Football Manager 2009 & Football Manager Handheld info (nearly)

[Miles Jacobson]

Dear all

Well, it's that time of year when we're getting ever closer to revealing the new features for our forthcoming Football Manager releases, Football Manager 2009 on PC & Mac, and Football Manager Handheld on PSP. I can confirm that they are both coming, and will both be out before Xmas. And out on the same date too.
As those of you who visit footballmanager.com might have seen, there's a bit of a teaser image up there. Guesses at what it is and why are more than welcome in this thread

As for the new features announcements, release date announcement and first look at the packshot, these will be coming in the evening of Wednesday September 3rd. So slightly later than the end of August originally promised but there are very good reasons for this, mainly involving global co-ordination for the announcement, and half of Southern Europe being shut down until next week.
The announcement itself will be in the form of a documentary type thing, made by Remedy Productions who do a lot of work with Channel 4 in the UK mainly on the music side of things. This will be initially viewable from our new You Tube channel, which can be found at www.youtube.co.uk/sigames. The video will be put up there first, and we'll then embed it into the various sigames and FM websites once it's encoded properly, sometime after 6pm next Wednesday, so it's well worth subscribing to the channel if you want to get it first. The documentary is going to be between 15 & 20 minutes long, and include many surprises along the way.
The day afterwards, when we've had some time to type it up, we'll post up some of the features that were discussed in the video for those of you with very short attention spans, or who are just too lazy to watch it. Which will hopefully be no one.

Please note that what we're announcing next Wednesday is not everything new that will be in the games, but a snapshot of some of the new features from the games. There will be further announcements as we get closer to the release date through some blogs (the site of which will be revealed when the first blog happens), the podcast and a few other places too. I'll leave it to others to then find these and post them on the forums here, although around the release of the demo will colate everything together to give as full a feature list as we'll ever give out. We don't want to ruin people's fun finding little things here and there during their game playing!
We look forward to the discussions of what we announce next week, although I'll be late to that party as at the same time as the announcements are going live, I'll be off at some press conference thingy. Just try to keep it constructive please - we hope there will be something for everyone in the announcement, but we can't please everyone all of the time, however hard we try

Cheers

Miles

[bluebirds4life]

Cool can't wait!!! Nice one hopefully even better than 08!

OMG first post. Unbelievable!

[carthy1]

yesssss finally !!! news will be coming on my birthday !!!

[ahmufcwafc]

Thanks Miles!! This will finally stop the FM09 threads being made all the time (hopefully)

[BigBillyBob]

excellent!

BURNS

[Her9]

very cool miles! my birthday is on september 8th so that's a nice present in the run in to that day

by what you wrote i can expect some major major news because it looks like you're going all out with this

che guevara = revolutionary!!!

OH MY GOD...I LOVE SI!!!

[therubberducky]

Can it be confirmed that the many issues in the last offered has been fixed? Or have they been ignored ?

[Ice_Fyre]

Is this going to be on steam? Ill be willing to pay abit more, if i dont have to use the cd! My cd drive is loud as hell lol

[weeeman27bob]

Yay!

I'll be there next wednesday 6pm waiting in anticipation!

[SCIAG]

I have goosebumps after watching the video. I look forward to the second announcement.

[PaulHartman71]

can't wait, hopefully this stops the annoying buggers posting things about how SI hasn't released any details yet

[FM08_Joe]

Wooo

Thanks for the update

[Roman Bednar]

So whens it out

[Miles Jacobson]

Thanks Miles!! This will finally stop the FM09 threads being made all the time (hopefully)

If only... Either this thread won't be read, or people will just ask questions in advance of waiting for the announcement

Can it be confirmed that the many issues in the last offered has been fixed? Or have they been ignored ?

ahmufcwafc - see

The announcement that will be made next Wednesday, as described above, will have information about new features. Our new features will normally include other things that have been worked upon during the year, and this year will be no exception. As I also mentioned above we will not be mentioning everything in the initial video, mainly because there's a lot to go through, so therefore blogs and other means will be used to diseminate more information up til release.

Is this going to be on steam? Ill be willing to pay abit more, if i dont have to use the cd! My cd drive is loud as hell lol

We are looking into possible forms of distribution, but nothing is signed as yet.

