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.

 

[Madog1185]

It almost feels like the players move too fast in comparison to the ball. Noticed a lot of players just waiting under high balls a lot and standing still.

Ye there was a lot of occasions where that happened but that can easily be improved on via patches and whatnot thankfully, at least I hope so haha

 

[Mootsy]

Yep there is a side on dynamic camera which is closer that what has been seen so far.

Tactic options weren't in this version but I believe will be in final version.

Snaps, Bananas and dribble kicks were all great.

Kicked a goal with each method.

Marking is timing based.

I was fairly happy with how it played.

As mentioned last night, I had a moment where I was running with the flight of the ball. I spoiled it over the opposition players head, it bounced to by half back who wad closing in on the contest and I then had a 2 v 1 situation I could utilise down the wing and got it to dusty, then jack for a shot at goal.

Genuine slingshot play

Sweet! thanks, that's great to see.

 

[GoldbergsGold]

Ea sports fc will crap all over efootball. Efootball is a mobile game at best. The fact it’s on consoles is a crime

How so? eFootball always has the superior gameplay, YouTubers who play Soccer games usually point out that eFootball plays better. EA aren't interested in improving their gameplay mechanics. I have faith Big Ant can go in the simulation route, similar to what 2K and Konami have done.

 

[Treehill23]

Main issues for me is getting back off the mark and also when the user receives the handball, they seem to stop for a second before they start going again. Not sure if that was just user error or not but I’d hope players would be on the run when receiving a handball

Other than this, it looks great. Very high quality compared to what we’ve experienced in the past

 

[Lesnish]

Another small detail I noticed was the bulldogs play kicked it out of the pack but it hit his team mate and ricocheted away. Looked really realistic.

On SM-S901E using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[tastiger]

How so? eFootball always has the superior gameplay, YouTubers who play Soccer games usually point out that eFootball plays better. EA aren't interested in improving their gameplay mechanics. I have faith Big Ant can go in the simulation route, similar to what 2K and Konami have done.

Na mate, pes 21 vs Fifa 23 with sliders is no comparison. I've played both modded too. Pes 21 was good for 3 years but it's gone stale. Fifa 23 is the best soccer game ever.

On VOG-L09 using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[FearTheBeard13]

Another nice small detail is that the blue AFL screen doesn’t seem to be the transition for free kicks in the game as often as it was on launch night and now the play just resets seamlessly.

 

[GoldbergsGold]

Na mate, pes 21 vs Fifa 23 with sliders is no comparison. I've played both modded too. Pes 21 was good for 3 years but it's gone stale. Fifa 23 is the best soccer game ever.

On VOG-L09 using BigFooty.com mobile app

Physics, ball movement and AI are better in eFootball than in FIFA, you will see that as a common observation by Soccer fans. Sliders don't improve gameplay mechanics. Similar to how sliders did not make Evo 2's AI, physics or motion capture better.

 

[tastiger]

Physics, ball movement and AI are better in eFootball than in FIFA, you will see that as a common observation by Soccer fans. Sliders don't improve gameplay mechanics. Similar to how sliders did not make Evo 2's AI, physics or motion capture better.

No way, pes was better... Not now.

On VOG-L09 using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[tastiger]

No way, pes was better... Not now.

On VOG-L09 using BigFooty.com mobile app

Oh I am a soccer fan. Spoony pizza and true Brit are hard core pes players and they can't stant the new e football.. They still play it but.

On VOG-L09 using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[GoldbergsGold]

No way, pes was better... Not now.

On VOG-L09 using BigFooty.com mobile app

Yes, even, now. EA may have the best graphics, presentation and licensing, but their gameplay for their games get worse every year. For example, their Madden titles from the PS2 were far superior to their current games, when they took endless features out. A lot of people on here I notice for some reason dismiss everything other than current year EA, when even EA's PS2 era games are superior to their current ones.

 

[fargothegreat]

BigAntStudios can't believe you've got the old version of the Richmond song with "risking head and skin" instead of "shin". Makes the game totally unplayable

... In all seriousness this is just about the only thing I can fault watching Twistie's gameplay. It looks absolutely fantastic!

 

[GoldbergsGold]

Oh I am a soccer fan. Spoony pizza and true Brit are hard core pes players and they can't stant the new e football.. They still play it but.

On VOG-L09 using BigFooty.com mobile app

If you are a Soccer fan, eFootball is the best gameplay experience, no question. I was shocked how bad the gameplay was for one of those PS4 FIFA games I played, a few months ago. It was very choppy, arcade-like and scripted, whereas in eFootball everything is weighted and more realistic.

 

[tastiger]

If you are a Soccer fan, eFootball is the best gameplay experience, no question. I was shocked how bad the gameplay was for one of those PS4 FIFA games I played, a few months ago. It was very choppy, arcade-like and scripted, whereas in eFootball everything is weighted and more realistic.

Agree to disagree.

On VOG-L09 using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[tastiger]

If you are a Soccer fan, eFootball is the best gameplay experience, no question. I was shocked how bad the gameplay was for one of those PS4 FIFA games I played, a few months ago. It was very choppy, arcade-like and scripted, whereas in eFootball everything is weighted and more realistic.

