FOOTBALL MANAGER 2009 - Graphics Speak Louder Than Words! . . . [Mock-ups Included]

[StanPetrov]

Personally i feel FM to have just about every feature you could possibly want in a football management sim. However, i find there is still something lacking.

I beleive FM would greatly benefit from a design overhaul - less text, more graphics.

Attributes
Attribute Alternative Colour
Match Flow
Overview
Table
Tactics


Before i start on the following topic i must insist on telling you that i really dislike Fifa Manager 08.
However the difference, i feel, between FM and Fifa Manager is:

DATABASE: Football Manager > Fifa Manager (90%-10%)
GRAPHICS: Fifa Manager > Football Manager (65%-35%)

Fifa1
Fifa2
Fifa3
Fifa4
Fifa5
Fifa6

[StanPetrov]

I also beleive FM could benefit from:

Shortlist: Stopping everyone on your shortlist being linked with you every week. It's so annoying.

Pitch/Weather: Have different pitch styles and weather effects. eg. Snow lying on the pitch and playing with a yellow ball.

Friendlies: When selecting a team to play a friendly against either a)Only show the teams that are available to play on the date you have selected OR b)Select a team to play and show the dates they are available on.

World Cup Tree: For knockout stages show the progress in a tree based display. Something more exciting than displaying the same as league fixtures.

Manager Stats: Have more information entered at the start for your personal profile. I support Celtic and Liverpool. Favourite Players etc.

Photography: Using background pictures to good effect. Changes look/feel to certain screens. ie. Boardroom picture when you are asking for a board request.

Chairman: Stop a chairman from a wealthy club selling your top players over your head when you have enough money in the bank.

[Joor]

If you like all the "fluff" Fifa manager have, try download another skin . It takes 5 min to get and install..

[CGSilva5]

I've played in snow with a yellow ball before on FM08.

[Stomalomalus]

Stan, Are your changes available in a skin? Cos ur pics look ace, and it would make it look a lot better.

I think SI could improve their final product just by hiring a graphic designer to smarten the programme up. It wouldnt be detrimental to the game in any way, and the series could go stale without a refresh sometime soon - there hasnt really been a major overhaul since CM4 has there?

[backpackant]

You've obviously spent a lot of time on this, and they do look good, but IMO changed graphics/skins have very limited impact beyond first impressions. Still, each to their own.

The shortlist thing is well-known and hopefully SI have fixed it for FM09. The way round at the moment is to save your shortlist under one name and take everyone off the list. You can import it back when you want to look at the players.

Pitch/Weather: Have different pitch styles and weather effects. eg. Snow lying on the pitch and playing with a yellow ball.

This already happens.

With friendlies, yes this would save time.

I thought they already had a "tree". Don't you just select a particular view?

The photography, I think is similar to the graphics. Nice touch, but there's more important things for SI to work on.

Chairman thing is also well-known, with about 3 posts per day. Again, hopefully SI have fixed this. Current work-arounds are 1) offer the player a new, very high contract, or 2) offer the player to £0 to a load of clubs. If he chooses to go to one of the others, you can cancel the deal at the last minute.

Hope this helps.

[backpackant]

I think SI could improve their final product just by hiring a graphic designer to smarten the programme up. It wouldnt be detrimental to the game in any way, and the series could go stale without a refresh sometime soon

They do have graphic designers, otherwise there would be no graphics. As for not being detrimental, if there are too many graphics, it slows the game down - moreso on <2GB machines, but still. And the only thing that will make the game go stale is if they don't fix the obvious flaws in the game. Graphics are a major second in terms of importance when it comes to FM.

[macca69]

I think the picture you ahve eidted look great. I would be happy to play with them.

[Stomalomalus]

Yeah, I know that they must have designers, but I meant someone from outside the industry who could look at the overall picture and make it better.

If all they were to do is to fix any flaws, eventually people would just stick with one version and keep updating it themselves instead of buying each new game. I know that I regret buying PES 2008, and that series has gone somewhat stale. Some new feature like individual personalities would really revamp it, and you could have it as an optional feature so people with low end PCs could tuen it off

[crazyrap465]

Wow great work on those pics most people don't put anything more than the time it takes to type their whinging posts. While the attributes average thing at the top of the bar sounds like a good idea, the rest of that stuff seems to pertain to skins more than anything.

[Nostromo]

Originally posted by Joor:
If you like all the "fluff" Fifa manager have, try download another skin . It takes 5 min to get and install..

i agree. no fluff. the game should be monochrome. im all for regress!!!

[route1]

Hmmm...

It's a bit of a marmite topic really. Some people will want it, others won't.

