FIFA Manager 08 vs FM

The aim of this thread is to provide some comparison with another football management game to see what's good and bad about them and provide some information for comparison and ideas for SI for improvement of Football Manager.

I have played a full season of FIFA Manager 08 (henceforth known as FIFA) and several dozen of Football Manager 07 (henceforth known as FM). I have looked at several aspects of both for comparison:

- 2d vs 3d matches

- commentary

- player interaction

- statistics

- database

- ease of play

- depth

- tactics

- scouting

- manual

- transfers

Each of these will have its own section in the thread so it's easier for you to read ( so give me a few minutes to put them all up. The last section will be my opinion on the two. I have only played the demo of FM08 so am not in a position to comment on it or make a fair comparison.

The aim of this thread is to provide some comparison with another football management game to see what's good and bad about them and provide some information for comparison and ideas for SI for improvement of Football Manager.

I have played a full season of FIFA Manager 08 (henceforth known as FIFA) and several dozen of Football Manager 07 (henceforth known as FM). I have looked at several aspects of both for comparison:

- 2d vs 3d matches

- commentary

- player interaction

- statistics

- database

- ease of play

- depth

- tactics

- scouting

- manual

- transfers

Each of these will have its own section in the thread so it's easier for you to read ( so give me a few minutes to put them all up. The last section will be my opinion on the two. I have only played the demo of FM08 so am not in a position to comment on it or make a fair comparison.

2d vs 3d

The 2d blobs that we're used to in FM can be irritating when to comes to deciding who's offside and who isn't. It's also impossible to judge how bad a tackle is. It's a step up from text only but its usefulness is debatable. How many people actually fully utilise it?

The 3d match engine is, obviously, vastly superior in terms of graphics and appearance. But the game still has difficulty in seeing obvious offsides. Using the standard camera angle that follows the game up and down the pitch I have paused at the moment of passing the ball and seen two of my players offside, but none is given. The only advantage in a 3d match engine is that you can see the tackles, but even that is somewhat hit and miss. The main disadvantage is John Motson and Ally McCoist.

It looks good, but that's all. After a couple of games of this I didn't bother with it and just used text only mode.

I'll call this a draw as neither (in my opinion) are particularly useful.

FM 0 - 0 FIFA

Commentary

The game commentary (text mode) in FIFA is much better, and also funnier in places. It is more detailed and you get a full history in front of you instead of the abridged version you see in the game report in FM. Sometimes you get to shout an instruction at the players when they have the ball (shoot/dribble/pass), and also decide whether to give the ball back quickly when it lands at your feet. You can also instruct your player on how to take his penalty and where to put it. This can get you into trouble as I found out on two occasions when I was sent to the stands.

In one game I was winning comfortably and the ball rolled to me in my technical area with a few minutes to go. I had the option to kick it away, but I quickly gave the ball to the opposition and the player was so surprised he accidentally threw it to one of my players.

It's certainly an area that FM could learn from. FIFA wins this one.

FM 0 - 1 FIFA

Player Interaction

This is one area that FM'ers have complained about for years. FIFA wins this one hands down. At any point you can talk to your players about their training and behaviour or give them a general comment about their team status and make promises. In fact, if you don't the player and team morale will drop. You also get instant feedback.

This is especially true at half time. You get to make one comment each to five players (praise/motivate/criticise/threaten with substitution) and if you get it right for all five, you get told that the player's morale has increased and that they'll play better in the second half. You can also see how they feel about the game, how they're working together and how optomistic they feel (or not).

In this area, FIFA wins hands down. FM 0 - 2 FIFA

Statistics

The statistics in FM are well presented and relatively easy to find. In FIFA there are fewer of them, badly presented and difficult to find. To find out your top goalscorers you have to change screens and then hunt.

It's also much more difficult to see what's happening in other leagues or look at other teams.

