Why Is The ICC Going To Develop Its Own Game?

It is believed that the ICC’s idea of developing its own game is due to the potential slowdown in broadcasting rights. So, the ICC plans to launch the first mobile cricket game to diversify its revenue sources. This is the first time the game’s governing body will develop its own game. This way, it will get a share in the lucrative and fast-growing market.

The digital team will present its plans to the board and hopes to get the green light. If it does, developers will have a tender to create the game. It is now planned as a mobile app, but other ideas exist.

While only a limited number of mobile cricket games have been successful in recent years. According to experts from the IPLBettingApps website, which offers a selection of IPL betting apps 2025, fans who played on gaming consoles remember EA Sports’ Cricket series or Brian Lara Cricket. And this is where numerous legal issues, like the player’s name, image, and likeness (NIL), come up. The same EA Sports, influenced by the logistical nightmare that obtaining the rights to player names has become, has decided to abandon its cricket series. 

The ICC signs NIL rights for all teams participating in their tournaments, but only for these events. Anything outside of them will also be outside of its purview. And since the game is geared towards national teams playing each other, an agreement will have to be made not only with the World Cricket Players Association, but also with individual boards in countries that are not part of that association. It is expected to be complicated – that much is evident to all. 

At the same time, the ICC is keen to enter India’s mobile gaming market. Firstly, cricket is growing rapidly; secondly, cricket is traditionally popular in this country. That is why acquiring the rights to Indian players is key to the game’s success, without association with the players and, therefore, without affiliation with the WCA. At the same time, there is a risk that IPL franchises do not want to license their names for ICC play. The resolution of the issue in this case is unknown. In the meantime, the ICC will not give up on its idea of additional revenue. It is mainly about the fact that it may not be able to get the same record-breaking broadcast deal again as it did in this cycle of rights. And that’s why the issue of developing a mobile game is highly relevant.