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

 

[stkilda7894]

EB Games is a 7 day return policy. Not sure about JBs policy.

The game may not be in the best state right now, but it's not going to be a full blown Cyberpunk situation.

You're thinking way too outside the box

I don't think it's unreasonable to ask the question? More than fair to find out about refunds if we're not getting our money's worth. Like I said, happy to wait a week or so to see if the "roadmap" is fulfilled.

 

[Nicho50]

We will get there, the game will compare favourably.

Both EA and 2K have had recent launches that are not dissimilar to ours, while never ideal, mistakes happen. At least, as we are small, we can be nimble and can release patches in short timeframes.

I understand that and as a user of your cricket games I know in a couple of months it will be a lot better but it doesn’t change that people had extremely high and probably unrealistic expectations on release.

 

[Nicho50]

I don't think it's unreasonable to ask the question? More than fair to find out about refunds if we're not getting our money's worth. Like I said, happy to wait a week or so to see if the "roadmap" is fulfilled.

WWE 2K20 was refunded even after those dates due to how bad it was.

From what I’ve seen with AFL it’s in worse shape but the quick turnout of patches or patches at all means at some stage this game will be half good WWE2K20 was never going to be good after that release.

 

[BigAntStudios]

Thanks for this Ross. Are you able to clarify the Xbox situation as it stands now?

Whenever there are split releases like this one, there are issues that need to be dealt with that cannot be discussed publicly. As soon as I have news that I can make public, I'll share it.

 

[ItsJonesy777]

How long do people reckon JB and EB will give a full refund for?

EB give you 7 days and as far as I’m aware, JB do not allow returns on opened software unless it’s a major fault, like they offered with CP2077.

On unopened games it’s 30 days at JB.

 

[silverscope]

So my son is playing this game and I'm wondering, I can't seem to find it.

Is there not a single player career mode where you only control one player?

 

[Etto]

I can't give an exact ETA, it is likely early evening.

What will be in this Steam patch?

 

[BlazeOfGlory]

So my son is playing this game and I'm wondering, I can't seem to find it.

Is there not a single player career mode where you only control one player?

Not at the moment.

 

[BigAntStudios]

BigAntStudios Question for ya mate. Will more face scans be added into the game?

Todd Marshall
Aliir Aliir
Tippa, etc.

Definitely. Where players are incorrect or missing, we will get access to them for scanning at some point during the year.

Coaches and umpires, that's not as easy, that's up to them.

 

[ItsJonesy777]

Is there not a single player career mode where you only control one player?

That mode was removed last minute to make way for the micro-transaction mode which is now also, not in the game….until a date TBC.

 

[Lesnish]

Whenever there are split releases like this one, there are issues that need to be dealt with that cannot be discussed publicly. As soon as I have news that I can make public, I'll share it.

Hey Ross,
I made a similar post earlier.

I can really see the potential in the game and for the first time I can actually see potential to have an AFL game similar to other AAA sport games.
I am genuinely excited to see the state of the game post patches.
I can only imagine the disappointment in the BA office at the moment.


On SM-S901E using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[BigAntStudios]

What will be in this Steam patch?

Gameplay improvements, I'll put a list together after it's released.

 

[Etto]

Gameplay improvements, I'll put a list together after it's released.

Sounds good, can we expect movement to be fixed in this update?

 

[BigAntStudios]

Sounds good, can we expect movement to be fixed in this update?

There will be improvement today, with more to come tomorrow. As it's tightly controlled to marking/tackling we're treading carefully with it.

The Console builds will get the three updates rolled up into one and released Monday night. (Sat/Sun/Mon)

 

[SugarShane]

Hopefully AFL 23 has these kinds of crazy wind at some stadiums

I've never watched VFL, but that ground is picturesque as hell. Bit of greenery behind, the ocean in the background. Apart from the Melbourne weather it looks like a ripping spot to watch a game.

 

[BlackMamba]

BigAntStudios if the game crashes on PS5, and we choose to ‘Report’… do you get those bug reports/stack traces? Or does it just go to Sony?

Also, what’s the best way to send our feedback? Bugs/issues to Support, suggestions/improvements here? Or does it not really matter?

 

[SugarShane]

I've never understood the "it shouldn't be the same price as a AAA title" argument.

What price should it be?

The production of discs, marketing etc would be the same no matter who the developer is. Are you expecting the Devs to make a smaller profit margin? If so, how do you expect their games to get better?

This release has been crap, no question. The fact that Xbox owners have no idea when it's really coming is super crap, but I fully expect to pay full retail when it does eventually come because how else does big ant survive?

Costs the same at the cinema to watch a 90 minute Aussie flick as it does to watch a 3 hour Marvel movie. It's just how it is with certain things. I will never have a problem paying $99 (or full price in other areas of the arts) for something made locally.

 

[GoldbergsGold]

There will be improvement today, with more to come tomorrow. As it's tightly controlled to marking/tackling we're treading carefully with it.

The Console builds will get the three updates rolled up into one and released Monday night. (Sat/Sun/Mon)

Will turning be fixed? For example, I'm unable to turn my players left, when I point my analog stick left. They either run backwards, run a different direction, or don't move.

 

[kingbob182]

I was thinking about this last night.

What I would love to see is some talented, passionate indie dev team come along as a third option and make a game where they just purely focus on getting the gameplay experience A1.

Their first iteration might not have any licensing, real life likenesses etc (Brisbane Lions for example probably called the Brions or something with a generic lion logo), but they hammer that sucker's gameplay (and gameplay options, customizations etc) into such a state that everyone takes notice of it and can't deny it as a true Aussie Rules experience.

Then the expensive difficult real life license stuff comes later.

I forget his name on here but this looks like it would play pretty well.

 

[Treehill23]

We will get there, the game will compare favourably.

Both EA and 2K have had recent launches that are not dissimilar to ours, while never ideal, mistakes happen. At least, as we are small, we can be nimble and can release patches in short timeframes.

No game aside from Cyberpunk has been as broken as this, Ross
It was literally unplayable. EA and 2K for the most part, get their sports games in a playable state at launch.

I do look forward to the final state of this game that you believe will compare to EA and 2K’s standards. Just know that the game will be judged accordingly

 

[kingbob182]

Maybe set AFL 23 to high priority on auto updates.

For anyone else curious about steam updates, you can check the latest update/build version on steamdb.info

 

[mickelboy182]

No game aside from Cyberpunk has been as broken as this, Ross
It was literally unplayable. EA and 2K for the most part, get their sports games in a playable state at launch.

I do look forward to the final state of this game that you believe will compare to EA and 2K’s standards. Just know that the game will be judged accordingly

Yet another ridiculous comment by him that completely undersells the mess this game is in. 'Not too dissimilar' he reckons

 

[Nicho50]

No game aside from Cyberpunk has been as broken as this, Ross
It was literally unplayable. EA and 2K for the most part, get their sports games in a playable state at launch.

I do look forward to the final state of this game that you believe will compare to EA and 2K’s standards. Just know that the game will be judged accordingly

WWE2K20 was extremely bad , it was on par with the interchange bench in the middle of ground etc.

 

[FozzyLock]

There will be improvement today, with more to come tomorrow. As it's tightly controlled to marking/tackling we're treading carefully with it.

The Console builds will get the three updates rolled up into one and released Monday night. (Sat/Sun/Mon)

By Monday night, do you mean the Tuesday at 3am? Or Monday 7-8pm?

 

[MightyMagpieMan]

The only positive release between 2k & EA on steam in the last 12 months, appears to be WWE 2K