Front Office Football Central  

Go Back   Front Office Football Central > Archives > FOFC Archive
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Mark Forums Read Statistics

Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old 09-06-2007, 07:27 PM   #1
RedKingGold
College Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Make me an FM fan

OK, after hearing constant comments about the wonders of FM, that it will solve all of my wildest dreams, tuck me in at night, satisfy me in ways that no woman (or man) can, etc.etc, I'm seriously thinking of potentially looking into someday soon purchasing FM.

In all seriousness, can it really appeal to me as a non-soccer (Sorry, futbol) fan? I enjoy text-sims, but the only one to really keep my interest was FOF (most likely due to MP and my love of football).

So, can someone in 100 words or less, tell me more about the game and why I should look to purchase it?

RedKingGold is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-06-2007, 07:32 PM   #2
Toddzilla
Pro Starter
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Burke, VA
FOFC is dedicated more-or-less to the discussion of the wonderful pro football text simulation Front Office Football and it's variations and the members who frequent FOFC are the game's most ardent fans and hearty supporters. Given that, if you were to poll the members "What is your favorite text sim?" I would be shocked if less than 75% of the respondents didn't say FM/WWSM.
Toddzilla is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-06-2007, 07:35 PM   #3
RedKingGold
College Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Quote:
Originally Posted by Toddzilla View Post
FOFC is dedicated more-or-less to the discussion of the wonderful pro football text simulation Front Office Football and it's variations and the members who frequent FOFC are the game's most ardent fans and hearty supporters. Given that, if you were to poll the members "What is your favorite text sim?" I would be shocked if less than 75% of the respondents didn't say FM/WWSM.

I guess it's more the curve of learning a new sport that I admittedly know very little about.

Like most Americans, I get excited about soccer every four years, but don't really know much about it (other than other countries are all about it)
RedKingGold is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-06-2007, 07:38 PM   #4
RedKingGold
College Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
For example, what the hell is a transfer? Is it a trade?
RedKingGold is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-06-2007, 07:39 PM   #5
SunDevil
College Prospect
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Tempe, AZ
Took me a couple of versions to get into the game, here is all the bookmarks I made and read for the 2007 version. This will either kill you and make you understand and enjoy the game.


