The release of the latest rugby league video game, Rugby League 26, has sparked widespread disappointment among fans and players alike — including NRLW star Millie Elliott.
What was meant to be a celebrated launch quickly unravelled last week, as users flooded social media with reports of glitches, frozen loading screens, and comical bugs that significantly disrupted the gameplay experience.
Joining the growing chorus of criticism is a Sydney Roosters prop and NRLW powerhouse, who has proudly donned the jerseys of both the NSW Blues and the Jillaroos, and boasts an impressive four premiership titles across three different clubs.
Married to Newcastle Knights veteran Adam Elliott, the 27-year-old NRLW star appears alongside her husband in the game — but she didn’t hold back when critiquing her digital likeness and player rating.
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“(Adam) sent me the photo of my character and I will say it looks absolutely nothing like me. It looks nothing like me,” Elliott said on Triple M.
“Adam’s looks like his own doppelganger. It looks exactly like him.
“And also, apparently I’ve been rated out of 100 (at) 53. I don’t know if that’s good?
“So firstly it looks nothing like me and secondly, I’m the sh**test footy player on there.
“You’d think with AI and all this technology these days, that they could get it looking a little similar.”
Eels lock Kennedy Cherrington has also joined the wave of criticism surrounding the new Rugby League 26 video game, taking to Twitter to call out its poor facial scans, underwhelming player ratings, and clunky gameplay.
“This might seem petty, but as a player that features in the new RL26 game, I’m not happy,” Cherrington tweeted.
“Maybe we should just be grateful that we’re in the game but overall I know the fans aren’t happy too. From the facial scans to the player ratings & even the gameplay nahhh.”
“I was so keen to get sweaty on the game this weekend! But it’s put me off. That update better be incoming soon haha.”
Amid mounting backlash, the developers of Rugby League 26, Big Ant Studios, took to social media last week to issue a public apology and promise compensation to frustrated players.
“We know today has not gone as smoothly as it should have and we will compensate all #RugbyLeague26 purchasers with some free #ProTeam credit,” the studio wrote.
“Details to follow. There has been overwhelming demand that also may have caused service issues, and for that we cannot apologise enough.”