Multiplat AFL 23 - PS/Steam Releasing May 4, Xbox TBC

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

WHEN CAN I PLAY? READ BELOW:

• PlayStation (Physical): Thursday 4 May
• PlayStation (Digital): 8:01am AEST Thursday 4 May
• Steam: Currently 8:01am AEST Thursday 4 May, may be moved to 12:01am AEST
• Xbox (Digital or Physical): TO BE CONFIRMED, unlikely to be 4 May

Spoiler: Specific Big Ant quotes about the release:

Those that pre-ordered PS versions will be able to play on Thursday, disks will have already been mailed by retailers, they will also be available in-store.

Steam will also be available Thursday.

Stating the obvious, we are still having issues with XBox.

Seriously, anyone that looks hard knows there’s issues - why do you think there are so many exclusives for a particular platform that are not marked as exclusive, but are only on that platform.

If I took that road, life would have been a lot easier.

Xbox digital and retail will release at the same time - that is not a decision we get to make.

It applies now and I will no doubt pay a price.

Spoiler: Other Quotes

Re: commentary team

Spoiler: Other Quotes

Hamish is still there, Daisy didn't make it into the final version of the game.

We added Gary and increased the workload of Harf.

Re: game availability/release dates

I can never give 100% guarantee about anything in the future, but as it stands today, the statement I am prepared to make it that all stock that is at retailers on 4 May will be available for sale.

As to the amount that will be there for sale, and whether it is enough, that is a question I cannot answer.

It will be made digitally available on the various platform holder electronic stores.

Clarifying, the game will not release prior to 4 May 2023.

I am vague as there is one platform that has had sufficient stock at retailers and the other has not, and I cannot name them (contractual reasons).

The game will not be further delayed because of the numbers of units in stock.

Re: Steam listing

I've already put in a request for the screenshots to be replaced with current ones, they'll probably only be there for a day.

As much as the feedback has generally been positive, these are old, meant to be placeholder only and were not meant to go live.

Re: playing lists

All playing lists are accurate for the 2023 season.

Re: content creator footage

This is all prior to day one patch (as some have noted updates like numbers etc are apparent)

Re: Career mode

A head's up on Career mode.

At the AFL 23 Launch night I mentioned the non-team based Individual Career Mode in an interview with Dean (Twistie3). As alluded to at that same event, we were working with the AFL and AFLPA to include as many past legends in the game as possible.

The great news is that we have received approval for far more AFL legends than were previously envisaged, but this has meant that we had to make the tough decision to divert resources away from the Individual Career mode development. The individual Career Mode function will not make it into AFL 23, Career Mode will be entirely team based. I expect this mode to be include in future iterations of the game.

Re: microtransactions

You do not have to make purchases, things can be earned.

Re: general development

So fundamentally flawed, in so many ways, it’s bananas.

We are doing AFL as it’s a passion project, without us doing it there would not be one being made.

So much more upside with making games that are played internationally, let alone one that will not even be played in every state in this country.

 

[StoneyHawk]

BigAntStudios Serious question... If the work on this game has been done (in house), in Australia. Why wouldn't the discs being pressed and created also be done in Australia? Not imported from another country?

Clearly I don't know much regarding this issue, but still curious.

Easy - cost! Cheaper to be completed offshore...wherever that may be.

 

[GOTHELIONS16]

So if you guys get the stock between now and release, we will get the game early?

Don’t cling to the false hope, it’s a trap

 

[BallaratBulldog]

I'm laughing at the people who took annual leave in here.

 

[caloschwaby]

BigAntStudios Genuine question - can't you just issue JB/EB/other retailers with alternative digital codes to provide their Xbox AFL23 customers, with the promise they'll be able to pick up the physical copy whenever they arrive, while still being able to play the game (for which I figure they'd find as an infinitely more acceptable compromise than just not being able to play the game at all until potentially a month later).

Physical discs don't even matter anymore, it just downloads to the console hard drive anyways right? Just like a digital copy would.

 

[jdoggdrool]

I'm laughing at the people who took annual leave in here.

Taking pleasure in other people's misfortune. Sound like a good fella!

 

[Yablettt]

Surely we can get a demo of either academy or a play now match with two locked teams while we wait

 

[BallaratBulldog]

Taking pleasure in other people's misfortune. Sound like a good fella!

It's only a video game.

 

[jdoggdrool]

It's only a video game.

I was referring to the annual leave and people looking forward to something. Either way, my point stands.

 

[Treehill23]

So that also most likely means we weren't going to get any gameplay until Tuesday next week even if release was on the 13th?

That irrefutable industry data is a killer hey
They’re my favourite 3 words now tbh

 

[CraigMc24]

Very flat about the news

I will say though that in my line of work, especially this time of year, it's very heavily involved with shipping, containers, customs etc.

And even we were told as recently as last week that the ports are very light on for staff currently and some containers have been taking 2-3 weeks to get from port to warehouses depending on how things go via customs clearance which literally no one has control over.

So from that standpoint I get going the more conservative revised date as we have had to do that ourselves at various stages.

Shipping can be a real bitch. Often delays will happen at the drop of a hat with little or no explanation as it often isn't known even by the factory the goods are coming from as it usually happens at port level offshore.


Anyway, I will resubmit my annual leave form and gear up for Star Wars day.

Appreciate this perspective mate some things are just out of peoples control. Alot of new car buyers have dealt with similar issues. It ain’t a new thing atm unfortunately.

 

[Swooping_Magpie]

gonna be the longest month of my life

 

[AnAussieWancker]

Also Common TrashBox L

 

[GOTHELIONS16]

Only 1 to go!

Month

 

[Ambrose Burnside]

A standalone academy ala the cricket games released on the 13th could have kept people amused during the delay.

Alas, there is no such thing.

 

[bdawwg1021]

Might be my sick sense of humour, but it's funny how people were holding out, crossing their fingers for some gameplay tonight, but ended up getting hit with almost a month delay

 

[FearTheBeard13]

Its only 3 extra weeks……its disappointing but also it sounds entirely out of BA’s control so I can understand the frustration all round. Unfortunately delays happen and I was keen after the JB text to play next week but if we have to wait we have to wait. Hopefully this allows time for a proper Dev Diaries at least and showcasing gameplay/modes

 

[Wettoast11]

Game is clearly unfinished, may as well delay it another 12 months or so.

 

[Etto]

I find it funny how there has been a delay in physical copies, yet they cant show us something complimentary to keep us entertained...

 

[Braydos24]

BigAntStudios if I'm allowed to ask, how long ago did you order for the discs for this 'mystery' console? I'm assuming the same time as those disc that are ready. Would love to know more about the disc pressing process.

 

[NOVA4]

Game is clearly unfinished, may as well delay it another 6 months or so.

Why not just cancel it completely?

 

[Treehill23]

I find it funny how there has been a delay in physical copies, yet they cant show us something complimentary to keep us entertained...

They need a finished game to be able to do that

 

[SugarShane]

Flat as **** right now.

 

[jdoggdrool]

Would love to know more about the disc pressing process

We need a disc pressing process thread.

 

[FearTheBeard13]

BigAntStudios if I'm allowed to ask, how long ago did you order for the discs for this 'mystery' console? I'm assuming the same time as those disc that are ready. Would love to know more about the disc pressing process.

Its Xbox. The PS5 copies are sitting inside several JB stores now and unable to be released .

 

[jdoggdrool]

The PS5 copies are sitting inside several JB stores now and unable to be released

As a PS5 owner, this is next level annoying haha.