As previously said, some things can already be altered by using different skins (eg background pics).

Some things may benefit from a few more graphics but I think the placers faces on the graphics screen is a bit too much. Have you seen the Wii version of Pro Evo. I wouldn't want it ending up like that! And plus, many players will play through until all the current players have retired and, with some people not even liking facegen full stop, many wouldn't want it.

Good to see someone doing something more than just saying 'I want to see this' etc

[ACJMY2K]

Originally posted by StanPetrov:
Personally i feel FM to have just about every feature you could possibly want in a football management sim. However, i find there is still something lacking.

I beleive FM would greatly benefit from a design overhaul - less text, more graphics.

I actually quite like most of those mock-ups, I'm all for a bit of change, the curent game is just about at the pinnacle of stats/gameplay theres not much furhter they can push this. Aside from new features, a new 'look' could breathe new life into an already top-notch game

[Synergy6]

Nice touch, but there's more important things for SI to work on.

I disagree with this concept on a number of levels. For one, the changes outlined would be mostly performed by a graphics expert, rather than the programming team who would work on most of what you want changed.

Secondly, people should stop making out that graphics development is a zero-sum game, interfering with coding. SI is owned by Sega. Admittedly, Sega is currently a loss-making outfit, but 2007's revenue was around £2.6bn. There is space for an extra staff member or two without firing anyone. Furthermore, Sega employs around eleven thousand people worldwide. You're telling me there aren't a few graphics designers in that who could be lent to SI for the short time it would take to radically improve FM's look?

Thirdly, I think it's wrong to bring up FIFA in this discussion. When people think of FIFA, they mostly remember the shoddy gameplay. No-one is advocating borrowing from FIFA's gameplay dynamics. Looking outward for user interface improvements does not dilute the FM core.

[Icelander83]

Most of these I like a lot but there is one thing I do not want at all:

Pop-up windows!

The few times I've played Fifa manager they bugged the hell out of me! I have back and forward buttons on my mouse, that's what I want to use! Or the arrow keys, anything besides pop-ups

[The Gaffovski]

Great stuff, Stan. Some really cool suggestions there.

Originally posted by StanPetrov:
I also beleive FM could benefit from:

Shortlist: Stopping everyone on your shortlist being linked with you every week. It's so annoying.

And - stopping the media question about one of your former players, that appears each time your team faces his "new" (lol) team. That really gets on my nerves. It should stop after the first time. But it just continues, season after season.

[tomricho2]

i would personally love to see all these things in the game next year but it wont happen

[Lucho_]

Great job Stan!

Would love to see some of your suggestions implemented.

[Neji]

Great work on those mockups, they look great.

All your additions are pretty simple but they do a massive amount for the GUI. Id be delighted if FM09 looked like that. Somehow, I think it will be pretty much the same boring look that we have gotton used to.

StanPetrov, I wonder, do you know how to code and make the skins? You could do alot of this with a skin, well I'm guessing on that. I know nothing about making skins.

[rancer890]

Stan, great graphics! Hope this gets into FM2009 (hope it's not too late) or FM2010.

[rednwhites]

Originally posted by StanPetrov:
Personally i feel FM to have just about every feature you could possibly want in a football management sim. However, i find there is still something lacking.

I beleive FM would greatly benefit from a design overhaul - less text, more graphics.

Attributes
Attribute Alternative Colour
Match Flow
Overview
Table
Tactics


Before i start on the following topic i must insist on telling you that i really dislike Fifa Manager 08.
However the difference, i feel, between FM and Fifa Manager is:

DATABASE: Football Manager > Fifa Manager (90%-10%)
GRAPHICS: Fifa Manager > Football Manager (65%-35%)

Fifa1
Fifa2
Fifa3
Fifa4
Fifa5
Fifa6

Brilliant. Simply brilliant.

Not too keen on the player pics showing up in the tactics screen though, takes up too much space but apart from that it's wonderful.

A very well constructed post producing fantastic results and you've made it clear in your edited pictures what's changed and what you've done.

Well done fella.

Also, on the shortlist point...I hate joining another club and getting a player linked to you that you were interested in at your previous club.

For instance, I was manager of Sunderland and expressed interested in Jason Roberts. Two seasons later, I was Man Utd manager and got linked with him!!

Annoying.

[causeforconcern]

I'm impressed.

I don't believe at all that what you've suggested could be considered as 'fluff'. These are basic changes that would require little time to fix that would make the game a lot more user friendly.

[MSCCG]

It looks really good!

[DietSpam]

I think it looks horrible. Please Si, don't so this.

