The world of tennis gaming has rallied with excitement as TopSpin, after a 13-year hiatus, reintroduces itself with the much anticipated TopSpin 2K25.
Remi Ercolani, game director of TopSpin 2K25, shared insights with 9news.com.au on the development journey and what players can expect from this fresh instalment.
"We're super excited," Ercolani said.
"It has been over a decade since the release of Top Spin 4, so the return of the franchise is hugely exciting for me and our team."
One of the standout features of the new game is its inclusion of the Australian Open as a licensed tournament. Ercolani detailed the process behind ensuring the authenticity of this iconic event, particularly the revered Rod Laver Arena.
"The Australian Open is affectionately known as the Happy Slam, and we wanted to capture its essence faithfully in the game," Ercolani said.
"We worked closely with tournament representatives, gathering detailed references of the venue, including its famous tunnel and the Walk of Champions. Players will experience different lighting conditions – afternoon, sunset, and night – each offering a unique atmosphere on Rod Laver Arena."
Developing an authentic experience wasn't without its challenges, but Ercolani highlighted the team's dedication and joy in seeing the project evolve week by week.
"Tennis is a global game, so we aimed for a well rounded experience by including diverse pros and customisation options," he said.
"Players can create their own MyPLAYER with unique attributes and styles, reflecting different cultures and tennis techniques."
Ercolani says securing time with tennis legends like Serena Williams and Roger Federer for motion capture was a development highlight, despite the scheduling complexities.
"Working around their schedules was challenging, but they were enthusiastic about the project... They did provide feedback every step of the way to make sure the way they were represented in the game was as close as possible to reality," Ercolani said.
While some notable tennis stars are absent from the initial lineup, Ercolani says more players are to be added – hopefully some Aussies too.
"We're proud of our roster and plan to expand it with more pros, which will be available free to all players," he said.
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TopSpin 2K25 is available now on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC and retails for $99.95.