Ps4 is last gen too different game on ps5 with the hyper motion 2

On VOG-L09 using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Flagmantle Pod]

Anyone else feel like Twistie sounded a bit off in his gameplay video? No joy, no excitement. Was he just tired from a long day of playing an unreleased game or was he a bit upset he wasn’t an honorary dev like he was on Evo 2

Edit: Dean is speaking to me

 

[Rowdoss]

If you are a Soccer fan, eFootball is the best gameplay experience, no question. I was shocked how bad the gameplay was for one of those PS4 FIFA games I played, a few months ago. It was very choppy, arcade-like and scripted, whereas in eFootball everything is weighted and more realistic.

Are you talking about actual efootball or the last few PES versions before it went free to play? PES 19, 20 & 21 were undoubtedly better than any FIFA game. I gave efootball a shot in its early days and it was a travesty... may well have improved since.

Anyone else feel like Twistie sounded a bit off in his gameplay video? No joy, no excitement. Was he just tired from a long day of playing an unreleased game or was he a bit upset he wasn’t an honorary dev like he was on Evo 2

He's still recovering from his biggest controversy ever...

 

[GoldbergsGold]

Are you talking about actual efootball or the last few PES versions before it went free to play? PES 19, 20 & 21 were undoubtedly better than any FIFA game. I gave efootball a shot in its early days and it was a travesty... may well have improved since.


He's still recovering from his biggest controversy ever...

Both PES and eFootball. I didn't try eFootball until long after they fixed the bugs. I was just pointing out non-current year EA games are usually better and could be a better influence for Big Ant. Even the PS2 era Madden games have better features and gameplay.

 

[imwinningagreatwall]

As in be a pro mode, where you create a player and build them up?

Not included in this game.

No. As in “pro team”

 

[FearTheBeard13]

I have a question for everyone planning to play Pro Team mode when the game’s out:

How much $ would you spend on a pack that contained your all time favourite club legend? If the option is there to just buy instead of grind, what would you expect to pay? If I personally could get Dane Swan

Dane Swan

Age

40

Ht

185cm

Wt

93kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

26.9

5star

K

16.4

5star

HB

10.4

5star

M

5.9

5star

T

3.1

5star

CL

5.4

5star

No current season stats available

D

12.0

3star

K

7.0

3star

HB

5.0

4star

M

3.0

3star

T

1.0

3star

or Alan Didak instantly for say $6-$10 I probably would really consider it.

 

[mickelboy182]

You follow this thread insanely closely for someone who “isn’t buying the game.”

Straight into watching todays and yesterdays YouTube videos once they were released.

Why waste your time? I couldn’t imagine doing what you do

Because I've been fascinated at the dearth of footage and wanted to see the end result?

The irony of you finding it a good use of time to comment is not lost on me

For what it's worth, game is looking better than expected and I'm sure most on here will be satisfied.

 

[andy_c91]

I have a question for everyone planning to play Pro Team mode when the game’s out:

How much $ would you spend on a pack that contained your all time favourite club legend? If the option is there to just buy instead of grind, what would you expect to pay? If I personally could get Dane Swan or Alan Didak instantly for say $6-$10 I probably would really consider it.

$10 seems reasonable enough but, saying that, I would pay anything to have Harry Taylor, Corey Enright, Joel corey and James ‘pops’ Kelly.

 

[Rowdoss]

Both PES and eFootball. I didn't try eFootball until long after they fixed the bugs. I was just pointing out non-current year EA games are usually better and could be a better influence for Big Ant. Even the PS2 era Madden games have better features and gameplay.

100% agree re: Madden. I guess thats a downside to yearly iterations. You hear a lot about "legacy code" when it comes to Madden, im no developer so i dont know if thats a real thing or not.
They cant afford to take a year off (or two) to start over. The last time a lot of sports games did that at the beginning of the 360/ps3 gen, was arguably when most of them lost many of those quality in depth features of the ps2 era and we never got them back.

 

[Flagmantle Pod]

I have a question for everyone planning to play Pro Team mode when the game’s out:

How much $ would you spend on a pack that contained your all time favourite club legend? If the option is there to just buy instead of grind, what would you expect to pay? If I personally could get Dane Swan or Alan Didak instantly for say $6-$10 I probably would really consider it.

I’d pay $20-25 for a box of 10 packs with a guaranteed club legend of your choice as a topper.

Prices for packs and in game items cannot price match 2k or FIFA or it will not sell. Profit via volume not margins when customers are introduced to a new product.

 

[tastiger]

I have a question for everyone planning to play Pro Team mode when the game’s out:

How much $ would you spend on a pack that contained your all time favourite club legend? If the option is there to just buy instead of grind, what would you expect to pay? If I personally could get Dane Swan

Dane Swan

Age

40

Ht

185cm

Wt

93kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

26.9

5star

K

16.4

5star

HB

10.4

5star

M

5.9

5star

T

3.1

5star

CL

5.4

5star

No current season stats available

D

12.0

3star

K

7.0

3star

HB

5.0

4star

M

3.0

3star

T

1.0

3star

or Alan Didak instantly for say $6-$10 I probably would really consider it.

$5 for richmond champion Ben Cousins.

On VOG-L09 using BigFooty.com mobile app