Football Manager returns, with some exciting new features…
It’s that time of year again as winter sets in, the clocks go back, and the latest edition of legendary time-wormhole Football Manager is approaching its release date.
Football Manager creators Sports Interactive have released a detailed video showing the game’s new features, but if you’d rather not spend 27 minutes watching an extended advert for a game you know you’re going to buy anyway, here are some of the Football Manager 2015’s new and updates features laid out for you.
SEE MORE:
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Cech Transfer – Chelsea goalkeeper on way out.
Ronaldo Transfer – De Gea desperate for Ronaldo to Join him at United.
User Interface
The game’s interface has been changed once again, moving back to a sidebar just after we’ve got used to the overhang which has been used in recent editions. As always, SI promise that this will be the most ergonomic layout ever, allowing you to do what you want faster, as well as uncover features that were previously buried in in the depths of sub-pages.
Match Engine
The “match engine” (i.e. the actual football on screen) has undergone its biggest overhaul since 3D was introduced to the game. Motion capture has been used to add some realism to player movements, and goalkeepers in particular have been made to dive in a slightly less wooden fashion. From the clips you’ll see that it’s a gradual but not invisible change from last year; meaning that we will have attractive graphics by FM 2026. Real players still use 2D anyway.
Tactical/Tracksuit Managers
As well as deciding on your managers past experience, FM 2015 will also allow you to select what level of coaching badges you have. This will affect your stats in game, along with the new “Tactical/Tracksuit Manager” feature. By leaning yourself one way or the other, you can lean your stats towards ‘training-pitch-shouter’ or ‘behind-the-scenes-schemer’ as you wish. Tracksuit managers will develop players faster, while the tactical manager will have the edge in scouting as well as teaching the team new systems.
Tactics
New player roles have been added, including obvious omissions “inverted wingback”, “raumdeuter” and “roaming playmaker”. How we ever coped without a “wide playmaker” I’ll never know. More importantly, players can now be physically adjusted on the tactics screen beyond the “layers” that existed already, meaning you can, for example, have two central midfielders; one playing slightly ahead of the other, without turning your formation into a diamond.
Scouting
Scouting has been revamped again. Players that your scouts are aware of but haven’t yet seen play will have their attributes shown as a range, which will narrow as the scout watches them, or the player becomes better known. Scouts will also give better feedback on tournaments they attend, and tell you if they think their current assignment isn’t worthwhile.
Media
The media interviews, questions and press conferences; which grew boring 5 minutes after their introduction a few editions ago have been updated and improved. It’s still difficult to see anyone attending many press conferences, but the ones you do go to promise to be more unique and interesting.