Football Manager Handheld 2010 for iPod Touch/iPhone Announced

[Miles Jacobson]

Over the last few months, the most asked question of me on Twitter and Facebook has been "when is Football Manager coming to iPhone/iPod", and I've confidently pointed out that it wasn't coming.

When people have asked "when is Football Manager Handheld coming to iPhone/iPod" I've been very quiet.

I am beyond excited to be able to announce today that FMH2010 is coming to iPhone and iPod touch. And even more excited to be able to announce that what has been our best kept secret ever, it's coming out in the next 48 hours!

We don't know exactly when it will be available in the apps store, although we've set a midnight local time release for tonight - it takes a while for all servers to propogate though, hence me saying it'll be live in the next 48 hours.

We are expecting some reviews today from journalists who received ridiculously limited edition Football Manager Handheld iPod Touches (engraved by the people who engrave the FA Cup!) with the game pre-installed on it, which has been the only way anyone outside of SI and SEGA has been able to see the game. I will put links to the reviews when they are available. There will also be a competition to win one of these devices in the coming weeks!


Feature list and screenshots:

- Manage across the globe – take charge of any team from 34 leagues from nations including England, Scotland, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Portugal, Brazil and Australia.
- A real football world – Buy and sell over 20,000 real world stars from the legendary Football Manager database, fully up-to-date with the dealings from the 2010 January transfer window.
- Build your squad – buy, sell and loan players for your squad of up to 36 players, trying to keep them all happy and performing at the top of their game.
- Feel the buzz of matchdays – get all the stats on your opponents in the match preview and then watch the action unfold making subs and tactical changes to give your team the edge over your rivals.
- Get the most from your backroom staff – get the opinion of your assistant manager on the state of your squad and his suggested improvements, and ask coaches and scouts for reports on players in your squad or future transfer targets.
- Keep the board happy - Set your expectations for the club, manage your transfer and wage budgets and make board requests in your quest for success.
- Handle the media – experience the pressure of the press as they quiz you about transfer rumours, and potential job offers.
- Become a legend – chart the progress of your career through the profile screen and hall of fame; plus gain rewards for your success by unlocking new features and managerial abilities.
- Designed for the iPhone / iPod – with a specific user-friendly skin and functionalities, and club logos for all licensed leagues. Plus; listen to your favourite music while your manage your team!

A Manual app is also now available for free here (UK AppStore link)

It can also be found in web form here


News Articles
CVG
Eurogamer
Nuts
Pocket-Lint
Pocket Gamer
Shortlist

Reviews
CVG - 9/10
Koku Gamer - 9/10
IGN - 9/10
iPhone Games Unlimited.co.uk - 90%
Pocket Gamer - 8/10
Videogamer.com - 8/10
Times Online
Pocket-Lint - 4/5
FHM
Eurogamer - 7/10
The Guardian - 4/5
Goal.com - 43.5/50
Play.tm - 8/10



AppStore Links (with user reviews)
Out Now - UK store purchase link: FMH iPhone
Out Now - Italian store purchase link: FMH iPhone
Out Now - Belgium store purchase link: FMH iPhone
Out Now - French store purchase link: FMH iPhone
Out Now - Spanish store purchase link: FMH iPhone
Out Now - Portuguese store purchase link: FMH iPhone

[SCIAG]

I must buy an iPod touch.

This should be great news for many people, Miles. Congrats on keeping it a secret!

[mne2]

Yay!! Can't wait - any idea how much?

[Pompeyboyz]

I love you Miles.........and all at SI Games........

[Miles Jacobson]

Yay!! Can't wait - any idea how much?

I'm only positive of the UK price, which is £6.99. And worth every single penny (and 4 times as many!)

[SCIAG]

What will this version contain?

[acidmonkey]

will you guys buy me an iphone then so i can play it? dont worry ill buy the game myself

[edgar555]

The most important question is how does this compare to the real game and FMH??

[Drunk Beware]

Wow can't believe it, well done for keeping it so quiet. Im just nervous at how stripped down it'll be compared to FMH, will probably get it anyway.

[Yid Army]

Great news!

Actually, should have announced this eleven days ago, just to see how many people screamed 'April Fools'!

[silver10]

Will be downloading this as soon as it's in the store. Finally the time difference in Australia might be a positive!

[qwerty2k]

great news, can't wait, gonna run my battery out like a mofo though

[Yid Army]

Will we be getting a new forum for it?

[GillsMan]

Woohoo! This is good news.