Maybe I'm just too used to FM, but I don't like this part of FIFA at all. FM 1 - 2 FIFA

Database

No comparison. FM has a far better and bigger database of players and teams than FIFA. FM 2 - 2 FIFA

Ease of play

This one is difficult as what one person finds easy another will find impossible. Once you get used to the games both are easy to play, just different.

Whereas you get to play out your personal life to some extent in FIFA, that side is ignored in FM. It can be fun, but can also be irritating when your wife spends £20K on a whirlpool just before you get to buy the detached house you had your eye on. It's a nice add on but not something worth getting heated up about.

Also, in FIFA you can find out what the fans think about you. One woman wanted to have my children!

Score draw. FM 2 - 2 FIFA

Depth

This is also a difficult one. Wheras you get more into your personal life in FIFA (you can decide to get your wife/girlfriend pregnant), you get more footballing depth in FM.

In FIFA you can design a new stadium and decide what scarves to sell in the shop. In FM you can hire as many coaches/physios as the club will allow. FIFA also has an FM05 style of training.

They're different, that's all

No score draw FM 2 - 2 FIFA

Tactics

There is a tactical depth in FIFA, but it is not as deep as FM. For me, FIFA wins as I hate the interminable fiddling with sliders, trying to get the right balance between the team orders and personal orders you have in FM.

Whilst sliders are present in FIFA, there are fewer of them and they have fewer notches. But if tactics are your thing, then FM is the winner here. If not, then FIFA is the winner.

However, due to the options available, however frustrating they are, FM wins.

FM 3 - 2 FIFA

Scouting

Fairly similar. You send scouts out, they tell you what they find, you decide who to buy. The only real difference is that scouts in FIFA don't have visible, numerical attributes just descriptions (specialises in midfielders etc). The presentation is slightly different, but not enough to warrant an advantage of one over the other.

Different but equal. FM 3 - 2 FIFA

Manual

An odd choice maybe, but if you thought the FM manual was bad, try the FIFA one. Nowhere does actually tell you what the symbols for a player status mean, nor does hovering the mouse button over them help. Also, what the hell are the moving coloured slicers at the top of the match screen?

Thumping home victory to FM. FM 4 - 2 FIFA

Transfers

Whilst transfers in FM can be frustrating, at least the system is relatively simple. FIFA scores in presentation (you get the picture of the player in a nice little folder), but trying to decipher everything takes time. There are also too many options for the contract. (do you really want to consider agent's fees?)

Having said that, at least you can sell players you don't want for a decent price. If FM07 had the same balance as FM06, then I would score a win for FM, but as it is difficult to sell even quality players most of the time, I'll give this as a draw.

FM 4 - 2 FIFA.

And Finally.....

FIFA's advantage is that it's a game. It is not a realistic simulation of football management. It takes you into areas that few football managers would ever enter (stadium design, the price of scarves and footballs at the shop, although you can get others to do that). It does allow you to see the training facilities and how you've improved them, something that FM (thankfully) abstracts out with its numbers for the training and youth facilities.

FM's advantage is that its the most realistic simulation of football management around. It is abstracting out things that are on the periphery (how many managers take training?), and ignoring the flippant (getting your wife pregnant). It focuses on football as a whole, not just the player.

But which do I prefer?

I am a casual gamer. As much as I've enjoyed playing FM it's too picky and too fiddly for my liking (I hated the Sims as you had to control everything about their lives). I want to be able to pick up a game and have some fun for an hour or seven.

I enjoyed FM 06 because there were fewer frustrations with it over selling and buying players and that compensated for the match engine. To make FM07 enjoyable I have to use genie scout and FMM, as well as save the game before each match in case of, in my opinion, stupid results.

I am not tempted by FM08, but I shall wait and see what FM09 brings.

So despite the winning margin of FM, I prefer FIFA as it is more fun. (Does that make me a closet Geordie?)

I hope this has been informative and I am happy to answer questions. However, it may take me some time to reply as I have to work to feed the kids and pay the bills.

Over to you.

FIFA Needs an extra point in graphics with licensed logos and kits.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by martinw:

2d vs 3d

The main disadvantage is John Motson and Ally McCoist.

