Participant Observations 2/11/2020 - AFL Evolution 2

 About six weeks ago I purchased AFL Evolution 2, a video game of the competition.

I've now spent over 10 hours playing it, and had the following observations:

• The game is not remarkably different to the first version, which came out about 18 months ago. Similar graphics, similar gameplay, similar look and feel.
• There are some slight improvements. The graphics are slightly better, and there is the ability to download updated playing lists. There are more 'trick' options like tapping the ball along the ground and the fend tackle.
• They have added a coaching function, where you recruit and train players, set team strategy, manage the salary cap etc. It looks interesting but very complicated. Will probably need to spend some time investigating.
• The online match function still does not have any players that I can find. I haven't explored this option too much just yet, as I've mostly been focused on career mode.

Ultimately, it is a superior game to the first version, but I don't think it will sustain me as long as the first version, because it is not different enough to make me want to paly it more.

Having said that, I'm also really happy that we have a game at all. AFL is such a small competition in terms of global market size, so to be able to get a game like this made and out to players is something I don't take for granted.

Clearly, without the same size market and resources as the NBA and FIFA, the game is never going to be as good as the video game versions of those competitions, but I still get up for a nice goal.

I started my career as an 18-year-old playing for the Sydney Swans in the NEAFL. The team won the grand final, and I won the MVP and Rookie of the Year, and was offered a contract by Carlton. Unfortunately no contract offers by the Swans, but Carlton have Patrick Cripps and Matthew Kreuzer, and they feature on a lot of the in-game art, suggesting they are a feature team. I've been dropped to the VFA once, but since bounced back and we're on top of the table half-way through the season.

My player attributes are currently at 80. My player is 7'2" I think, and huge.