ALRIGHT BOYZ...FOOTBALL MANAGER 2015 ANNOUNCED

[DaddyTorgo]

http://www.sigames.com/news/14351/Football+Manager+2015++coming+November

We are pleased to announce Football Manager 2015, the latest in the award-winning and record-breaking series, which will be released globally for PC, Macintosh and Linux computers in November 2014.

From today, the game is available to pre-order, both online and on the high street, and fans who do so will enjoy access to the game roughly two weeks before its official on-sale date.

In addition, those who register with our new free-to-join supporter’s club, InSIder, before the close of the English transfer window will be rewarded with an exclusive discount when they purchase the game from the SEGA store. For more details or to sign up, go to www.footballmanager.com.

Football Manager 2015's main new features will be revealed in October, so keep your eyes peeled!

[Flasch186]

follow

[DaddyTorgo]

Why so late this year? MV - you need to go over there and whip those slackers back into shape for an October release!!!

[vex]

Pre-order doesn't seem to be working.

[DaddyTorgo]

Pre-order doesn't seem to be working.

FWIW - the website news release said preorders today...the Facebook post said "over the coming days" so maybe it's just not up yet.

[flere-imsaho]

http://www.dodge-dart.org/forum/attachments/dodge-dart-general-discussion/37279d1405017839-does-anyone-know-where-i-can-get-set-black-rotors-my-2014-dart-rallye-shut_up_and_take_my_money.jpg

Ah yes, the addiction continues....

[DaddyTorgo]

well played flere.

[MrBug708]

Any thoughts/rumors on what's going to be added?

[EagleFan]

Any thoughts/rumors on what's going to be added?

I heard beer tent...

[SirFozzie]

Any thoughts/rumors on what's going to be added?

Hopefully a Brazil-like Regional/National League split.

[sovereignstar v2]

Any thoughts/rumors on what's going to be added?

A revamped transfer system.

[vex]

Improved media and player interactions.

[Critch]

Any thoughts/rumors on what's going to be added?

All guesses here

Winter World Cup for Qatar
Goal line technology (a little bleep that you see once per season, unless it's FM2015s version of the cross that hits the bar, then it'll be 4 times a game)
Argentina's new crazy league system
Customizable Classic version where you can choose which parts of the the main game to disable/automate
International Champions Cup (the pointless pre-season thing in the US)

[Toddzilla]

my god, the beer tent thing never gets old :D

[DaddyTorgo]

Pre-purchase Football Manager 2015 on Steam (http://store.steampowered.com/app/295270/)

*ducks the rush of wallets opening*

Happy Friday all!

[DaddyTorgo]

Any thoughts/rumors on what's going to be added?

I'll make a prediction: 3D replays (goals, highlights) embedded within news items so you don't have to click-thru to them.

[Brian Swartz]

This will be the first version I don't buy since I started playing with FM11(or 10?), but that's only because I'm too attached to my FM14 universe to think about giving it up. Ergo, if 15 ends up being awesome, I'm actually going to be annoyed more than anything else ;)

[flere-imsaho]

Winter World Cup for Qatar

They won't put this in until it's official. And there's a long way to go before it becomes official.

[SirFozzie]

GoGames had a 20% off coupon. of course, I already preordered on steam :P

[Arles]

Come on, I just finally found a good tactic for my Lincoln City team in FM14 (made it to League 2 and in the hunt for promotion). I don't want to have to start over with a new version :cry: (first world problems....)

[DaddyTorgo]

Yeah - I steam'd it too. For me, having the convenience of being able to play it on any of 3 different PC's (laptop, desktop at work, desktop at home on rare occasions) makes up for the lack of a discount code for steam.

[nilodor]

Hoping for being able to edit the classic mode starting universe

[kingfc22]

Would like to see the list of new features to see if I finally do a back-to-back purchase versus skipping a year.

FM14 has been such an improvement over FM12.

[Schmidty]

I've wanted to try FM again for many years, but I just can't justify 50 bucks for a text sim, no matter how good it is. Maybe when/if it ever goes on sale, I'll grab it.

[Critch]

They won't put this in until it's official. And there's a long way to go before it becomes official.

They need something to put in. They cant get away with giving it a polish and charging $50 bucks for it two years in a row, can they?

[Radii]

I've wanted to try FM again for many years, but I just can't justify 50 bucks for a text sim, no matter how good it is. Maybe when/if it ever goes on sale, I'll grab it.