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by martinw:

Commentary

The game commentary (text mode) in FIFA is much better, and also funnier in places. It is more detailed and you get a full history in front of you instead of the abridged version you see in the game report in FM. Sometimes you get to shout an instruction at the players when they have the ball (shoot/dribble/pass), and also decide whether to give the ball back quickly when it lands at your feet. You can also instruct your player on how to take his penalty and where to put it. This can get you into trouble as I found out on two occasions when I was sent to the stands.

In one game I was winning comfortably and the ball rolled to me in my technical area with a few minutes to go. I had the option to kick it away, but I quickly gave the ball to the opposition and the player was so surprised he accidentally threw it to one of my players.

It's certainly an area that FM could learn from. FIFA wins this one.

FM 0 - 1 FIFA </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Sorry.

Argh! Numbnuts here. Missed the (text mode) bit.

FIFA is far less annoying

In FIFA you can mod AI and player's movement and development and effects of training and almost everything.

FM has better DB

FIFA has all those stadium building , facilities, youth academies , economics.

3D is horrible , 2D is far better

You can turn sucking off and actually even buy a club , thats super.

(no score changes FM used it's super goalie)

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by martinw:

Depth

This is also a difficult one. Wheras you get more into your personal life in FIFA (you can decide to get your wife/girlfriend pregnant), you get more footballing depth in FM.

In FIFA you can design a new stadium and decide what scarves to sell in the shop. In FM you can hire as many coaches/physios as the club will allow. FIFA also has an FM05 style of training.

They're different, that's all

No score draw FM 2 - 2 FIFA </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I would call this one a FM win, the depth that you've mentioned in Fifa all appear to ben non football related which for a football manager simulation means they surely don't count.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by martinw:

I have played a full season of FIFA Manager 08 (henceforth known as FIFA) and several dozen of Football Manager 07 (henceforth known as FM). I have looked at several aspects of both for comparison: </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I;ve just noticed the exact verison you are comparing.

Surely to be fauir it shoudl have been FIFA07 v FM07 or FIFA08 v FM08.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by George Graham:

Argh! Numbnuts here. Missed the (text mode) bit. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

The 'commentary' i referred to is the text mode, not Motson/McCoist

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Barside:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by martinw:

Depth

This is also a difficult one. Wheras you get more into your personal life in FIFA (you can decide to get your wife/girlfriend pregnant), you get more footballing depth in FM.

In FIFA you can design a new stadium and decide what scarves to sell in the shop. In FM you can hire as many coaches/physios as the club will allow. FIFA also has an FM05 style of training.

They're different, that's all

No score draw FM 2 - 2 FIFA </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I would call this one a FM win, the depth that you've mentioned in Fifa all appear to ben non football related which for a football manager simulation means they surely don't count. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

They're not directly football related, but do make FIFA more of a game, than a simulation. It is difficult to directly compare the two as they are different beasts, hence I have given this as a draw. People will disagree, but that's tha advantage of a discussion.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by martinw:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by George Graham:

Argh! Numbnuts here. Missed the (text mode) bit. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

The 'commentary' i referred to is the text mode, not Motson/McCoist </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Arrgh, just missed your second comment

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Barside:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by martinw:

I have played a full season of FIFA Manager 08 (henceforth known as FIFA) and several dozen of Football Manager 07 (henceforth known as FM). I have looked at several aspects of both for comparison: </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I;ve just noticed the exact verison you are comparing.

Surely to be fauir it shoudl have been FIFA07 v FM07 or FIFA08 v FM08. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

You're right, but as I haven't played FIFA Manager 07 or FM08, this is the best I can do. Judging by responses on the FIFA forums and this there aren't too many differences between the 07 & 08 versions of the games.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Themistofelis:

FIFA is far less annoying

In FIFA you can mod AI and player's movement and development and effects of training and almost everything.

FM has better DB

FIFA has all those stadium building , facilities, youth academies , economics.

