STACK #250 August 2025

GAMING FEATURE

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SCRUMMING UP!

We asked Ross to share his top tips for making headway in Rugby League 26 … “The key to success in career mode is to play the long game. Focus on building your team steadily - develop your players, manage your resources wisely, and keep an eye on the bigger picture.

“Also, make sure you stay on top of your training, tactics, and player form throughout the season. Consistency is everything. If you can master those, you’ll be climbing the ranks before you know it.”

GETTING IT OVER THE LINE We had quite a wait, but we’ve now been able to get busy scrumming it up with Rugby League 26 . We had a chat with Big Ant Studios’ head honcho Ross Symons to find out more about bringing the game into the world. Words Amy Flower

focused on intuitive controls, smart AI, and clear feedback so that new players can jump in and have fun, but more experienced fans can dig into the layers of strategy that make League so compelling. How did you decide upon the two featured cover stars, Penrith’s Nathan Cleary and Cronulla’s Tiana Penitani Gray? Were you inundated with volunteers from

the League world? Indeed, many put their hands up, and many more were put forward. Rugby League has no shortage of stars, with plenty of worthy candidates from both the men’s and women’s games. After careful consideration, we chose Nathan Cleary and Tiana Penitani Gray because they represent the very best of modern Rugby League - both on and off the field. Nathan is a proven leader, a premiership winner, and one of the most recognisable faces in the game. Tiana brings incredible talent, professionalism, and is a trailblazer in the women’s game. We wanted the cover to reflect the full scope of where Rugby League is today - fast, skilled, and evolving. These two athletes embody that perfectly, and we’re proud to have them front and centre for Rugby League 26. Do you have any fun stories from when every NRL and WNRL player (and beyond) was being scanned into the game? I can’t give away any names - but yes, there were definitely a few players who made a bit of a detour to the gym before coming in for their scans! Let’s just say some were very keen to make sure their biceps were in peak form when captured. It became a bit of a running joke during the process. It just shows how much pride the players take in being part of the game - they wanted to look their best and, honestly, we loved seeing that energy.

It’s been eight years since Rugby League Live 4 , and fans have been champing at the bit for a new League game. How did this anticipation drive you when creating Rugby League 26 ? Did it add any pressure? Absolutely - we’ve felt that anticipation every step of the way. Eight years is a long time between releases, and the passion from the Rugby League community hasn’t faded one bit. If anything, it’s only grown louder. Of course, there was pressure, but it was the good kind - the kind that keeps you sharp and focused. We didn’t want to just make a sequel. We wanted to build something that respects the legacy of the series while raising the bar. We’ve built Rugby League 26 not just as a follow-up, but as a statement, a true return that meets the moment fans have been waiting for. Is Rugby League 26 a from-the-ground-up new creation? Rugby League 26 is its own beast - built for this generation from the ground up. That said, we paid close attention to what fans loved about our previous games and brought those elements forward.

• Rugby League 26 is out now

The DNA of RLL4 is definitely in there, but this is a new, purpose built experience made specifically for League fans.

While not necessarily as complex as AFL, League is still a game with its own intricacies. How do you go about translating these into a video game that any fan can pick up and play? League absolutely has its own depth - it’s just a different kind of complexity. League is all about timing, momentum, field position, and the grind, the arm-wrestle that is League. There’s a rhythm to the game that’s deceptively simple on the surface, but full of tactical nuance underneath. Our job was to make sure Rugby League 26 captures that - the big hits, the structured sets, the split-second decision-making - while still being accessible to players of all levels. We’ve

10 AUGUST 2025

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