FM 2007



The Sheffield United Project (A dicussion about tweaking, training, tactics, scout reports and more) - Topic Powered by eve community
Official FM2007 Team Guides And Other Important Links Thread - Topic Powered by eve community
OFFICIAL FAQ'S (Please read before posting!!!!) - Topic Powered by eve community
UNOFFICIAL TACTICS BIBLE (Please Read Before Posting Topics) - Topic Powered by eve community
Tactic Tweaking – The what, where, when and how!!!! - Topic Powered by eve community
The Official Q&A Thread - The FM Tactical Clinic - Topic Powered by eve community
What the sliders do - a comparative guide - Topic Powered by eve community
FOOTBALL MANAGER - THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE
FOOTBALL MANAGER - THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE
Everton 2007 guide
Goal-Kick.com - Football Manager fan site with lots of downloads, players, tactics.
Main Page - FMWiki
Goal-Kick.com
Goal-Kick.com - Football Manager fan site with lots of downloads, players, tactics.
Premier League - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Forums - Powered by eve community
FM 2007: Wycombe Wanderers - Chairboys' Barmy Army! - Topic Powered by eve community
General Guides - Welcome @ FMFormation - The Place For All Your FM Needs...
Football Manager 2007 - SI Games - FM Underground
Football Manager Series
FM-Britain - The Home of Football Manager Tactics!
Football Manager Britain - The best place for help with your Football Manager Tactics
Goal-Kick.com
Goal-Kick.com - Football Manager fan site with lots of downloads, players, tactics.
FM-Britain - Pre-Match Team Talks
Football Manager Britain - The best place for help with your Football Manager Tactics
FM-Britain - Beating the Drop
Football Manager Britain - The best place for help with your Football Manager Tactics
FM-Britain - Building for the Future
Football Manager Britain - The best place for help with your Football Manager Tactics
FM-Britain - Understanding Work Permits
Football Manager Britain - The best place for help with your Football Manager Tactics
FM-Britain - actical Bible '07: Opposition Instructions
Football Manager Britain - The best place for help with your Football Manager Tactics
FM-Britain - Tactical Bible 07: Analysing AI Tactical Systems
Football Manager Britain - The best place for help with your Football Manager Tactics
FM-Britain - Tactical Bible 07: Tutoring (Squad Management)
Football Manager Britain - The best place for help with your Football Manager Tactics
FM-Britain - TT & F 07 Revisited Part 2
Football Manager Britain - The best place for help with your Football Manager Tactics
FM-Britain - TT & F `07 - Introduction
Football Manager Britain - The best place for help with your Football Manager Tactics
FM-Britain - TT & F 07 Revisited Part 3
Football Manager Britain - The best place for help with your Football Manager Tactics
FM-Britain - TT & F 07 Revisited Part 6
Football Manager Britain - The best place for help with your Football Manager Tactics
FM-Britain - TT&F '07 - FM "Bogeymen"
Football Manager Britain - The best place for help with your Football Manager Tactics
FM-Britain - TT&F '07 - Level Assumptions
Football Manager Britain - The best place for help with your Football Manager Tactics
FM-Britain - Millie’s Comparative Guide to Slider’s (v1.1)
Football Manager Britain - The best place for help with your Football Manager Tactics
FM-Britain - Tactical Bible '07: Set Pieces
Football Manager Britain - The best place for help with your Football Manager Tactics
FM-Britain - Tactical Bible 07: Target Men
Football Manager Britain - The best place for help with your Football Manager Tactics
FM-Britain - TT & F '07 - Theorems
Football Manager Britain - The best place for help with your Football Manager Tactics
FM-Britain - TT & F 07 Revisited Part 5
Football Manager Britain - The best place for help with your Football Manager Tactics
FM-Britain - TT & F 07 Revisited - Introduction
Football Manager Britain - The best place for help with your Football Manager Tactics
FM-Britain - TT & F 07 Revisited Part 4
Football Manager Britain - The best place for help with your Football Manager Tactics
FM-Britain - TT&F '07 - Team Talks
Football Manager Britain - The best place for help with your Football Manager Tactics
FM-Britain - TT&F '07 - Frameworks
Football Manager Britain - The best place for help with your Football Manager Tactics
FM-Britain - TT&F - Mentality
Football Manager Britain - The best place for help with your Football Manager Tactics
TT&F IV: New Strategies and Theories for '07 - Topic Powered by eve community
AI Experiment – Further Research Into Reputation And Money - Topic Powered by eve community
Attributes needed for All Positions - Discuss - Topic Powered by eve community
Attributes - Topic Powered by eve community
Player Criteria - The Stats - Topic Powered by eve community
Tactic building for dummies - A guide for newbies. part 2 - Topic Powered by eve community
Tactic building for dummies - A guide for newbies. - Topic Powered by eve community
Team Instructions Part One - Mentality - Topic Powered by eve community
TT&F: How to Set Up a Target Man - Topic Powered by eve community
TT&F RoO/RoT Tactic Sets: Various Formations for Teams of All Levels - Topic Powered by eve community
Day 1 - How Long? - Topic Powered by eve community
Training
Football (soccer) positions - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A little guidance on pre season friendlies - Topic Powered by eve community
Pre-season Friendlies - Topic Powered by eve community
Unbeaten combination of Cleon&wwfan - Topic Powered by eve community
Barrows, Farrows and Sarrows, just what exactly they? - Topic Powered by eve community
Football tactics and skills - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Formation (football) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Talent Spotting & Developing Youth - Topic Powered by eve community
Loaning Young Talent Out - Topic Powered by eve community
Advise for Staff Atrributes - Topic Powered by eve community
How many coaches should I have? - Topic Powered by eve community
Mental Attributes of Coaches - Topic Powered by eve community
Gundo's FM2007 Small club from a small nation European adventure challenge. - Topic Powered by eve community
How To Play FM07: Tactical Design and Management Strategy - Topic Powered by eve community
TT&F: How to Set Up a Target Man - Topic Powered by eve community
Communication and psychological 'warfare' - FM-Britain
AI tactical behaviour - Topic Powered by eve community
TT&F: Learning to 'read' the AI - Topic Powered by eve community

__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by Schmidty View Post
I give up.
That's a double whammy and I hate you.

Last edited by SunDevil : 09-06-2007 at 07:40 PM.
SunDevil is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-06-2007, 07:44 PM   #6
Eaglesfan27
Hall Of Famer
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: New Jersey
Quote:
Originally Posted by Toddzilla View Post
FOFC is dedicated more-or-less to the discussion of the wonderful pro football text simulation Front Office Football and it's variations and the members who frequent FOFC are the game's most ardent fans and hearty supporters. Given that, if you were to poll the members "What is your favorite text sim?" I would be shocked if less than 75% of the respondents didn't say FM/WWSM.


I doubt 75% have even tried it on here. That being said, of those who have tried it, I would guess that well over 75% would list it as their favorite text sim. To answer the original poster's question, it is simply the most immersive text sim out there that provides arguably the best statistical accuracy of any text sim out there, and it has the best presentation of any text sim out there.
__________________
Retired GM of the eNFL 2007 Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles (19-0 record.)
GM of the WOOF 2006 Doggie Bowl Champion Atlantic City Gamblers.
GM of the IHOF 2019 and 2022 IHOF Bowl Champion Asheville Axemen.

