At the moment, I'm doing the Cert 4 Game Art course, which is based entirely for learning about games and 3d modelling and all that. I've learnt so much about the games industry, but I don't see why they can't make a decent bowling game. I've designed my own bowling lanes and a centre all in 3d, and the results were awesome. It actually looks like a proper bowling centre, not like the graphics that are current on these new bowling games.
It's easy to create the animation and the 3d models for a bowling game. You create 1 bowling lane, and keep duplicating it to get 12 or 24 lanes, depending on how many you want. Same with 3d models. You build 1 3d model and then clone it, just modifying the face and body to get a body like a real life pro. So modelling is no problem. The coding is always the more difficult, and a bowling game shouldn't be hard at all.
With the xbox 360, they can handle alot of characters and models doing things at one time. You can have a full on tournament, with you being surrounded by other bowlers, not just 3 or 4 at a time. Check out the game dead rising for xbox 360. They've got over 100 full 3d models coming after one dude at the same time and still runs smooth.
If your going to make a bowling game, it does need to be realistic. Here is a few additions to what you suggested I think should be made in there.
1. The top bowlers from around the world. Like Leanderson, Walter Ray Williams, even Australians should be there.
2. Career Mode - What you suggested doesn't have lastability. Mini games and qualifying gets tiring very quickly. Career Mode should be the point of focus, the main thing in the game. Needs definately to have a development stage, where you start off bowling, you have bowling styles to chose from, feet sliding, how you hold the ball, etc. So you really get into the game.
3. Also Career Mode should have you practicing on a Sunday or whatever day, to improve your skill. Certain skills can be obtained in practice, but more skills should be upgraded in a proper game. Like pressure to make the big shots or something. Everytime you stay in the game with a spare or strike, or hold your nerve to win, your emotion skill should increase. Just got to add something like that to be exciting.
4. I totally agree with you with licensing players, but if it's for xbox 360, 16 needs to change to 32 players at least. It's next gen, and I think pro players they want to use for the game, shouldn't be that hard to license for the game. PBA Bowlers need to be there.
5. Game Modes - No mini games. In bowling in general, if you want to make this authentic, nobody plays mini games in real bowling. Adding this would make the game not as realistic. Game Modes needed - Practice, League, World Tournament, League Tournament, Local Tournament, PBA Tournament, Custom Tournament. Also to have rolloffs to get into a team, to support your Country, because including states will become tricky and hard, so stick to Countries instead.
I know it's alot but I have loads more ideas. If your designing it for an xbox 360, all ideas listed from me and everyone else is very reasonable.
To make this work, steer clear from a small company and go for a medium - big company who has a love for the game. EA Sports I like them, but not so sure they can deliver a decent game. Being that the last realistic bowling game was Brunswick Pro Circuit Bowling in 1998, chances are whoever builds it, should be fitted a decent size budget. Best way to get your voice heard isn't a petition in this case. Email directly to the game companies and you will have better success. If Rockstar can make Table Tennis work and be awesome, maybe Companies will see the chance in bowling.
