I don’t get excited about rugby, but when a press release shows up in my inbox that a Rugby game is being made by Big Ant Studios for the PS3 and 360 I stand up and take notice for one reason. They are the same developers who are currently developing an AFL game for the PS3 and 360 that was said to release in 2010 and have online multiplayer. That was a few years ago now back in 2008 and since then the internet has gone quiet except the forums around Australia which have still been asking “Where is it?” Well This should give us a good idea what to expect from an AFL game, with both features and graphics, so read on if you’re excited for Rugby League OR the next AFL game then read on for a list of features and the first screenshots.

Who knew Rugby was useful for something besides giving players to the AFL?

Personally I have always wanted AFL and Rugby games to just play well. I know they won’t look as good as Madden or FIFA, but that really doesn’t bother me. I just want good game play from the games. The old PS2 AFL games were terrible but I couldn’t stop playing them because it was the only AFL game around.

Straight from the press release is a list of features coming to the game:

40+ licensed teams from competitions such as the NRL, Super League, State of Origin, City v Country, and World Cup.

30+ realistic stadia from around the world.

4 player multiplayer.

Bone crunching tackles and impact camera replays.

Field and uniform degradation.

Create your own players, teams and competitions.

Multiple replay angles and commentary by Andrew Voss.

Join friends for head to head & co-operative online play via PlayStation®Network, and Xbox LIVE®.

So as was expected there will be an online mode for head to head competitions with your mates. It doesn’t say how the co-op online play will work, if it is 2 on 2 or if it is 2 onto the AI, which could be a very interesting point about the game if it is 2 on 2 over PSN and XBL.

Below are the screenshots that have been released for the game, (I would expect about the same level of quality for AFL as well) and they look a lot better than the PSP game released late last year and the old PS2 games that is for sure. Even taking that on board, the visuals don't look good by any standard. No it isn’t EA sport level visually and probably wont be in the game play either but if the gameplay is still fun and fluid I will be happy, even though rugby isn’t as good as AFL…

The biggest difference between the upcoming AFL game and Rugby League Live is that AFL has been known and in development for a few years now. Rugby League Live was announced along with a release date today. It will be hitting our consoles September 2^nd 2010, the same date as New Zealand, The UK and France.