Sports Interactive and the Impact of Covid-19

[Neil Brock]

A ‘state of FM’ update from Studio Director, Miles Jacobson

It’s a bit of an understatement to say that 2020 has been a difficult year so far, and although we at Sports Interactive have had it easier than many, it’s still been a tough time for the studio.

We have enjoyed some advantages, though. Our revenue hasn’t disappeared entirely (as it has done for many businesses) and we’ve been able to do a number of things we otherwise may not have considered. For example, we allowed people to play FM20 for free for a fortnight back in March and took part in a bunch of charity initiatives including the UKIE-managed ‘Games for Carers’ programme and the Humble Black Lives Matter bundle. During this period, we’ve also provided free in-game advertising to a number of mental health charities around the world, which was particularly important to me as I believe that this disruption to everyone’s normal way of living could have serious mental health consequences if we’re not careful. Throughout all of this, though, record numbers of players have chosen to spend their own lockdown with one or more of our games… which is something we’re very grateful for.

Something else I’m very grateful for is that, rather than finding ourselves having to lay people off during this crisis, we’ve actually accelerated our hiring programme over the past few months and I’m incredibly proud that we have introduced more than 20 new members to the SI team since lockdown began… and we’re not finished yet (check out the open roles on our recently-refreshed studio website).

Most importantly of all, though, we have continued to work on our games throughout this troubled period – and we’ve managed to do this despite not being together in our office since early March. Having a ‘distributed’ workforce isn’t new to us, as some of the team have worked remotely for decades, but moving the entire team to work from home was a huge challenge. Everyone’s personal situation is different, and our main priority as a studio was to ensure that the whole team and their families remained safe, healthy and happy. After that, our priority was to ensure that every team member was able to continue to work effectively (while taking their home situation into account) so that we could continue to create and deliver great games. We’re now in a position where we’re set up to continue to work in this fashion for as long as it takes. None of us know when things will return to ‘normal’, but I would be very surprised if we’re all back in the studio working together until well into next year.

It would be great to say that this whole process has been easy, but the truth is that we’ve learned over the course of this bizarre and unprecedented global crisis that it’s a lot easier to make games when the bulk of the team are working in close physical proximity.

It’s not just been harder from a production perspective – it doesn’t help that the world of football that we aim to simulate in our games is also in such a world of flux. Some leagues have confirmed their plans, some are still up in the air (although we are very much ‘in the loop’ with many of the possible decisions), the transfer window has moved in England at least, there are new emergency rules that may, or may not, be present next season. And there’s a lot more besides.

That all said, the team have done an absolutely incredible job in the circumstances and I couldn’t be prouder of them or prouder to be a part of the team.

We’ve been very quiet about future plans throughout this period, but then I never like us to talk about our plans until everything is definitively settled. I know that frustrates some of our fans, but it’s a policy that’s worked well for us in the 25+ years we’ve been making games. What I can confirm today is that, despite all the problems going on in the world, there will be new Football Manager games released later this year. They will be delivered a little later than we’d originally planned, but they’ll have exceptionally strong feature sets… albeit different to those we thought we’d settled on back in January when I completed my ‘dream feature set’.

It has taken a monumental effort to make this possible. The flexibility the team have shown through this period has been incredible; we’ve been changing scope, both upwards and downwards, on an almost weekly basis (and often as a result of changes in people’s personal circumstances). I firmly believe you’ll all appreciate the improvements and new features this year – and for us to have created the games that we’re going to deliver later this year during a global pandemic is something else I’m very proud of.

Our games will be on more platforms and available on more stores than ever before when they’re released later this year but, with regards to features and release dates, it’s a little too early for us to talk about the specifics right now. Please cut us a little bit of slack and rest assured that we will once again deliver a set of games that provide hundreds of hours of entertainment and remain the best value for money on the market – and something to help you escape from the real world at the moment, at least for a while.