FM14 went on sale a number of times this year for $12.50. If you keep an eye on the next steam sale I'm sure that will happen again. If you want to hold out for FM15, there would probably be something in the spring, or at the latest, summer of next year that will be similar.

[Marc Vaughan]

I've wanted to try FM again for many years, but I just can't justify 50 bucks for a text sim, no matter how good it is. Maybe when/if it ever goes on sale, I'll grab it.

The PC/Mac game is quite regularly on sale once its been out a while on Steam.

Out of interest what do you consider spending $50 on? - I'm wondering simply because for playing hours/cost I'd have thought FM is decent value for money (thats what we aim to give anyway).

Speaking as someone who's dropped $20 on the D&D Basic Set and is about to drop another $30 on the players handbook (and will do the same for DM's guide and monster manual in due course) I think computer games are great value for money ;)

[Flasch186]

FM is almost always running on my comp. Gateshead!!!!

[DaddyTorgo]

I hope there's some sweet new features, making me wait till fucking November!!! ;)

[Schmidty]

The PC/Mac game is quite regularly on sale once its been out a while on Steam.

Out of interest what do you consider spending $50 on? - I'm wondering simply because for playing hours/cost I'd have thought FM is decent value for money (thats what we aim to give anyway).

Speaking as someone who's dropped $20 on the D&D Basic Set and is about to drop another $30 on the players handbook (and will do the same for DM's guide and monster manual in due course) I think computer games are great value for money ;)

So how much better is FM 15 than 14? Is it worth waiting for, or is 14 going to be fine for a beginning player who knows a small amount soccer?

[Barkeep49]

So how much better is FM 15 than 14? Is it worth waiting for, or is 14 going to be fine for a beginning player who knows a small amount soccer?
Schmidty, I think for anyone starting in the series getting the previous version cheap will be the way to go.

[Marc Vaughan]

Thought this might amuse you chaps ...

Daily Mirror - FM database licenced to ProZone (used byPremiership clubs) (http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/premier-league-clubs-use-database-4034217#.U-hyR_ldWW1)

Same thing - Guardian Newspaper (http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/aug/11/football-manager-computer-game-premier-league-clubs-buy-players)

Same thing International Business Times (http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/premier-league-sides-use-video-game-football-managers-player-database-future-transfers-1460616)

[DaddyTorgo]

Thought this might amuse you chaps ...

Daily Mirror - FM database licenced to ProZone (used byPremiership clubs) (http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/premier-league-clubs-use-database-4034217#.U-hyR_ldWW1)

Same thing - Guardian Newspaper (http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/aug/11/football-manager-computer-game-premier-league-clubs-buy-players)

Same thing International Business Times (http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/premier-league-sides-use-video-game-football-managers-player-database-future-transfers-1460616)

Yeah - I saw something basically alluding to this in I think it was Soccernomics or something, which made me feel better about the "realism" of playing using the database as a scouting tool.

[Ramzavail]

The PC/Mac game is quite regularly on sale once its been out a while on Steam.

Out of interest what do you consider spending $50 on? - I'm wondering simply because for playing hours/cost I'd have thought FM is decent value for money (thats what we aim to give anyway).

Speaking as someone who's dropped $20 on the D&D Basic Set and is about to drop another $30 on the players handbook (and will do the same for DM's guide and monster manual in due course) I think computer games are great value for money ;)

Don't get me wrong and maybe its because I'm older now, with more responsibilities, and I just don't have the time to stay up until 3 am consistently anymore telling myself "Just one more day" etc. It definitely is worth $50 considering probably the average FM person plays 50-75 hours on it, but you probably have the accurate stats on that.

However, I used to be a FM guy who would pre-buy it and now I'm on a cycle that waits for the sale and plays it until the next versions sale hits. But, I would be a $50 guy again if I was able to take my saved games and play it with the newest version (ala OOTP, and I'm a pre-sale OOTP guy)

[Marc Vaughan]

However, I used to be a FM guy who would pre-buy it and now I'm on a cycle that waits for the sale and plays it until the next versions sale hits. But, I would be a $50 guy again if I was able to take my saved games and play it with the newest version (ala OOTP, and I'm a pre-sale OOTP guy)

The moving save games between versions is incredibly complex because the database/features constantly evolve and the competitions change according to real-life which makes evolving an existing game very difficult.

I've proposed a few things in this area in the past and at some point hope to implement something long these lines into Football Manager Handheld, don't hold your breathe however as its not something which is uber high priority I'm afraid in comparison to some other items.