As for CD drives, it's looking likely that the game will need a DVD drive this year. Nothing confirmed as yet, but we were very close to using the full CD size last year, multiple CD's is not an option unfortunately, and I am 95% sure at this stage that we'll be too big for a CD.

[Miles Jacobson]

I have goosebumps after watching the video. I look forward to the second announcement.

Err - if you mean the "If" video, that was the trailer for FM08

[gio]

Che Guevara, the former Cuban president. Thus, will we be allowed to kick the odd official in the head?

[Chris Ritchie]

Miles, could you copy your thread into the FMH section?

[xenardo]

I can't wait for the release of FMH2009!

[therubberducky]

The announcement that will be made next Wednesday, as described above, will have information about new features. Our new features will normally include other things that have been worked upon during the year, and this year will be no exception. As I also mentioned above we will not be mentioning everything in the initial video, mainly because there's a lot to go through, so therefore blogs and other means will be used to diseminate more information up til release.

I wasnt asking about 'new' features. I was asking about persistent problems that were highlighted right at the beginning of FM08 but werent looked at for either patch, the massively flawed transfer system being one of them.

The way you have answered my question disturbs me. Either you are using new features to sell the game and using them to cover over known flaws, or you are merely fixing previous flaws and calling them 'new'.

Ill wait to wednesday nonetheless.

[weeeman27bob]

I wasnt asking about 'new' features. I was asking about persistent problems that were highlighted right at the beginning of FM08 but werent looked at for either patch, the massively flawed transfer system being one of them.

The way you have answered my question disturbs me. Either you are using new features to sell the game and using them to cover over known flaws, or you are merely fixing previous flaws and calling them 'new'.

Ill wait to wednesday nonetheless.

Or they have fixed the previous flaws as well as adding new features!

[Chris Ritchie]

Rubberducky, you know that Miles can't realistically promise that everything you don't like about the game has been altered. You're just trolling.

[Walcott\'s Wonderkids]

Miles - will it be possible for you guys to release rough details of the min pc specs on Weds please?

[Miles Jacobson]

Miles, could you copy your thread into the FMH section?

There should be an "announcement" Chris which will link back to there - will check to see if it's been done yet. I want to keep it all in one place....

[damienroden]

thought id be the first to be clever, when is the patch out?

[Miles Jacobson]

Miles - will it be possible for you guys to release rough details of the min pc specs on Weds please?

Highly unlikely - I won't even have the CD/DVD thing confirmed at that stage. We can't really work on minimum specs until the game is done...

[therubberducky]

Or they have fixed the previous flaws as well as adding new features!

Very true. I do hope it is this one.

[Matthew Le God]

Che Guevara = Revolution in Football Manager

i.e. something very different to what we've had before and more revolutionary than evolutionary of FM08.

Am I right Miles?

[Miles Jacobson]

thought id be the first to be clever, when is the patch out?

That's not clever. It's not even funny. It's just annoying.

[vladislav19]

thought id be the first to be clever, when is the patch out?

And Miles, it's "too lazy".

[Miles Jacobson]

And Miles, it's "too lazy".

Thanks - will change it now

[therubberducky]

Rubberducky, you know that Miles can't realistically promise that everything you don't like about the game has been altered. You're just trolling.

I dont expect him to promise that everything is fixed. But everyone is aware of issues that plagued the last game and made it less enjoyable and as such one would expect these issues to be looked at, although you can never be sure with big companies. Being the MD of the company Miles will know exactly whats happening and is therefore in a position to comment on the game, hence i ask the question.

However i understand the constraints of announcements, so as i stated i will wait until wednesday.

[damienroden]

That's not clever. It's not even funny. It's just annoying.

probaly about as annoying as getting a half decent game months after the release.

[Matthew Le God]

Miles not answering me I feel left out

[Miles Jacobson]

Miles not answering me I feel left out

I said people could guess, Matthew - not that I'd be saying if they were right or not

[Miles Jacobson]

probaly about as annoying as getting a half decent game months after the release.

Damienroden - really simple one here. If you don't like our games, don't buy them.

Now please stop trolling.

[Miles Jacobson]

I dont expect him to promise that everything is fixed. But everyone is aware of issues that plagued the last game and made it less enjoyable and as such one would expect these issues to be looked at, although you can never be sure with big companies. Being the MD of the company Miles will know exactly whats happening and is therefore in a position to comment on the game, hence i ask the question.

