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.

 

[GoldbergsGold]

I had a closer look at the game. The AI/CPU is definitely smarter, they're moving into more specific positions, out numbering and creating mini walls, rather than a 1v1. Reminds me of what game_chromosome tried to do with his game.

 

[game_chromosome]

Liking what I've seen but the game seems to be still a year or so away from release. So many things to improve on and glitches to fix. Hopefully most resolved by release day

 

[CraigMc24]

Game looking good overall

I wonder if the game is going to have the ability to use different tactics within game. Like being able to set-up with an extra behind the ball or an extra pushing up to the stoppage, choosing which midfielders drift forward etc and also having the ability to choose a certain tall forward to push up the ground on a wing to be a link in the chain bail-out option. Would be awesome to see.

Also would love to be able to set specific and or secondary roles for players. Say Petracca or bont start at centre bounce but then have a secondary role whereby they drift forward after the bounce and push back up when there is a stoppage. Or have a certain players secondary role as drifting behind the ball or being the extra at stoppage.
Speaking of stoppage would be cool if you could have or be allowed to pick different players for stoppages as apposed to centre bounce. You may have certain players that are perfect centre bounce players but not soo good around the ground, so being able to swap out players for those types of around the ground stoppages would be great.

I know it’s close to release so all this would have been fleshed out already but hopefully being able to set different tactics is something that’s going be in the final release.
All in all though, looking good soo far.

 

[Saintsation]

Interesting one with the ratings, people say it’ll get tweaked, but the players and team overalls need more then a tweak, I wouldn’t expect drastic changes. Should’ve got the great man Fages to do them for the game, would’ve done them for free


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

 

[GoldbergsGold]

Liking what I've seen but the game seems to be still a year or so away from release. So many things to improve on and glitches to fix. Hopefully most resolved by release day

That's exactly what I thought, too. There's so many things missing, some choppy movement, and a lot of glitches. Granted, the best looking AFL game by a very long stretch, but the bar isn't high. I said even months ago, I wish they put another year into this, and it looked 40% done from last nights demo. But that being said, so many promising things, such as the more intelligent CPU/AI and the marking, tackling, and kicking motion capture looking crisp. However, the rucking animation is very choppy and weightless, and there's a lot of missing skill sets/manoeuvres.

 

[Michaels]

That's exactly what I thought, too. There's so many things missing, some choppy movement, and a lot of glitches. Granted, the best looking AFL game by a very long stretch, but the bar isn't high. I said even months ago, I wish they put another year into this, and it looked 40% done from last nights demo. But that being said, so many promising things, such as the more intelligent CPU/AI and the marking, tackling, and kicking motion capture looking crisp. However, the rucking animation is very choppy and weightless, and there's a lot of missing skill sets/manoeuvres.

Genuine question but what are you actually expecting/ wanting?

 

[GoldbergsGold]

Genuine question but what are you actually expecting/ wanting?

Just pure simulation. As in, weighted physics, all the skill sets, intelligent AI/CPU that act like real footballers on the field, tactical setups. I saw probably 40% of that in the gameplay footage. And what is even more perplexing, a lot of the things missing they actually implemented in their Rugby League, Lacrosse and Cricket titles. I'm not so worried graphically or extra mode wise. Actually, graphically it looks great, especially the shot where the ball goes through the goal posts, it looked very life like.

 

[game_chromosome]

That's exactly what I thought, too. There's so many things missing, some choppy movement, and a lot of glitches. Granted, the best looking AFL game by a very long stretch, but the bar isn't high. I said even months ago, I wish they put another year into this, and it looked 40% done from last nights demo. But that being said, so many promising things, such as the more intelligent CPU/AI and the marking, tackling, and kicking motion capture looking crisp. However, the rucking animation is very choppy and weightless, and there's a lot of missing skill sets/manoeuvres.

Yes definitely the best looking by far. I'm not too sure on the AI though. So many defenders by themselves, even two just standing next to eachother at one point no opposition in sight. Also seemed there was lots of empty space, either because the scale of the ground is too large or the AI doesn't cover the ground intelligently enough.

Someone pointed out earlier, there is no pack at the 50 arc when kicking in and even taking a mark at half back, there is no pack down the line at the other 50 which is pretty much staple footy on real life. I saw a kick from half back down the line to half forward and literally no one was there.

I have faith big ant will fix these and patch etc. But unfortunately this iteration may not be a great start gameplay wise

 

[GoldbergsGold]

Yes definitely the best looking by far. I'm not too sure on the AI though. So many defenders by themselves, even two just standing next to eachother at one point no opposition in sight. Also seemed there was lots of empty space, either because the scale of the ground is too large or the AI doesn't cover the ground intelligently enough.

