After months of waiting, Sports Interactive recently unveiled the next iteration of its popular Football Manager series. Football Manager 2015, due out November 7, is bringing a host of new features and improvements over the existing design, and we've highlighted the best of them.
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Studio boss Miles Jacobson revealed the game in a nearly thirty minute video (posted below), which can be difficult to parse for those who don't want to sit through it. Our list should prove useful in pointing out the best features--there's a lot being added to the game, but fans will appreciate some additions more than others. Here are the five most exciting inclusions:
Customize Your Manager
Beyond background information, the previous titles offered little in the way of manager creation options. FM 15 will allow you to change your manager's attributes, setting them in line with two distinct styles or tweaking them individually. You can be more of a tactical manager who specializes in the mental aspect of the game, or a tracksuit manager more suited to a hands-on coaching role. You will also be able to choose the coaching badges you possess when creating (and train for more in the future), which influences your attributes.
Improved Scouting And Searching
A new search bar along the top of the game's UI will function much like many internet browser bars--simply start typing into it to search, and suggestions will begin to appear. It's supposed to work faster and more intelligently than before, a needed improvement. The scouting options are improved as well, including the ability to filter only by players you've scouted before, those unhappy at their clubs, and players who will satisfy your homegrown requirement.
Promises List
While this might not make or break your career or season in the way other features will, it should be a welcome addition. A new tab on the top bar will track the promises you've made to players and the board, including the relevant details and timeframe. Players often issue smaller requests that might agree to and forget about, and this should make it easier to manage both the minor and major promises and limit any surprises.
3D Match Engine Improvements
There is a lot of content in the Football Manager titles outside of the matches themselves, but the engine running those games will often decide your fate. New animations--including real motion capture--have been included to make the simulations more realistic, and the developers say these changes are the biggest in years. Goalkeepers in particular should behave more realistically, and new skill move animations have been added to supplement the improved stadiums and weather.
Better Finance Management
With Financial Fair Play becoming an increasingly important aspect of football club operations, the developers have made it easier to manage your accounts. In theory, you'll be able to better plan for the upcoming season--budgets will be set earlier in the year. In addition, expiring contracts will be taken into account, so it will be clearer how much cash you'll have to spend next season. It's always felt a bit like club finances have had a mind of their own, so more control over developments is welcome.
