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.

 

[Bianconeri]

I don't know why people think preseason games are the only variable of off-season or off the field consequences.

No one thinks that

 

[Flagmantle Pod]

It'll be much more than Freo then.

Not when I pickup the sticks. Back to back to back to back to back to back flags for the Dockers starting April 13 May 4!

 

[andy_c91]

BigAntStudios JNT BA so I have come across this on the afl live app and was wondering if you are using any of the data from the telstra tracker such as the player tracking data to build realistic ways all the players move around the ground.

 

[GoldbergsGold]

No one thinks that

Then why would people care about the preseason being simulated, when injuries and suspensions happen during training, internal trial games, and off the field as well?

 

[LennyHayes77]

I don't know why people think preseason games are the only variable of off-season or off the field consequences.

What does this even mean in relation to my comment? Half of the players on the Saints injury list were in it before any preseason games. If the game is going to be realistic why shouldn't I have Max King unavailable until round 10?

 

[Rowdoss]

How would those infernal "8qrt" abominations even work in a game? Way more trouble than its worth. The fact they even existed this year tells you no one takes it seriously.

 

[Bianconeri]

Then why would people care about the preseason being simulated, when injuries and suspensions happen during training, internal trial games, and off the field as well?

The better question is why shouldn’t people care?

May as well just simulate the whole season based off your logic.

 

[GoldbergsGold]

The better question is why shouldn’t people care?

May as well just simulate the whole season based off your logic.

Because the premiership season is the only competitive series in The AFL. The preseason is a series of scrap matches, and are as important as all the other things you're ignoring that have consequences on the premiership season, but would you expect Big Ant to make the players off-field fiascos playable, too?

 

[Ambrose Burnside]

But are there gang tackles?

 

[Flagmantle Pod]

How would those infernal "8qrt" abominations even work in a game? Way more trouble than its worth. The fact they even existed this year tells you no one takes it seriously.

Clubs wanting to test 35-40 players is why that’s around. Wouldn’t need to include stupid quarters and extra or less time, just the standard setup in a random rural ground

 

[Rowdoss]

But then thats not the preseason?

 

[GoldbergsGold]

But are there gang tackles?

Now, you're asking some real questions.

 

[stkilda7894]

Then why would people care about the preseason being simulated, when injuries and suspensions happen during training, internal trial games, and off the field as well?

They should be factored into a realistic career mode. Wouldn't have an issue with getting a notification saying this player has been injured at training. But why should the AI simulate games that should be playable by the player itself?

 

[StoneyHawk]

If only we had a measure on here for how often dummies get spat out over the simplest things.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[GoldbergsGold]

They should be factored into a realistic career mode. Wouldn't have an issue with getting a notification saying this player has been injured at training. But why should the AI simulate games that should be playable by the player itself?

And why shouldn't internal trials, reserves matches, and training be playable? They're just as important as the preseason games.

 

[Nicho50]

Hopefully injuries are apart of this , in cricket I thought if the stamina meter goes up they can brake down but I’ve yet to see anyone get injured, the only thing I’ve ever seen is retired hurt when simming an innings but post game it doesn’t state injury and has no impact on the next match.

 

[BigAntStudios]

BigAntStudios watching this game today and there has been a big momentum shift from the hawks to the cats. Is this something that will be part of the game. I would think if a team kicks 5 straight the whole team will be up and about while the other team might lose confidence and go into their shell a bit and will it affect team tactics

There is definitely momentum in the game, it was there way back in AFL Live.

 

[Bianconeri]

Because the premiership season is the real season. The preseason is as important as all the other things you're ignoring that have consequences on the premiership season.

A lot more people rock up to pre season matches then they do training sessions so don’t think you’ll win the importance argument here.

The pre season can also be implemented a lot easier than the other things you mentioned and exists pretty much in every triple a sports title. It’s just pure laziness not to include it.

Side note it’s interesting that BigAntStudios like to pick and choose when they can be compared to AAA companies.

Thirdly I would love those things to be included but can accept they’ll take longer to develop. How great would it be if you could play training match simulation inbetween games really get to practice tactics and see how all the players on the list player in game are engine.

 

[T2B_]

Used to be a feature in consoles to be able to rip CDs onto them and play them in game. Maybe the original Xbox?

Yep, I remember playing V8 Supercars 2, I think it was, on the original Xbox and having a bunch of music tracks of the day added in playing in the background. Was a bit weird storming around Bathurst with Anastasia's Left Outside Alone blaring, but it was an experience.

 

[Flagmantle Pod]

There is definitely momentum in the game, it was there way back in AFL Live.

How did that work? Was there a meter or something like that?

 

[andy_c91]

There is definitely momentum in the game, it was there way back in AFL Live.

If there is momentum I’m hoping player confidence will also be included?

 

[GoldbergsGold]

There is definitely momentum in the game, it was there way back in AFL Live.

Will there be a pressure gauge?

 

[stkilda7894]

And why shouldn't internal trials, reserves matches, and training be playable? They're just as important as the preseason games.

I do get where you're coming from but implementing 2 pre-season matches should not require that much time in the scheme of things. Trials, reserve matches, training would be nice in an ideal world but I magine would take a lot longer to implement into the game. Pretty much every triple A sporting title that comes to mind has a pre-season option when in manager mode so I don't get why the simplest of things can't be added here.

 

[Aflsquads]

How did that work? Was there a meter or something like that?

There was no meter. However if a team gained the momentum against you, you had to wrestle it back by slowing the game down, taking possession with slow build up to score. Pretty much what happens now when a team gets a run on.

 

[Rowdoss]

I do get where you're coming from but implementing 2 pre-season matches should not require that much time in the scheme of things. Trials, reserve matches, training would be nice in an ideal world but I magine would take a lot longer to implement into the game. Pretty much every triple A sporting title that comes to mind has a pre-season option when in manager mode so I don't get why the simplest of things can't be added here.

At the risk of this descending even further... out of interest, how is inserting an 8qrt 40- a-side game which is a completely different format to an actual football match, regarded as "simplest of things"?