Last edited by Eaglesfan27 : 09-06-2007 at 07:47 PM.
Eaglesfan27 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-06-2007, 07:46 PM   #7
Eaglesfan27
Hall Of Famer
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: New Jersey
Quote:
Originally Posted by RedKingGold View Post
For example, what the hell is a transfer? Is it a trade?

Yes, although often it is a player just for money. Also, the player has a say in the transfer. He can refuse to go and kill the deal if he so chooses. The receiving team also gets to offer a new deal from scratch before the player goes. You'll find most of us FM fans on here are glad to answer any questions. When I was first getting started with FM (called CM at the time) Axxon (and a few other guys) answered a ton of my questions.
__________________
Retired GM of the eNFL 2007 Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles (19-0 record.)
GM of the WOOF 2006 Doggie Bowl Champion Atlantic City Gamblers.
GM of the IHOF 2019 and 2022 IHOF Bowl Champion Asheville Axemen.
Eaglesfan27 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-06-2007, 07:47 PM   #8
Crapshoot
Grizzled Veteran
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Quote:
Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27 View Post
I doubt 75% have even tried it on here. That being said, of those who have tried it, I would guess that well over 75% would list it as their favorite game. To answer the original poster's question, it is simply the most immersive text sim out there that provides arguably the best statistical accuracy of any text sim out there, and it has the best presentation of any text sim out there.

Eh - I adore the game, but statistical accuracy isn't really what it goes for (though its in the realm of real numbers). I think the immersion is the single-biggest thing - I've gone to bed, with nightmares about how I'm going to replace that damn RB when the board won't give me any money. FM makes you believe you are the manager, in a way no game or experience has ever come close.
Crapshoot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-06-2007, 08:08 PM   #9
Young Drachma
Dark Cloud
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
And if you prefer American teams and cities and such, but the same immersive experience of real life playing..I created a db just for that.

If only the game was more customizable, I'd be happy. But as it is, it's pound for pound, the best of the genre.
Young Drachma is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-06-2007, 08:18 PM   #10
sabotai
General Manager
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: The Satellite of Love
Thanks SunDevil. One of the things that keeps me from getting into FM (even though I did have a dynasty that lasted a few seasons once apon a time) is that I just don't understand the tactics. Looks like I have some reading to do this weekend.
sabotai is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-06-2007, 08:28 PM   #11
Radii
Head Coach
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
I'll second most everything here. I'll also say that I first came into FM simply as a text sim fan who knew very little about soccer. I had no stereotypes against the sport that many Americans do, I didn't think "Soccer Sucks" or anything like that, I just didn't know a ton about it. FM had quite a learning curve for me, and I've never really gotten good at it, but it is without a doubt the best text sim I've ever played, and its actually made me more than just a "Go USA every 4 years" soccer fan.
Radii is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-06-2007, 09:08 PM   #12
Peregrine
Pro Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Cary, NC
I have to be the contrarian here. I love soccer, but I just haven't been able to love FM, I guess it's just not the kind of game I like, there's far too much fiddly stuff to do between the games and I find the UI to be confusing and having to go back and forth between screens got old fast for me.
Peregrine is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-06-2007, 09:14 PM   #13
TroyF
Coordinator
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
I'll throw in my two cents:

1) When I first started FM, I knew virtually nothing about the game of soccer. I had ZERO idea of tactics, the transfer market or the terminology. I didn't watch it on TV and didn't pay any attention to it outside of the occasional World Cup game on TV.

2) It took me 4 different tries to "get" FM. I'd give it a shot, play it for 5 to 10 hours, wonder what all the fuss was about and give up.

3) The fourth time it just clicked. Instead of forcing my ideas on the game, I took the time to learn about the game of soccer a bit. I read guides (many of which are linked above). When I hadn't touched another game for 2 months afterward, I realized I was addicted to the game.

4) I'm now a fan of soccer. I watch the EPL on Fox Soccer Channel every Saturday and Sunday. (No, I won't be watching it over NFL action) I keep up with the real world transfer market. I know who is leading the table from most of the major countries. I even watch the under 17 World Cup. Playing FM caused me to become a fan of the sport. It's the first and only such sim that has ever done that.

5) It's the best text sim on the market. I love FOF, FBCB, BBCF, DDSB and all sorts of other text based games. None of them come close to the level of immersion of FM. I eagerly look forward to the new version every year. Simply an incredible game.
TroyF is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-06-2007, 09:37 PM   #14
Schmidty
Coordinator
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Early, TX
I much prefer AM. No glitz or glamour, just Rush Limbaugh and George Noory, and sometimes Art Bell.