[creature_from_ottawa]

The league table,match flow and Player screen looks cool

[phnompenhandy]

These are really inspired Stan. Great job and I do hope Ter takes a look at them.

[tommyh_16]

I'm very impressed in how you came up with these ideas as i believe it would greatly improve the graphically interface. well done

[FrazT]

Good work and some great ideas- I personally dont really care much about the graphics but see that there are people who would like this sort of thing.

[homerjnick]

The Graphics could be just black and white text for all I care as long as SI fix the damn game to make it more playable with less bugs.

If you want all that jazzy graphics then Fifa Manager is for you but I want a realistic simulation of the modern world and that is what SI produce and I want them to concentrate on that!

[calvin]

Nice to see a constructive topic as this. Gameplay is more important to me but most of the ideas posted I really like! A graphic overhaul always makes playing a new game more fun, like its a completely new game.

Since I believe the graphics are done by seperate parties as the coding of the game, I think it would be nice if Ter takes a look at some of your suggestions! It won't hinder the simulation development.

[gcormack]

i think its a great idea and you have clearly put a lot of effort in to this unlike some of the other people who post here.

i think most of your ideas are great except the faces on the tactics screen. i think it would just take up too much room and make things too congested.

a new game always needs a new look i just hope its not too late for FM09

[turn it upto 11]

average ability is quite good.
as is the head to head thing
the league thing
and clicking on a player ans saying set as...

but the graphics everywhere would hurt my eyes after a while, too much cheese imo. but yeah some good ideas.

[velonce]

Looks fantastic Stan. Personally I'd like a better looking knock-out tree for competitions like the Champions League, the current one is horrible.

[Mitja]

big for your effort!

some nice touches, but it's way too FIFA-ish for me.

[Arthur Li]

Awesome idea. It might slow the game down though which would turn some people away. Maybe there can be an option like Classic View or New View.

[dap1987]

i like most of it but feel it would turn some people off as it is very FIFA-ish, i really like the prematch view with key players and the head to head view and feel this part would benefit the game where as some of the others would make the game run slower and are a bit pointless.

[VonBlade]

Originally posted by route1:
It's a bit of a marmite topic really. Some people will want it, others won't.

Which at least makes it better than the FM08 default skin that absolutely nobody likes, not even Ters mum

[jakobx]

I must say that im very impressed how such little changes radically improve the look of the game. And you made it work with the new super ugly skin. Congrats..

It would be nice if some of those ideas are integrated in FM09. IMO its not too late since this isnt something that would require any/many changes in the code. Is something like this already possible with current skins or is the the interface provided by FM way too limited for this? It would be great if SI provided some sort of SDK that would enable people to expand the game.

[jakobx]

Originally posted by Arthur Li:
Awesome idea. It might slow the game down though which would turn some people away. Maybe there can be an option like Classic View or New View.

Nah...his changes are merely cosmetical. I doubt it would slow down the game even for 0.01%.

[Neji]

If you want all that jazzy graphics then Fifa Manager is for you but I want a realistic simulation of the modern world and that is what SI produce and I want them to concentrate on that!

Rubbish. FIFA Manager is rubbish so no it isnt the game for me. Would it really hurt to have a decent looking game for once?

SI have a skin man, its not as if it would even take their concentration away from keeping the game as realistic as possible.

[n0va]

STAN wow. I love the images. Thats exactly what i want to see in FM. I hate Fifa Manager for many reasons but the Fifa layout and skinning is a world above football manager.

Making football manager look like you screenshots would be a good way forward.

Please mate, think about creating a skin for fm08. If you dont know how then visit FMG and ask someone that can if maybe they could use what you have to create a skin.

That looks awesome and i am sure if someone can implement those into a skin it would go down a treat...

LOVE IT!

[Richard76]

Brilliant.

I like this a lot.

[postal postie]

Originally posted by StanPetrov:
Personally i feel FM to have just about every feature you could possibly want in a football management sim. However, i find there is still something lacking.

I beleive FM would greatly benefit from a design overhaul - less text, more graphics.

Attributes
Attribute Alternative Colour
Match Flow
Overview
Table
Tactics

i love those pictures!!
brilliant. the attributes pictures with the overview spider web graph at the bottom, the info about yellow cards and injurys looks excellent.
i like the head to head stats on the match previous screen

the pictures of trophys is easily sorted by people making the backgorunds so i dont see that as being important.
i'm also not sure about the different colours on the league tables for euro spots and relegation zone EXCEPT for when you get to the last 5 games of the season when it's important to see this sort of info.

i'm not a big fan of those 'quick buttons' to filter possitions on the tactics page either though.
and i think the player faces on the pitch in the same screen are too big and make the screen look cluttered.
but over all the changes you've made look nice

[postal postie]

perhaps something to be concerned about though is how all these graphics will affect the loading times of the pages.