3D is horrible , 2D is far better

You can turn sucking off and actually even buy a club , thats super.

(no score changes FM used it's super goalie) </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Super goalies exist in FIFA too. I'm tempted to get my son's toy gun out and shoot them occasionally.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by martinw:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by martinw:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by George Graham:

Argh! Numbnuts here. Missed the (text mode) bit. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

The 'commentary' i referred to is the text mode, not Motson/McCoist </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Arrgh, just missed your second comment </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

lol- anyway agree about the commentary- it gets so repetitive after just a couple of games, plus the comments are at times nothing to do with what we are seeing.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by martinw:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Themistofelis:

FIFA is far less annoying

In FIFA you can mod AI and player's movement and development and effects of training and almost everything.

FM has better DB

FIFA has all those stadium building , facilities, youth academies , economics.

3D is horrible , 2D is far better

You can turn sucking off and actually even buy a club , thats super.

(no score changes FM used it's super goalie) </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Super goalies exist in FIFA too. I'm tempted to get my son's toy gun out and shoot them occasionally. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Theyre a lot more fun though- Im on the fence as to whether 2D or 3D is better but some of the saves that are pulled off in Fifa Manager are superb.

Just goes to show that the engine is capable of displaying just about anything now- its just coupling it up to the engine behind it.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by George Graham:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by martinw:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by martinw:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by George Graham:

Argh! Numbnuts here. Missed the (text mode) bit. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

The 'commentary' i referred to is the text mode, not Motson/McCoist </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Arrgh, just missed your second comment </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

lol- anyway agree about the commentary- it gets so repetitive after just a couple of games, plus the comments are at times nothing to do with what we are seeing. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

It can get repetitive in FIFA, but at least there are more options...and funnier ones. The ref gets hit by the ball at least once every game. You also get told told that a player smashes his elbow into an opponents face and gets away with it. One of my strikers did a 'Maradona' and also got away with it. I wasn't sure whether to praise or kill him.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by George Graham:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by martinw:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Themistofelis:

FIFA is far less annoying

In FIFA you can mod AI and player's movement and development and effects of training and almost everything.

FM has better DB

FIFA has all those stadium building , facilities, youth academies , economics.

3D is horrible , 2D is far better

You can turn sucking off and actually even buy a club , thats super.

(no score changes FM used it's super goalie) </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Super goalies exist in FIFA too. I'm tempted to get my son's toy gun out and shoot them occasionally. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Theyre a lot more fun though- Im on the fence as to whether 2D or 3D is better but some of the saves that are pulled off in Fifa Manager are superb.

Just goes to show that the engine is capable of displaying just about anything now- its just coupling it up to the engine behind it. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

The 3d looks nice. What I did notice (and forgot to mention) is that it is harder to win a game using the 3d match engine than the text mode. Maybe that should score it down, but I did read in an earlier thread that someone has noticed a difference in results between text only and 2d mode in FM.

Curious.

FIFA with the same amount of depth as FM

Laughable.

Fifa is a cross between CM and the Sims, basically.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by martinw:

Depth

This is also a difficult one. Wheras you get more into your personal life in FIFA (you can decide to get your wife/girlfriend pregnant), you get more footballing depth in FM.

In FIFA you can design a new stadium and decide what scarves to sell in the shop. In FM you can hire as many coaches/physios as the club will allow. FIFA also has an FM05 style of training.

They're different, that's all

No score draw FM 2 - 2 FIFA </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

what about the fact that you can build youth camps all over the country to help your youngsters come through the ranks.

Surely that alone is a point.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by JAStewart:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by martinw:

Depth

This is also a difficult one. Wheras you get more into your personal life in FIFA (you can decide to get your wife/girlfriend pregnant), you get more footballing depth in FM.

In FIFA you can design a new stadium and decide what scarves to sell in the shop. In FM you can hire as many coaches/physios as the club will allow. FIFA also has an FM05 style of training.

They're different, that's all

No score draw FM 2 - 2 FIFA </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

what about the fact that you can build youth camps all over the country to help your youngsters come through the ranks.

