Multiplat AFL 23: Launch Thread (Xbox release date TBC)

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

STATE OF PLAY:

• The game is out for Steam and PlayStation. There have been issues with Xbox release and it is unclear when the game will be available.
• Big Ant are aware that there are playability issues & bugs at present.
• Content has been temporarily removed from the game to identify where the issues lie.
• This content will be re-introduced via patches in the coming days.
• Big Ant have released a summary of what is to be reintroduced, which can be seen below.

Spoiler: Features to be added

Spoiler: MOST RECENT PATCH NOTES

Issues & constructive criticism are best communicated to: support.bigant.com

Michaels Twitch video with QA from Ross(BigAntStudios) from 31:40

 

[BRAB]

The patch definitely makes the game playable now. Handballing is vastly improved.

 

[Cheifkeith95]

At least the AI actually tackle you now, that’s really all I wanted from yesterday

 

[Chark96]

We just got the PS4/5 patches through just now.

Patch feels so much better!!

Only real issues remaining in core gameplay is user tackling still feels very unresponsive.. ai catches you while kicking 9/10 times but it is better no doubt. Players still getting stuck in the mud while trying to run when receiving a handball! Other than that it feels very very good


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[RayceHawk53]

Hopefully going to have a chance to try the patch this afternoon, for now we look forward to a roadmap and more information on what the situation is. Onward and upwards from here.

 

[lmaohelp]

Have we heard from Ross?

They said in order to continue making AFL games they need to break even. After this mess this will be the last game.

What an embarrassment. I had such high hopes for Big Ant and the afl game landscape.

Silly me i actually thought we might in a few years time have a real high quality afl game. That’s now dead.

 

[UAWM]

Can we expect another patch today?

 

[Scallop Industry Thug]

Do kicks ever miss a target?


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

 

[stkilda7894]

We will come up with a roadmap and share it tomorrow, we need to find out what has caused the issues with the patch, the fastest way to do this strip the patch back to gameplay and stability elements and then build back over the next week.

Looking forward to seeing your roadmap today. Will be great to finally know some details about when features will be added to the game. Shouldn't need to take until day 2 after release but better late than never I guess.

Don't forget to actually inform us about pro-team, your only marketed feature. Also inform us about when state leagues can be added. If we can't play the game properly, may aswell give us the opportunity to fix up unlicensed players in the academy.

 

[illnino]

Only real issues remaining in core gameplay is user tackling still feels very unresponsive.. ai catches you while kicking 9/10 times but it is better no doubt. Players still getting stuck in the mud while trying to run when receiving a handball!

Players marking everything unless you spoil is a pretty big gameplay issue. Or has that been fixed?

Still hearing you're able to run without being tackled too much. Anyone confirm this too?

 

[Chark96]

We will come up with a roadmap and share it tomorrow, we need to find out what has caused the issues with the patch, the fastest way to do this strip the patch back to gameplay and stability elements and then build back over the next week.

ETA on the crashing in Manager career being fixed? One of the only modes besides quick play on offer and it’s unplayable…


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[MarcLocksCrustySock]

Have we heard from Ross?

They said in order to continue making AFL games they need to break even. After this mess this will be the last game.

What an embarrassment. I had such high hopes for Big Ant and the afl game landscape.

Silly me i actually thought we might in a few years time have a real high quality afl game. That’s now dead.

Put your tissues down mate. You don't have the financials so why cry about a result you don't know yet?

 

[Chark96]

Players marking everything unless you spoil is a pretty big gameplay issue. Or has that been fixed?

Still hearing you're able to run without being tackled too much. Anyone confirm this too?

Marking is probably still too easy and ai doesn’t spoil. but the Handballing and ai tackling is much better, the ai tackle you a lot when disposing of the ball, user tackling is still very unresponsive. But other than that it’s just the crashing sort of issues. I’m very confident gameplay is not far from being very very solid.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Demonic Ascent]

You don't know people's situations. Maybe he's commuting to work and found time to get on here.

The fact people so readily jump to be negative or accusatory is such a strange mindset to me.

I'm 100% behind constructive criticism and it looks very much like this game is going to need a fair bit of that to be fixed up, but I detest the tone of a lot of commenters on here and the joy they seem to take at something's shortcomings.

