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.

 

[SugarShane]

The rights will sit entirely with the publisher/developer for the first time ever, being Big Ant Studios.

This is big stuff. Great get.

 

[SugarShane]

I'll certainly try my best.

Here's a start - who do you want to do commentary for the Mens / Womens?

Huddo
Dunstall
Holmes

 

[lmaohelp]

Fantastic news on the rights.

I think someone asked earlier but did Tru Blu let them go ?

 

[GetAroundHim99]

So it true. This is awesome news! I enjoyed the AFL Evolution series from Wicked Witch but yeah, I'm very happy to see Big Ant back as developers and publishers of the AFL series.

You can tell from BigAntStudios that they are very passionate about their work and Ross is very passionate about Aussie Rules. I really look forward to the new game from them.

Honestly, If you can give me the great gameplay from AFL Live with the ability to set the squads of both teams before a match in AI vs. AI mode and the creation suite that we've gotten in their most recent games, I'll be set.

Hoping you guys create a great game. I'm a lot more confident in you guys pulling it off than I ever was with Wicked Witch (even though I did really like Evo 2.)

 

[Munga]

Here's a start - who do you want to do commentary for the Mens / Womens?

Most importantly, will this be on PC??

Likeable commentators:

Bruce McAvaney - if still available
Dennis Cometti - if still available
Kevin Bartlett - would be a laugh
Dwayne Russell - he's ok
Brian Taylor - you know what you're getting.
Eddie McGuire - he's actually a great caller, just keep him away from Collingwood matches and plugging their sponsors whenever he can.


Special comments:

Nick Riewoldt - the best going around and likeable
Jason Dunstall - also the best going around and likeable
Dermott Brereton - not too bad but might get annoying
Jonathan Brown - would probably spend most of the time telling stories about his playing days.
Gerard Healy - he's ok
Ryan Fitzgerald - would be a laugh


For the love of footy gods stay away from:

Anthony Hudson - I don't want to be yelled at for two hours.
Luke Darcy
Matthew Richardson
Garry Lyon
James Brayshaw
David King


AFL98 was the last footy game I really enjoyed. It's strange but 25 years later I expect the gameplay mechanics to be just about perfected by now, but it hasn't been. I really couldn't give a stuff about graphics but I know others do.

 

[SugarShane]

You can tell from BigAntStudios that they are very passionate about their work and Ross is very passionate about Aussie Rules. I really look forward to the new game from them.

As good of an effort that WW put in, when it came down to it, WW didn't know the game. We were hoping they'd be able to create a good representation of a game they weren't even fans of. It was a job, nothing more. There was no 'labour of love' in it. Come on, they called free kicks 'penalties' in the finished product and not one person in the entire production phase went "Uh... don't they call them free kicks?"

Anyway, can't wait to see the first face scan

 

[Freo16]

Well holy shit, I didn’t see this coming !

I’ve been a big supporter of WW through the Evo era (especially Evo 2 which I think made some major breakthroughs in regards to player movement across the ground) but this is fantastic news

I’ve been having a great time with Cricket 22 over summer and can’t wait to see big ant bring across the player career mode to AFL 22 , I don’t think anyone’s been able to get close to making a player career mode work in an AFL game so fingers crossed big ant can

Unfortunately, I feel like this means we won’t be getting a game this year but you never know (is commentary added in towards the beginning or the end of development ? )

I’ll also add that just seeing Ross back in these forums is yet another reason to get excited, reminds me of the pre AFL Live days, only this time tru blu won’t be there to try and keep them quiet

 

[netslave]

Everyone turns the commentary off anyway, skip it and spend the money elsewhere

 

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

At least new Big Ant and AFL games in general give me and Dannnnnnnnnn something to do around here for a change.

I quit

 

[SugarShane]

Hoping the create a team depth of Cricket comes across. Choosing your own guernsey style and then recolouring. Big nerd for that stuff.

 

[Mkcaptain]

Hoping the create a team depth of Cricket comes across. Choosing your own guernsey style and then recolouring. Big nerd for that stuff.

 

[Treehill23]

As good of an effort that WW put in, when it came down to it, WW didn't know the game. We were hoping they'd be able to create a good representation of a game they weren't even fans of. It was a job, nothing more. There was no 'labour of love' in it. Come on, they called free kicks 'penalties' in the finished product and not one person in the entire production phase went "Uh... don't they call them free kicks?"

Anyway, can't wait to see the first face scan

One of the first few pictures we got
Was gonna post the Travis Johnstone one but could not find it anywhere

 

[DNAngel]

WW never had the rights, they were doing it as a work for hire job. The rights were with Tru Blu.

The rights will sit entirely with the publisher/developer for the first time ever, being Big Ant Studios.

The team are based in Melbourne and understand their responsibility to deliver, it is our passion, we put money back into the sport (even when we didn't have the license) and go every week.

Hopefully your next AFL game also comes to Steam this time!

 

[REDSTONE MJJ]

So a stadium creator is basically confirmed?

 

[BigAntStudios]

So a stadium creator is basically confirmed?

