AFL Evolution 2 for Switch ditches licensing, adds AI

Say hello to Aussie Rules Evolution 2.

A new listing for AFL Evolution 2 on Switch shows the title will ditch licensing, add AI, and rebrand accordingly as Aussie Rules Evolution 2.

“No licensed teams just pure fun and great gameplay,” the title’s description reads, via EB Games. “Jam packed with the thrills and spills of the Aussie Rules game.”

Despite the lack of real AFL teams as a result of the lack of license, the title is pushing the classic tact of a “Guernsey Creator along with Player and Team Management in the FanHub to create and share your own dream team,” encouraging players to create their own North Melbourne Kangaroos and the like.

The title also says Aussie Rules Evolution 2 will allow players to “pursue your goals with greater depth, with improved draft, free agency and state leagues running simultaneously with the AFL,” so maybe a copy editor forgot about that particular dot point.

Finally, the listing also confirms that Aussie Rules Evolution 2 will use “AI assisted commentary” rather than commentary from Anthony Hudson and Garry Lyon, making the title an increasingly harder sell.

AFL Evolution 2 was developed by Wicked Workshop and published by Tru Blu on Windows PC via Steam, Xbox One, and PS4. We reviewed it back in 2020, saying it had “missteps and quirks”.

Aussie Rules Evolution 2 is published by Tru Blu, which is owned by Home Entertainment Suppliers.

“This is not a new title, it’s the same game as AFL Evolution 2 without the AFL IP,” Home Entertainment Suppliers’ Managing Director Sebastian Giompaolo told Stevivor.

“We no longer have the AFL licence but we have had some demand for a footy game so we decided to strip the IP and re-release it.

“It’s not aimed at consumers who already own AFL Evolution 2, its simply for new Switch owners who can no longer get AFL Evolution 2. Not a big market,” Giompaolo continued, “just trying to keep some loyal Tru Blu fans happy.