I also think Big Ant will have some learnings moving forward when it comes to interaction with their community. The fact they've stooped to the level of some of the people on this thread on occasion is a poor look and has welcomed some of what we see this morning. Might be better off drastically reducing their interaction moving forward, while improving communication via formal announcements on what is and isn't included in their games.

Lol this isn't some high school project. People are paying good money for a product that is garbage, they have every right to be critical. The developer is happy to take the cash for an inferior product then wants to sook when people are rightly angry.

 

[bdawwg1021]

So, is it worth grabbing this on PS5 after work? Or still best to hold off until further patches are implemented?

 

[jdoggdrool]

Lol this isn't some high school project. People are paying good money for a product that is garbage, they have every right to be critical. The developer is happy to take the cash for an inferior product then wants to sook when people are rightly angry.

Read the bloody comment, mate. I said I am supportive of the criticism. I am critical of its current state myself.

Just don't act like a petulant child and frame your criticisms in a rude, abrasive way.

 

[FearTheBeard13]

So, is it worth grabbing this on PS5 after work? Or still best to hold off until further patches are implemented?

I’d say unless you’re concerned with saving money on the game, just get it and as the patches come through, the game will improve.

 

[boncer34]

Read the bloody comment, mate. I said I am supportive of the criticism. I am critical of its current state myself.

Just don't act like a petulant child and frame your criticisms in a rude, abrasive way.

Which in my post you quoted I didn't.

 

[Lmaps]

How do I bounce the ball? Dumb question I know but I’ve never played an afl game before and can’t find it in controls.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Chark96]

How do I bounce the ball? Dumb question I know but I’ve never played an afl game before and can’t find it in controls.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

Just release the print button.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Smoooothy]

The reputational damage this has done to BA would be incredibly worrying for them. Heard it talked about on 3 radio stations now, and the articles in the press have been less than complimentary

 

[FearTheBeard13]

I think if they can, Big Ant should definitely try patch in a training mode or even just an open oval with a player to practice the controls. It’s cool how in depth they are but in a game, the timing window is so small to execute some of the advanced controls without being tackled.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

First game post PS4 patch.
While there’s still obviously plenty to be worked on and fixed, the gameplay was improved. I hear Gold Coast 37-25 in my career mode pre season game which would’ve been 80-0 yesterday. Got pinged for holding the ball plenty of times trying to play like it was yesterday.

Tackling for us still seems almost impossible.
Handballing better.
Still work to be done on marking.

It’s a promising start to a long recovery but it feels like there’s a lot of potential when they get it right.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

First game post PS4 patch.
While there’s still obviously plenty to be worked on and fixed, the gameplay was improved. I hear Gold Coast 37-25 in my career mode pre season game which would’ve been 80-0 yesterday. Got pinged for holding the ball plenty of times trying to play like it was yesterday.

Tackling for us still seems almost impossible.
Handballing better.
Still work to be done on marking.

It’s a promising start to a long recovery but it feels like there’s a lot of potential when they get it right.

Some stats from the above game:
Clearances: Me: 3 - AI: 16
Tackles: Me: 4 - AI: 15
Contested marks: Me: 30 - AI: 7
Hit outs: Me: 12 (4 to adv) - AI: 10 (9 to adv)
Intercept marks: Me: 18 - AI: 2
Clanger disposals: Me: 2 - AI: 26

So plenty to work on still but moving in a better direction from yesterday.

I enjoyed it.

 

[boncer34]

The reputational damage this has done to BA would be incredibly worrying for them. Heard it talked about on 3 radio stations now, and the articles in the press have been less than complimentary

It will be interesting to see how they handle this. Ross's vague snarky posts and posters demanding we "wait for the game patch" might appease most in the Bigfooty bubble.

But it won't fly in the real world. My guess is they just bury their heads in the sand and hope the noise goes away. What else do they do? Only other option is to admit to messing up.

 

[DasItMayne]

Just had a game with the patch installed.

Game is playable and now feels like an unpolished janky WW game.

While players now actually chase, they also seem to momentarily gain superhero speed.

Handball receives and tackling are still cooked, while the CPU still loses 99% of marking contests on the “hardest” difficulty.

Hopefully there are more gameplay related fixes this weekend.