Actually, I don't like Rush Limbaugh. But AM is still better than FM.
__________________
Just beat the devil out of it!!! - Bob Ross

Last edited by Schmidty : 09-06-2007 at 09:37 PM.
Schmidty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-06-2007, 09:44 PM   #15
Buccaneer
Head Coach
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Colorado
Quote:
DDSB

Diamond Dave sucks balls?
Buccaneer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-06-2007, 10:34 PM   #16
Qrusher14242
High School JV
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Farmersville, CA
i much prefer FM 2006 over 2007. Just can never get consistent results. In 2006 i found it much more realistic. In 2007 I could beat Chelsea 3-0 with ManU and then turn around and lose 3-0 to West Ham. I could never find a find a consistent tactic. It seems like they went in a direction where you have to tweak your tactics forever to get your players to perform well at all. I would recommend 2006 or wait and see if they make it better with 2008.
Qrusher14242 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-06-2007, 10:49 PM   #17
TroyF
Coordinator
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Quote:
Originally Posted by Buccaneer View Post
Diamond Dave sucks balls?

Well, duh.

Draft Day Sports Basketball. Should have been DDSPB but I missed a letter.
TroyF is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-06-2007, 10:58 PM   #18
Neon_Chaos
Pro Starter
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Parañaque, Philippines
Buy FM or else Pumpy is gonna hunt you down!
__________________
Come and see.
Neon_Chaos is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-06-2007, 11:06 PM   #19
path12
Coordinator
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Seattle, WA
Quote:
Originally Posted by TroyF View Post

2) It took me 4 different tries to "get" FM. I'd give it a shot, play it for 5 to 10 hours, wonder what all the fuss was about and give up.

3) The fourth time it just clicked. Instead of forcing my ideas on the game, I took the time to learn about the game of soccer a bit. I read guides (many of which are linked above). When I hadn't touched another game for 2 months afterward, I realized I was addicted to the game.

QFMFT. It took me four times also. That was 2001, and since then at least two thirds of my total gaming time has been with FM.
__________________
We have always been at war with Eastasia.
path12 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-06-2007, 11:14 PM   #20
Neon_Chaos
Pro Starter
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Parañaque, Philippines
Seriously though,

I basically was sucked into the game when I chose one of the League One teams below the EPL.

There was a drive in me to take Gillingham into EPL GLORY!
__________________
Come and see.
Neon_Chaos is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-06-2007, 11:22 PM   #21
k0ruptr
Pro Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Las Vegas
Quote:
Originally Posted by Schmidty View Post
I much prefer AM. No glitz or glamour, just Rush Limbaugh and George Noory, and sometimes Art Bell.

Actually, I don't like Rush Limbaugh. But AM is still better than FM.

Damn, I was much too late. But I'd just like to add that XM owns both of them.
__________________
Xbox Live Gamertag: k0ruptr
My Favorite Teams : Chicago White Sox - Carolina Panthers - Orlando Magic - Phoenix Suns - Anaheim Ducks - Hawaii Warriors - Oregon Ducks
k0ruptr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-06-2007, 11:27 PM   #22
Karlifornia
Grizzled Veteran
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: San Jose, CA
I rarely even play text sims (or any games) anymore, and I'm not a soccer/footy diehard....I bought an edition of the game back when it was still Championship Manager...And if the game has continued to improve since then, then it is no doubt the best sports simulation out there. I don't think you can even see 2nd place in the rear view mirror.
__________________
Look into the mind of a crazy man (NSFW)
http://www.whitepowerupdate.wordpress.com
Karlifornia is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-07-2007, 05:42 AM   #23
Icy
Pro Starter
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Toledo - Spain
The main thing is the real world surrounding the sport.

Every player has a personality, they can get happy after getting nice words from his coach, happy after renewing his contract, angry if not playing when promised they would, angry if a team mate is fired, sad because the manager or media don't like him, depressed because he can't get used to a new country lifestyle or language, etc. They can make friendships/dislikes between them, towards other teams/staff, etc.

There are tons of media rumors, interviews that you need to answer, you can praise or insult another coach, or your own players, etc. Of course you can and you will be praised or criticized too by other coaches or players.

You fans and team GM will push you to reach your objectives, criticizing and praising your decisions.

All that, plus more related stuff, make you think you are a real manager into a real world that evolves by itself around you. It's the most immersing experience that any sport sim can offer you.

Of course it has soccer tactics and matches too, but where FM shines imho is in offering you the most complete experience as GM, both taking care of the in the field and off the field issues.

Playing CM/FM since 1996 is the cause of why i can't get fully immersed in any other text sim. With all the respect to the other games that i love (FBCB, TCB, BBCF, DDSPB, OOTP, FOF) all them lack that immersion factor and stuff around the sport itself that FM has. Most of those developers are doing huge efforts to add that kind of stuff to their games (Gary specially is adding more and more human ratings to the players in his games), and i can only dream about those USA sports games having the same immersion factor in the future that FM has.
__________________

Icy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-07-2007, 06:34 AM   #24
Alan T
Hall Of Famer
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Mass.
Quote:
Originally Posted by path12 View Post
QFMFT. It took me four times also. That was 2001, and since then at least two thirds of my total gaming time has been with FM.