[Miles Jacobson]

The most important question is how does this compare to the real game and FMH??

It should only be compared to FMH. And compares incredibly well...

Will we be getting a new forum for it?

Nope - no need for that. This is the forum for Football Manager Handheld. And Football Manager Handheld is what it is

[radestock]

Will we be getting a new forum for it?

It's "Football Manager Handheld 2010 for iPod touch and iPhone" and this is 'Handheld General Discussion'. Why would we need another forum?

[Yid Army]

Because the features wern't announced when I posted and it may be quite different to the PSP version?

[s33r]

Wow, I'm ridiculously excited! This could be the best thing to come out on the iPhone bar none!

[dannyboy24]

Miles, Any chance of a free demo version which lets you play a month or two?

Also can you comment on how responsive the game is on the iPhone 3G compared to the 3GS?

[Yid Army]

Any more info on the features - how many leagues can we run, is the match engine text, 2d or 3d and can we use the pre-january database?

[THFourteen]

you sneaky gits!!!

awesome news

[Miles Jacobson]

Miles, Any chance of a free demo version which lets you play a month or two?

Also can you comment on how responsive the game is on the iPhone 3G compared to the 3GS?

There won't be a demo for launch, but will likely be one further down the line (months rather than days).

Any more info on the features - how many leagues can we run, is the match engine text, 2d or 3d and can we use the pre-january database?

1 league at a time, 2d and text match engine, and it's the latest db, rather than pre-Jan.

[Hershie]

Great news. Should we expect to see this join the other versions as an annual release?

I have neither an iPod touch nor an iPhone, but imagine I will within the next 12-18 months (iPod's imminent spectacular and ill-timed death and expiry of phone contract/upgrade). Wouldn't see myself playing it if it wasn't up to date.

[Rb]

Known about this for much longer than I should've done. Fantastic news

[Miles Jacobson]

Known about this for much longer than I should've done. Fantastic news

No one likes a show off, Robson.

Great news. Should we expect to see this join the other versions as an annual release?

I have neither an iPod touch nor an iPhone, but imagine I will within the next 12-18 months (iPod's imminent spectacular and ill-timed death and expiry of phone contract/upgrade). Wouldn't see myself playing it if it wasn't up to date.

We have to see how this one goes first before deciding on plans for future versions.

[spursfan77]

brilliant news. I just hope it doesnt cane the battery

[Wanson]

Great news! Been waiting for an iPhone version of FM for a while now. Earlier today I was even contemplating downloading CM2010 - so glad I didn't!

Sooo... will this work on the iPad too or will there be a seperate version for that?

[Jonnyâ„¢]

right down to listening to your music collection while managing your team.

The game does not support your iPod music in game and presents nothing but a click noise for the whole game.

Does it or doesn't it?

[Rb]

I wonder Marc V has tested it on his iPad a little, any chance on letting us know how well it works being 'stretched' on that device?

[mkwone]

Is this going to be Ipad compatible as well?

[CovFan]

Would be great if there was a way to be an international team and be able to manage in the World Cup.

[bcooper]

Does it or doesn't it?

It does. You'll see an edit in that review already. We suspect the reviewer didn't turn the music option on in his preferences.

Thanks
Ben

[GillsMan]

Would be great if there was a way to be an international team and be able to manage in the World Cup.

Oh this would have been perfect!

[Rycall]

This is fantastic news, seriously, but will the game contain any form of multiplayer? Surely after the announcement of new online gaming features coming in OS 4.0 it would be a missed trick not to include (or at least add in an update at a later date) support for bluetooth/wifi/3G multiplayer.

[Rb]

This is fantastic news, seriously, but will the game contain any form of multiplayer? Surely after the announcement of new online gaming features coming in OS 4.0 it would be a missed trick not to include (or at least add in an update at a later data) support for bluetooth/wifi/3G multiplayer.

Well seeing they were announced to developers on friday and this would've been in development for quite some time, its a bit hard for them to have built in those capabilities in 3 days.

I do agree though it would be a fantastic addition

[Rycall]

Well seeing they were announced to developers on friday and this would've been in development for quite some time, its a bit hard for them to have built in those capabilities in 3 days.

I do agree though it would be a fantastic addition

Yeah I understand that I mean that hopefully multiplayer is either something they have yet to announce or its something they have planned to add at a later data. 4.0 will change everything with regards to gaming on the iPhone/iPod/iPad. With the inclusion of an Xbox Live style buddy system and achievements it would be great if FM were updated to take advantage of these new features.