[Ter]

I think SI could improve their final product just by hiring a graphic designer to smarten the programme up. It wouldnt be detrimental to the game in any way, and the series could go stale without a refresh sometime soon - there hasnt really been a major overhaul since CM4 has there?

There was a major overhaul for FM 2005 when the user interface changed completely and we properly supported team logos, player pictures, kits etc.

You've obviously spent a lot of time on this, and they do look good, but IMO changed graphics/skins have very limited impact beyond first impressions. Still, each to their own.

I don't agree they are just for first impressions. The addition of graphics make what were previously somewhat boring screens nicer to look at and often easier to quickly identify the information you are looking for or highlight important information.

They do have graphic designers, otherwise there would be no graphics. As for not being detrimental, if there are too many graphics, it slows the game down - moreso on <2GB machines, but still. And the only thing that will make the game go stale is if they don't fix the obvious flaws in the game. Graphics are a major second in terms of importance when it comes to FM.

I don't think adding more graphics to screens has much impact on game speed to be honest.

Good to see someone doing something more than just saying 'I want to see this' etc

Absoutely

I disagree with this concept on a number of levels. For one, the changes outlined would be mostly performed by a graphics expert, rather than the programming team who would work on most of what you want changed.

Yeah, changes like this would be implemented by the UI Team who would do the necessary code changes and the Art Team who would do the design work and create the graphics. Neither would be meddling in things like the transfer system or anything like that.

I don't believe at all that what you've suggested could be considered as 'fluff'. These are basic changes that would require little time to fix that would make the game a lot more user friendly.

I wouldn't agree that a lot of these are simply basic changes that could be done quite easily. There are a lot of things to consider (for example, from first glances, the selection details section is too small to fit all the text in that is usually there, especially after taking translations into account )

If you want all that jazzy graphics then Fifa Manager is for you but I want a realistic simulation of the modern world and that is what SI produce and I want them to concentrate on that!

I don't agree with that at all. There isn't a reason why we can't try to produce a realistic simulation of the modern football world while making it look nicer in the process. Both things can be done without being detrimental to the other.

Which at least makes it better than the FM08 default skin that absolutely nobody likes

The FM 2008 default skin has been a big success actually

[Neji]

Im glad you posted Ter! You sounded quite positive, any chance of seeing these in Fm in the future?

[jonahno6]

I love it

[Ter]

Im glad you posted Ter! You sounded quite positive, any chance of seeing these in Fm in the future?

I'm sure you know we don't comment on what you might be able to see in future versions of the game until we release the information and screenshots ourselves.

The graphical side of the game is certainly not being ignored though and the Art Team are always pushing for improvements to the look and feel of our titles.

[n0va]

I hate the default skin...

I use a skin called asesino and its very nice. I like a good looking skin with nice graphics and i got to admit fifa manager 08 in terms of graphics and new implementations are running ahead. The match engine and fake manager names are the huge negative but look at thier news reports ect..

What do we get each year? the same boring SITV's! Why cant SI take the time to develop a proper newspaper style that fifa have managed to do so well!

Also the media questions asked in that game have a great layout with the morale thing. Where in fm we get the same questions...same player reactions and same outcome...it needs revamped!

Halftime teamtalks should allow you to say more than one thing and so should fulltime...but we are very very limited to what we can or cannot say.

Hence why i will be working on a new media coverage pack once i have finished my soundpacks.

[Coop7774]

yeah agreed
i think the SI team could change the whole look of the game significantly to much success
i think they'd probably pick up a lot of customers who bought FIFA manager because it had better aesthetics
but yeah totally in favour of a skin shake up

[Ridleys]

With a few changes here and there I believe this skin could become very popular

[The Lambs]

Good informed first post, I certainly would welcome a prettier FM, if for no other reason than to stop the misses taking the mick out of my database game with the little dots that run around. Also known as the 80's graphics game.

Seriously, I do think the game would be refreshed from a graphics overhaul, several of my friends can't get into FM, because they can't get passed its looks and the overload of information. Getting some of this info over as graphics would help draw "those sort of players" in (i have no idea how to class them apart from that).

[Pricey85]

I really like some of these ideas, particularly the averaged scores for the mental, technical and physical attributes and the overview diagram on the same screen.

I don't think that these are purely asthetic ideas and as a previous poster mentioned it is such a change to see someone put a bit of leg work into their ideas. Great work.

[javier_83]

I'm impressed

the screens looks awesome!!

Ter, what do you like about this screens??