Looks like I have 2 more times to try it before I get it

Speaking from the other viewpoint (relative minority here).. I've purchased FM two different times with the intention of wanting to like it or get into it. I do alot of traveling usually, so love games that i can play in airports or in planes or in hotel rooms on my laptop.

The problem I have always run into is there just is way too much going on in the game, and I know absolutely nothing about soccer. The only soccer game I ever have been to was a game I took my father in law to when he came to visit (My wife and her entire family are from Chile where soccer is huge).

I ended up not knowing what tactics to use, what attributes were good for players, or even anything about strategies at all. I ended up just letting the computer handle most of it which then diminished my enjoyment of the game.

My suggestion if you are similar to me and know nothing about soccer, and wanting to get into it is try to visit some of the links that were posted about tactics/etc.. maybe it will sink in better for you. To this day I still would love to enjoy it as it seems like the type of game I would enjoy.. just the wrong sport for me
Alan T is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-07-2007, 06:48 AM   #25
Ajaxab
College Benchwarmer
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Far from home
Quote:
Originally Posted by Icy View Post
The main thing is the real world surrounding the sport.

Every player has a personality, they can get happy after getting nice words from his coach, happy after renewing his contract, angry if not playing when promised they would, angry if a team mate is fired, sad because the manager or media don't like him, depressed because he can't get used to a new country lifestyle or language, etc. They can make friendships/dislikes between them, towards other teams/staff, etc.

There are tons of media rumors, interviews that you need to answer, you can praise or insult another coach, or your own players, etc. Of course you can and you will be praised or criticized too by other coaches or players.

You fans and team GM will push you to reach your objectives, criticizing and praising your decisions.

All that, plus more related stuff, make you think you are a real manager into a real world that evolves by itself around you. It's the most immersing experience that any sport sim can offer you.

Of course it has soccer tactics and matches too, but where FM shines imho is in offering you the most complete experience as GM, both taking care of the in the field and off the field issues.

Playing CM/FM since 1996 is the cause of why i can't get fully immersed in any other text sim. With all the respect to the other games that i love (FBCB, TCB, BBCF, DDSPB, OOTP, FOF) all them lack that immersion factor and stuff around the sport itself that FM has. Most of those developers are doing huge efforts to add that kind of stuff to their games (Gary specially is adding more and more human ratings to the players in his games), and i can only dream about those USA sports games having the same immersion factor in the future that FM has.

Icy's comments are exactly what sets FM apart from every other text sim out there. I would say that FM is not strictly a text sim, but rather a text sim/role-playing game. And I think the rpg aspect of becoming a better manager, interacting with your players' personalities, talking to the media and potentially having personal rather than team goals (eg. starting in what might be compared to A ball and applying for the best job until you get to the majors) make FM the immersive experience that it is.

As long as you're prepared to make a pretty solid investment in learning the game and are willing to put up with some frustration as you learn, that investment will definitely pay off.
Ajaxab is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-07-2007, 07:18 AM   #26
TroyF
Coordinator
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Quote:
Originally Posted by Neon_Chaos View Post
Seriously though,

I basically was sucked into the game when I chose one of the League One teams below the EPL.

There was a drive in me to take Gillingham into EPL GLORY!

It was the opposite for me. I tried taking on lower level clubs or playing in lower level leagues at first. I found the game dificult and not at all fun.

When I finally "got" it, I was playing as Inter. I had a crapload of money to buy players and they were players I'd heard of. (Ronaldo, Adriano, Zidane, etc.) Being able to watch those guys on the weekends helped give me a better appreciation for the game and increased my enthusiasm for FM.

I always have two FM saves I alternate between. A small club that I try to move up and a big club I go for silverware. Both are enjoyable for me. (though there is no question getting a side promoted is about the biggest thrill you can have in the game)
TroyF is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-07-2007, 07:36 AM   #27
RedKingGold
College Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Is there an aspect where I can let the AI control the majority of tactics until I get my feet wet, and I can just do some of the day-to-day media stuff?
RedKingGold is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-07-2007, 07:45 AM   #28
TroyF
Coordinator
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Quote:
Originally Posted by RedKingGold View Post
Is there an aspect where I can let the AI control the majority of tactics until I get my feet wet, and I can just do some of the day-to-day media stuff?


One of the things I don't like about FM is the fact you can't just hire a coach and let them go to work.

You can select from a group of basic tactics or d/l more advanced tactics from the web to make things easier. Even if you do that, you really need to understand what tactics your using so you know what type of signings to make.

Let's say you love a tactic with 3 forwards. (like Barca in real life) If you only have 2 forwards worth a damn, your tactic is going to fail. If you like a tactic that uses three sweepers and you have three good sweepers on your roster, all it'll take is for one injury or suspension to destroy your backline.