However i understand the constraints of announcements, so as i stated i will wait until wednesday.

/Pedant mode on

We aren't a company, we're a dev studio. Even if we were a company, we aren't a big company.

/Pedant mode off

[Lagarr]

Great stuff, Thanks for that Miles, Roll on next Wednesday & also the date when we can get our hands on the demo

[Her9]

things would have been fixed but will not make an announcement about the fixes they made to FM08...they will announce new features.

i take the fixes to FM08 as something for granted and that it has been done but they won't go and announce the fixes they made

[therubberducky]

How optimisitic.

[20leGend99]

Doing better than the people who do CM09. All their best news, ie 3d match engine, got leaked. Looking forward to the announcement, it will take my mind off of FML for a while!

[Chris Ritchie]

I'm sort of expecting CM09 to get announced on Tuesday now.

[Pompeyboyz]

Could Che mean more leagues coming in the Latin American quarter????

[Matthew Le God]

I'm sort of expecting CM09 to get announced on Tuesday now.

Its a tricky situation for Eidos whether to release details before or after Wednesday. Pros and Cons to both. If they release the actual game after FM09 then thats a big mistake.

[Her9]

however i have to hand it to SI...they always find a way to raise our level of anticipation and expectation

to me revolutionary in FM terms would mean either 3d or else giving you the option to take care of commercial things as well.

however with the Che image they have now raised expecations sky high and seeing as how the announcement is going to take place i'd say we're in for something majestic

[calvg]

che!! does that mean my hope of having manager man in the next sega superstars tennis in the drain

[Matthew Le God]

giving you the option to take care of commercial things as well.

No chance that will happen.

Football Manager is and always will be about what a Football Manager does.

[Frankie 7]

Great stuff Miles and can't wait to see what SI have up thier sleeves this year. I'm sure the game will be once again the best ever as per usual and have the usual high standards we have been spolied with over the years. Roll on September 3rd! Bring on the demo! And damn it! I back at work on the Wednesday, Wonder if i should take a holiday day that day am sure Sky wont miss me for one day. Hehehe

Cheers Miles & everyone at SI.

[Chris Ritchie]

Maybe the 'revolution' is a complete change of the game to take on the style of Ultimate Soccer Manager

[calvg]

Che!! does that mean my hope of having manager man in the next sega superstars tennis in the drain

or even just a cuban league version of the game like the old cm italia games??

[DanTheMan]

Good news Miles, can't wait til Wednesday now

[therubberducky]

Where are you all seeing this pic of Che Guevara?

[calvg]

Where are you all seeing this pic of Che Guevara?

footballmanager.net

[Perry Neal]

As those of you who visit footballmanager.net might have seen, there's a bit of a teaser image up there. Guesses at what it is and why are more than welcome in this thread

This year's killer tactic is to launch counter-attacks on the left wing?

[kserasera]

Prepare for the Fm revolution... can't wait !

[Fqdd]

Fantastic news, Miles, cheers


I just hope Guevara's pic doesn't mean that this year's edition will be as hard as being a mid-20th century Central American revolutionary leader :P

[Gogotte]

The week-end gonna be very very long

[sunderland's number nine]

Dissident Slaughterer 2009! Can't wait!

[Gogotte]

Dear all


As those of you who visit footballmanager.net might have seen, there's a bit of a teaser image up there. Guesses at what it is and why are more than welcome in this thread

My guess is that Commandante El Qwas, a famous skinner has made the default skin for FM 2009.

[Tottiseiya]

Looking forward to it!!!

[death]

You say wednesday evening it would help if you gave us a time.

[jmcc84]

can't wait. god bless SI Games.

[Fqdd]

You say wednesday evening it would help if you gave us a time.

He does say sometime after 6pm, man

[SirTodge]

Ooooo i feel moistness coming on already.

[2Pacalypse]

the picture means that all regens will have a che guevara face instead, to make people stop complaining about how cartoonish and fake regens look .. well it can't get more real than CHE GUEVARA!!!! xO :l

.. or maybe it means the new fm is going to be revolutionary .. but im betting on option number 1 :/

[Rb]

Sounds good to me Miles, I look forward to next wednesday!

