Football Manager Ideas / Suggestions for future editions
Disclaimer: I would just like to say that I am not a games developer and do understand that there may be limitations as to how much could be implemented in to the game. These are ideas I have noted down over the course of a few months. I do really love the game and think these ideas may help.
Match Day Cameras:
· Player Cam – Could we follow one player throughout the match highlights, this would help with understanding new signings, useful to analyse how well a player follows instructions and or how team tactics may suit a player’s natural game.
· Referee/Linesman Body Cam – It would be interesting to follow the game through the perspective of the officials. We could see tackles and offside from the natural angle and speed. As managers we could sympathise more with hard decisions and make a case for bad calls.
· Manager Cam – This would be either from a sitting position on the bench and the option to be standing in manager’s area. That would be very immersive.
· Supporters Cam – I think this idea would be insane, imagine having a real view from any given stand in the stadium. Personally I would love this camera option to be seated among the fans (This would also be a mandatory view if you get red carded as a manager). I would also like to see a view from a supporter’s box.
Pre/Post-game Manager to Manager Interaction:
· Similar to when you would like to shake hands or hug a player, could we introduce a pre and post game interaction with the opposition manager. Perhaps shake hands and play mind games with a new young manager but hug a good friend and wish them well just after a key match.
Interviews:
· Instead of looking at an empty desk with a back drop, would it be possible to have a view of the journalists and perhaps click on the journalist we would like to ask us a question? Could we also pick players to sit with us and listen to their responses?
· Allow the manager or Press Officer to pick the journalists based on previous history, so they might avoid trouble makers.
· Fan Days could include answering questions from fans and having 5/6 players with you.
· Could we also see players having their on-field post match interviews, we could analyse what the player said and fine them if need be.
Match Day Experience: Fans
· Some teams have mascots and/or Cheerleaders, would be great to include those.
· Fans waving massive banners, flags and scarves.
· Behavioural differences between hardcore fans and regular/fair-weather fans. Hardcore fans are more likely to wear the team jersey, be on their feet, clap hands above their heads, open armed chants etc. Regular fans tend to be seated and more reserved.
Match Day Experience: Manager, Players & Officials
· When giving live in match instructions; a player should walk to the touch line where the manager area is to receive instructions.
· The manager to nominate which players should warm up prior to substitution, failure to do so may result in injury. This will be a great way to challenge a manager to take a risk, quick sub with risk of injury in a key moment or let him warm up and make a regular sub.
· Half time team talks should let us see the players sat in the dressing room so we can see their body language.
· Allow manager to pressure referees, button for manager to tap on his watch if we have too little or too much extra time, ability to shout that we disagree with a ref and doing so too many times will get us red carded (Supporters view).
· Simulation to have ref point at watch and nod/shake head if ball has/has not crossed the line.
· If you are an international manager, it would be great to chat directly with a player after a club match and tell them: I would like to call you up to the national team or call them up but tell the player they will be on the bench to gather experience, or a sub for 15 mins etc.
· Players could swap shirts after the game
· Watch the coin toss as part of match build up
Highlights from training:
· Could we have Key highlights presented to us to make selection harder just before match day? Perhaps small highlights of players sprinting hard, scoring goals, defending well and then we could promise them a match day start or appearance; this could also serve as evidence to make a case for a new contract for the player. This would also allow us to actually see the training ground and visually appreciate the difference between Maidstone United and Man City facilities.
· This would make a player trial more interesting if we could observe a trial player training with the squad.
Tactics:
· I’m sorry but we need instructions to enable cheating. Ask a striker to look for an opportunity to start diving in the box from the 85th minute on ward, tell midfielders to persistently tackle a certain player, ask a defender to aggravate an opposition striker to get him sent off or booked.
Unlockables:
· Perhaps include fun milestone un-lockables that can be ticked on or off? These could be things like:
· Acquire a 16 year old club legend such as Paolo Maldini at Milan and or Shearer at Newcastle. See if you can coach them to their full potential.
· Old jerseys have the 1994/95 Manchester United kit as your third kit if you’re managing the club.
· Visibly have a statue of your avatar by the stadium if you become a legend.
· Different footballs along with their specifications. Imagine watching the Manchester derby in the rain with the classic 1954 style brown ball.
Miscellaneous
· Change the skin/background depending on where we are, so different skin for training ground, stadium, and medical centre. This makes things so much more immersive.
· Allow care taker positions, this might improve your reputation if you kept a team in their given league without the pressure of the following season rebuild.
· In the time line, include a full team photo with your avatar included for that season.
· Instead of using real photos could all players have the AI heads, then all players/staff would have a photo/face in their profile.
· Make job interviews more in line with your strengths and allow managers to present stats to evidence this. Best example is how Sam Allardyce needed two interviews for the England job, one interview to present his ideas and a second one to assess him as a person.
· Managers to have coaching teams, some managers already have their key people that always move with them.
There you have it, these are my ideas. I am open to discussions and constructive criticism. Apologies for the long read. Keep up the good work!!!
