STACK #223 May 2023

GAMING FEATURE

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Footy season is in full swing, and if you just can’t get enough of that wonderful stuff then great news – the AFL 23 game is here!We had a chat with Big Ant Studios CEO Ross Symons about their take on Australia’s favourite sport. Words Amy Flower IF YOU DON’T MIND, UMPIRE!

LEGENDS! Further great news for AFL fans is that we can expect future updates, including legends of the game. Symons tells us more… “We’ve signed a number of high profile legends from the greatest teams of the 1970s through to the 2010s. These players will be introduced into the game over the next year as regular content drops. We think people are going to really enjoy playing as their childhood heroes!”

development, building a dynasty by taking them from cellar-dwellers through to being a multigenerational powerhouse.” The commentary in any sports game adds a load of atmosphere, and Symons tells us that Big Ant have put much effort into assembling a crack team for AFL 23 . “Commentary definitely adds to the experience, and we believe we’ve chosen the best in the business, with a broad representation from 7, Foxtel and radio. A focus for the team this time around is banter between the panel, recalling and recording classic calls of the past, what we may see in the future, and a nice stuff, with Big Ant working with the official club cheer squads to add extra gameday realism. “It’s been great to work with the clubs and their cheer squads to bring to life such an iconic and unique part of Aussie rules – the run on, team song and banners,” Symons tells us. “There’s no sport in the world that does it as well. The authentic slogans on the banners have been such a joy to bring to life, stirring memories of great games past and stirring up the ever-present rivalries of the AFL.” As they’re all fervent footy fans at Big Ant, we wondered whether they’ve been tempted to twiddle with a few stats to give their preferred side a little advantage… “It’s definitely been done in past AFL games,” says Symons with a grin, “and there are some at Big Ant who’d love to give their teams and favourite players a boost, but the QA team are very vigilant and on the lookout for anyone trying to get an unfair advantage.” splash of adlibbing to spice it all up.” AFL 23 is going beyond just the basic

F or a sport that’s basically limited to popularity in one country, we’ve seen several AFL games over the years. So, how have Big Ant gone about tackling it? “We’re massive AFL fans – we were one of the first major sponsors of the AFLW, from game one, and have had a box at the MCG for a number of years now – and all this before we even began our partnership with the AFL,” enthuses Symons. “This is a passion project for the team at Big Ant, and that’s what drives the development of AFL 23 .” The budget for AFL 23 was greater than that for any previous Aussie-made sports game, and naturally that had its benefits. “The major difference that a large budget brings to sports games,

Australia over the past year, capturing the 3D likeness of every registered AFL and AFLW player, and the upcoming draftees. While we would have loved to motion capture every player, that isn't really feasible, so the next best thing we found we could do was to get great players that could come into our Southbank offices and mimic others.”

• AFL 23 is out on May 4

including AFL 23 , is the ability for us to procure best of breed, world class technology,

AFL 23 uses official Champion Data stats, and Symons tells us that they’re set to evolve with the game. “Champion Data have provided AFL 23 with official statistics for all players in the AFL and AFLW, and these will be updated as those seasons progress.” For those who wish to dive deeper into the AFL 23 experience, there’s a dedicated career mode. “The AFL 23 career mode not only allows you to totally control the on-field playing group for your favourite AFL or AFLW club on game day,” explains

for realistic photogrammetry and motion capture.” With all the teams represented – both AFL

and AFLW – recreating so many players is a massive undertaking. “It has involved travel, indeed millions of frequent flyer miles,” Symons laughs. “We’ve taken our equipment to all corners of

The first AFL video game, Aussie Rules Footy , was released on the NES back in 1992. DYK?

Symons, “but also allows you to oversee drafting and player

10 MAY 2023

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