What the hell is "Axis Football?"

[Grim.Reaper]

PCGamer did a small write up...with humor

http://www.pcgamer.com/axis-football-2015-is-an-unintentional-ode-to-high-school-football/

Interesting article, though the guy is kind of being a dick with the holier-than-thou 'racist mascot' crap. I guess that kind of sentiment is par for the course in the mainstream though and it will generate butthurt where there is no reason to have it.

I did like that the developer posted in the comments (just 15 minutes ago, actually):

Axis Games • 14 minutes ago
Hi Folks! Danny Jugan here, Developer of Axis Football. I'd like to thank PC Gamer for covering this and at least letting people know the game is out there! Since this is probably the first time many have heard of Axis Football, I'd like to take a quick second to shed some light on our plans.

First, we know the game is a far cry from what players are used to seeing in term of graphics, animation, and polish. This game was made by a tiny team with an extremely limited (<$500) budget. We have long-term plans for the franchise and are reinvesting game sale revenue back into the game to improve the areas that drastically need attention.

Second, our goal is to make this game what players want. We know modding is a huge desire and we're going to make it happen. We've already got roster mods in place and are adding full player stats, uniforms and team logos to the mix very soon. We're also adding franchise mode and improving gameplay across the board. You can see a full list of upcoming features here - http://axisgamesonline.com/p/axis-football-15

Third, I'd like to encourage you to check the game out and give it a chance. Axis Football features a really unique aimed passing system that has gotten a lot of positive feedback, and you'll be helping support the future development of this game. You can find the game on steam here - http://store.steampowered.com/app/370090/

Feel free to reach out to me directly for feedback, suggestions, or ideas!

Thanks again!

Danny Jugan
danny@axisgamesonline.com
@AxisGamesDev

If they built this game on an under-$500 budget, color me impressed with what they've managed to pull off. I'll probably end up buying it at some point soon.

Even though I have my doubts, I'll keep my eye on this one....will be interesting to see if all the future items are part of patches or part of AXIS 2016, 2017, 2018, etc....a number of these will really need to be there before it likely can really provide a decent NFL experience.

[Grim.Reaper]

Developers are certainly up front..I asked what would be included in 2015 versus future versions...they said, but subject to change of course.

2015 (free updates)
-Coach Mode
-More mod support
-Graphics (new player models)
-Bug fixes
-Hot routes
-Optimazation
-New Animation (linemen interactions)
-Spin/Juke moves

2016
-Franchise mode
-Drafts
-Practices
-Complete UI overhaul
-Play Editor
-More mod support

[Grim.Reaper]

All this talk about Football...made me do something a little crazy...purchased and downloaded Madden 08 ($9.99 from Amazon), which was the last PC version of the game.  On top of that, a group has been keeping the game updated since then at the link below, through last season.  It actually plays fairly well, of course with all the usual Madden craziness sometimes.  But even with that, still looks decent and probably is the best arcade football pc game right now...maybe Axis or something else surpasses it in the future but not likely anytime soon.

So if your looking for a football fix, might want to consider this option....even a little cheaper:)  Works fine on Windows 8.1 so far.

http://www.footballidiot.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=86&t=17114

[Toonces]

Nice find, G.R.!  I had no idea Madden was being modded.  I'll have to dig out my CD and re-install.

[Toonces]

Ok, so I just finished my first half in Axis Football.

Quick impressions with 15 minutes of game time logged:

First, I agree with most of the reviews you've read about this game so far.  It certainly has potential but it is not Madden by any stretch.  From what I've been able to tell so far all of the teams share the same play roster, so you won't get unique plays for your favorite team like Madden.

Graphics are functional but nothing like a AAA title.  I didn't notice the poor animations that many are complaining about, but when I get more comfortable with the game I might start to notice that.  The animations certainly were effective enough to enjoy the game.

There are few options that I can tell beyond setting your resolution.  There are two 5-minute halves and I didn't see any options to change that.

There are no replays or any of that nonsense.  There don't appear to be any penalties.

Passing is interesting.  I like it.  You basically move a circle with your mouse to where you want to pass the ball.  Similar to shooting games, the circle of uncertainty shrinks the longer you leave the circle in one place.  It forces you to study your receivers' routes and then put the ball where they're going.  I enjoy how this is implemented greatly.