Part of the enjoyment of FM is going to come from learning the tactics and then setting them based on the team around you. (or brining in guys who fit the tactic better)

Some of those links above talk about tactics and what everything means. The basics really aren't that difficult to learn. It'll take you an hour or so of reading on them to get pretty comfortable with what all of them mean. Now mastering them and creating the "perfect" tactic for your team? That'll take awhile.


With all of that said, if you don't want to worry about tactics all that much, simply pick a huge, successful club. On of the big 4 from England, Barca or Real Madrid in Spain. They have so many talented players, you can do fairly well with the basic tactics and spend more of your time with signings, media announcements, etc.
TroyF is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-07-2007, 08:55 AM   #29
Neon_Chaos
Pro Starter
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Parañaque, Philippines
Quote:
Originally Posted by TroyF View Post
I always have two FM saves I alternate between. A small club that I try to move up and a big club I go for silverware. Both are enjoyable for me. (though there is no question getting a side promoted is about the biggest thrill you can have in the game)

This is the only game where I actually FIST-PUMPED and CHEERED while Gillingham squad was holding off Chelsea 2-1 in the last two minutes of the FA Cup Final.

No other game could make me cheer for my team. No Other Game.
__________________
Come and see.
Neon_Chaos is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-07-2007, 09:17 AM   #30
Warhammer
Pro Starter
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Dayton, OH
Does any one have a link to the guide Marc posted for FM06? That guide would still be a great help for anyone playing the game.
Warhammer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-07-2007, 09:19 AM   #31
flere-imsaho
Coordinator
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Chicagoland
FM is definitely a combo text sim/rpg, which is definitely part of the fun. Even once you have a team churning along successfully, I find I often still have a lot of interest in my own development, or that of certain players.

Sundevil linked a lot of good help, but for my money, I'd steer a brand new player to Marc Vaughan's Hints & Tips (I even found the link!). Especially if you know little about soccer, Marc does a pretty good job of introducing the basics of the game, including what the computer can and can't do for you, and what all those attributes mean.

Yes, it's helpful to know a little about soccer, the game, if only to know what, roughly, to expect from the various player positions.
flere-imsaho is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-07-2007, 09:20 AM   #32
flere-imsaho
Coordinator
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Chicagoland
Quote:
Originally Posted by Warhammer View Post
Does any one have a link to the guide Marc posted for FM06? That guide would still be a great help for anyone playing the game.

dola - am I fast or what?! Also, the guide I linked is for FM2007.
flere-imsaho is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-07-2007, 09:24 AM   #33
Icy
Pro Starter
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Toledo - Spain
Quote:
Originally Posted by Warhammer View Post
Does any one have a link to the guide Marc posted for FM06? That guide would still be a great help for anyone playing the game.

I have just upload i for you here:

http://www.prodeportes.com/fm07/FM20...s_and_tips.zip

It's for 06 but most of it applies to 07, a great guide for newbies into the series.
__________________

Icy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-07-2007, 09:26 AM   #34
Icy
Pro Starter
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Toledo - Spain
Dola, flere-imsaho (what kind of nick is that? ) beat me to it
__________________

Icy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-07-2007, 09:27 AM   #35
MIJB#19
Coordinator
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Maassluis, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands
Quote:
Originally Posted by TroyF View Post
One of the things I don't like about FM is the fact you can't just hire a coach and let them go to work.
Which was kind of what kept me from continuing to play this game. granted, I've 'only' bought and tried CM01/02 and CM4, both about twice or three times (the trying part, I bought either only once ), but for some reason having to do the tactics myself helped me to keep me from really getting into the game. I tried implenting what I thought were decent tactics, but the enjoyment of sims to me comes from roster management, not the game planning. (Oof, I'm starting to sound like Bucc here!)
__________________
* 2005 Golden Scribe winner for best FOF Dynasty about IHOF's Maassluis Merchantmen
* Former GM of GEFL's Houston Oilers and WOOF's Curacao Cocktail

Last edited by MIJB#19 : 09-07-2007 at 09:28 AM.
MIJB#19 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-07-2007, 09:29 AM   #36
Carman Bulldog
College Benchwarmer
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Canada
How long does it take to play a season? I love hockey but always struggled with EHM just because it would take me forever to get through the year (due both to sim speed and having to do stuff in between games). I could play for an hour and get through a month - and that doesn't include messing around with tactics or anything. I think a full season usually ran around 5-6 hours for me. Admittedly the worst and most tedious part was scouting, which seemed to take forever.

That's why I love FOF. I can usually wrap up a full year in 2-3 hours. I love to get 15-20 years into games. The same can be said of TCB, which is why I enjoy it so much as well.

I've always avoided OOTP for this same reason (although really I've never played it). I've just assumed that seasons would take forever (which is why I hate console baseball games as well).

