Pro Jank Footy, a chaotic and humorous video game based on Australian rules football, is set to launch worldwide on all major consoles and PC this week. The game, developed by David Ashby and featuring commentary from Aunty Donna's Broden Kelly, aims to introduce the sport to a global audience with its absurd and janky gameplay.
A Strange Sport, Made Stranger
Australian rules football is a peculiar sport to outsiders, as Ashby explains: "Eighteen players a side, running around on a cricket oval with a rugby ball that has to be bounced every so often and gets kicked between posts – like, what the fuck is happening?" The game amplifies this strangeness, allowing players to change rules after each opponent goal, leading to seagull opponents, massive players, marauding labradors, and even meat pies with legs.
With over 150 rule changes, the game includes absurdities like "Sore Neck" flipping the screen upside down and "Where's the Remote" switching to HDMI 2. Ashby describes it as "very dumb stuff," but the game has already attracted informal tournaments at Melbourne's Great Northern Hotel, where an arcade cabinet is installed.
Cultural Ambassador
For Ashby and Kelly, the game is a serious effort to combat Australia's cultural cringe. "When we showed Pro Jank in Japan, a lot of people were like, 'Wait – is footy a real sport?' They thought we made it up," Ashby says. Kelly adds, "This is their way to learn about Australia's culture. This is our Ghost of Tsushima."
Ashby insists that Australian content can travel, citing Bluey as an example. "Don't be shy about meat pies and red cordial. Americans have no idea what the fuck that is. Who cares! Share it with the world anyway."
From Idea to Release
Ashby, previously known for comedic projects like Italian Spider-Man and Danger 5, had never made a video game before. After a fantasy footy barbecue in 2024, he applied for Screen Australia's Emerging Gamemakers Fund, formed Powerbomb Games, and built a demo that won best in exhibition at the South Australian Games Exhibition in 2025.
The game is designed for accessibility, with no gambling references and no loot boxes. Ashby emphasizes couch co-op, allowing friends to play together in the same room. "I think it's always a good idea to make a game that your dad can play so you can absolutely destroy him."
Creative Roots in Adelaide
Ashby and Kelly, both from Adelaide, champion the city as a creative hub. Kelly notes, "The people who made this game are strange weirdos from Adelaide." The game's aesthetics draw from 1990s AFL mascots and 80s Asian video games, with artist Hyemin Yoo designing mascots for made-up teams like the Ceduna Doonas and Freecastle Fizzies.
Kelly recorded the commentary in four hours, describing it as "the worst day of my life," but his favorite line made it into the game: "This is all just pixels and one day we will all die!"
Pro Jank Footy is out on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, and PC on 13 August in Australia and 12 August elsewhere.