Someone pointed out earlier, there is no pack at the 50 arc when kicking in and even taking a mark at half back, there is no pack down the line at the other 50 which is pretty much staple footy on real life. I saw a kick from half back down the line to half forward and literally no one was there.

I have faith big ant will fix these and patch etc. But unfortunately this iteration may not be a great start gameplay wise

interesting point, and you would have experience with that. What I liked, though, with the Ai, they're at least scattered, not in a 1v1 formation, and sometimes they're creating little walls to defend. It really did remind me of what you showcased with Footy Showdown. Although, I think I saw an issue that is straight out of Evo 2, which is bizarre, with the kick out play on by pressing the sprint button, which is completely unrealistic. You either leave the goal square, or waste all the time allocated by the umpire in real footy, when you play on from a kick out. I think they should have had it where you can freely move around in the goal square, rather than being stuck in one spot without "playing on".

 

[palmomagpie]

Am I missing something or ?
When we were promised the deepest game to date, I didn’t realise that meant just extra guernseys and cutscenes….
I mean, even after that list of features that was published on EB Games and JB, Ross came in here and stated that there’s so much more that wasn’t listed.
Sooooo where is it ?
I get Ultimate Team is one mode that’s on its way (who knows when)
But currently as it stands, Evo 2 still has more game modes seeing as they have a player career
Like what…..
Overall, the graphics looked great from what I’ve seen. Gameplay is still a wait and see because there was far too many glitches and players not knowing what they’re doing to really get an understanding of what it’s gonna look like in the hands of someone good

But anyways, if Ultimate Team is done right, it won’t matter what other modes they have. Just would have been nice for a bit more transparency rather than “Evo 2 sucks, we have way more features”

I'd imagine deep they are referring to the extra features that they are still waiting to release (UT will likely come either way, they're probs just stuck in conversations about past players), potentially it's a deep management (more than 10 years) ? I'm not sure if anyone has confirmed yet if they're licensed, but if they are, then we have the deepest and largest range of licensed players ever seen in an AFL game if we're getting AFL/AFLW/VFL/VFLW/SANFL/SANFLW/WAFL/WAFLW.

Fully agree with 'Just would have been nice for a bit more transparency rather than “Evo 2 sucks, we have way more features” though - I've got a feeling the AFL changed the course of things close to last night and locked down BA's announcement abilities a lot more. Surely Ross or JNT would have been keen to jump in here and let us know feature announcements once allowed, or say them at the conference, but the AFL took hold, leaked the cover before the event, and then just whacked the additional details on a youtube video description with no bells and whistles. Will be interesting to see how the next few days go

 

[Quivorir]

I've got a feeling the AFL changed the course of things close to last night and locked down BA's announcement abilities a lot more

Based of what?

 

[palmomagpie]

I finally watched the footage from last night too as much as I could. Certainly looks raw but I'm pleased with what we are getting dished up and have faith they will patch it. Can't see BA being too keen to talk about the budgets they've had etc. then release a game with no weight on the field. Will it be ready for release? Who knows - luckily I'll be sitting at Norwood Oval that weekend crying as the Giants tear us to shreds and I won't need to think about it; with last nights feedback, plus the public play session feedback, BA will get on it and patch it up.

Whilst we can't guarantee this is going to be a better product than Evo 2, we can guarantee we will at least get more post-release support and communication, and I'm all for it.

Just quietly too, I'm buzzing that this bad boy is in the game:

 

[palmomagpie]

Based of what?

0 actual factual evidence at all. We just got a lot of "all will be revealed on this date" that didn't pan out, there was a mention about an information embargo at the start of the event where they had to wait for the AFL to reveal things, and then the half cocked releases by the AFL that followed. I made an assumption there and could be totally wrong and they just had nothing else to announce!

 

[Nicho50]

Upon watching it on a screen bigger than a phone the game play doesn't look as bad as I first thought.

 

[game_chromosome]

interesting point, and you would have experience with that. What I liked, though, with the Ai, they're at least scattered, not in a 1v1 formation, and sometimes they're creating little walls to defend. It really did remind me of what you showcased with Footy Showdown. Although, I think I saw an issue that is straight out of Evo 2, which is bizarre, with the kick out play on by pressing the sprint button, which is completely unrealistic. You either leave the goal square, or waste all the time allocated by the umpire in real footy, when you play on from a kick out. I think they should have had it where you can freely move around in the goal square, rather than being stuck in one spot without "playing on".