[weeeman27bob]

the picture means that all regens will have a che guevara face instead, to make people stop complaining about how cartoonish and fake regens look .. well it can't get more real than CHE GUEVARA!!!! xO :l

.. or maybe it means the new fm is going to be revolutionary .. but im betting on option number 1 :/

I'll actually give you all the money i own, about 57p, if your right with point 1.

[Spyko]

I'm sort of expecting CM09 to get announced on Tuesday now.

Its rubbish anyway so i wont even be looking at it

[Navie]

I really hope FM09's features won't be anything like FM08, FM08 was a disaster compared to FM07 because the features were more like flavour of the month rather than anything substantial.

[georginho_juventusygr]

I'll look forward to this.

[Matthew Le God]

You say wednesday evening it would help if you gave us a time.

some time after 6pm when they are good and ready

[georginho_juventusygr]

Oh, I love Che Guevara.

[georginho_juventusygr]

Che Guevara, the former Cuban president. Thus, will we be allowed to kick the odd official in the head?

He wasn't the former Cuban president.

[Miles Jacobson]

I really hope FM09's features won't be anything like FM08, FM08 was a disaster compared to FM07 because the features were more like flavour of the month rather than anything substantial.

As always, Navie, we will provide a half-season demo where you can decide whether it's a "disaster" or not, and make your purchasing decision from there.

I don't remember FM08 killing multiple people though, which is what disasters normally describe. I thought it was a computer game that was the best selling football management game ever, multi-award winning, with very high review scores that a very small minority of the million plus owners of the game didn't like. Hopefully we'll win those small minority around with FM09, aswell an ensuring that all of our other customers, and potential new customers, are happy.

But as I've said above - we can't keep all people happy, all of the time, however hard we try.

[bluebirds4life]

Miles very off topic I think there's a thread but when is the new podcast series going to come out I loved it!

[Sebacid]

Great news! I am quietly very confident that 3d is in the game. Revolutionary "Che", and almost certain DVD release instead of CD. This is what I'm talking about!

Can't wait until Wednesday!

[ballounpie]

the only thing i want is my favourite team having an important transfer budget as in real life... don't forget it : OGC NICE ( france ) must have 8M of money available for transfer !!!!!

[bluebirds4life]

For a Cardiff player(s) to be amazing on the game(would have been Ramsey)

And Miles, no Watford domination. Joking

[therubberducky]

If FM08 wasnt released with a bucket load of bugs and didnt require two patches to make it playable (but still bug-laden), i dont think anyone would have complained tbh.

[Stormwind City]

Great to hear that FM09 will come out this year again.

I had some doubts because of the FML stuff...

If FM08 has been further improved, I am more than happy!

[Miles Jacobson]

If FM08 wasnt released with a bucket load of bugs and didnt require two patches to make it playable (but still bug-laden), i dont think anyone would have complained tbh.

See, you defeated your own argument when you said that the game was unplayable. It wasn't. There are hundreds of thousands of people out there who don't even know a patch was released, and are more than happy with the game they bought.

I'm not saying it didn't have bugs in it - it did. That is a harsh reality of PC gaming though, however unacceptable it may be.

I also disagree that people wouldn't have complained. There are some people out there who would still complain if we gave away a diamond ring and a date with Kylie with each game - humans are like that.

Now please stop trolling. There are plenty of threads where you can have this discussion, and it's been answered over, and over again. You cannot change the past, and will only make yourself more unhappy by trying to do so, or by labouring the same point over and over.

[GillsMan]

Che Guevara eh? SI dropping its mantra of "evolution, not revolution" methinks. Tilted Mill Entertainment decided to revolutionise Sim City (what a great series of games that was - totally addictive in the same way as CM/FM) - and they well and truly buggered it up with the terrible game that was Sim City Society (the update only marginally better). HOWEVER, SI have been making this game for years, and for all the whinges and moans from the Johnny-come-latelies and, frankly, plebs (I'm not including the well-informed and well-constructed constructive criticisms of the game here) I'm quite sure they can take the game in the right direction (if that's continuing along the same path - great, if its a change in direction - I'm sure it'll be fine).