Im probably getting ahead of myself tho, im just glad its finally here!

[Pompeyboyz]

Has this been well tested on 2G, 3G and 3GS as they all have different RAM and Processor speeds.

[Marc Vaughan]

Has this been well tested on 2G, 3G and 3GS as they all have different RAM and Processor speeds.

Yes I build and tested the game primarily on an old iTouch to verify it played at a decent rate on that then we tested on faster processors (and obviously on an iPhone to verify call interrupt functionality etc.).

Its very fast and playable on the oldest machines and uber speedy on the 3gs basically.

PS - Those of you who have in the past asked what I was working on when I mysteriously mentioned it now know

[Miles Jacobson]

This is fantastic news, seriously, but will the game contain any form of multiplayer? Surely after the announcement of new online gaming features coming in OS 4.0 it would be a missed trick not to include (or at least add in an update at a later date) support for bluetooth/wifi/3G multiplayer.

No - that OS isn't out for ages, and it's something we'll consider if we do futher versions.

Has this been well tested on 2G, 3G and 3GS as they all have different RAM and Processor speeds.

Yes. It's obviously much faster on the 3GS and later generation touches, but it works fine on 1st gen iPod touch.

[Rycall]

Meh, all very underwhelming news, just another version of the PSP game which I personally dislike. Oh well. Back to my PC.

It was hardly going to be a replica of the PC version.

[Pompeyboyz]

Yes I build and tested the game primarily on an old iTouch to verify it played at a decent rate on that then we tested on faster processors (and obviously on an iPhone to verify call interrupt functionality etc.).

Its very fast and playable on the oldest machines and uber speedy on the 3gs basically.

PS - Those of you who have in the past asked what I was working on when I mysteriously mentioned it now know

Glad to hear as I am on a 3G atm awaiting news on iPhone 4G

[Twellman24]

Will it be available for download in the US?

[Marc Vaughan]

Will it be available for download in the US?

Darn tooting it will - thats where I'm living after all

[Miles Jacobson]

Will it be available for download in the US?

Yes, with a price of $9.99 I believe.

[Marc Vaughan]

brilliant news. I just hope it doesnt cane the battery

Its fairly battery friendly but be warned you can find it isn't particularly 'time friendly' - I've often looked up at the clock and thought bugger I was meant to be doing something this evening apart from just playing the game

[Rycall]

No - that OS isn't out for ages, and it's something we'll consider if we do futher versions.

Thank you

I perhaps worded that badly, I wasnt expecting online multiplayer from the off (tho bluetooth may have been a possibility) I was just wondering if with the recent announcement of 4.0 and its new gaming features would there be any chance of an update to take advantage of it in July - or thereafter - when the OS is released.

Cheers tho, heres hoping its a success and FM Handheld 2011 adds online support.

[jimny]

Great news! I just wrote a post in my Hungarian blog (http://iphonehirek.blogspot.com/2010...iphone-ra.html).

Will there be a special iPad edition?

[SCIAG]

What ME does it use? I don't mean text/2D/3D (which you answered), but what actual ME?

[Medion]

So what's been removed, if anything, from the PSP version?

[Rb]

Some screenshots here now : http://www.shortlist.com/gaming/arti...omes-to-iphone

[Pompeyboyz]

Do you think I could sue SI if I miss bus stops in the mornings I am going to work and am too busy playing FM on my iPhone.

[s33r]

Some screenshots here now : http://www.shortlist.com/gaming/arti...omes-to-iphone

Looks top notch, very polished and far better than another management sim I was playing on my iPhone. Simply cannot wait to get my mits on this.

[Miles Jacobson]

What ME does it use? I don't mean text/2D/3D (which you answered), but what actual ME?

An amended version of the PSP ME.

Do you think I could sue SI if I miss bus stops in the mornings I am going to work and am too busy playing FM on my iPhone.

No, you can't.

[Toothless Gibbon]

Have to say guys - great surprise!

Just as my love for FM2010 is waning, then we get this little gem.

How many players are in the DB? How does it compare to the PC version? i.e. less than small DB?

Im sure this game will sell a lot more than on the PSP.

What about tactical options?

[Tants]

Excellent news gents! Just wondered on a couple of things?

1. Is it just for I-Phone or will it be able to run on other smart phones like HTC HD2's?
2. Is there anything in the pipeline for a cut down FML client in the same way so we can keep an eye on the goings on in our GW's whilst meant to be working....?

Cheers.