Yes, Stadium, players, logos, etc. and shareable across all platforms including Steam.

 

[robertto]

WW never had the rights, they were doing it as a work for hire job. The rights were with Tru Blu.

The rights will sit entirely with the publisher/developer for the first time ever, being Big Ant Studios.

The team are based in Melbourne and understand their responsibility to deliver, it is our passion, we put money back into the sport (even when we didn't have the license) and go every week.

Commentators

• Adam Papalia is a decent shout for best commentator especially when you take his price into account.
• Huddo is always good.
• JB if you have the cash
• Gerard Whateley - may actually be the best caller of football.

Specials:

• Gary Lyon - if you got JB you'd have to get Gary and just let them reboot triple M glory days.
• All the boys from on the couch are quality.

 

[Mkcaptain]

I'll certainly try my best.

Here's a start - who do you want to do commentary for the Mens / Womens?

For the women's Jason Bennett. And if there is a way to include AFLW players like Chloe Molloy and Ellie Blackburn without it being weird when they commentate their own match that would be cool.

 

[Ambrose Burnside]

Ah there's two threads on this news and this one has more comments. Anyway:

Been a lot of snark form all sides since Big Ant lost the rights. 11 years is a long time for that to build. Live by the sword, die by the sword I guess, cannot wait to see what sort of game is released given that sort of internal and external pressure.

Bring back the shirtfront button from AFL 99 please BigAntStudios

 

[FearTheBeard13]

Congrats BigAntStudios this will be epic I’m sure!! Is there any way you can spill the beans if features like classic teams would be an option similar to NBA 2K? Or is it too difficult to sign so many former players likeness’? Good luck!!

 

[Archer_11]

My prediction of the current state - and I hope I'm wrong:

• With the acquisition in place BA have made a new pitch to take back the licence.
• The request sits somewhere between Navcon, True Blu and the AFL, with a pledge to look at it 'one day'. i.e maybe never.
• WW is thinking about Evo3 built on UE5 eyeing a 2024/25 release. Zero urgency from TB, the AFL or anyone else.
• We'll get a season pack this year and possibly every year thereafter for Evo 2 until the next release, with the cupboard bare in terms of actual gameplay improvements.

Ross' hint that something is afoot is either a reference to an encouraging conversation behind the scenes (perhaps with Navcon) or maybe a hint that something like Lacrosse 22 is on the way. Better than nothing but little to get excited about.

I've never been more wrong in a public forum. Big congrats to Ross and team, a monumental outcome and hard not to imagine this has been a long and windy road. Can't wait for news of progress.

If anyone from WW reads this I just want to say thank you for ending on a high note in Evo 2 and all the best for future. I hope that BA takes onboard the sliders and levels of customisation you introduced.

 

[PerfectFooty]

If it's like Cricket 21, Commentary might be flexable as you can pick from some commentators. Idealy i'd like primary and special comments commentators to be interchangable across AFL and AFLW. Here's a run though of my candidate thoughts

Commentary
1 Huddo (Should be a near first pick again)
2 BT (Not everyone's cup of tea but i think he should be an option, Worked with bigant before but only as a special comments to Cometti, well known voice in AFL)
3 Bennett (Would love him as a interchangable option, would be good for AFLW and AFL)
4 Whateley (i'd like him to be an option, but i dont think they'd go after him)
5 Brayshaw (not my fav, but a recognisable passinate caller)
6 Dwayne (don't see it happening)
7 Hamish and et al (Can't see them getting a gig at all)

Special Comments
1 Dunstall
2 Like some said before any of the couch fellas
3 Daisy Pearce (A selectable option, i love her but i don't know if she'd carry over into video game that well. Would be fine as options for AFL and AFLW special comments)
4 Hodge
5 Holmes
6 Richo (I like you richo one of my fav special comments, but he's one of the ones that didn't carry over well. Was quite dry and bland last time he did special comments in an AFL game)

 

[fargothegreat]

I don't mind who does commentary provided there's a bit of variety in what they say. All we got from Gary Lyon's "special comments" in the last game was that it was "a great game of football" over and over again.

 

[Ambrose Burnside]

Get Ozzy Man Reviews to do the commentary.

 

[Archer_11]

Hey Ross,

I know it will be 'cards to the chest' for a minute but in case these questions qualify as less sensitive:

- is owning the distribution as monumental as it sounds? Does it mean for example the fan community can finally know what to expect in a given year and equally important what month? It's been such a PIA to be in the dark all the time.

- Are Navcon and the AFL enthusiastic sponsors or are you kind of on your own and AFL games remain a low margin labour of love?

- If the latter, is there any comment you can make on the challenge of balancing our hopes/expectations with the reality of needing a stable commercial model? i.e. do we need to temper our expectations a little, the games will be every three or four years etc.

- Bonus q - do you have any plans to return to your 2010 strategy of nailing (correct me if I'm wrong) gameplay elements one at a time? Or is the approach a little broader now.

Thanks!

 

[Treehill23]

Yes, Stadium, players, logos, etc. and shareable across all platforms including Steam.

Has development only just begun or can we expect it within the next year ?