Last edited by Carman Bulldog : 09-07-2007 at 09:31 AM.
Carman Bulldog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-07-2007, 09:30 AM   #37
Icy
Pro Starter
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Toledo - Spain
Going a bit off topic, do you guys think that a website dedicated to teach Americans about soccer, from basic concepts to complex tactic schemes , training drills, news, fun facts, history, etc could be interesting enough? I guess there would be some sites like that around, but probably not that much specially oriented to USA soccer fans.

The same way that you guys breath football since kids, we do soccer here in Spain, it's mainly the only sport here. I have thought about creating a website like that for some time already, seeing how the interest on soccer is growing in the US.
__________________


Last edited by Icy : 09-07-2007 at 09:31 AM.
Icy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-07-2007, 09:32 AM   #38
Icy
Pro Starter
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Toledo - Spain
Quote:
Originally Posted by Carman Bulldog View Post
How long does it take to play a season? I love hockey but always struggled with EHM just because it would take me forever to get through the year (due both to sim speed and having to do stuff in between games). I could play for an hour and get through a month - and that doesn't include messing around with tactics or anything. I think a full season usually ran around 5-6 hours for me. Admittedly the worst and most tedious part was scouting, which seemed to take forever.

That's why I love FOF. I can usually wrap up a full year in 2-3 hours. I love to get 15-20 years into games. The same can be said of TCB, which is why I enjoy it so much as well.

I've always avoided OOTP for this same reason (although really I've never played it). I've just assumed that seasons would take forever (which is why I hate console baseball games as well).

The soccer season is shorter than hockey (around 40 games for the domestic leagues), but with the level of detail this game has, it takes a long time, it's not like FOF or FBCB etc where you can sim a few seasons in one day.
__________________

Icy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-07-2007, 09:34 AM   #39
FrogMan
Hattrick Moderator
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Pintendre, Qc, Canada
in my opinion, we can't really "make you" a fan of the game. As other have said, you have to discover it by yourself and it may take a few tries. I started with CM4 and while I thought it was interesting, I felt overwhelmed. Then FM2005 came along and it was all love in the most perfect place in the world. While I've not played any subsequent version as much as I've played 05, FM remains one of my favorite games ever, simply for the immersion factor in it.

And as Neon Chaos said, there's not one other game that has made me pump fist on a goal and cheer for my team in a tight game against a higher opponent, or in a final game of the season, with promotion to the EPL on the line. I still get goosebumps thinking about some games...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Carman Bulldog View Post
How long does it take to play a season? I love hockey but always struggled with EHM just because it would take me forever to get through the year (due both to sim speed and having to do stuff in between games). I could play for an hour and get through a month - and that doesn't include messing around with tactics or anything. I think a full season usually ran around 5-6 hours for me.

That's why I love FOF. I can usually wrap up a full year in 2-3 hours. I love to get 15-20 years into games. The same can be said of TCB, which is why I enjoy it so much as well.

I've always avoided OOTP for this same reason (although really I've never played it). I've just assumed that seasons would take forever (which is why I hate console baseball games as well).

dang, you wouldn't like FM. It takes me a couple of weeks to play a season at about 1-2 hours a night. Granted, I read a lot and take my time, but that's still 20+ hours...

FM
__________________
A Black Belt is a White Belt who refused to give up...
follow my story: The real life story of a running frog...
FrogMan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-07-2007, 09:49 AM   #40
flere-imsaho
Coordinator
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Chicagoland
I generally get through a season (from first game to last game) in about 8 hours of playtime. That doesn't include the offseason (1 or 2 months ingame) which generally is another 4 hours of playtime.
flere-imsaho is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-07-2007, 09:50 AM   #41
Neon_Chaos
Pro Starter
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Parañaque, Philippines
Also...

The level of immersion you get in the game is big.

I dropped the game for about two months, and when I played again, it felt like slipping into old comfy slippers.

No, you can't really sim an entire season or two within a day. You can try, but that wouldn't be fun.

I actually develop a fondness for the players in my team, and a disdain for opposing teams and players.

Like someone said earlier, it is the ONLY game where you really feel like you're the manager of the club... not just the guy who sets lineups and sims the games.
__________________
Come and see.
Neon_Chaos is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-07-2007, 09:53 AM   #42
Mizzou B-ball fan
General Manager
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Kansas City, MO
I started playing the series with the '05 version. I liked parts of it, but had a tough time with it just being a newbie to all the club transactions. I decided to purchase the '06 version and have become a FM geek.

I probably play slightly differently than most play. I leave all my youth team management to an assistant except for the contracts, as I love the GM part of the game. I also leave the training to my assistants as I just don't have the time to thoroughly involve myself in that. I also only use the standard formations available. I don't know enough about soccer to customize any of the strategy without likely mucking it up pretty good, but the standard formations are plentiful and still allow for a lot of changes for me.