Mouse and keyboard seems to work just fine.  I haven't tried with a controller yet but I don't really see a need for it as the passing seems to be optimized for mouse-use.

The announcer isn't that annoying yet but he has a pretty small script range.  There is an option to turn him off. 

Overall I think this game is at a good price point at ~$17.  Very reasonable for what you get.  Given the moddable nature of the game I'm sure that all sorts of interesting content will be developed in the future.  As it is, it's a fun beer and pretzels football game, certainly worth picking up if you want some football action and have reasonable expectations.  Don't go into it looking for Madden- it's not Madden. 

Given that Madden is on Amazon for $10 that might be the better option if you're only going to get one football game.  I have room for two on my computer and I'm pleased with this purchase already.  So I give it the official Toonces thumbs up and seal of approval.  Give it a shot!   O0

[bob48]

THOSE GAMES ARE ALL BLOODY BORING....

Now, ladies under 30 nudist leapfrog is well worth watching  ;D

[Toonces]

Well, first game of the season didn't go so well for my team, the Dallas Wranglers.  This is on Pro Difficulty, there are 4 levels and Pro is the 2nd level with two higher.

Passing is tough.  I threw 5 interceptions which definitely didn't help things. 

The AI seems to be pretty good so far.  Certainly kept me on my toes. 

I like the 5 minute halves.  It keeps the game moving.  I'd like to see an option to change the half length.  I imagine that is something that will be coded in pretty soon.  I would also like to see a delay of game penalty/play timer.  That doesn't seem to be present yet.

[Toonces]

Game 3 of the season... Dallas Wranglers defeat the Atlanta Hawks!

[Grim.Reaper]

Thanks for sharing Toonces....I am tempted to just buy to support them, even though I likely would hardly ever play it...just can't wrap my head around 5 minute halves, no penalties, etc.  Also looks like the number of plays are about half of real life, but yet the scores seem pretty high....must be a lot of big plays or scores coming off turnovers.

On the other hand, playing Madden 08 has satisfied my immediate need for football...although of course there are disadvantages to it as well.....for the most part I have given up hope that PC American football will ever fully return....I spend more time nowadays playing games like DKSports ActionPC football and hopefully someday OOTP's version of football once they resume development on it.

[Toonces]

I spent a lot more time with the game and it is definitely beer and pretzels football.  It's a fun game but it's not serious like Madden if you know what I mean.  The game plays very fast; with two 5 minute halves I'm probably knocking games out in around 15 real time minutes.  The no penalties and no injuries removes a lot of the tension.  The playbook is adequate but since it's the same for every team there's not a ton of incentive to try the other teams out.  Their stats are different but their plays are all the same. 

The game is super easy to pick up and play.  I'd say it's a good Friday night beer-drinking game, or perhaps something that's fun to sit down with when you only have 15 minutes or so to game.  Until there are more features, though, I can't see this being a serious football immersion game.  I think hardcore players are going to be totally turned off.

Think Battlestations:Pacific vs. CMANO. 

[Toonces]

If it had online multiplayer rather than just LAN this game would be a lot easier to recommend to everyone.

[Grim.Reaper]

Yikes, no injuries either...guessing they don't have fatigue and subs either?

Appreciate the feedback and I guess for now will pass until more features included..

[Steelgrave]

I was gonna wait, but after reading the developer's note about how they made this game with a budget under $500, I'm gonna buy it now. I spent more on lunch today that I'm gonna spend on this game. What the heck, who knows what they can do with another few bucks, lol.

[Nefaro]

THOSE GAMES ARE ALL BLOODY BORING....

Now, ladies under 30 nudist leapfrog is well worth watching  ;D

I once asked a friend of mine why he & his brother were watching women's tennis, after catching them doing so when I popped in for a visit. 

His reply:  "I like to watch women jogging backwards while wearing a short skirt." 

Made a little more sense after that. 

[Steelgrave]

Danny Jugan of Axis Games has been personally responding to emails on the PC Gamer review, which is cool. I invited him to stop by, so with any luck we can share our thoughts with him and let him know what we would love to see in his game (although the things they are considering are definitely on track!). Axis Football is clearly a labor of love, and after the sickening cash grab we saw with Front Page Sports Football this year, I hope Axis hits it out of the park.

And yes, I know I'm mixing my metaphors   ::)