Get ready for a new contender in the football gaming world! Next month,
Maximum Football
, a free-to-play simulation sports game developed by Maximum Entertainment, is set to make its mark and challenge the dominance of *Madden NFL 25*. While it may not boast official NFL branding, Maximum Football is making waves with its commitment to a physics-based approach, promising a level of realism that goes beyond pre-baked animations and delivers a more authentic football experience.In a conversation with Digital Trends, game director Micha Brown sheds light on the game’s unique approach to gameplay. Brown emphasizes the game’s dedication to building a solid physics foundation, aiming to create emergent moments and tackle animations that feel dynamic and true to life. The game’s physics system, he explains, takes into account player velocity, weight, direction, and attributes to determine tackle animations, making each collision feel unique and unpredictable.
The development team faced unique challenges in achieving this level of realism. Balancing physics-based collisions with visual appeal proved tricky, as they needed to avoid the awkward “ragdoll” effect. The team worked extensively to ensure that even at high speeds, collisions look athletic and visually engaging. The result is a system that’s computationally intensive, even on high-end consoles like the PS5. To address this, the game features a “physics mode” option that allows players to adjust the level of physics simulation based on their hardware capabilities.
The choice of Unreal Engine 5 as the game’s engine was strategic. This powerful engine offers cutting-edge lighting, animation, and gameplay tools, accelerating development and enhancing the game’s visual fidelity. The animation blending capabilities of Unreal Engine 5 are particularly noteworthy, contributing to the game’s immersive visuals.
Maximum Football went through a beta phase over the summer, providing valuable feedback for the development team. Players praised the game’s foundation, particularly the customizable players and teams. However, they also identified areas for improvement, such as smoother gameplay and animations. Since then, the team has diligently worked on addressing these concerns, refining the physics system and enhancing the overall gameplay experience.
The decision to make Maximum Football free-to-play was deliberate. This approach allows the team to continuously update the game, adding new features and content without being tied to NFL or NCAA seasons. They aim to create a living, breathing game that evolves over time, offering a stark contrast to the annual roster updates common in other sports games.
Maximum Football enters early access on PC via Steam on November 7th. It is also in development for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. This free-to-play contender could be a game-changer in the football gaming landscape, offering an alternative with a unique physics-based approach, constant updates, and a commitment to creating the ultimate football sandbox experience. So, get ready for a fresh take on the gridiron, as Maximum Football is poised to make a big impact.