Coach killer. It’s a term frequently used in AFL lingo that describes when a bad mistake is made. There’s no denying that the launch of AFL 23 has been a monumental disappointment for players, developer Big Ant Studios, and the AFL. But it’s what has (or hasn’t) happened since release that has been a real coach killer for players, with Big Ant failing to quickly rectify gameplay issues, implement missing features, and communicate effectively with the player base. Like Carlton supporters taking to talkback radio after a disappointing loss, frustrated players have been venting their dissatisfaction online, and quite frankly I can’t really say I blame them.
It’s not lost on me that after AFL 23’s launch event I said that the game “represents a new frontier for AFL games.” AFL games have always had a bad rap from general consumers who don’t understand the challenges that developers face, and at the launch event I saw flashes of what the future could look like. It’s like watching a rookie play their first few games, you can see the potential is there – although right now AFL 23 is more Mitch Thorp than it is Charlie Curnow. But I stand by what I said in my review that AFL 23 is the best AFL video game when everything is working as envisioned. I played AFL 23 recently and it’s much improved from where it was, so credit where credit is due, and it’s why it’s such a shame that the game launched the way it did.
Gameplay has improved but there’s still a ways to go
The most obvious example of Big Ant dropping the ball is the still unreleased Xbox version, which according to people I’ve spoken with has an early August release date. AFL 23 was originally set to release on April 13, however all versions were pushed back until May 4 due to a delay with the physical copies of the Xbox version, which were supposedly being held up by customs. But two days out from the May 4 release, the Xbox version – both physical and digital – was delayed into June, before being delayed even further to the “end of July/early August,” making many wonder whether the stock delay issue was real or if the game was simply not up to scratch to begin with.
Perhaps Big Ant bit off more than they can chew with AFL 23, Cricket 24, Rugby 24 and Tiebreak projects all in the works. The latest delay means that Xbox owners won’t get access until the final two months of the season, and it’s hard to see why they’d invest the money buying the game when gameplay is still causing headaches, online continues to have problems, and parts of the game are still missing.
Of all the features missing that were promised, it’s the high-profile Pro Team, which was confirmed to be in the game at launch, that is the biggest omission and most concerning. Big Ant recently stated that the mode is in the testing phase for PlayStation and PC, but made no mention of the mode for Xbox. Pro Team was a key selling point for the game – it was pumped up in the launch trailer for instance. But more than two months after launch we still have no idea how the mode will work and when it will launch (and it appears to be even further away for Xbox). I wouldn’t blame Big Ant if they simply cut their losses at this point and saved Pro Team and Legends for the next entry in their AFL series (if we get one).
Management Mode has been another major letdown, with the mode currently barebones despite Big Ant stating it was going to be the “deepest AFL game ever.” It has seen almost no updates or additions since launch, and all questions thrown to Big Ant about whether the mode will see post-launch support have fallen on deaf ears. Even small inclusions, such as the playable training mode or Hamish McLachlan’s commentary are still MIA and no indication has been given as to when they’ll make their way into the game.
This brings us to the biggest disappointment – the lack of communication. It’s easy to say from the sidelines that a lot the of community’s frustration could have been avoided if the studio simply communicated better, but we don’t know what legal restrictions are in place. Nevertheless, this doesn’t excuse Big Ant for keeping players in the dark about things that they made several statements and promises online about.
A perfect example is when it was announced that the game’s single-player career mode had been scrapped as resources had been shifted to Pro Team. Sure, there was some initial annoyance, but it was confirmed and explained, and people accepted it and moved on. All people want is an update or some form of confirmation about the direction and future of the game.
Big Ant CEO Ross Symons has also copped a bit of flak for the way he’s conducted himself online, and while some comments may have rubbed people the wrong way, you rarely, if ever, see the CEO of a studio (or any company for that matter) liaise directly with the community. Plus, to his credit, Ross is a passionate AFL man and from my brief discussions with him he only wants the best for the game – he’s just as disappointed as all of us. His downfall has probably been the promises made about the game that haven’t come to fruition, and online, words and promises are immortalised; the Internet never forgets.
Management Mode needs a little bit of love
Regardless of AFL 23’s poor launch, I do believe that unless one of the developers of the big sports games, such as EA or 2K, want to take on the AFL licence (and let’s be honest, the chances are next to none), Big Ant is the studio best suited to tackle an AFL game. It’s the only local developer that has the team and experience to do so, and it has a genuine interest in the sport, which does help immensely.
I’m not sure what the situation with the AFL licence looks like or what Big Ant’s plans are when it comes to the next entries. At a guess, I would think that bi-annual releases (every two years) would be the most likely, with a major update with squad and player ratings dropping in the seasons between. But whatever does come next, from Big Ant or another studio, they must learn from the mistakes of AFL 23, because AFL games and players deserve better.
