IPL 5-themed online games set to sell big

With several online cricket games based on the Indian Premier League being launched, gaming companies are expecting record-breaking downloads in the next two months. Soubhik Mitra reports.

When Chintan Joshi, 19, speaks about bowling techniques, it is difficult to believe that he has never stepped onto a cricket pitch.

With several online cricket games based on the Indian Premier League (IPL) being launched, gaming companies are expecting record-breaking downloads in the next two months.

To make the game more real, around 80% of footage used in the IPL 4 official game is from actual matches. The game has been developed in Canada.

“From stadiums to cheerleaders, an effort has been made to bring the game closer to reality,” said Vishal Gondal, chief executive officer, UTV indiagames, makers of the official IPL game this year. The game will be launched later this week. The past month has seen half a million downloads of last season’s IPL game.

Gamers claim that though interest in the IPL is fading, the games are getting better.

“I am now getting addicted to the games,” said a Kshitij Panchal, a marketing executive.

Criciville, launched by Zapak.com last month, allows participants to act as club owners, buy players and play the game.

“We have 26,000 players without promoting the game,” said Deepak Abbot, product head, Reliance Entertainment – Digital Business. He expects the number to reach a lakh.