We look forward to returning to something approaching normality in the (hopefully) near future, but, for now, we’re doing everything we can to continue keeping you entertained in the manner that only Football Manager can.

Stay safe,

Miles

[strippdogg]

Brilliant stuff boys 👍

[Malicious Penguin]

To all at SI - thank you.

[Burbian De Bay]

Well done SI. Stay safe.

[WelshMourinho]

I might not enjoy this years game all the time but it's given me so many hours of enjoyment and great moments, and that's even with one of the (imo) weaker releases. So thank you for making this great game, and thank you for providing a bit of relief from all the crap that's gone on in the world over the last few months! Keep up the great work guys.

[Novem9]

В 30.07.2020 в 15:55, Neil Brock сказал:

Our games will be on more platforms and available on more stores

1. I hope you will release FM21 and next editions on PS4/PS5 platform
2. I hope it will be an integration with PC workshop - kits, databases, mods, etc. (have no idea how and not sure about possibility at all but really want this ) 

[DementedHammer]

My software house also had to work from home for around four months, so I can appreciate your situation. As you said though, regardless of the upheaval, our industry is in the privileged position of being able to continue working and there is a lot of benefit in terms of mental health in being able to keep some kind of normal routine, even though it's working from home instead of the office. 

I'd like to think that the majority of the fan base will be patient and understanding of the situation. Whatever new features make it into release at the end of the year, I'm looking forward to getting my hands on them. 

Edited August 3, 2020 by DementedHammer

[Jorgen]

Thank you and take care everyone

[grade]

Thanks Neil and Miles for the heads up. To everyone at SI and in these forums, stay safe!!!

[Juego de Posicion]

Thanks for the update. In all honestly, I've been extremely disappointed with tactics and the match engine for years now so I'm hoping that this area is given a big upgrade and that defending in particular is made a lot more realistic because at the moment it is archaic (nowhere near modern standards or levels of organisation) and looks a total chaotic mess on the pitch. Whether this is fixed or not will determine whether I buy FM21 or not. I just can't justify spending the money to suffer through the same unrealistic tactical replications all over again. I actually prefer CM93/94 at the moment because I can't see what is happening on the pitch, making the game more realistic for me, funnily enough.

Good luck with the new version though. With enough upgrades in the right areas and a long overdue focus on realistic defending in the match engine, I may buy the game again in future.

[Dersturmer]

 

Will Covid be added to FM 21 - a modified fixtures, empty stadiums, 5 subs, diseases of some players?

[JordanMilly]

8 hours ago, Dersturmer said:

 

Will Covid be added to FM 21 - a modified fixtures, empty stadiums, 5 subs, diseases of some players?

Chances are stuff like this won't be answered until the formal announcement of the game and details of features are provided, like previous years, so probably not for 4-6 weeks at a guess.

Also, the Premier League clubs vetoed having 5 subs per match for the 20/21 season a day or two ago, so it'll be the normal 3 subs.

[Fractoggen]

Interesting post. I have been wondering about this issue, so thanks for posting. 
 

[vonreichsm]

Am 8.8.2020 um 08:03 schrieb Dersturmer:

 

Will Covid be added to FM 21 - a modified fixtures, empty stadiums, 5 subs, diseases of some players?

I hope not.

[bella699]

If Covid-19 will be a part of FM2021, I prefer to play FM2020. I am tired of Covid-19!!!

[Federico]

Everybody is I think.

Surely the videogame industry is full of games focusing on tragedies, some of them are educatives, some others lucratives, some more both.

The difference is that this is a tragedy we're still living right now.

Personally, playing in empty stadiums, dealing with players quarantined and so on, it's not my cup of tea. Well, no. It's something I HOPE I don't have to see in FM.

People is dying for this. I'm honestly and personally baffled and speechless reading of people that think this pandemic should be included in FM, like if this is something "funny" to deal with.

[grade]

I personally if Covid-19 is part of FM21, I will skip it.