[theaky]

Ive seen 3-4 people ask the question here with no answer....will it work on iPAD? or is there an iPad version coming?

[Drunk Beware]

hmmm i'm wondering whether to get it now since i already have FMH, it sounds to me like i would just be buying the same game twice.

[Miles Jacobson]

Have to say guys - great surprise!

Just as my love for FM2010 is waning, then we get this little gem.

How many players are in the DB? How does it compare to the PC version? i.e. less than small DB?

Im sure this game will sell a lot more than on the PSP.

What about tactical options?

20k players total in the db. About 5k in each playable league, which is similar to small db.

Tatical options are as per the PSP game.

Excellent news gents! Just wondered on a couple of things?

1. Is it just for I-Phone or will it be able to run on other smart phones like HTC HD2's?
2. Is there anything in the pipeline for a cut down FML client in the same way so we can keep an eye on the goings on in our GW's whilst meant to be working....?

Cheers.

1. It's just for Apple devices.
2. Not at the moment.

Ive seen 3-4 people ask the question here with no answer....will it work on iPAD? or is there an iPad version coming?

iPad isn't out yet in the UK, so we haven't tested in on there. We will evaluate the iPad and possibilities at some point in the future.

[theaky]

iPad isn't out yet in the UK, so we haven't tested in on there. We will evaluate the iPad and possibilities at some point in the future.[/QUOTE]

Great news, Ipad should show this off amazingly!

[mkwone]

Will we be seeing annual updates like the existing versions or will updates be provided via patches?

[Rycall]

It should run fine on the iPad, its been designed to run all App Store apps at their native resolutions AND an increased resolution. Many developers are also making iPad specific version of their apps, this is something SI will have to decide if its worthwhile doing.

[Marc Vaughan]

Will we be seeing annual updates like the existing versions or will updates be provided via patches?

We'll be doing active support for the game post release as we're able to release updates quite easily via. the iTunes store.

[urbanjunkie]

I'm dancing a jig.

[MarkSinkinson]

Great news, is there any way for future version to maybe sync it to the desktop version so we can play our desktop version on the go instead of running 2 games at the same time?

I'd be guessing there would be a lot of work involved due to the major differences between the two versions

[Rycall]

I'm dancing a jig.

here with this handsome kid
ciga-cigar right from Cuba-Cuba
I just bite it
Its for the look I dont light it

[Come Clarity]

Nice to finally see stadiums around pitches in all their 2D glory.

[radestock]

iPad is actually very interesting in that the screen is 1024x768 - that's exactly the minimum required for regular FM. In theory the regular FM skin would fit perfectly, thought whether it would be finger friendly is debatable.

[Come Clarity]

iPad is actually very interesting in that the screen is 1024x768 - that's exactly the minimum required for regular FM. In theory the regular FM skin would fit perfectly, thought whether it would be finger friendly is debatable.

My greatest (FM related) nightmare would be a straight port from PC to iPhone OS.

The current UI looks to make good use of the screen, and if there was to be an iPad version in the future it's safe to say it should be built from the iPhone/iPod UI up, and not the PC UI down.

[Rycall]

iPad is actually very interesting in that the screen is 1024x768 - that's exactly the minimum required for regular FM. In theory the regular FM skin would fit perfectly, thought whether it would be finger friendly is debatable.

The iPad sadly isnt powerfull enough to run the full FM client, unless SI released a stripped down version but then what you would essentially be left with is a version which falls somewhere between FM Handheld and the full FM version.

[jimny]

Marc,

How big is the difference between the PSP and iPhone versions? I mean tactics on PSP works on iPhone?

[Miles Jacobson]

Will we be seeing annual updates like the existing versions or will updates be provided via patches?

We won't make any decisions about annual updates, or data updates, until we've seen how the game does.

As MV says, we'll be supporting the game via patches, if needed, but that doesn't mean we'll be updating data or anything like that.

Great news, is there any way for future version to maybe sync it to the desktop version so we can play our desktop version on the go instead of running 2 games at the same time?

I'd be guessing there would be a lot of work involved due to the major differences between the two versions

Not a chance - they are completely different games.

iPad is actually very interesting in that the screen is 1024x768 - that's exactly the minimum required for regular FM. In theory the regular FM skin would fit perfectly, thought whether it would be finger friendly is debatable.

The skin might fit. The game won't though! The iPad is a large iPod, not a small iMac.

