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.

 

[OhDustinMartin]

Honestly, reflecting on that is the reason why I want them to have more time. I think the fans should look into some docos on game development, they'd be a bit more compassionate, less mean and rude to our friendly neighbourhood Antmen.

this is a game made for the small % of Aussies who are a) footy fans and b) sports gamers. that we have a game at all is a marvel.

 

[Selim]

Dawwwg I legit just preordered it today what the fuuu

 

[BigAntStudios]

Will this mean there will be digital preorders (or a Steam page) before May 4? Or will it appear in store on release day?

I'm not sure if we will do pre-orders on Steam, but regardless, it will be available when the other platforms go live.

 

[BigAntStudios]

BigAntStudios does the delay mean that potentially there could be some further adjustments made to player ratings? Adjustments based on how a player has been performing so far this year, And then updated periodically based on a players real world performance? Or are they pretty much set in stone?

They'll be updated again.

We're working with Champion Data to get more regular feeds.

 

[bdawwg1021]

BigAntStudios Surely it can be a 'Unnamed Console Exclusive' for a month?

 

[SugarShane]

I'm not too flat about this. I've got other games to play in the meantime. And it's not like I had been hyped by lots of gameplay footage. It is what it is.

I was going to put off Jedi Survivor and see if the price would drop at all but now I'll probably grab that on release date and see how much I can smash out in a week (probably not much, lol).

 

[Treehill23]

BigAntStudios Surely it can be a 'Unnamed Console Exclusive' for a month?

Think you might be on the ignore list bro
Have to tag JNT instead

 

[FearTheBeard13]

At least Star Team will be playable from Day 1! Thats good news to my ears!!

 

[CraigMc24]

They'll be updated again.

We're working with Champion Data to get more regular feeds.

Love this. I can imagine if your team Carlton gets on a good run, you’d would want to make sure that’s reflected in the player and team ratings .
Would be deserved as well.

 

[Spooner23]

Sorry is this has been answered I can’t keep up with all the new replies but is there still a play session next week in Melbourne going ahead ?

 

[bdawwg1021]

Think you might be on the ignore list bro
Have to tag JNT instead

Nah, he replied to me about half hour ago haha.

 

[Monfries7]

“Equity and fairness between all purchasers”

Switch users:

 

[stkilda7894]

BigAntStudios you said you need minimum 7 days before release for a game to actually be sold at retailers. If you get the Xbox discs sooner than anticipated, will the release date be brought forward or is May 4th the earliest possible date now regardless of what happens in the next 2 weeks?

Any chance a standalone academy can be released so that we can all have a chance to work on unlicensed teams and players in the next month, or is that a firm no? I do know you said it wouldn't be happening, however given the changes occurred, is there a possibility of this?

 

[Treehill23]

BigAntStudios you said you need minimum 7 days before release for a game to actually be sold at retailers. If you get the Xbox discs sooner than anticipated, will the release date be brought forward or is May 4th the earliest possible date now regardless of what happens in the next 2 weeks?

Any chance a standalone academy can be released so that we can all have a chance to work on unlicensed teams and players in the next month, or is that a firm no? I do know you said it wouldn't be happening, however given the changes occurred, is there a possibility of this?

He has mentioned that if they get the copies earlier, they will release it
Essentially May 4 is just a placeholder until the game is finished…
Err I mean, until it’s arrived in store

 

[Xtreme]

AFL 23 Announcement
Physical stock of one of the AFL 23 console platforms has not arrived in Australia. To provide equity and fairness between all purchasers, regretfully, the release of AFL 23 will be postponed until 4 May 2023.


Sadly, beyond our control

Insert Jack Bauer DAMN IT here

At least it provides more time to get the AI right

 

[boncer34]

Quivorir what'd I miss?

 

[Quivorir]

Quivorir what'd I miss?

oh boy. Where to start my friend...

 

[boncer34]

oh boy. Where to start my friend...

Will this game be playable day 1 like AO Tennis and Cricket?

 

[Quivorir]

Will this game be playable day 1 like AO Tennis and Cricket?

I am no longer certain there even is a game. Everything we've seen we've been told to ignore because it's not what it will be at launch.

 

[Treehill23]

Outside of the release date announcement, this is the first thing the AFL has posted about AFL 23
Outstanding stuff really

 

[Bakesy]

FYI: If anyone gets stock of the platform that is in Australia, it will not operate until the release date.

So cricket 22 was available on the ps5 and Xbox before the switch. Those with a switch had to wait. Why’s this any different

 

[Flagmantle Pod]

It will be at launch.

SILVER LININGSSSSS

 

[palmomagpie]

Credit to BigAntStudios getting in here and clearing the air for us on what I imagine is a pretty crappy start to what should have been a nice long weekend for them. Sucks that we have to wait longer but hopefully means we get a few screenshots/info dumps and gameplay to feed us until the discs arrive

 

[Treehill23]

I am no longer certain there even is a game. Everything we've seen we've been told to ignore because it's not what it will be at launch.

Definitely some ‘The Day Before’ vibes about this

 

[Treehill23]

So cricket 22 was available on the ps5 and Xbox before the switch. Those with a switch had to wait. Why’s this any different

Equity bro
Get with the times