Cricket games cash in on World Cup fever

With the Cricket World Cup on, why not create your own team, or better still, buy or sell any player? Aiming to cash in on the World Cup fever, various online gaming sites have launched cricket games to woo netizens and gamers can play it on their mobile phones too.

"We have launched a new game 'CricEx' in anticipation of the World Cup. It empowers players to virtually trade their favourite cricketers with virtual currency. We will soon enable our users to play the game on their mobile phones too," Rahul Razdan, president of products and operations, Ibibo Web (P) Ltd, said.

A player's virtual price will depend on his performance. For example, if a batsman hits a bowler for a six, his price would rise while that of the bowler would decrease. Besides recognition, participants will also get a chance to win cash prizes, added Razdan.

'Super Fielder' by games2win.com is another effort at catching the fancy of cricket enthusiasts. The company will also launch another game called 'Ultimate Cricket' next month which will allow its players to both bat and bowl, as against the common practice of games offering just one of the two aspects.

"It's all about the experience of playing a complete game of cricket online and reliving the same energy and competition as on the real field, which we hope the audience will enjoy. Right from the toss to the final over, the games will keep cricket lovers engaged," said Farah Sayyed, creative director, games2win.com.

The online cricket games are a big hit with netizens and easily outnumber a majority of other games available online.

"I love to play cricket, but it is not possible for me to play whenever I like, for example, at night or when all my friends are studying. So, I log on to these sites and play my favourite cricketing games for hours," said 18-year-old Vinay Verma, a huge fan of the 'Denominator Cup' on games2win.com.


Another popular gaming portal, Zapak, has gone a step forward and introduced a game that is available not only online but also on a CD.

'Cricket Power' can either be downloaded from the company's website Zapak.com or be bought from any gaming retail outlet.

"Cricket Power aims to immerse the cricket frenzy gamers with all the on-pitch drama, intensity and excitement of a fiercely competitive international cricket match. Gamers can indulge in taking wickets and making the last winning run together. The game lets its users experience the same adrenaline rush as their favourite players on field," Zapak Games' business head Vaibhav Odhekar said.

"A sporting event like the cricket World Cup obviously diverts your attention from other things in life and it will be like a festival in the weeks ahead. Playing online is my way of celebrating," said Anas Saifullah, a businessman in the old quarters of Delhi.

"Moreover, when India loses to some team, I will make sure that I defeat that team in an online game to pacify myself," quipped the 24-year-old.