[radestock]

The iPad sadly isnt powerfull enough to run the full FM client, unless SI released a stripped down version but then what you would essentially be left with is a version which falls somewhere between FM Handheld and the full FM version.

I never said it would run regular FM. I'm a skin guy, I was just commenting on the interface. It's simply interesting (to me at least) that the regular FM skin would fit on the ipad screen in terms of producing a version that looks the same/similar. Very obviously it won't have the grunt with it's Cortex-A8 core and 256mb RAM.

[blackmaff69]

Telling me about this and not releasing it immediately is cruel and unusual punishment

[Rb]

Telling me about this and not releasing it immediately is cruel and unusual punishment

Only 8 hours and 50 minutes left (If the servers update perfectly and of course if you live in the UK)

[blackmaff69]

That's not immediately

[Dec9693]

Excited, nice work guys .

[woa85]

im very excited about this. ive only just got my iPhone and not got many apps for it, only paid for a couple so far. my fear of getting one is i'd spend too much on apps. but sod it! its football manager has to be bought

[Marc Vaughan]

Telling me about this and not releasing it immediately is cruel and unusual punishment

Apologies for the delay - announcing a game which is coming out worldwide is naturally somewhat problematic because of time differences between the countries (as Miles mentioned it'll likely be 'out' in Australia first).

[Dec9693]

Any more secrets, Marc ?

[blackmaff69]

Only 8 hours and 50 minutes left (If the servers update perfectly and of course if you live in the UK)

Apologies for the delay - announcing a game which is coming out worldwide is naturally somewhat problematic because of time differences between the countries (as Miles mentioned it'll likely be 'out' in Australia first).

Will you be tweeting when it's released?

[boroboy87]

This is awesome news. I've been waiting ages for a just a half decent management sim to come out for iphone and now we jump straight to the best! Great news

[arsenal fan 123]

Great news
How many seasons will it run before the game ends and you have to start a new one?
Because i had FM05 handheld on the PSP and i think you could play for 15 seasons or 30 im not sure about this

[Miles Jacobson]

Will you be tweeting when it's released?

It's not as simple as that, unfortunately, due to the way the app store works, and the way that servers update. Someone in one house may be able to see it and by it, and someone in the house next door might not be able to. So what I've posted above regarding release times is as accurate as we're going to be able to get.

Great news
How many seasons will it run before the game ends and you have to start a new one?
Because i had FM05 handheld on the PSP and i think you could play for 15 seasons or 30 im not sure about this

25 seasons.

[Marc Vaughan]

Any more secrets, Marc ?

You should know better than to get any information out of me by now Dec ....

[Dec9693]

I should but I can always try in the hope you are drunk .

[Marc Vaughan]

I should but I can always try in the hope you are drunk .

I'm not allowed to drink - I'm just chained to this desk and they just water me every couple of days

[romjet2]

Which languages will be available on this version ?

[Miles Jacobson]

Which languages will be available on this version ?

English, French, Italian and Spanish.

[urbanjunkie]

Disappointed there is no 3D graphics engine.







Sorry, couldn't resist.

I've stopped jigging now, so I can write a massive thank you to you guys for releasing this on the ifamily. I remember the question being asked about a FM on the iphone and the answer being stated as 'no', so I'm buzzing to see it come out of nowhere. Good work fellas.

[crickie]

Are the team logos on the screenshots already on the game or do we have to add them????

[Chris Rice]

Are the team logos on the screenshots already on the game or do we have to add them????

Already in the game.

[Luis L]

Will there be a "Lite" version to try before you buy?

[Super Bladesman]

Will there be any editing capability?

[Dec9693]

I have asked Marc and he said no.

*Cough* Thank God for me *cough*

[MonsterMunch]

WOW! I am on a 5 hour journey tomorrow.... PLEASE BE UP.....

[Marc Vaughan]

Will there be a "Lite" version to try before you buy?

Its something which is being looked into, there will likely be one further down the line (months rather than days).

[Sy13]

Will this game have regens? (i.e. the current players in the database will be useless after 10 seasons so what happens then?)

[Marc Vaughan]

Will this game have regens? (i.e. the current players in the database will be useless after 10 seasons so what happens then?)

The game has regens in a similar manner to our other games as you'd expect.

[Sy13]

The game has regens in a similar manner to our other games as you'd expect.

Sold!

10101010101010

[Barry Cartman]

Asked this in the OTF thread but will get a better answer in here

What happens to the game when you receive a phone call? Will the game simply pause or will the app close? I'd hate to be in the middle of a match and lose any game time because of an incoming call