AFL (video game series)

AFL video game series
Developer(s) Beam Software (1991)
Blue Tongue Entertainment (1996)
Electronic Arts (1998–1999)
IR Gurus (2001–2007)
Wicked Witch Software (2009–present)
Big Ant Studios (2011–present)
Publisher(s) Mattel (1991)
EA Sports (1996–1999)
Acclaim Entertainment (2001–2004)
THQ (2004–2005)
Sony Computer Entertainment (2005–2009)
Tru Blu Entertainment (2009–present)
Platform(s) Current:
Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS

Notable past systems:
NES, PlayStation, PlayStation 2, Xbox
Release date(s) 1991–present
Genre(s) Football Simulation
Mode(s) Single player, multiplayer (all versions)

The AFL video game series is a series of Australian rules football video games based on the AFL. Released originally by Beam Software, it has since been developed by several other game developers.

The latest game is AFL Live for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Based on the 2011 AFL season, it was developed by Big Ant Studios and published by Tru Blu Entertainment.

Contents

Games in the series


Australian Rules Football[1]

It was the first Australian rules football video game. It had extremely poor graphics and was based on overhead perspective. It was extremely similar to the soccer C64 games in gameplay and overall look, the main difference only the goals.[2]

Aussie Rules Footy

Main article: Aussie Rules Footy

It was the first AFL video game. The game involves playing a game of Australian rules football from a third-person perspective, with the ability to perform the basic actions of a typical player of the sport. The game can be played by one person, or by two players against each other. There is also a kick to kick mode, and a season mode where one to six players can play multiple games in a season finishing with a grand final. It was developed by Beam Software, and was published by Mattel.

AFL Finals Fever

It was released for PC only on 9 June, 1996. You could play as one of the 16 club of the 1996 AFL season. It was also the last video game in the series to feature the Fitzroy Lions and the Brisbane Bears as playable teams before they were merged. The game was also the first game to be developed by Blue Tongue Entertainment and was published by EA Sports.

AFL 98

It was released on 30 September, 1998 for the PlayStation and Microsoft Windows. Though released in 1998 it was based on the 1997 AFL season. You could play as any of the 16 teams and was the first game in the series to feature, Port Adelaide Power and the Brisbane Lions. Its also the first game in the series to have commentary, which was provided by Bruce MacAvaney. The game was delveloped by Electronic Arts and published by EA Sports.

AFL 99

It was released in 1999 for the PlayStation and Microsoft Windows. It was based on the 1998 AFL season and you could play as any of the 16 teams. The commentary is provided by Bruce MacAvaney and Leigh Matthews. The game was delveloped by Electronic Arts and published by EA Sports.

Kevin Sheedy AFL Coach 2002

It was the first AFL video game to be developed by IR Gurus. The game was released as a PC only game. In the game you assume the role of an AFL Coach, you tell your players commands such as the type of play you want them to play (attacking, defensive, Normal) and when to interchange. It sold well for a "then" IR Gurus game but not too well on the market.

AFL Live 2003

It was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2 and Xbox. The game is based on the 2002 AFL season with team rosters. It was first released on 5 September, 2002 in Australia. It was developed by IR Gurus and published by Acclaim Entertainment. It is also the first game in the series to feature a live action intro of AFL games in the 2003 season with the song Lost Control by Grinspoon as the intro song. The game was only released in Australia.

AFL Live 2004

It was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2 and Xbox on 28 August, 2003. The game is based on the 2003 AFL season with team rosters based on that year. AFL Live 2003 includes all 16 official AFL teams and only 6 stadiums which were, MCG, Telstra Dome, AAMI Stadium, Subiaco Oval, Gabba, SCG. It also included all 22 home and away matches and the finals series. The game was published by Acclaim. It was developed by IR Gurus and published by Acclaim Entertainment.

AFL Live Premiership Edition

It was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2 and Xbox on 29 April, 2004. The game is based on the 2004 AFL season with team rosters based on that year. It was developed by IR Gurus and was the final AFL game to be published by Acclaim Entertainment, before their defunct on 1 September, 2004.

AFL Premiership 2005

Main article: AFL Premiership 2005

It is based on the 2005 AFL season and was released only for the PlayStation 2. This is the next edition after AFL Premiership Edition. When Acclaim shut down its operations in Australia, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) got publishing and distributing rights to the game. Because SCEE had an exclusive period with the title, initially it was only launched on PlayStation 2. However, THQ released a Microsoft Windows and Xbox version of the game. It was released on 22 September, 2005 and is only available in Australia.

AFL Premiership 2006

Main article: AFL Premiership 2006

It is the tenth game in the AFL game series. It is based on the 2006 AFL season and was released only for the PlayStation 2. The game is a follow-up to AFL Premiership 2005. The game, unlike its predecessor, was less criticized by game reviewers. Its main features included the addition of training mode, revamped career mode as well as more attention paid to gameplay, rather than graphics, with the whole gameplay system being started from scratch. It was developed by IR gurus and was published by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe.

AFL Premiership 2007

Main article: AFL Premiership 2007

It is a simulation game for the PlayStation 2 based on the AFL. The game marks the final AFL game to be developed by Australian games company IR Gurus and was published by SCEE, IR Gurus seventh collaboration in the series, and was released on 28 June, 2007. The game includes all 16 teams, more than 600 AFL players with updated stats and all of the major stadium. Game modes in AFL Premiership 2007 are Single Match, Season Mode, Career Mode, Mission Mode and Training Mode. It was a follow-up to AFL Premiership 2006.

AFL Challenge

Main article: AFL Challenge

It was released for the PlayStation Portable. The game was developed by Wicked Witch Software and co-published by Tru Blu Entertainment and Sony Computer Entertainment. It was released on 10 September, 2009.[3] The game is based on the 2009 AFL season and includes all 16 teams and players.[4]

AFL Live

Main article: AFL Live

It is the latest game in the series for the Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. It was developed by Big Ant Studios and released on 21 April, 2011.

Other titles

It was released for the Nintendo DS on 2 July, 2009. The games focus more on the mythology of the League's Mascots then on the sport itself. The central component of the game is the adventure the players Mascot will experience in the themed worlds. As such, it is aimed at the younger fans of AFL.

Is a AFL simulation video game. It was released on 19 May, 2011.

References

  1. ^ http://www.gamebase64.com/game.php?id=498&d=18
  2. ^ http://www.lemon64.com/?mainurl=http%3A//www.lemon64.com/games/details.php%3FID%3D3214%26coverID%3D111
  3. ^ "EB Games product page". http://www.ebgames.com.au/psp/product.cfm?id=14730&refer=productsearch. Retrieved 2009-07-13. 
  4. ^ The ultimate footy playoff, AFL.com.au
AFL video game series
Games
Main series
Other games
Developers