(in the meantime FMH is far cheaper than $50 - perhaps consider picking that up? ;) )

[mrtourette]

Don't get me wrong and maybe its because I'm older now, with more responsibilities, and I just don't have the time to stay up until 3 am consistently anymore telling myself "Just one more day" etc. It definitely is worth $50 considering probably the average FM person plays 50-75 hours on it, but you probably have the accurate stats on that.

However, I used to be a FM guy who would pre-buy it and now I'm on a cycle that waits for the sale and plays it until the next versions sale hits. But, I would be a $50 guy again if I was able to take my saved games and play it with the newest version (ala OOTP, and I'm a pre-sale OOTP guy)

Yeah I'm the same, gone are the days of spending a whole weekend eating pizza and playing Champ Man 97/98. Although overall I'm sure I get £35 worth of entertainment out of it the thought of spending that on something for myself and not the damn kids or house brings on some sort of guilt attack.

FM14 has re-invigorated my love for the game but I'm not sure if it'll encourage me to buy FM15 unless it's in a sale. I guess it'll depend on whether I'm still engrossed in a current game or whether it's a convenient break point.

[Ramzavail]

The moving save games between versions is incredibly complex because the database/features constantly evolve and the competitions change according to real-life which makes evolving an existing game very difficult.

I've proposed a few things in this area in the past and at some point hope to implement something long these lines into Football Manager Handheld, don't hold your breathe however as its not something which is uber high priority I'm afraid in comparison to some other items.

(in the meantime FMH is far cheaper than $50 - perhaps consider picking that up? ;) )

oh I do. I usually buy both :)

yes, I knew that it was very difficult to implement. I just think I would be more apt to pre-buy if it had that capability. Like I do with OOTP, bc I want to continue my game on the latest version.

It's deflating to start a whole new game when they have my name on the stadium :) I wanna continue rolling with it.

But I get it and either way, I buy it anyways. But I just wait a little bit that's all :)

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

FM14 has re-invigorated my love for the game but I'm not sure if it'll encourage me to buy FM15 unless it's in a sale. I guess it'll depend on whether I'm still engrossed in a current game or whether it's a convenient break point.

I'm the same way. I'm about 20 years into a career and have no intentions of moving on. I'll play this out and grab FM16 next year (typing FM16 suddenly makes me feel old).

[Marc Vaughan]

Although overall I'm sure I get £35 worth of entertainment out of it the thought of spending that on something for myself and not the damn kids or house brings on some sort of guilt attack.
Heh - this I can relate to, I find it relatively easy to spend money on my kids or wife ... but always feel guilty when I pick something up just for me.

(that being said I bought a 'FitBit' yesterday - discovered I ran 5.9 miles playing soccer last night, love it :D)

[DaddyTorgo]

...spending a whole weekend eating pizza and playing FM14.

This describes my usual weekend to a T. The joys of being single.

[Grover]

Already planning my Racing Strasbourg dynasty! From Le Championnat National to Ligue 1!

[Ryche]

FM 13 was my first version and I'm playing 14 now. Thinking I'll wait for 16 for my next version. Loving 14 but still so much to do in the game.

[flere-imsaho]

They need something to put in. They cant get away with giving it a polish and charging $50 bucks for it two years in a row, can they?

The changes between 13 and 14 were quite significant, actually.

[Ryan S]

The changes between 13 and 14 were quite significant, actually.

I can't remember what changes were made to the full game, but the change that sold me was the expansion of Classic mode beyond three countries.

[DaddyTorgo]

They need something to put in. They cant get away with giving it a polish and charging $50 bucks for it two years in a row, can they?

What are you talking about??

Not trying to be all FM-fanboy on you or anything, genuinely curious what you mean.

[flere-imsaho]

I can't remember what changes were made to the full game, but the change that sold me was the expansion of Classic mode beyond three countries.

Tactics were significantly overhauled: no sliders, more roles, ability to save shouts to a tactic, etc....

[Arles]

14 is the biggest leap I've seen in 3 years. Tactics redone, streamlined the media interaction, training has new wrinkles and even loaning seems a lot more stringent (guys I would have easily been able to get for Skrill prem/L2 in 13 now give me the "would prefer a higher level of competition" message).