So, does it mean FM goes 3D? I've long been an advocate of staying 2D, but whether or not this is the change, I'm sure SI will implement it well. I just hope we get constructive posts here, and not the drivel from the likes of damienroden that we've already seen on this thread.

And before anyone calls me a fanboy: yes, I am male and yes I am a fan of FM, and I respect the fact that SI actually interact with their fans in a way that fans of other developers' games can only dream of. So yeah, label me a fanboy if you like.

[Miles Jacobson]

For a Cardiff player(s) to be amazing on the game(would have been Ramsey)

And Miles, no Watford domination. Joking

As always, we're trying to make the game realistic. So Watford will not dominate, and Cardiff players will be as they should be. Which isn't amazing.

Miles very off topic I think there's a thread but when is the new podcast series going to come out I loved it!

It's meant to re-start in September, but we want to get the announcement out of the way first, then will decide.

[dougn]

i just have to say:yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy yyyyyyyyyyyyy
lol can't wait!

[AndyFromDonny]

Looking forward to the announcement. Just typical I'm going on holiday next Wednesday so a longer wait for me

Can't wait for the new game now.

[therubberducky]

See, you defeated your own argument when you said that the game was unplayable. It wasn't. There are hundreds of thousands of people out there who don't even know a patch was released, and are more than happy with the game they bought.

I'm not saying it didn't have bugs in it - it did. That is a harsh reality of PC gaming though, however unacceptable it may be.

I also disagree that people wouldn't have complained. There are some people out there who would still complain if we gave away a diamond ring and a date with Kylie with each game - humans are like that.

Now please stop trolling. There are plenty of threads where you can have this discussion, and it's been answered over, and over again. You cannot change the past, and will only make yourself more unhappy by trying to do so, or by labouring the same point over and over.

I dont remember saying it was unplayable, i just said the patches made it playable. Of the course the original release could be played, it just had gameplay problems.

Ive played a fair few PC games, and havent noticed any bugs, let alone bugs that severely distort the gameplay and destroy the continuity of the game.

As for the point about people not being aware of the patch. Not having the patch suggests they have limited internet access or are unaware of this website (or indeed other FM related ones). Id be interested to know how youve gathered their opinions of the game if they cant access here ( or the wider internet) ?

Fair enough about this thread though. This is about the new version. I dont want to **** any more on your proverbial bonfire by bringing this up in a major announcement thread, so ill leave my thoughts before you get upset.

[weeeman27bob]

There are some people out there who would still complain if we gave away a diamond ring and a date with Kylie with each game -

What fools they are!

[josh_b]

Not trolling here, but who has ever indicated that they would be unhappy if any half decent player costed less then £20mil? I would like to track them down and hurt them.

Please say you have fixed the transfers.

[Jarvo86]

Should we stop putting ideas forward in the wishlist thread? Or is there still time for you to implement new ideas, should you see one suitable?

For instance, match screen customisation per chance ? lol

[Come Clarity]

Great, now you've got me all excited about FM09.
Bah.

[JonPaulWild]

If FM08 wasnt released with a bucket load of bugs and didnt require two patches to make it playable (but still bug-laden), i dont think anyone would have complained tbh.

All games have bugs or issues. Look at Crysis and FSX for big time examples. Those games have issues with the way that they're programmed and not fully using quad cores.

Football Manager 2009 will obviously have bugs and what not and I just hope that they can be detected in the demo and be fixed prior to going gold or fixed in the first patch, of which I hope is also out before the end of the year. Nothing wrong with that as it is a complex game. As long as we never see a release like that of Championship Manager 4.

[mm007]

I just read the 1st paragraph until... and i had to immediatly reply!!

"As those of you who visit footballmanager.net might have seen, there's a bit of a teaser image up there. Guesses at what it is and why are more than welcome in this thread" - let me guess... REVOLUCION COMPADRE!! - you guys really going to use a 3D Engine???..... that would be truly a Revolution...

Vamos Hombre!

[Aleh]

Miles you legend.

[therubberducky]

All games have bugs or issues. Look at Crysis and FSX for big time examples. Those games have issues with the way that they're programmed and not fully using quad cores.

Football Manager 2009 will obviously have bugs and what not and I just hope that they can be detected in the demo and be fixed prior to going gold or fixed in the first patch, of which I hope is also out before the end of the year. Nothing wrong with that as it is a complex game. As long as we never see a release like that of Championship Manager 4.