[Neji]

I'm sure you know we don't comment on what you might be able to see in future versions of the game until we release the information and screenshots ourselves.

I thought you may say that! I realised as soon as I posted that you wouldn't give anything away

[DeathReborn]

Originally posted by n0va:
I hate the default skin...

I use a skin called asesino and its very nice. I like a good looking skin with nice graphics and i got to admit fifa manager 08 in terms of graphics and new implementations are running ahead. The match engine and fake manager names are the huge negative but look at thier news reports ect..

What do we get each year? the same boring SITV's! Why cant SI take the time to develop a proper newspaper style that fifa have managed to do so well!

Also the media questions asked in that game have a great layout with the morale thing. Where in fm we get the same questions...same player reactions and same outcome...it needs revamped!

Halftime teamtalks should allow you to say more than one thing and so should fulltime...but we are very very limited to what we can or cannot say.

Hence why i will be working on a new media coverage pack once i have finished my soundpacks.

While I do like the current default skin (Steklo has better colours but crap layout) I would like to see perhaps the top 10 skins from the previous game added into the next release with any modifications needed to fit in any new buttonms/menus (permission from skin authors pending of course).

As for the media, if they won't revamp it at least put in a "turn off media" button to save us the hassle of ignoring it or repeating ad infinitum the same responses.

Perhaps for the team talks they need a choice of moods before the list of choices comes up. That way you'll get 5 or more good, horrified, delighted, pathetic etc style options to use.

Sayingf all that I like everything in the first post barring the player pictures on the tactics screen (i'd hate to see a 5 man midfield/defense with those mugs on there.

[jonahno6]

Can anyone make a skin of that?

[hufton]

I think the screens you posted are quite brilliant, but you rely a lot on pictures of the players. The obvious problem there being that a lot of players on the database don't have pictures so you end up with a screen full of silhouettes.

Its not so bad if you have the face packs, but if you're like me and manage random teams from obscure leagues then it would play a part, and without the actual player pics it wouldn't look good at all.

[Neji]

Originally posted by hufton:
I think the screens you posted are quite brilliant, but you rely a lot on pictures of the players. The obvious problem there being that a lot of players on the database don't have pictures so you end up with a screen full of silhouettes.

Its not so bad if you have the face packs, but if you're like me and manage random teams from obscure leagues then it would play a part, and without the actual player pics it wouldn't look good at all.

Thats a good point. How about having a shirt with a number on it for the players without a picture?

[n0va]

I am sure another solution for the tactics screen instead of player cut-outs can be found. How about some 3D icons that you can use? If you right click it lets you select options like:

Forward Run
Cross From
Cross To

ect...

Doesnt have to be player faces, im sure he was using it to get his point across.

[GillsMan]

I'm very pleased Ter saw these. Stan, I think the work you put into the graphical mock-ups was superb, superbly presented for starters, and the feedback to posts on the subject from Ter was spot-on.

My thoughts on Stan's ideas: I really, really like it. I don't agree that FM has nothing to do with graphics - and clearly those at SI have put the effort into the user interface. I'll hold my hands up and say that I hated the default FM08 skin at first, but I really, really like it now, and I can really see the hard work that obviously went into the design.

Stan, just one pointer: in some of your screenshots, you showed just the player's head in a box for the stats. Obviously, you'd need to incorporate their name into the mix as well for those players that don't have a facepack associated with them.

I really liked the Sky Sports style tactics screen, and the right-click suggestion.

I have to say, yours is the best thread in here for a looooong time.

[bridport_pouncer]

They are excellent must have taken ages!!

As many people have mentioned above, I think there are more important things to fix in FM first, but I reckon that sort of improvement graphic-wise would be brilliant.

Not on the scale of FIFA Manager - to me that is over the top graphics wise but a few pictures and changes in terms of what club you are etc would be very good.

Even something like when you look at the league table, the background colours are decked out in the colours of the holders

[NepentheZ]

Originally posted by Ter:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Which at least makes it better than the FM08 default skin that absolutely nobody likes

The FM 2008 default skin has been a big success actually </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I love the Default Skin.! I've tried out almost every skin, and after a few seasons gone back to the default.!

However, I love a lot proposed here by the OP, and adding the certain graphics would definitely make the game more enjoyable.

It's Your Graphics > It's Your Tactics any day

[PoopyPants]

I love them all

[Tim Madisun]

I think this is a great idea and fully support it.

Kudos for taking the time to present it well too

[lfcfannic]

Speechless. I'm absolutely speechless.

Those pics you made are fantastic. I know others may feel different, but if a game isn't aesthetically pleasing, I won't play it.