The current news is enough of reminder that we are passing through a pandemic. Don't need a computer game (no matter if it is a "simulation" or not) to remind me of it.

[chiyboy]

22 hours ago, Federico said:

Everybody is I think.

Surely the videogame industry is full of games focusing on tragedies, some of them are educatives, some others lucratives, some more both.

The difference is that this is a tragedy we're still living right now.

Personally, playing in empty stadiums, dealing with players quarantined and so on, it's not my cup of tea. Well, no. It's something I HOPE I don't have to see in FM.

People is dying for this. I'm honestly and personally baffled and speechless reading of people that think this pandemic should be included in FM, like if this is something "funny" to deal with.

I agree with your comment Federico

[XaW]

On 21/08/2020 at 00:03, Federico said:

Everybody is I think.

Surely the videogame industry is full of games focusing on tragedies, some of them are educatives, some others lucratives, some more both.

The difference is that this is a tragedy we're still living right now.

Personally, playing in empty stadiums, dealing with players quarantined and so on, it's not my cup of tea. Well, no. It's something I HOPE I don't have to see in FM.

People is dying for this. I'm honestly and personally baffled and speechless reading of people that think this pandemic should be included in FM, like if this is something "funny" to deal with.

On 21/08/2020 at 11:26, grade said:

I personally if Covid-19 is part of FM21, I will skip it.

The current news is enough of reminder that we are passing through a pandemic. Don't need a computer game (no matter if it is a "simulation" or not) to remind me of it.

I've seen Miles write on Twitter that he would not add all the Covid-stuff to the game because of the escapism the game brings.

So based on that I'd doubt it would be involved much if at all. That said, things could change and only the future will show.

[Federico]

Good and wise decision by SI 

Oh wait, he talked about FM20, not FM21...

Mmm

[forameuss]

1 hour ago, Federico said:

Good and wise decision by SI 

Oh wait, he talked about FM20, not FM21...

Mmm

Even if that was for 21, look at the date.  In mid-March people could be forgiven for thinking things would go nowhere near as bad as they ended up doing.  

I won't be sure either way until 21 is properly revealed, and Miles is on camera simultaneously mugging off a troll and specifically telling us what is going to be in the game.

[Federico]

Ah yeah, that statement was posted at the begin of the pandemic. That's why he talked about an "update".

[grade]

YAY!!!!! Thanks Miles and SI Team.

[h3nrique_SEP]

Does anybody have a clue when will the game be announced?

[James Gayman]

It will be delayed because of covid-19. But it's also something good because they have then some more time to work on FM21.

[JordanMilly]

9 hours ago, h3nrique_SEP said:

Does anybody have a clue when will the game be announced?

When SI decide it's time 

[FrazT]

@Jorgen_B- your post has been hidden as it is not relevant to this thread.

[fuego]

I real y don’t want to see Covid also in a game. It’s alteady difficult enough to have to do with in real life.

First of all I’m wondering if everybody at SI is fine. That’s the only important thing at the moment.

i don’t know if there will be a FM 21 or not. Anyhow, also in order to support SI, I’m ready to pay For a simple data up-date to be used with FM 20.

Thanks. 

[Colonel Tigh]

I would be in a minority then as I think Covid19 should be added to the game as it's impacted the football world so much and it's a simulation. 

Now obviously you shouldn't have players dying from it but I'd fancy taking on the extra financial challenge it brings with empty stadiums. Maybe have an option before you start a game to have it or not?

[Federico]

2 ore fa, Colonel Tigh ha scritto:

I would be in a minority then as I think Covid19 should be added to the game as it's impacted the football world so much and it's a simulation. 

Now obviously you shouldn't have players dying

But you said it's a simulation, and people is dying for covid in real life.

[forameuss]

And you can have a sense of realism without going all out.  Just like players can't do certain things they can do in real life for licensing reasons, you can have Covid without some of the more unsavoury parts.

