AO International Tennis

AO Tennis is a realistic tennis simulator developed by Big Ant Studios in cooperation with Tennis Australia. Developers working for this studio are seasoned in creating sports games, as they have worked on such titles as Rugby League Live 4 and Ashes Cricket. AO Tennis is the first official game of the Grand Slam Australian Open Tournament.

Mechanics and game modes

AO Tennis for PC, PS4 and XONE puts a strong emphasis on recreating the experience of real tennis experience. According to developers, the game is the most faithful simulation of this sport discipline that has ever been made. This is not limited to the physics of players' movement and ball's behavior on different types of bed (there are three different types of courts available – hard, soft, and grass). Both the creators of the game and the Tennis Australia representatives analyzed hundreds of matches played during Australian Open Tournaments. The data they gathered allowed them to translate the behavior and skills of hundreds of real players who participated in ATP and WTA into the game (the most recognizable being Rafael Nadal and Angelique Kerber). This is why, when playing against their virtual versions, you are bound to feel as if it was the real player standing on the other side of the net.

During the game, you get to choose from several different game modes. The first one is a classic 1v1 match. Then, there is the double match. The third mode features mixed double (mixed pairs). Another mode is the elaborate career, during which players control the character they created themselves. The main protagonist begins his or her road to the top from the 1500th place on the world tennis ranking. The main objective here is to become the best tennis player in the world. In order to do this, one has to participate in different tournaments and improve his or her skills. With time, winning the tournaments will not pose as big of a challenge and Australian Open might have a new champion.

AO Tennis features also a multiplayer mode. Professionals from Big Ant Studios prepared a special ranking presenting which players best handle the virtual tennis racket. Everyone who owns a copy of AO Tennis can thus become the "number one" without leaving his or her house.

Similarly to their previous games, developers from Big Ant Studios prepared for players elaborate customization tools with which players can design their avatar's face as well as select outfits, import real or imagined sponsors' logos, and even create their own courts. This is why everyone can thoroughly recreate all his or her favorite tennis players and all the ATP and WTA tournaments – even those whose license is not available in the game.

Technical aspects

Similarly to the other games developed by Big Ant Studios, AO Tennis features solid audiovisuals. Players are bound to appreciate character models – their apparition has been modeled using a highly advanced photogrammetry technology. Moreover, professional tennis players were hired to participate in motion-capture sessions in order to recreate their moves in the game – this has resulted in smooth and realistic animations. All licensed stadiums are rich with details, the most prominent ones being Rod Laver Arena and Hisense Arena.

Last updated on 12 December 2017