The highly anticipated Rugby League 26 video game has launched in Australia, but it’s quickly facing a backlash from real-life players over character appearances and inaccurate ratings.
New Rugby Game Sparks Player Backlash
The Rugby League 26 video game hit consoles and PCs on July 17, exciting fans of the sport. However, the excitement has been dampened by complaints from players in both the National Women’s Rugby League (NRLW) and the National Rugby League (NRL).
Many athletes are expressing frustration over how their in-game characters look, often bearing little resemblance to their real-life counterparts. On top of that, player ratings are also causing a stir, with some stars feeling unfairly undervalued.
Millie Elliott’s Hilarious (But Frustrating) Take
Sydney Roosters NRLW player Millie Elliott was among the first to voice her disappointment. She shared a screenshot of her character, noting it looked “absolutely nothing like me.”
Elliott, married to NRL player Adam Elliott, even pointed out the irony: “Adam looks like his own doppelganger. It looks exactly like him.” She also scoffed at her in-game rating of 53 out of 100, questioning if it was an “insult.”
She lightheartedly suggested that with today’s advanced technology, “they could get it looking a little similar.”
Another Star Weighs In: Kennedy Cherrington’s Disappointment
Parramatta Eels star Kennedy Cherrington also joined the chorus of criticism. While admitting it might seem “petty,” she expressed her unhappiness with the game, especially as a featured player.
Cherrington echoed concerns about facial scans, player ratings, and even overall gameplay. She noted that fans were also unhappy, adding that the issues had “put me off” playing the game herself, hoping for an update soon.
Behind the Scans: What Went Wrong?
The game, developed by Big Ant Studios in association with the NRL, involved facial scans of players over recent weeks. Despite these efforts, the game has been plagued by glitches, lag, and the much-discussed discrepancies in player likenesses and ratings.
The Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) has reportedly taken up the matter. They are privately questioning the rollout of the game following the wave of player complaints. The RLPA believes player involvement and inclusion should be prioritized when their intellectual property is used on such a large scale.
Studio Responds Amidst Controversy
Big Ant Studios’ chief executive, Ross Symons, addressed the issues. He stated that the studio “went to great lengths to capture NRL and NRLW players in person.”
Symons affirmed that “All players – equally from both the NRL and NRLW – who chose to attend the photogrammetry sessions are accurately and faithfully represented in the game.” This suggests that some players might not have participated in the initial scanning sessions.
Reports indicate that scans were done between games, and more are scheduled, including at the NRLW Magic Round and later in the year for NRL players, hinting at ongoing efforts to improve accuracy.
- The new Rugby League 26 video game is facing criticism from NRL and NRLW players.
- Players like Millie Elliott and Kennedy Cherrington are unhappy with their in-game appearance and ratings.
- Glitches and inaccuracies persist despite facial scanning efforts during development.
- The Rugby League Players Association is engaging with the NRL and developers over player concerns.
As the game continues to evolve, players and fans will be watching closely to see if Big Ant Studios can address these issues and deliver the immersive experience they promised.