There's also something that really bothered me initially, but now I kind of like it. Guys will scoff at my 1200 GBP offer to be a key player for League 2 and sign a 450 GBP deal in another league. Adds a level of difficulty and reduces some house rules, despite the aggravation. Now, it does make *some* sense when it is a home league (ie, Scotland or Ireland). Still, there is some frustration when a 20-year old signs for a semi pro team with Scotland for half what I offered to be a key player on a professional league 2 team :D

[DaddyTorgo]

One thing I'd like to see is more access to historical stats.

Why can't I see what my players stats (say tackles/90 or goals/90) were last season, or two seasons ago?

All we can see for past years stats is the bare basics that are selected by default.

Either make them available in game (best case so you can follow players who are no longer on your squad), or hell...at this point, even just let me export the results of a view to Excel so I can track it myself for all the players on my team.

[Grover]

One thing I'd like to see is more access to historical stats.

Why can't I see what my players stats (say tackles/90 or goals/90) were last season, or two seasons ago?

All we can see for past years stats is the bare basics that are selected by default.

Either make them available in game (best case so you can follow players who are no longer on your squad), or hell...at this point, even just let me export the results of a view to Excel so I can track it myself for all the players on my team.

Massively, massively agree with this. I also want ALL competition stats and not just league stats for previous seasons.

[Grover]

https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10341982_622521587869526_6458948165897426365_n.jpg?oh=c228fedab42e0f5b09b412e384c84325&oe=5474BA08

I am so ready for this game.

[DaddyTorgo]

Massively, massively agree with this. I also want ALL competition stats and not just league stats for previous seasons.

Of course. Absolutely.

[DaddyTorgo]

https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10341982_622521587869526_6458948165897426365_n.jpg?oh=c228fedab42e0f5b09b412e384c84325&oe=5474BA08

I am so ready for this game.

Hehe - reminds me of when I used to write whole-team depth+squad rotation charts in my college notebooks during boring lectures.

aka "here's my 3 AML's...top one plays 6/10 games, 2nd plays 3/10, 3rd plays 1/10" etc.

I was a budding rafa benitez.

Versus now where I tend to ride my first team players more - 50+ appearances a season (between league, cup, CL) is not unheard of.

[Barkeep49]

DT: I tend to ride my first team players a lot which always concerns me about player development. What are your strategies around that?

[Alan T]

DT: I tend to ride my first team players a lot which always concerns me about player development. What are your strategies around that?


I ride my first team super heavy. Unless they are tired, I'll play the starting 10 in the EPL games, the Champions cup league games, FA Cup, and League Cup games. I generally have a pretty solid servicable fill in jack of all traits guy that can cover both wings and AMC (plus Striker if I can get away with it).. and another that covers both MC and maybe AMC. Then I usually have 1 spare DL/DR combo guy and a spare DC.

With injuries or the few rest days I give, that group of 14-15 guys all get regular playing time. Any young prospects that don't seem to fit in that 15 block, I send out on loan where they will get regular playing time.

I then fill in the other spots (like an extra Defensive back, extra midfielder, extra striker and my backup GK who never ever plays) with guys that are mid-age guys that I am ok with being on the team only one year. In fact, I've never had a GK that didn't ask for a transfer at the end of the season due to lack of playing time. :)

I only once got in a bind where I had 9 midfielders out and literally had no one to cover the spot, so put a winger there for a day or two.

[Grover]

DT: I tend to ride my first team players a lot which always concerns me about player development. What are your strategies around that?

Depending on where I am in the league, # of competitions, etc. I try to have a fairly decent rotation. Riding the same starting XI throughout the entire season, you will absolutely start to see a dip in form toward the end of the year.

[DaddyTorgo]

DT: I tend to ride my first team players a lot which always concerns me about player development. What are your strategies around that?

In what regard - you mean developing the youth behind them who won't get playing time because you're riding the first teamers?

Or something else?

[DaddyTorgo]

Since I'm bored.

2017/2018 I count 62 matches - not including friendlies, in all competitions.

Looks like the rough average for my "Key/First Team" guys was in the mid 40's

Bernard started 54 (!!), scored 8 and had 26 assists.
My top striker started 48, subbed on in 2 more. Scored 36 times.
Ozil started 49, subbed on in 1 more. Scored 14 and had 30 assists
My 22 year old stud MC/DM (Lucas Romero) started 48
Jack Wilshire started 44 (17 goals - 14 of them on PKs. He's a fucking glory hound. If I gave those to my striker he would have shattered Henry's record)
Steven Caulker started 47


Someone like Aaron Ramsey on the other hand, who was a solid squad-rotation midfielder, started 18 and came on as a sub in 10. Similar for a Yann M'Vila who started 26 and came on as a sub in 2 more.
My second-striker of the pair I generally rotated between 2 guys, each with 20-30 appearances.