I watch every single game (at a pretty high speed) and love it. I love digging through prospects hoping to find that diamond in the rough. I love now being the USA head coach and spending 30 game years to build my national team to a perennial international powerhouse. I love that some of my old veterans who are now coaches are giving me info about upcoming opponents. I love watching that 17 year old kid I picked off the scrap heap in South America become an international superstar on my team, leading me to a triple (you'll know what that is eventually) and three straight premier division championships with Grimsby. I love that my coaching numbers now classify me as one of the legendary coaches of all time.

I'm still playing the '06 version, but will likely upgrade to the '08 version this fall. I'm excited as Marc has assured me that with the upgrades in the '07 version in addition to the new upgrades in the '08 version, I'm going to see a much better experience, which is honestly hard for me to believe.
Mizzou B-ball fan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-07-2007, 10:12 AM   #43
FrogMan
Hattrick Moderator
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Pintendre, Qc, Canada
Quote:
Originally Posted by Neon_Chaos View Post
I actually develop a fondness for the players in my team, and a disdain for opposing teams and players.

Like someone said earlier, it is the ONLY game where you really feel like you're the manager of the club... not just the guy who sets lineups and sims the games.

very true and to had to the cheering when your team scores and wins big games, FM is the only game where I took it personally when I got sack. I was down for a week when Luton Town sacked me the first time, really. You invest so much time learning how your players react and such that moving on to another team in this game is as close to what the real world could be, I think...

FM
__________________
A Black Belt is a White Belt who refused to give up...
follow my story: The real life story of a running frog...
FrogMan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-07-2007, 10:29 AM   #44
path12
Coordinator
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Seattle, WA
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan T View Post
I ended up not knowing what tactics to use, what attributes were good for players, or even anything about strategies at all. I ended up just letting the computer handle most of it which then diminished my enjoyment of the game.

My suggestion if you are similar to me and know nothing about soccer, and wanting to get into it is try to visit some of the links that were posted about tactics/etc.. maybe it will sink in better for you. To this day I still would love to enjoy it as it seems like the type of game I would enjoy.. just the wrong sport for me

That's also where you can get a lot of help here. Someone is always willing to go over attributes for specific positions, etc. I also find that the basic tactics work pretty well, and then you can make tweaks to it as you start to understand the game and your players more.
__________________
We have always been at war with Eastasia.
path12 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-07-2007, 11:12 AM   #45
Crapshoot
Grizzled Veteran
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Quote:
Originally Posted by Neon_Chaos View Post
This is the only game where I actually FIST-PUMPED and CHEERED while Gillingham squad was holding off Chelsea 2-1 in the last two minutes of the FA Cup Final.

No other game could make me cheer for my team. No Other Game.

I am not proud to say how many times I've screamed at my computer when the SOB center back is caught out of place and the opposing team scores a goal. ...
Crapshoot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-07-2007, 11:18 AM   #46
TroyF
Coordinator
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Quote:
Originally Posted by Crapshoot View Post
I am not proud to say how many times I've screamed at my computer when the SOB center back is caught out of place and the opposing team scores a goal. ...

I'll call that and raise you putting that SOB center back on the transfer list and permanantly benching him after his sorry performence.

Sorry, I'm up 3-1, your error costs me one goal, you get an own goal to allow the tie game and then you get a straight red in extra time costing me the game? You will be gone in the next transfer window. Somehow, someway.
TroyF is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-07-2007, 11:44 AM   #47
st.cronin
General Manager
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: New Mexico
If somebody told me that they had lost their wife and job because they couldn't stop playing FM, I would totally understand.
__________________
co-commish: bb-bbcf.net

knives out
st.cronin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-07-2007, 11:48 AM   #48
Crapshoot
Grizzled Veteran
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Quote:
Originally Posted by TroyF View Post
I'll call that and raise you putting that SOB center back on the transfer list and permanantly benching him after his sorry performence.

Sorry, I'm up 3-1, your error costs me one goal, you get an own goal to allow the tie game and then you get a straight red in extra time costing me the game? You will be gone in the next transfer window. Somehow, someway.

Heh - I criticize them in the press, and I wish there was a team talk option that says "you sorry son of a bitch, I would ship your ass to China if anyone there would take you."
Crapshoot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-07-2007, 11:49 AM   #49
Neuqua
Pro Rookie
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Chicago, Ill
Just reading through this thread is making me want to go back to my FM game, but unfortunatly I lost it on my migration to my new laptop and am just waiting for '08 to be released
__________________
Our Deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be?
Neuqua is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-07-2007, 11:59 AM   #50
korme
Go Reds
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Bloodbuzz Ohio
I could never get into it. I don't think I had the patience to truly learn the important skills for each position and the necessary types of formations to use
korme is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:34 AM.



Powered by vBulletin Version 3.6.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2026, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.