Agree with the kick in thing. You should at least be able to move in the square and it's play on when you leave it or time runs out. Once you play on, you also should at least have time to get to the pocket and kick a good kick away to the boundary where there should be a pack. I understand the problem here is they need players covering the ground so there are options wherever you want to kick but real footy isn't actually like that. Perhaps they could have half forwards push up to the fat side opposite to the pack at the 50 to have more options

 

[hirdylloydy1]

i wonder if we could have some proper footage between 2 people who know how to play now that the gameplay has been released? BigAntStudios

 

[Michaels]

I finally watched the footage from last night too as much as I could. Certainly looks raw but I'm pleased with what we are getting dished up and have faith they will patch it. Can't see BA being too keen to talk about the budgets they've had etc. then release a game with no weight on the field. Will it be ready for release? Who knows - luckily I'll be sitting at Norwood Oval that weekend crying as the Giants tear us to shreds and I won't need to think about it; with last nights feedback, plus the public play session feedback, BA will get on it and patch it up.

Whilst we can't guarantee this is going to be a better product than Evo 2, we can guarantee we will at least get more post-release support and communication, and I'm all for it.

Just quietly too, I'm buzzing that this bad boy is in the game:
View attachment 1636799

Based on what I played last night I don't have any doubt it will better than Evo 2.

The set shot mechanics alone with the 2 step process of power and timing is a huge addition IMO

 

[Michaels]

i wonder if we could have some proper footage between 2 people who know how to play now that the gameplay has been released? BigAntStudios

that hurts

but also very true, and when watching the stream it should be a serious point to remember that our lack of ability probably makes some things look worse than they actually are.

As I said on stream, first time playing I never read the controller buttons, 2nd time i was holding a battery pack and couldn't access 3/4 of the buttons and the 3rd time at the end I felt more comfortable and it think it visually looked better cause we were playing better.

 

[hirdylloydy1]

that hurts

but also very true, and when watching the stream it should be a serious point to remember that our lack of ability probably makes some things look worse than they actually are.

As I said on stream, first time playing I never read the controller buttons, 2nd time i was holding a battery pack and couldn't access 3/4 of the buttons and the 3rd time at the end I felt more comfortable and it think it visually looked better cause we were playing better.

Very thankful for your stream, no offence of course! Would love to have a clear image where people can see the flow of the game when its played by people who have played it for a long time. Maybe a match between ross and one of the employees? that would be awesome

 

[Cummdog3000]

Hey mate, thanks for the stream. A shame they weren’t able to share more at the event. Bit of work to do before release but promising signs if this was an earlier build of the game.

 

[Ambrose Burnside]

Someone mentioned features that are in other Big Ant games that won't be in AFL 23 and that's one of the most disappointing aspects to me. It's a cut down product.

How many other games are Big Ant releasing this year? 3 or 4? Has to have affected quality.

Would have loved another 6 months development time but it looks like that development time will take place post-release.

When was the last time a Big Ant game wasn't a mess at launch?

 

[Quivorir]

Great marketing. People here saw the live stream, but everyone else saw nothing. Now all they'll see is artices like this. Paint it however you want, blame the AFL, but the marketing has been shit.

The player and team ratings for AFL 23 are out - and they're strange

The player and team rankings for the new video game AFL 23 have been revealed and – well – there are some curiosities.

www.sen.com.au

 

[Ambrose Burnside]

Great marketing. People here saw the live stream, but everyone else saw nothing. Now all they'll see is artices like this. Paint it however you want, blame the AFL, but the marketing has been s**t.

The player and team ratings for AFL 23 are out - and they're strange

The player and team rankings for the new video game AFL 23 have been revealed and – well – there are some curiosities.

www.sen.com.au

It's not all bad. The Eagles have the same rating as Freo

 

[Michaels]

Very thankful for your stream, no offence of course! Would love to have a clear image where people can see the flow of the game when its played by people who have played it for a long time. Maybe a match between ross and one of the employees? that would be awesome

Nah none taken, I fully get it cause I was thinking the same thing ha ha.

I think your suggestion would definitely be the best way to see it in all its glory in some ways.

 

[ultimaotaku]

Great marketing. People here saw the live stream, but everyone else saw nothing. Now all they'll see is artices like this. Paint it however you want, blame the AFL, but the marketing has been s**t.

The player and team ratings for AFL 23 are out - and they're strange

The player and team rankings for the new video game AFL 23 have been revealed and – well – there are some curiosities.

www.sen.com.au

The AFL don't understand games marketing at all or how quickly a game can be tarnished regardless of its actual final release quality.