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.

 

[ShaunWDT]

It would seem he's implying that there's some kind of logistical issue with getting games released on XBOX at the moment, and so some pubs are making the decision to just not release on the platform.

Think companies just are sick of getting ****ed around by Microsoft, they are horrible to deal with at the best of times.

 

[Supercheapgiants]

Yes you will be able to get your game

Thanks, just Xbox can't get it?

 

[DasItMayne]

Genuinely confused by this all, so if I've preordered for ps5 at Eb Games, will I get the game on Thursday or not?

Yes, it's just Xbox that is MIA.

 

[Michaels]

Do the tigers need a rebuild?

ask me this again after this weekends game and I will let you know.

 

[Millky95]

Thanks, just Xbox can't get it?

Correct

 

[bennymate]

This might explain the voicemail I have that I can't check yet.

As an Xbox user who only buys physical copies (unless I can't) this really sucks. Sounds more of an Xbox issue than a BA issue but it really does feel like a kick in the balls.

Tossing up waiting or cancelling then getting it on Steam (was considering it anyway for mods)

 

[avceh]

at this point big ant should be delaying the game for ps users as well, it’s unfair for them to be able to play the game whilst xbox users have to wait another 5+ weeks to be even able to play it

 

[Selim]

It’s bad that if this happened with Sony I’d be shocked but since it’s Microsoft I’m honestly not shocked, they have been such a shit company since 2013

 

[bennymate]

It’s bad that if this happened with Sony I’d be shocked but since it’s Microsoft I’m honestly not shocked, they have been such a s**t company since 2013

They both have been tbh

 

[Biggy_Boy]

Big Ant would be shattered to, Xbox users might get a month to hear about the game and decide they don't want it if it doesn't get favourable reviews or the lack of depth in modes. Very tricky situation.

Alternative angle is that PS/PC players are like beta testers. Issues they identify may be patched by the time the game is on Xbox, so they get a more complete final product.

 

[Flagmantle Pod]

Steam it is.

 

[DTLSchulzy16]

Once again, just read the Qs at the top. The same questions don’t need to be spammed every 2 minutes.

 

[BuddyF23]

But isn’t there some Xbox copies ? Surely the some is good enough this is just wishful thinking

 

[corncob95]

PGA tour 2k23 has been on sale for awhile now at $19 and $24.

It's still $100 on the PS store.

Mate it depends on the game and the month NBA 2k23 is $23 on the ps store.

 

[ShaunWDT]

Alternative angle is that PS/PC players are like beta testers. Issues they identify may be patched by the time the game is on Xbox, so they get a more complete final product.

A game with years of development shouldnt need beta testing when theyve already had beta testing lol, that one I find hard to side with.

 

[footyfreak_]

It’s not Big Ants fault they have put so much effort in to the game and are probably shattered about the outcome

 

[jdoggdrool]

at this point big ant should be delaying the game for ps users as well, it’s unfair for them to be able to play the game whilst xbox users have to wait another 5+ weeks to be even able to play it

No chance. Keen as for Thursday!

 

[T2B_]

Agree with OhDustinMartin , vote with your wallet. Still support BA, just buy on a different platform (if you can). Screw Microsoft.

 

[Nicho50]

Wait for the AFL to promote the game on release day weekend and get slammed on socials from the Xbox users.

 

[BuddyF23]

Can u gameshare on PS ? Thinking bout getting my mates PS he doesn’t use and buying the game and sharing it with someone lol

 

[ShaunWDT]

It’s not Big Ants fault they have put so much effort in to the game and are probably shattered about the outcome

Theyve had this exact scenario happen more than once with launches, being better prepared pre launch has to come into the conversation at some point.

 

[Tacomix41]

All you PlayStation users complaining abt that fact that they are now releasing the game without xbox and saying they shouldve released it on April 13th under the same logic. Just be grateful they arent going the other way and delaying for everyone again

 

[DasItMayne]

Hey Michaels, asked this last night on your stream but don't think it was answered.

Is player positioning in marking contests handled automatically by the CPU like in Evo or is it more like AFL99? This was something that really shit me in Evo as it never felt like you were in control.

Thanks!

 

[Nicho50]

Agree with OhDustinMartin , vote with your wallet. Still support BA, just buy on a different platform (if you can). Screw Microsoft.

Easy enough to say but a lot of people out there in this market couldn't afford to fork out 800 or whatever it is for a PS5...

 

[Tacomix41]

Michaels do u know what time ull be able to get ai vs ai footage out tonight