5 Big Challenges Football Manager 26 Must Overcome After FM25’s Shock Cancellation

by

Summary

  • The match engine must be playable to avoid issues.
  • Reconsider the inclusion of international management.
  • Introduce women’s football well to ensure player interest.

The Football Manager series was launched in 2005 when a group of developers who had previously worked on the well-known Championship Manager franchise decided to break away from their publishers at Eidos Interactive. Since then, it has become one of the longest-running and most successful sports management simulation games ever made. The latest addition to the series, Football Manager 2024, boasts a remarkable player count of over 14 million users. Over the years, the game’s annual releases have consistently enhanced its match engine. Starting with just commentary for matches, it eventually progressed to 2D visuals and ultimately introduced a 3D match engine in Football Manager 2009.

As a dedicated gamer, I was all set to embrace the revolutionary changes promised by Football Manager 25, transitioning to the Unity Engine with an upgraded match engine and user interface. But alas, the excitement was short-lived as the game was delayed not once, but twice, leading eventually to its cancellation. Now, as we eagerly await Football Manager 26, it’s crucial that the developers address a few key areas to regain our trust:

1. Transparency: Communicate clearly about the development process and any potential issues or delays to keep fans informed and engaged.
2. Gameplay refinements: Build upon the existing game mechanics while introducing fresh elements to maintain the game’s appeal and stay competitive within the sports management genre.
3. UI enhancement: Streamline the user interface for a more intuitive and enjoyable gaming experience, ensuring that players can easily navigate through the various aspects of managing their football club.
4. Match engine improvements: Continuously refine the match engine to provide realistic simulations, improving AI behavior, player attributes, and overall gameplay dynamics.
5. Community engagement: Foster a sense of community by incorporating fan feedback, addressing concerns, and collaborating with players to create an even more immersive and rewarding experience.

1. Make Sure The Match Engine Is Playable

The New Match Engine Is A Key Selling Point That Can’t Release Broken

Due to the transition to the Unity Engine, the development team at Sports Interactive has encountered challenges. Reworking an entire game swiftly to function with an entirely novel engine proved to be overly demanding for the development of Football Manager 25.

Many enthusiasts of this series are understandably apprehensive about diving into the new game engine, as they anticipate it may take several years to perfect. It’s crucial for Sports Interactive to get this right, as a faulty launch could be the last straw following the cancellation of Football Manager 25. However, the developers have a silver lining: fans are aware that perfection won’t come immediately with a two-year development cycle now in place. This increased expectations, though.

2. International Management

Initially Slated To Be Removed From FM25

Back when they unveiled the transition to the Unity Engine, a heap of characteristics got trimmed down to hit that first deadline. Features like the Create-A-Club and Draft modes were unfortunately among them. However, what stirred up the most debate among fans was the elimination of international management – something that had been a beloved aspect for many of us gamers.

For Football Manager 26, having an additional eight months to perfect the game, the inclusion of international management might be considered. If Sports Interactive decides to incorporate international management, it would greatly please fans, demonstrating that they have heeded the community’s requests and utilized their extended development period effectively. Nevertheless, since we are unaware of the current status of the game, it wouldn’t be unexpected if this feature were left out of Football Manager 26.

3. Introduce Women’s Football Well

Football Manager 26 Will Be The First Game To Feature Women’s Football

In the announcement of Football Manager 25, it was disclosed that the developers would introduce Women’s football into the game for the first time, allowing managers to control teams from both Men’s and Women’s football. This means that players can now manage both male and female teams within a single career. A crucial aspect that will require attention during development is ensuring fair balance in the gameplay.

To create an authentic experience, the game’s developers are diligently working on an accurate portrayal of Women’s football, taking care to get this new feature just right. This isn’t just about reflecting the contemporary women’s soccer scene, but also about making sure that this addition is valuable to the overall gameplay. In fact, they have already invested considerable time in motion capture sessions with female players and have revised the game’s language to ensure it is gender-inclusive.

4. Ensure The UI Is User Friendly

When FM25 Was Announced, A New UI Split Opinions

Initially unveiling Football Manager 25, a few snapshots demonstrated an upgraded user interface that sparked differing opinions within the community. The intention was to modernize the game, making it sleeker and simpler to navigate, with the aim of enhancing accessibility and ease of use.

As the game reveals plans to overhaul its current system towards a more streamlined tile and panel layout, some enthusiasts are drawing parallels with past versions of FM Touch. These earlier editions of the game were intentionally streamlined, catering to portable gaming, and featured less complexity compared to the PC versions of Football Manager. The revamped UI must significantly outshine its predecessors, or risk losing players permanently if it falls short.

5. Release The Game On Time

Sports Interactive Needs To Be Transparent And Release The Game On Time

Upon hearing about the cancellation of Football Manager 25, some enthusiasts felt disheartened due to the absence of clear communication from Sports Interactive prior to the announcement. Although many gamers appreciated the monumental task the development team tackled with this new version, it was still unexpected and jarring to learn that the game had been scrapped, particularly following its earlier postponements.

The key aspect that Football Manager 26 must nail down is its timely release and clear communication about development progress. With the series shifting gears for the first time by not releasing an annual installment, due to the massive undertaking of transitioning to the Unity Engine, this version becomes pivotal for the franchise’s future success. If another deadline is missed, it could signal the downfall of the cherished series.

Read More

2025-02-17 06:05