In a blog post, the developers of Football Manager, Sports Interactive, shared updates on the future direction of the game.
FM23's Success and Feedback
Football Manager announces its future direction, discussing FM23, FM24, and a major upcoming change. FM23 has become the most played game in the series' history, reaching a milestone of 5 million players. While the game has received positive reviews, some long-time players felt that its progression didn't meet expectations. The studio acknowledges the feedback and takes responsibility for the shortcomings.
FM24 - The Last of Its Kind
Football Manager 2024 will be the 20th game in the series and the final installment of its kind. It aims to deliver a comprehensive experience with various improvements based on feedback and ideas from within the studio and the football world. FM24's feature set was confirmed and designed earlier than previous releases, allowing more time for fine-tuning and addressing known issues.
Saved Game Transfer and Continuity
FM24 introduces a highly requested feature: the ability to transfer saved games from FM23 to FM24. This means players can seamlessly continue their FM23 career in FM24, benefiting from new features and improvements. The plan is to extend this feature to future iterations, such as bringing saved games from FM24 to FM25, despite the significant changes planned for FM25.
FM25 - A New Chapter and Engine
FM25 will mark a new era for Football Manager with the adoption of the Unity engine, known for its graphical capabilities and user interface tools. The switch to Unity will enhance the matchday experience, improve UI navigation, and offer better graphics across platforms. The animations will also undergo significant improvements, providing a more realistic representation of football. Furthermore, FM25 will introduce women's football to the series, incorporating authentic experiences and collaborating with individuals from the women's game.
The image is taken from the game Cities: Skyline, which uses the same graphical engine that will be used in Football Manager 2025 and beyond.
Project Dragonfly and Technological Advancements
Project Dragonfly signifies an extensive review of the technology used in the studio, exploring game engines, business models, and platforms. While initially planned for FM22, it was rescheduled for FM23 and ultimately FM25 due to the pandemic's impact. FM25 will be the first release utilizing Unity, allowing for superior graphics and an enhanced user interface.
The Future Reveal and Gratitude
The first major reveal for FM25 is anticipated in Q2 of 2024, showcasing the game's new features and advancements. Football Manager expresses gratitude for the continued support from players and looks forward to raising the bar even higher in the management simulation genre.
Overall, Football Manager highlights the success of FM23, acknowledges player feedback, promises improvements in FM24, and announces a revolutionary shift with FM25, incorporating the Unity engine, enhanced animations, and the long-awaited inclusion of women's football.