 4 result the initial sound would be the ball hitting the catcher’s glove. When the actual result is displayed, the call would be made by the umpire as “strike 3”.

On a Column 1, 32 result, the same initial sound would be played, but the umpire would instead call a base on balls.

If a ball is put into play, the crack of the bat is heard, and when either a sound of the fielder fielding the ball or a reaction from the crowd for the hit. Reactions will be significantly different depending on whether the home team is batting or fielding.

There are also additional sounds including other umpire calls, and base runners sliding into a base.

Replay Radio
This is a slight misnomer but seemed the best description of the feature. It grew out of trying to keep the gamer involved in the game, rather than rolling dice and somewhat losing track of where they were, and has developed further than I imagined.

So we can now officially reveal that the Replay announcer is …. AL WILSON!

Al has very kindly recorded many sounds which will hopefully enhance the immersion factor. He is not a play-by-play announcer, but will keep you up to date with where you are in the game and what is happening around you.

Radio calls include:

· Introduction to the game
“Replay radio is live from…”

· Announcing the start of the inning
“Top of the 4th”

· Announcing the situation for each at bat
“One out, bases loaded”

· Summarizing the inning
“2 runs, 4 hits and 2 left on”

· Announcing substitutions
“They’re bringing in a pinch-hitter

· Game highlights
“That’s his 8th strikeout of the game
· Game Events
“He’s just hit for the cycle”
“We have a no-hitter going into the 8th”

Again, you have control over which (if any) calls you want to hear.

Other in-game options


The in-game option screen should now make some sense as we have gone though many of the features. It shows what control you have over the various features.

And finally….


The next blog will look at the various manual input options available, so I leave you with a screenshot of one of the integrated play-by-play input screens – more details next time.

Richard.