I definitely rode Bernard and Ozil very hard that season though - I didn't have the depth behind them I was comfortable with. In the season before that (2016-2017) Bernard basically split time with another guy (some due to injury, some due to the other guy being on a goal-scoring roll).

As far as the young players:

-Now that I'm in England with Arsenal I'm trying to pay attention to homegrown status. It's never been an issue for me with the CL in other countries though. But I try to keep the real good young players in my system playing for my youth teams until they get that homegrown status (assuming I buy them in time for them to have a chance at it). I compensate for the less game-time by training the shit out of them. Sure, some of them may get injured or burn-out (I probably have a high turnover of youth), but the ones that survive will have been through the crucible and will come out ready to play.
-Once they get homegrown status, or if I'm not worried about that, or I want to take the gamble on a loan-year getting them up to first-team fringe status, I loan their asses out. Only to places where they'll play first-team or key though.
-The "elite" ones (4-5 stars) I generally try to get them playing 20-30 games (both of those second-strikers for example) for my first team, against teams lower in the table, or in the domestic cups. Probably under 15 games if they're under the age of 20, rising to 30ish if they're wonderkids. But I keep an eye on their performance to see if I'm stretching them too much.

[DaddyTorgo]

This should really be in the 2014 thread though...haha.

[AnalBumCover]

For fans of the alternate universe USA league, there appears to be an ambitious project already in the works for FM2015.

Sports Interactive Community (http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/395969-FM15-WIP-USA-World-Class-MLS-(8-levels)-*Testers-Needed*)

It's 8 levels deep, and boasts 500+ teams.

There's already a version 0.3 to be used for testing in FM2014.

[Ryche]

For fans of the alternate universe USA league, there appears to be an ambitious project already in the works for FM2015.

Sports Interactive Community (http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/395969-FM15-WIP-USA-World-Class-MLS-(8-levels)-*Testers-Needed*)

It's 8 levels deep, and boasts 500+ teams.

There's already a version 0.3 to be used for testing in FM2014.

That just might change my mind on buying 15.

[bbgunn]

https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10341982_622521587869526_6458948165897426365_n.jpg?oh=c228fedab42e0f5b09b412e384c84325&oe=5474BA08


I'm glad I'm not the only one that does this. I do it in Notepad now, though. You know, treehugger liberal and all.

I tend to buy FM in roughly three-year cycles (bought FM14, FM11, FM07, FM05, CM 01/02...). I don't plan on buying FM2015 unless there is a kick-ass addition. But I'll be following.

EDIT: And yes, before any of you say it, some match-fixing events would be nice, too.

[DaddyTorgo]

FM 15 screenshots. Just saw these posted on reddit so I don't have the official SI linky yet.

http://imgur.com/a/N8LBC

[vex]

Saying deleted.

[DaddyTorgo]

Hmmm - interesting.

Well I hadn't seen them on the official site or anything - maybe they were leaked unofficially and somebody got to the leaker and asked them to pull them down...I dunno.

[DaddyTorgo]

We're delighted to announce the 49 countries you can watch the ‪#‎FMDoc‬ outside the UK.

Read the full list at Sports Interactive, the developers of Football Manager - An Alternative Reality: The FM Documentary - coming soon (www.fmdocumentary.com)

If your country isn't listed it will be available digitally in a couple of weeks.

emphasis mine

[riz]

FM15 new features video here:

#FM15 New Features Video [Out November 7th] - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIPhF0_S0pQ&feature=youtu.be)

[flere-imsaho]

Haha, every time this thread gets bumped I get this hope that it's the actual announcement, and then I find out that no, it's....

riz
SI Games


OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG!!!!!!!!

[DaddyTorgo]

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Although I stand by my suggestion to have hot models do the videos.

[DaddyTorgo]

At work, so haven't watched the video, but release date is 11/7.

Sooo...expecting demo/beta/whatever you want to call it in...two weeks?

[flounder]

I have to say that the match engine looks a lot better. I like having the ability to yell at my players during the match, too.

[DaddyTorgo]

Torn - if I go home and watch this I'm going to have a hard time continuing my careers in FM14 over the next couple weeks.