[Impacto]

Games are meant to be fun. Would it be fun if half your squad goes down with Covid before the CL final? I think not. Enough about the virus, I prefer them focusing on making the game more enjoyable and fun. I would like to see an improved ME way more than anything else covid related.  

[forameuss]

1 hour ago, Impacto said:

Games are meant to be fun. Would it be fun if half your squad goes down with Covid before the CL final? I think not. Enough about the virus, I prefer them focusing on making the game more enjoyable and fun. I would like to see an improved ME way more than anything else covid related.  

Sub in any type of injury when you mention Covid, what's the difference?

[Impacto]

If you can't see the difference between a highly contagious virus and a knee injury, I can't help you. 

[HUNT3R]

Tbf, players can already suffer from virus 'injuries'. It's just not specific as to which type of virus. It doesn't need to be and in this case, imo, shouldn't be. It's enough of a somber topic IRL and there are people passing away every day from it.

[forameuss]

4 hours ago, Impacto said:

If you can't see the difference between a highly contagious virus and a knee injury, I can't help you. 

If you can't see the difference between a video game and real life, I can't help you.  In the case of "gah, I can't believe my players are all out because of that" the type of injury doesn't really matter.  

I get it, but players have always been able to be out with Flu, which usually lasts days to weeks in game.  People can - and do - die of the flu all the time.  I haven't seen anyone lose their minds over that.

If you don't want it in game, fair enough.  YOu likely won't be alone in that.  But it doesn't really work in arguing that it should be completely removed just because it rails against your subjective idea of "fun".  Personally I find FM to be getting increasingly more sterile and po-faced as time goes on.  Anything that breaks out of the mould and throws a bit of chaos into the mix is fine by me, just adds to the narrative.  I'm eminently able to take whatever form Covid takes in-game and separate it from the increasingly miserable situation in real life.

Not that any of it matters, to be fair, as SI will make their own decision regardless of what anyone else thinks.

4 hours ago, HUNT3R said:

Tbf, players can already suffer from virus 'injuries'. It's just not specific as to which type of virus. It doesn't need to be and in this case, imo, shouldn't be. It's enough of a somber topic IRL and there are people passing away every day from it.

Could see it coming down to the nebulous "virus" definition just becoming more prevalent and common.  No specific references to Covid, but a reflection of what is the new world.

[Chilled111]

I am no expert on writing code, but my personal view is it would be quite a big undertaking to add in Covid when you consider finances, crowd attendance, player illness / fitness, player transfer fees / wages, team budgets etc.

Likewise if a vaccine is developed and we start to see the end of this horrible virus then again the game (FM22?) would need to be coded once more to take Covid out.

The guys at SI towers do an amazing job on a game which brings us such great enjoyment and I wouldn’t want to see Covid added in which then hopefully allows the guys to spend their time developing other aspects such as the match engine / graphics or whatever is next on their to do list!

[fuego]

I would not buy a game including Covid. Too much pain.

[TheBigBoss]

Haven't been on the thread in some time so I don't know if someone has already made a similar thread but it would normally be around this time we'd start getting some news about some new features for FM21. Obviously with there being a pandemic things might've changed I'm wondering will we still get a mid-late November release for FM21 or we looking at something a bit later this year

[HUNT3R]

7 minutes ago, TheBigBoss said:

Haven't been on the thread in some time so I don't know if someone has already made a similar thread but it would normally be around this time we'd start getting some news about some new features for FM21. Obviously with there being a pandemic things might've changed I'm wondering will we still get a mid-late November release for FM21 or we looking at something a bit later this year

Best to read the OP. 

[gpassosbh]

This is for @Miles Jacobson and SI Team.

As we are still facing the Corona Virus around the world, why not release a 20.5 patch, with updated database, and charge for that (I think is more than fair to charge), and release FM21 only around February/March after the winter window? Is that feasible?