Surely that alone is a point. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Agreed. But in FM you can have Feeder clubs, something isn't available in FIFA

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Oz:

FIFA with the same amount of depth as FM

Laughable.

Fifa is a cross between CM and the Sims, basically. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I totally agree with that and i am thinking that this is the main reason FIFA is far more entertaining to play .

Yes sometimes GKs overdo it in FIFA but strikers can make their magic too , in a game my striker perfectly controlled a long high pass with the outside of his right foot and scored with the inside of the his right foot in the upper right corner of the post before the ball touches the ground.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Oz:

FIFA with the same amount of depth as FM

Laughable.

Fifa is a cross between CM and the Sims, basically. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

In football terms, FM has more depth. In gaming terms, FIFA has more depth. Different people like different things. But what do you think about the difference in text commentary? Which one would you prefer?

Another thing i forgot to add is the reputation system , teams have a domestic reputation and a European one , this for leagues like Austrian or Greek is very very important ; for example if i go well with my Graz team in CL i will gain reputation points and manage to sign good international players while my opponents will not.

This way you can build a dynasty even when starting in a league outside Spain, Italy and England, in FM a plebe playing in Russia will always be a plebe no matter how many European titles won.

Now my opinion. Notice that I don't have played Fifa manager 2008, but enjoyed a lot 2004, played also 2005 and tested 2007, so my opinion is not really important:

- 2d vs 3d matches:

I didn't like to watch fifa matches, because my graphics card didn't support it XDDD You could give orders to players and in late versions you could manage a player if you want. It is not true management, but it's amusing.

In the other hand 2d of FM2008 is quite nice and simple. I give my vote to Fifa because it's more complete imho. 0-1

- commentary

Fifa lets you some interaction, but I prefer FM, gives more data and more accurate. 1-1

- player interaction

Interaction in FM has little impact. In fifa has more impact but it's quite predictable. I don't like any.

- statistics

FM has lovely statistics, but if you could apply some filters would be even better. fifa are simpler and had less information 2-1

- database

No discussion. 3-1

- ease of play

Fifa is easier to play, FM demands understanding of tactics, but people usually don't look for this. Fifa is easier, 3-2

- depth

I think Fifa is deeper. In FM you act as a manager, in fifa you do the same and have more options, like them or not. 3-3

- tactics

FM has better editor and they have more impact. Although there are some tactics in FM that make matches weird, they are globaly better. 4-3

- scouting

I prefer FM scouting, more complex and gives more information. But I hate having 10 coaches and scouts and having all of them giving me the SAME data of my players (all data but CA and PA) 5-3

- manual

Both games are too complex to have a good manual, but at least they could have a good in-game manual. I don't like any. 5-3

- transfers

FM transfers don't work good for me. I don't know what is the correct amount for every player, because their value doesn't reflect it. I can't sell lots of players, and when a team ask me the amount for a player I don't know what to ask. Fifa is simpler and more logical. 5-4

-Youngsters

I like to choose what kind of players will I have, as Fifa does, but FM system works fine since 2007, and the way I could train youngsters in fifa didn't like me. a point for each 6-5

-training

Fifa training looks better, but FM system works better, even there are some things I don't like (why I can't have my striker train penalties without training crossing???). Nevertheless I like FM more 7-5

This year I bought FM2008 but haven't bought fifa 08 (neither 07). Why, if both games have a similar rating? because playing fm makes me feel a bit more like a real manager, and I know that if I play serious my results will be actually better. i don't mind having bad graphics or haven't a wife in the game, but there are things in Fifa that FM could adapt.

Every time I have played Fifa it has been totally soulless. So that's about 10-0 to FM.

The database is a very important part of the game and warrants more points than a manual or commentary (they are really not comparable), so that's worth another three making 13-0.

2D vs 3D is the wrong question. It doesn't matter how pretty Fifa is, the match engine is garbage from start to finish, whereas FM's match engine is brilliance puntuated by the odd moment of stupidity. So that brings us up to about 20-0.