And I need to finish at least one more season - I've got a striker who's on 23 goals after 14 games in all competitions. Club record is 35 in all competitions, so he's going to SMASH it, and I can't wait.

Kinda validates paying $100m for him when he was 18.

[lighthousekeeper]

FM15 new features video here:

#FM15 New Features Video [Out November 7th] - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIPhF0_S0pQ&feature=youtu.be)

Literally beer tent feature @ 7:30

[flere-imsaho]

Interesting.

With FM14 I found that my 2008 iMac really chugged on the 3d graphics, which seemed sort of incongruous as this really doesn't seem all that more sophisticated than other games, circa 2008, that run/ran just fine.

But the new graphics look nice.

[DaddyTorgo]

Literally beer tent feature @ 7:30

Haha - I said this to Foz too. I may be in the minority, but I like the improvements to stadiums & surroundings - feel like it will make me more engaged in some sense.

Stoked about the new changes to scouting. Seems like it's the way it always should have been in some ways.

Hopefully the new UI will indeed be an improvement and not be too jarring.

Match engine improvements to make it more realistic-looking are always welcome.

Not really stoked about the "managerial style" thing - seems a bit RPGish. But as long as it's not overpowered it's just one screen, one time.

Media improvements might be good, if they're not overwhelming. I usually hire an AssMan who's good at that stuff and send him to most of them after a couple years of "building my personality" anyways.

[flounder]

Not really stoked about the "managerial style" thing - seems a bit RPGish. But as long as it's not overpowered it's just one screen, one time.

Yeah, I'm not so sure about that either. It seems like something that could be really fun to use, but it has the potential for disaster.

[lighthousekeeper]

I dunno, anytime I see FM feature list announcements, I feel like I'm in Groundhog Day. Every year the same:

- Revamped UI! "it's no longer that clunky crappy mess it used to be - now everything you need is right at your fingertips"
- Media interaction improvement (but when will it no longer be a tedious repetitive bore?)
- Training improvements: alternating each year between "this year we've made training management more realistic" and "this year we've made training management less tedious"

And also each year a statement along the lines of "The moving of save games between versions is incredibly complex because the database/features constantly evolve and the competitions change according to real-life which makes evolving an existing game very difficult." Duly noted. But dudes - you've had 15+ years to work on this. For how many more years can this excuse be used?

[DaddyTorgo]

Tell you what though - I have a ton of success in FM. LLM or big clubs, either way. And I don't spend much time at all on training - I certainly don't micro-manage it.

And yet somehow (scouting, buying large volume, working my youth players hard and seeing who survives it) I seem to end up with loads of good young players most of the time.

[lighthousekeeper]

Tell you what though - I have a ton of success in FM. LLM or big clubs, either way. And I don't spend much time at all on training - I certainly don't micro-manage it.

And yet somehow (scouting, buying large volume, working my youth players hard and seeing who survives it) I seem to end up with loads of good young players most of the time.

yeah - so do most people. what does that tell you about the game? it leaves me feeling that a lot of the options available to players are pointless and that there really has some emptiness under the hood.

usually i play as LLM, take over a crap team, ignore training completely, brainlessly respond to media interactions, take the default tactic, and still get promoted in the 1st (or sometimes 2nd) season. i think most everyone does. it just leaves me with the feeling that the game has a built-in advantage for the human player, and that certain in-game settings (e.g. training, media, tactics) are a waste of effort.

[bhlloy]

I think some of the off field AI is still very, very poor - AI managers tend to not play any of their young players which means they never develop, do a very bad job of strengthening their squad when needed and signing players that fit into the tactics they are using.

I actually disagree that the easy part is getting promoted in the first season, I've had LLM games where I've had to wait until the third season to get up. What is undeniably easy (and I think that's what DT is getting at) is hoarding young talent, getting it to develop by giving it game time (something the AI refuses to do) and ending up with a squad of world beaters

The other thing I would disagree is about morale no mattering under the hood. IMO another huge area where the human can kick the AI ass, some morale boosting friendlies, some team talks and choose the obvious options in the media talks and it's very easy to end up with superb morale across the board, which can make a mediocre team play way above it's expectation. Just my two cents

[flere-imsaho]

Apparently there will be a similar video describing the updates for FMC15.

Hopefully riz will be so good as to alert us when that's posted as well. :D

[DaddyTorgo]

I think some of the off field AI is still very, very poor - AI managers tend to not play any of their young players which means they never develop, do a very bad job of strengthening their squad when needed and signing players that fit into the tactics they are using.