[grade]

3 hours ago, gpassosbh said:

This is for @Miles Jacobson and SI Team.

As we are still facing the Corona Virus around the world, why not release a 20.5 patch, with updated database, and charge for that (I think is more than fair to charge), and release FM21 only around February/March after the winter window? Is that feasible?

It really depends on financial model that SI is using. Normally a new game is more marketable that a payed DLC/ database update. People normally take morenotice of new game and go for it, while a update database, not everyone would go for it. I play Assassin's creed games but I don't buy all DLCs they release.

Despite that I would go for the pay patch or a new game. Seriously that I'm a FM addict and a fanboy, I literally can't see my life without playing FM. I will buy anything SI releases, but depends on the releases I would go for the pre-orders or rather wait for a promotion. Depends on reviews or the news of the games entice me to pre-order or not.

[forameuss]

21 minutes ago, grade said:

It really depends on financial model that SI is using. Normally a new game is more marketable that a payed DLC/ database update. People normally take morenotice of new game and go for it, while a update database, not everyone would go for it. I play Assassin's creed games but I don't buy all DLCs they release.

Despite that I would go for the pay patch or a new game. Seriously that I'm a FM addict and a fanboy, I literally can't see my life without playing FM. I will buy anything SI releases, but depends on the releases I would go for the pre-orders or rather wait for a promotion. Depends on reviews or the news of the games entice me to pre-order or not.

Yeah, this.  A database that's essentially just a starting point, and diverges from your game further each time you press continue doesn't really matter to me if it's going to be in isolation.  If they were to say no new product whatsoever and just the database, then they can keep it.

But remember that what was going to become FM21 was likely well on its way to completion when all this kicked off.  Development would have been well underway, and I expect a lot of the core changes they planned to make would already be fleshed out.  Sacking that off and just concentrating on the database would be a bit of a waste, particularly when they've likely got plans for FM22 in their roadmap that they'd rather not put back.

It'll be a new product in some form, just remains to be seen in what form that will take.  I expect it'll be close to what we would have gotten anyway, just released later.

[fuego]

Il 15/9/2020 in 13:02 , fuego ha scritto:

I would not buy a game including Covid. Too much pain.

Me too

[Bunkerossian]

On 22/09/2020 at 14:26, gpassosbh said:

This is for @Miles Jacobson and SI Team.

As we are still facing the Corona Virus around the world, why not release a 20.5 patch, with updated database, and charge for that (I think is more than fair to charge), and release FM21 only around February/March after the winter window? Is that feasible?

TBH, I think simply update the DB, and attempt to fix some more obvious ME issues would be abetter idea than FM 21. Let them work long and hard on the new engine, if they need time.

Edited September 23, 2020 by Bunkerossian

[WilltheWolf92]

First, I hope everyone is doing is ok in these dark times.

Second, I want to thank Neil and Miles (and all people who work for this beautiful game and for this game overall). Like the more hours you play and you like the game, the more you get emotioned if you don't like something (that to say for being critical sometimes), I

Third, I'm happy that you're hiring so many new people. But looking at the open vacancies I hope the Engine and ME is somehow updated in FM21. 

Edited September 28, 2020 by WilltheWolf92

[Bosey82]

If ever there was a year to get Football Manager it's this year to help out the staff who have managed through this. Best wishes to everyone at SI and your families. 

[gargmukul121]

I'd like to think that the majority of the fan base will be patient and understanding of the situation. Whatever new features make it into release at the end of the year, I'm looking forward to getting my hands on them. 

[richard.cheeseman]

Folks miles posted a poll on twitter recently about this... please have a look 👀 

I will post it if I can find it again

[gargmukul121]

Haven't been on the thread in some time so I don't know if someone has already made a similar thread but it would normally be around this time we'd start getting some news about some new features for FM21. Obviously with there being a pandemic things might've changed I'm wondering will we still get a mid-late November release for FM21 or we looking at something a bit later this year.