Also, I've yet to play Fifa without coming across a serious game ending bug. So that's about 30-0.

After that, they can fight it out on features, because FM still gives Fifa a sound tonking.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by xouman:

Now my opinion. Notice that I don't have played Fifa manager 2008, but enjoyed a lot 2004, played also 2005 and tested 2007, so my opinion is not really important: </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Every opinion is important. Don't do yourself down

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">- 2d vs 3d matches:

I didn't like to watch fifa matches, because my graphics card didn't support it XDDD You could give orders to players and in late versions you could manage a player if you want. It is not true management, but it's amusing.

In the other hand 2d of FM2008 is quite nice and simple. I give my vote to Fifa because it's more complete imho. 0-1 </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I don't like either as part of the game, FIFA's is just prettier.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">- commentary

Fifa lets you some interaction, but I prefer FM, gives more data and more accurate. 1-1 </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Not sure about more data or more accurate. When it comes to giving information so you give a media opinion afterwards, FM is lacking.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">- player interaction

Interaction in FM has little impact. In fifa has more impact but it's quite predictable. I don't like any. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Predictable, mostly. But also more important. In the second half of the season in FIFA the players trust in you drops if you sell a favourite player far more than would happen in FM. Good or bad?

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">- statistics

FM has lovely statistics, but if you could apply some filters would be even better. fifa are simpler and had less information 2-1 </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Agreed.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">- database

No discussion. 3-1 </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

No one disagrees with this. FM rules.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">- ease of play

Fifa is easier to play, FM demands understanding of tactics, but people usually don't look for this. Fifa is easier, 3-2 </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Agreed

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">- depth

I think Fifa is deeper. In FM you act as a manager, in fifa you do the same and have more options, like them or not. 3-3 </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Is FIFA deeper or wider?

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">- tactics

FM has better editor and they have more impact. Although there are some tactics in FM that make matches weird, they are globaly better. 4-3 </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Agreed. For all FM's faults with tactics it's still superior in that regard.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">- scouting

I prefer FM scouting, more complex and gives more information. But I hate having 10 coaches and scouts and having all of them giving me the SAME data of my players (all data but CA and PA) 5-3 </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

In hindsight I have to agree with you, but I still think the difference is marginal. How useful is much of the information We're given?

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">- manual

Both games are too complex to have a good manual, but at least they could have a good in-game manual. I don't like any. 5-3 </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Agreed, although FM is better in this sense. FIFA has little or no in-game help, FM has some.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">- transfers

FM transfers don't work good for me. I don't know what is the correct amount for every player, because their value doesn't reflect it. I can't sell lots of players, and when a team ask me the amount for a player I don't know what to ask. Fifa is simpler and more logical. 5-4 </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Each has its own eccentricities and it's probably down to preference/familiarity

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">-Youngsters

I like to choose what kind of players will I have, as Fifa does, but FM system works fine since 2007, and the way I could train youngsters in fifa didn't like me. a point for each 6-5 </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Agreed.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">-training

Fifa training looks better, but FM system works better, even there are some things I don't like (why I can't have my striker train penalties without training crossing???). Nevertheless I like FM more 7-5 </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'm not sure that FM works better, it's just simpler to understand. FIFA's is too fiddly.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">This year I bought FM2008 but haven't bought fifa 08 (neither 07). Why, if both games have a similar rating? because playing fm makes me feel a bit more like a real manager, and I know that if I play serious my results will be actually better. i don't mind having bad graphics or haven't a wife in the game, but there are things in Fifa that FM could adapt. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Agreed. FM is for people who want the football experience, FIFA for those who want a game. Neither are better, both have their faults and both appeal to different types of people.

Thanks for your input to the thread.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Fred:

FIFA Needs an extra point in graphics with licensed logos and kits. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Late reply, but I got here.

I agree, but you can get them into FM using a mod pack. In FM's defence, it has real manager names, FIFA doesn't.