Before the release announcement, we had received an update and a few early screenshots.
On September 30th, 2024 we got the release announcement, we have the date, a roadmap of new feature release information (almost all are labelled as "TBA") and a few new screenshots.
The new screenshots have relayed the narrative coming from Miles & SI, a very simplified and easy to navigate user interface and a far better user experience.
With the five screenshots released I'm able to see some small but visual improvements - rating wheels identify the manager and a league's reputation, fitness seems to have added a battery visual and there is one image of a newgen face on the Brighton club screen - and while difficult to see fully it does look... improved.
The overall layout has changed to a more simple and organized manner, but it is far too early and there's still too little for me to give a rating on yet.
All of this matches the theme for me of the FM franchise moving forward; easier to navigate, easier to visually see what the game is telling you, and utilizing the game space so important information is a minimal amount of clicks away.
I find it difficult to come up with any real reaction to FM25 so far, there is simply way too little to judge upon and some major questions are left such as the state of the graphics and match engine.
Once we start getting through the roadmap and have a chance to play the game, then not just for me but for everyone will be the best time to judge.
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But...
I do feel - and justifiably so - that there is a lot of concern over the future of FM, especially on the full PC version.
I'll be honest, while FM19 was a new branding for the franchise and a lot of work was done behind the scenes, essentially it just felt like a makeover for what is a glorified spreadsheet simulator.
After what was in my opinion a woeful FM23 feature release video, where it was clear that SI and Miles were not understanding the community at all - the following explosion in the FM community from all was justified and has left a sour taste for many.
Those bitter feelings still linger on today for me.
International Management has been removed to be reworked, yet it's been left to rot for well over a decade, so no wonder why so few people play it.
Women's football is only coming into the game now... in 2025... when it should have been in long ago, especially with some "leading aspects" that FM holds.
The graphics, the newgen faces, the match engine, the other "features" which aren't really full-fledged features for a multitude of reasons... just all of it.
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Football Manager 2025 New Features |
The forums have been asking for so many changes - lots justifiable - and yet we either get nothing or a shell of a product when it is introduced.
So now is the time for Miles and SI to really show us what the new FM is going to be.
My understanding of SI's message is this:
A brand new FM and not a continuation of FM24, a new way forward, a new engine and it will be better than ever.
They are removing lots of features in order to revamp them properly and work exactly as they should - which has taken them long enough but is good to see.
Yet all of this is talk, and my message is that I'll only believe it when I see it.
I need real justification to part ways with what is listed in my part of the world as a +$70 game.
The recent history of this franchise gives me little hope to do so.
So for those reading this; I'll give an update closer to actual release, and again post release. As of right now, I simply don't have enough to make any justifiable response.
- BTFM
![FM24 2025-26 Real Fixture & Results (Start in 2025) [21-9-2025]](https://www.fmscout.com/datas/users/realresult_artv2_257759.png)
Discussion: FM25 Initial Announcement Thoughts
1 comments have been posted so far.
19 and 23s additions were just not in any way significant updates to the game, and I dont recall SI promising them to be anything more than refinements.(maybe mid-fifties is the new senile?)
International Management is a mere sideshow to the main event or a method to stay involved with your players, it works as is expected and as the sideshow to the main event certainly doesnt require more polish than the main game recieves. That would literally be the equivalent of getting everyone excited by wearing a waistcoat then playing safe football. (cough cough)
Womens football is at worst 2-3 years late, although its worth noting that Miles announced its impending inclussion as it became mainstream and I suspect even now it wont be a driving force after initial interest, sadly not unlike the interest BBC paid to the womens game itself.
Finally, most strangely of all those percieved complaints, the game has moved to Unity, the author doesnt need to see this to believe it, its fact. Does the author really believe for one second SI are the Right Wing of games development flippantly making absurd claims? I mean I dont recall Miles committing business fraud, election fraud or making wild claims about the scarcity of domestic pets wherever the Haitian International Team just played an away game, but then Im more than happy to trust Miles and spend my time enjoying the game.
Throughout, the article consistently points to the author not doing research into their own percieved slights and complaints. If they had, they might find the actual major overhauls way back in the days of 06, 99 and even 96 all removed features that would then be addded back either with far gretarer depth or via a much better method. (One for the oldies out there, Sure shouts come late but better than bankrupting your club using win bonus eh?)
If the author truly needs more justification to part with $70 perhaps the author instead of indelibly recording their own salty tears in virtual ink, could just research the history of SI.
Tell you what, Ill do it for them, SI... 30 years experience in building the undisputed, go to football management simulation. Beloved by fans everywhere*, and brushing aside any and all opportunistic challengers by releasing the number one management game every single one of those 30 years. (* probably)
Now if you cant trust in that and need to see the finished production with your own eyes then I feel it my duty to remind you (and possibly upset a lot of people in the process) that there are many among us that believe in the words of a 2000 year old book to place their faith despite literally and regularly being given evidence to the contrary. Now personally I believe SI have a greater track record over the last 30 years, so Im comfortable with them having my faith.
After all...
This is THE game about the game that makes fans sing que sera sera.