I also love the idea of more graphics because less text = less reading!

Absolutely brilliant!

[edwingray]

Think the ideas are generally good.

One small point though:

You write on the Overview screen something along the lines of "use more pictures for leading stats etc." This though would only work when the players are "real players". As soon as we are onto newgens, no-one will have a clue who they are, so text is necessary.

This of course applies to all aspects where you have replaced text with photos.

[Neyles]

Originally posted by edwingray:
This though would only work when the players are "real players". As soon as we are onto newgens, no-one will have a clue who they are, so text is necessary.

Good point. It makes long-term gaming problematic. But KUDOS to the OP for some awesome images.

[follow the blind]

i cant fathom why people dislike fm having a bit of style to it. I mean its an awesome guy but visually its so dull. Compare it to fifam 08, fifa manager is actually getting a bit better and it looks great, and even playing it over and over again it doesnt get as monotonous as fm jst because of these little graphic designs that dont "add" anything to the game. I dont see why it shouldnt be added, it doesnt take away anything from the game and if anything it adds to the experience and actually increases the longevity of the game.

Wow, thats a long post for me.

[Imperius]

I’d also like more stats post match that can be used for tactical feedback.

Presumably many events are modelled into the match calculation that don’t make it into the match stats screen.

Also, real world reviews of games might include: what sectors of the pitch did successful attacking moves start? Where were tackles won (rather than merely how many and by whom)? Successful passes – how many short/long etc? What led to attempts at goal: set piece, misplaced opposition pass, tackle won in last third of the pitch and so on. Effectiveness of opposition players: percentage of times the full back was beaten etc.

That sort of thing.

[madog308]

i love all your ideas. however dont like the tactics one you created. and i think the FIFA is too graphicy. how about when you go on the opposition instructions page it puts the two teams in formations on the same pitch, i.e ur half and their half. then have the ability to right click and drag a line to 'rough up' 'or tight mark' one of the oppositon players

[Wacks07]

this has probably been answered, but whats the deal with licenses with football manager?

as well as FM i play Pro Evo, yet neither of them ever manage to have a complete set of licenses particularly FM who seem to have everyone except the English Premier league? can anyone offer an explanation, or show me where i could find one.

[Wacks07]

Also, i really like those screen shots from StanPetrov, it would defiantly revamp the FM franchise, as well as offering something new to those who have played it

[something less annoying]

Obviously those mockups aren't perfect, but they definitely make a good point. FM08 looks absolutely awful, I can only play it with a user-created skin and some facepacks, and there's no excuse for it.

[Stomalomalus]

Im playing with the standard skin, and I see no problem. The game doesnt look nad, it just doesnt look amazing. I havnt so far been able to find a skin that I like though.

Stan, Are you gonna make that skin? It would be amazing if you did cos it is EXACTLY what Ive been looking for for years! Just didnt no what I was looking for until now

[HHUK]

I agree, I really like the face sizes you used. On FIFA the face sizes are HUGE and offputting, it feels like a kid's game.

The changes you've added look like they could be useful, not just flashy.

I fully support these.

[postal postie]

Originally posted by Wacks07:
this has probably been answered, but whats the deal with licenses with football manager?

as well as FM i play Pro Evo, yet neither of them ever manage to have a complete set of licenses particularly FM who seem to have everyone except the English Premier league? can anyone offer an explanation, or show me where i could find one.

find one? a liscense for SI?

[davhislop]

any chance we could download this skin for fm 08

[Chrisy177]

I think SI should seriously consider some of these suggestions. The interface could be developed SO much more (although I don't mind it as it is now). A few of your suggestions seem so obvious, such as using colour to separate the First Team from the subs.

And using average attributes would be very helpful, and background pictures would add loads to the game. You have obviously spent a lot of time on this, well done

[megafan2005]

some really good ideas but i think this should be included to

[!Steve1977]

Shortlist: Stopping everyone on your shortlist being linked with you every week. It's so annoying.

Pitch/Weather: Have different pitch styles and weather effects. eg. Snow lying on the pitch and playing with a yellow ball.

I'v had plenty of games on a snowy pitch with a retro Orange ball. Far better than a yellow ball.

Friendlies: When selecting a team to play a friendly against either a)Only show the teams that are available to play on the date you have selected OR b)Select a team to play and show the dates they are available on.

A neat suggestion cause its quite annoying organising friendlies and then the team isnt available or refuses. Then again, this is why I have my assistant do it.

World Cup Tree: For knockout stages show the progress in a tree based display. Something more exciting than displaying the same as league fixtures.

You can do this already I believe?