Whether a game uses a quad core to its full capabilities or not does not represent a bug that damages the gameplay. Might slow it down a little, less fancy GFX perhaps, but it does mean that the game is wacky. Whereas the transfer module and regen modules in FM are serious detremental issues tht mean long term games are usually poop.

[Patrik Ivarsson]

Well recent year it has been mid october so we have to look at that date

and I hope dearly this year we won't have the same problems with the securom as we had on FM08

[mm007]

BTW... i guess now its time to finally uninstall FM2008

[JonPaulWild]

Whether a game uses a quad core to its full capabilities or not does not represent a bug that damages the gameplay. Might slow it down a little, less fancy GFX perhaps, but it does mean that the game is wacky. Whereas the transfer module and regen modules in FM are serious detrimental issues tht mean long term games are usually poop.

I agree with you that the transfer modules and new players are terrible for this day and age. I respect the fact that it could be a nightmare to program, but the problems are hardly new and have been there for quite a few years. I hope they're seriously tweaked for FM 2009 along with various other things.

I'm expecting big things with this 'Revolution' theme.

[therubberducky]

I agree with you that the transfer modules and new players are terrible for this day and age. I respect the fact that it could be a nightmare to program, but the problems are hardly new and have been there for quite a few years. I hope they're seriously tweaked for FM 2009 along with various other things.

I'm expecting big things with this 'Revolution' theme.

Same here. It will be interesting to hear whats in it.

[JonPaulWild]

I also hope this game doesn't have Bio Shock style DRM etc. I would support the move to STEAM.

I hope a demo is released soon, and the FM Community can start to create kids, badges etc etc

Whether it's the intention of SI to use the word 'Revolution' in the PR campaign is unknown to me, but they have used a guy's image that is very associated with the word 'Revolution' and thus this game is going to have to live up to that PR move.

[ahmufcwafc]

I also hope this game doesn't have Bio Shock style DRM etc. I would support the move to STEAM.

I hope a demo is released soon, and the FM Community can start to create kids, badges etc etc

Create kids

[Miles Jacobson]

I dont remember saying it was unplayable, i just said the patches made it playable. Of the course the original release could be played, it just had gameplay problems.

Saying that the patch made the game playable is certainly implying that the game was unplayable before said patches.

Ive played a fair few PC games, and havent noticed any bugs, let alone bugs that severely distort the gameplay and destroy the continuity of the game.

Maybe you haven't been hanging out on the forums for said games and are therefore blissfully unaware of any issues? I cannot remember the last PC game I bought that didn't have a patch released for it. Nor a PS3 or Xbox 360 game for that matter!

As for the point about people not being aware of the patch. Not having the patch suggests they have limited internet access or are unaware of this website (or indeed other FM related ones). Id be interested to know how youve gathered their opinions of the game if they cant access here ( or the wider internet) ?

Err - I don't only spend my time on these forums. I happen to meet a lot of people in my line of work, and talk to them. As an example, at the play.com live show at Wembley earlier in the year, where I met a few hundred people who play our games in one day.

We also do usability studies regularly.

The forums make up a tiny part of our overall userbase. There are circa 17,000 active posters on the forums, and over 1m people bought FM08, let alone the ones who pirated it.

Fair enough about this thread though. This is about the new version. I dont want to **** any more on your proverbial bonfire by bringing this up in a major announcement thread, so ill leave my thoughts before you get upset.

Heh - it takes a lot more than someone repeating the same posts that the same dozen or so people have made here over the last year to upset me. It frustrates me a bit, as I don't understand why people with so much bile and hatred would waste their time posting. But, as I've said over and over again, I hope we can rekindle your faith with FM09, but the only judge of that can be you. I'm very happy with the direction and the game as it is progressing, hence I'm ready to make an announcement about it next week - but then in all creative medium, the people working on it tend to be happy with it, or else it would be a pretty soul destroying way to spend your life. Even bands that I despise must think that their own albums are good.

Some people, however, don't get that their own opinion isn't the only one. I'm not saying that you are one of those, but the majority of those that bring up these points in a trolling manner as you have done are....

Anyway. More guesses about the image and speculation please - I'm having a lot of fun with those