Football Manager 25, launching globally on November 26, marks a pivotal moment for the franchise.
The upcoming edition is not simply an evolution of FM24 but a complete transformation, moving away from traditional elements and introducing substantial new features.
For the first time, Sports Interactive is using the Unity engine, promising a new interface and gameplay mechanics that set it apart from previous releases.
🚨 OFFICIAL NEWS 🚨#FM24 – Most complete version ever. Save game transfer from FM23 will be possible.#FM25 – Full rewrite in Unity engine. Whole new game. Women’s football introduced. pic.twitter.com/aL2kJgoIjP
— FM Scout (@fmscout) June 28, 2023
In an exclusive interview, Miles Jacobson, the head of Sports Interactive, emphasized that FM25 is not an iteration of FM24 but a completely new chapter.
He explained, “FM25 is: ‘This is the next generation of Football Manager’ – and this is the first chapter in the new book.”
Jacobson also made it clear that the shift wasn’t about adding small tweaks but introducing major changes: “If people are expecting FM24 plus, plus, plus, plus, plus, they’re not going to be getting that with FM25.”
Key changes include the removal of international management for this edition, something that disappointed many players but will return in FM26.
As Jacobson elaborated, “We’ve looked really hard at international management in FM and determined that what we were planning to deliver wouldn’t reach our initial quality threshold.”
The decision was driven by player data, with only 5.6% engaging in international management, validating the temporary removal.
Some of the most noticeable updates include the removal of Touchline Shouts, a prominent feature in previous versions.
Jacobson commented, “The reason we’re taking it out…it wasn’t good enough. It didn’t work the way that consumers thought it worked.”
He also mentioned that Touchline Shouts would have required multiple development cycles to refine, which wasn’t feasible.
Perhaps the most radical departure from the old format is the removal of the Inbox system, the main interface used by players to receive updates and notifications.
In FM25, it’s replaced by a “portal system,” where, as Jacobson describes it, “The portal screen now is the most important screen in the game… That is the manager’s office.”
This change is designed to align the game with how real football managers interact with the sport, focusing on phone and tablet communication rather than emails.
Jacobson explained, “It’s very rare that you see a football manager with a laptop… so we wanted to move into that more.”
Moving to the Unity engine is another milestone for FM25.
It allows for greater flexibility, though Jacobson admitted it hasn’t been without challenges.
“When you move to an engine, there are lots of ‘known unknowns’, and there are lots of ‘unknown unknowns’,” he remarked, alluding to the complexities of integrating a new technology.
Despite this, the team is committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, continuously evaluating and adjusting the scope of features.
Five changes Football Manager 25 needs to make this year 🔗https://t.co/at2NAhuupx
— Out of Context Football Manager (@nocontextfm1) October 3, 2024
While FM25 is poised to bring major changes, fans have already started sharing their wishlist for improvements. According to VideoGamer, the community is particularly keen on more tactical flexibility, with complaints that the 4-2-3-1 gegenpress has become overly dominant.
They are also calling for improved transfer valuations, as current player valuations often seem inconsistent with real-life performances.
Furthermore, fans want more meaningful press conferences, as the current system feels repetitive and lacks impact.
Lastly, the ability to play as real-life managers has been a growing request, as many want to take control of actual figures like Fabian Hürzeler or José Mourinho.
As the community voices its expectations, it’s clear that FM25 will be scrutinized closely. With its release date of November 26, players will soon discover whether these significant changes redefine the franchise for the better.