Manager Stats: Have more information entered at the start for your personal profile. I support Celtic and Liverpool. Favourite Players etc.

Isnt this already in? Apart from the favourite players bit?

Photography: Using background pictures to good effect. Changes look/feel to certain screens. ie. Boardroom picture when you are asking for a board request.

Nice request.

Chairman: Stop a chairman from a wealthy club selling your top players over your head when you have enough money in the bank.

Why? It happens in real life.


I was expecting something far better from your screenshots I have to say. But there are some nice ideas in there, such as the number next to the player. But I absolutely dislike the 'web' way of visualising the stats. It's absolute woeful and is only on consoles because you may not be able to read all the text on a TV. If a FM game ever solely went with that then I plainly wouldnt buy it. Absolutely awful way of visalising this.

One thing that has disappointed me with FM2008 has been the lack of decent skins. Is this because a lot of people are happy with the original skin? Or maybe people aint all that bothered. Have to say that I always go back to the excellent default skin.

[davhislop]

again, is there any chance we can dwnload this skin, it looks great

[Wayne\'o]

To cut along story short i agree with every thing you say stan.. SI makes changes to the game every year in terms of actions but graphics etc sound seem to get over looked. other games have better things about them than Fm but fm does have the best foundation for data base and so fourth.. with the power of graphics these days Fm lacks miles behind what could be achived for the current climate and its a shame.

[llama3]

yes good idea,

to appease people over the graphics thing then, there could be a plain style skin for slower computers and a skin which has a bit more to it

[LARulz]

Brilliant mock ups StanPetrov, agree with you on many points, You should really try and make a skin based on those mock ups

[Fallenone]

StanPetrov

ignore those naysayers

those who love to read thru ugly stats instead of great eye-pleasing details of game are just being too conservative


I always thought FM was not user-friendly due to the myriad of details in which you cannot tell which is more important than the other. Add to it that this would just make the game less tedious and more enjoyable

Props, SI should hire you!

[goodzorr_avfc]

These mock-ups are awesome.

[Schotsmannetje]

First of all, I really like this topic, especially the first post. You have done a lot of work and some improvements you suggested look awesome. I would like being able to right click on a player in the tactics screen to give him some individual instructions. Big thumbs up for that one.

Besides that, I really could not believe my eyes when I read posts saying: "Why should SI improve their graphics? That's not what FM is about."

Those people do not understand the concept of design, especially the design of a game like this. When having to read a lot of information (like you do in FM) it is of the up most importance that you can find the required information as soon and easy as possible. Little differences in letter type have a major impact on your ability to separate unimportant information from important information. Important information should be big and bold (like your team stats in the league table should be bold as stan pointed out) and unimportant information should be small. In FM, a lot of text and/or information has the exact same font and that is very tiring to your eyes and takes up a lot of unnecessary time.

As for including more pictures and graphics, I agree with this point up to a certain degree. Yes, having some information in a graphical way instead of just text gives our eyes a little rest once in a while and makes us more relaxed. Having to read text all the time actually creates stress. Be aware that this is only useful when graphics can actually replace text in an accurate way. This is clearly NOT the case with that idiotic graphical display of players attributes. I do not find that useful at all and I probably never will.

As for adding background pictures: I agree.
At this point I really feel the game lacks what I'd like to call graphical atmosphere. A Champions-League game looks just the same as a match in Holland's first division. I find that ridiculous.

I have a great digital imaging teacher at my school and I am sure he could give you some awesome advice haha. That man is a design-maniac. He designs business-cards and company logos in a matter of seconds.

[lewis999]

would like to say fantastic ideas and your quite right by saying when you finish your matches at the weekend i wouldnt say it makes you look forward to the screens but to an extent it makes you take notice and your are interested in seeing how other teams' players have performed if you have them next if that makes sense.

I also believe that if screens like this were implemented then football manager would be a brighter game and more detailed, i paticularly liked the tabs in the tactics screen to show all of the players or just def, mids or attackers nstead of going back to the filter.

Its also a nice change to see people actually spending time on ideas as another poster said than saying i would like to see different things.

finally so you dont have to read my waffle, just like to end by saying that you also have laid the graphics out very well and they look nice and in the right position and if SI can enhance these with your help too it would be great.

Thanks for reading

[CowRonaldo]

Great ideas there.

Just one thing that wouldn't work is the player pics for highest goalscorer, assist, and rating. Not every player has a picture and some of the downloadable pictures take up more space than the default ones.

[StanPetrov]

Originally posted by megafan2005:
some really good ideas but i think this should be included to

I had so many other ideas i never got round to do any of the other screens megafan.

