Recently, we saw the release of ‘Football Manager Live’. Following on from the hugely popular ‘Football Manager’ series, SEGA aimed to allow players to compete against each other for the first time, rather than against the computer and despite a monthly subscription charge it hasn’t stopped the dedicated fans flocking online in their masses.
Fantasy football of the future?
One such fan, Simon Bishop, gave his view
Signing Titus Bramble: Rookie Mistake!
go: “I find it really fun because the dynamics begin to retire the game automatically creates
As a nation, we’re pretty football mad and
Despite the success, trouble struck in 2004
new ‘Re-gens’. These ‘Re-gens’ are based on
whether you’re male or female, love it or
when the Collyer brothers decided to split from
retired players, however they bear no similarity
loathe it; we’ve all encountered football-based
their publishers EIDOS. A lengthy court battle
in looks, name or nationality, so effectively an
computer games.
resulted in the two parties going their separate
entirely new game is created and it is down
ways; the Collyer’s with the game-coding
to the gamer’s scouting ability to hunt for and
Sometimes there’s nothing we like more than
and EIDOS with the brand name. However, it
sign the next starlet.
spending a night in with a Chinese, a few
wasn’t long before SEGA quickly snapped up
beers and a good old FIFA tournament (sorry to
the chance to work with Sports Interactive and
Football Manager doesn’t require an FA
all you Pro Evo fans). But for some there’s a
eventually rebranded the game as Football
coaching badge or hours spent at the side of
completely different and more addictive genre of f
Manager, or FM for short.
a pitch in the pouring rain. It’s easily accessible
ootball game.
to anybody and what makes it so popular The FM series is based around a database
is the pure addictiveness of the game. Many
First launched in the early 1990’s, Championship
of true-to-life players which allows the user to
dinners are left cold, as calls of “I’ll be there in
Manager was created by two brothers, Paul and
create an alias and manage any team of their
a minute” turn to hours, as you try desperately
Oliver Collyer, who developed the game from
choice from over 50 leagues; it’s then left to
to sign Lionel Messi before your arch rivals and
their bedroom in Shropshire under the guise of
the player to handle the stresses and strains
many four-letter words shouted for stupidly
Sports Interactive. The next decade saw the
of everyday football management. Whether it’s
throwing away that three-nil lead. It may only
series continue to grow and slowly build up a
keeping team morale high, wheelin’ and dealin’
be a game, but it means so much more.
large and dedicated cult following.
in the transfer market or holding on to your
So, why do gamers love FM so much?
superstar striker, just be sure not to upset the Even real-life managers were getting in on the
fans or the board, or you’ll soon find yourself
Ben Nye, a University student from London
act, in particular, a certain Gordon Strachan, who
queuing at the local job centre!
said: “I don’t know if I do love it. It steals my
whilst managing Coventry City, was interviewed with a copy of the game sitting on a shelf in the background.
on why he thinks ‘Live’ gaming is the way to are quite clever and realistic. It got a bit boring playing against the computer, but now I can play against other gamers all over the world it’s a lot more exciting. There’s an element of proper competition now that makes it so addictive.” Much like a blend between fantasy football and the previous Football Manager titles, gamers create their own team and use a transfer budget to sign real-life players. The transfer market is based similarly to that of an auction, with the player signing for the highest-bidding club, so it pays well to invest in good scouts and youth development schemes. For the first time it also allows you to build your stadium and decide what sort of fans you want to attract. So whether you want to recreate the die-hard atmosphere of Millwall and Cardiff or attract the glory-hunters of Chelsea, it’s all in your hands.
life and makes my girlfriend jealous. I try to Unlike other football-based computer games,
be casual and play the odd game here and
as the seasons roll by and the current players
there; but before I know it a whole week’s gone by and I’m still in the same pants.”
Words: Dan Taylor