Sports Interactive and SEGA, the developers of Football Manager have announced the “tough decision” to delay the release of their much-anticipated 2024/25 instalment until March 2025. The popular tactical game, where players can lead the likes of Kettering Town and Solihull Moors to Champions League glory, among other possibilities, was due for a November 26th release.
Developers had promised “the biggest technical and visual advancement “ in a generation, with FM25 being the first Football Manager release to use the Unity engine, which powers games such as Cuphead and Monument Valley. However, adapting to these changes proved a tough hurdle, and FM admitted that it had been “a difficult development cycle” for all involved. An official announcement posted on October 10th revealed that going ahead with a November release would mean rushing to meet this “crucial juncture” for the franchise, which clearly SEGA did not want to risk.
What is the point in releasing a game that simulates the 2024/25 season in March, when the season is nearly over?
However, the announcement left many confused and angry. After all, what is the point in releasing a game that simulates the 2024/25 season in March, when the season is nearly over? Furthermore, releasing in March would leave only seven months before November 2025, when fans are expecting FM26 to be released. One X (previously known as Twitter) comment with almost 9 thousand likes argued “Focus on FM26 then, we can still play FM24”, another with over four hundred likes said “I need a cuddle” – clearly the fanbase did not take the news well. I hope you’re okay, @OmegaLuke.
The more realistic and down-to-earth nature of Football Manager is its major selling point
The argument put across by those calling for FM25 to be scrapped is compelling. Leaving so little room between games could well lead to the same issues of rushed deadlines that plagued 25’s development to hurt 26. Two botched releases in a row would not bode well for Sports Interactive, for whom the game is the largest source of income. The more realistic and down-to-earth nature of Football Manager is its major selling point over EA’s career mode, but should FM26 face the same issues that it’s predecessor has, more and more fans could make the switch, especially considering the comparatively smooth launch of FC25.
Should SEGA and Sports Interactive press on with releasing FM25? Or should they simply provide a free update to FM24 and place all focus on FM26 as many in the fanbase are suggesting? Will I be able to win the quadruple with Stocksbridge Park Steels sometime In the next 6 months? Will @OmegaLuke get his cuddle? This all remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: it’s crunch time for Football Manager.