I've tried to emulate what you've just suggested on the same screens as before.
Match Engine

[StanPetrov]

I'll try that one again...
Match Engine

[GillsMan]

Originally posted by !Steve1977:
I was expecting something far better from your screenshots I have to say. But there are some nice ideas in there, such as the number next to the player. But I absolutely dislike the 'web' way of visualising the stats. It's absolute woeful and is only on consoles because you may not be able to read all the text on a TV. If a FM game ever solely went with that then I plainly wouldnt buy it. Absolutely awful way of visalising this.

Couldn't disagree more with just about everything in your completely unconstructive post. That said, I guess all your voicing is an opinion and if improving the graphical interface means you no longer play the game, so be it.

The way the visuals are now is so dull. Stan's ideas are along the right lines to improve things. I love the idea of seeing stats all the time in different places, it's much more likely to enable you to totally emerse yourself in the game. Loads of times a player will score past me and unless I choose to click on him, I have no idea how well he's doing in the season. To have a pop-up tell me his stats is a nice idea.

As with everything, I'd have it optional though - after all, SI made the match experience optional, so I don't see why this sort of thing wouldn't be optional.

But this is definitely the way forward - Stan's clearly put a lot of work into those screenshots, so before you say that you were expecting something "far better", why don't you put some effort in and show us your ideas?

Cheers.

[StanPetrov]

Originally posted by !Steve1977:

Why? It happens in real life.


I was expecting something far better from your screenshots I have to say. But there are some nice ideas in there, such as the number next to the player. But I absolutely dislike the 'web' way of visualising the stats. It's absolute woeful and is only on consoles because you may not be able to read all the text on a TV. If a FM game ever solely went with that then I plainly wouldnt buy it. Absolutely awful way of visalising this.

One thing that has disappointed me with FM2008 has been the lack of decent skins. Is this because a lot of people are happy with the original skin? Or maybe people aint all that bothered. Have to say that I always go back to the excellent default skin.

I realise that it happens in real life, but not to the extent that it happens in FM. You could be playing as Everton in 2013 with £200m in the bank. Having bought Modric for £15m your board could sell him for £23m which is completely rediculous when you consider how much money you have.

again, is there any chance we can dwnload this skin, it looks great

I've never tried to design a skin as i don't really have the time to do so. I'd rather SI brought the game out with a choice of a dark and light skin this time round.

To cut along story short i agree with every thing you say stan.. SI makes changes to the game every year in terms of actions but graphics etc sound seem to get over looked. other games have better things about them than Fm but fm does have the best foundation for data base and so fourth.. with the power of graphics these days Fm lacks miles behind what could be achived for the current climate and its a shame.

Exactly the point i was trying to convey with my original post, thanks.

[tubbycrabs]

I'm not too keen on most of these suggested changes. Large text and graphics (pictures) just make the game seem more childish to me, like it's made out of those massive Duplo bricks instead of proper Lego.

I think everyone on this board would much rather that the in-game issues are resolved before any cosmetic changes are implemented.

[Stomalomalus]

I havnt come across any major in game issues, though. I mean, the only won I found was likely my bad luck

Cosmetics are a big thing as can be seen by the huge amounts of skins that get released for every new FM.

Also, graphics are the things that will help stop the game stagnating. For a game to advance, it needs to attract a new fan base - that is why PES has gone downhill recently, its fan base has stayed largely the same. Some new players to FM may be put off by the high amounts of text on screen at any given time, and may play games like FIFA manager instead.

One game that I have tried to play recently is Blizzards Warcraft 3. I have not been able to get into it, however, as current players scorn "noobs", and you cant get a game. In FM, people should be more willing to accept change as they have one major thing in common - football.

Graphics are important!!!

[Blight 00]

This is actually awesome.

[paulpaps]

Some of the OP's ideas are pretty good. I always miss the days when loads of random football related backgrounds were already with the game (CM 2 for example). For some reason I always have problems installing skins and background pics. It is true though, graphics aren't as important as how the game plays.

[StanPetrov]

Originally posted by tubbycrabs:
I'm not too keen on most of these suggested changes. Large text and graphics (pictures) just make the game seem more childish to me, like it's made out of those massive Duplo bricks instead of proper Lego.

I think everyone on this board would much rather that the in-game issues are resolved before any cosmetic changes are implemented.

It had already been suggested that the GUI Team would be doing this sort of thing and not the coders. With this in mind it probably wouldn't take anything away from the 'in-game issues' being fixed.

....it may mean, however, the GUI team have to work a little more on thier graphics.

[el sid]

They look fantastic i think.

StanPetrov

Mate, how long did it take for you to do all those mock-up s ?