I actually disagree that the easy part is getting promoted in the first season, I've had LLM games where I've had to wait until the third season to get up. What is undeniably easy (and I think that's what DT is getting at) is hoarding young talent, getting it to develop by giving it game time (something the AI refuses to do) and ending up with a squad of world beaters

The other thing I would disagree is about morale no mattering under the hood. IMO another huge area where the human can kick the AI ass, some morale boosting friendlies, some team talks and choose the obvious options in the media talks and it's very easy to end up with superb morale across the board, which can make a mediocre team play way above it's expectation. Just my two cents

Hopefully some of the AI squad management stuff is improved. That's definitely where the game could take a big leap forward in being more difficult.

Sometimes I sell some of my world-beaters on almost just to provide myself a challenge and make room for new ones.

Ex: In my Juventus savegame I sold 2 Italian strikers, 22 and 23 years old who are the starting pair for the national team, both to Atletico Madrid for a combined $70m.

I could have broken them apart - but I figured by selling them together at least I'll try to create some team that's strong.

And yes - selling the two of them in order to keep an Englishman and an Argentine and a Frenchman trifecta at striker did feel like something that the team in reality would not do - but to be fair I've had Evans since he was 18 (he's 25 now) and he's basically the best player in the world (26 goals in 15 games so far this season. 6+ seasons of 20+ goals since he joined the first team) and a team Icon, and the Argentine scored 30 goals last year and is a perfect foil for him tactics-wise, and the French kid a Legend of the club already too.

[RainMaker]

I agree. I like a lot of the little features they add but the AI needs massive improvement. This is my thoughts on a lot of sims though. OOTP has this same issue.

I'd give up some of the bells and whistles for a game that challenges me much more.

[riz]

And also each year a statement along the lines of "The moving of save games between versions is incredibly complex because the database/features constantly evolve and the competitions change according to real-life which makes evolving an existing game very difficult." Duly noted. But dudes - you've had 15+ years to work on this. For how many more years can this excuse be used?

It's not really an excuse but simply a matter of productivity. When making bigger changes in games like these where the structures are as complex as they are, it is often significantly more efficient to start from a clean slate and code the new functionality from the ground up without any ties to the old legacy system.

So instead of spending 20 hours coding the new system and then 40 hours (or even more depending on the differences) coding a system to convert old saved games to work with the new system, it usually makes more sense to just implement only the new system as it is.

Apparently there will be a similar video describing the updates for FMC15.

Hopefully riz will be so good as to alert us when that's posted as well. :D

Will try. I've personally preferred FMC these past few years myself as the amount of time I can invest in playing games is limited :)

[riz]

And here is the new features video for FMC 2015:

#FM15 - New Football Manager Classic features [Out Nov 7th] - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9w1LENuG0Pw&list=UUMWpuQCtigHebT0oRtFy7Gw)

:popcorn:

[flere-imsaho]

OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG

*gasp*

OMGOMGOMGOGMOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG

[flere-imsaho]

With the caveat that I had to watch with the sound off, I'd say I'm quite happy with the added features. It's not too much and looks like it won't impede the pace of the game.

The ability to control training at the individual level a bit more is an addition I'm quite happy about.

For the future I think these are my top feature ideas:

1. Make the "instant result" button available at any time in a match. I'd love to press it when I'm already winning 5-0.

2. I'd love an option, during setup, where you can add custom players to the game, via a wizard is preferable. Basically I'd love to put my two sons into the game with world-class potential, defined positions, and random stats.

But looks like a great update. Can't wait!

[Icy]

Only thing I miss from FMC is to able able to play with custom databases, like the English lower level ones, or the Spanish 3rd division or for example right now, where there are updated databases available to this season but not able to use them in FMC, only un full game.

[Flasch186]

I shut down my '14 game. I'd left Gateshead after being their 8 years and getting repeated promotions but everywhere I went to manage...it just wasn't the same. Bounced around like an unwanted foster child and finally just gave it up in Italy. '15 cant come soon enough.

[flere-imsaho]

I'm in my 20th year in charge of formerly-amateur-level Birkiebeineren in Norway. We now routinely win the league & cup and in Europe tend to either a) finish 2nd in group and go out in the first knockout round or b) finish 3rd in group and get knocked out in the quarterfinals of the EURO Cup.

It's slow progress at this point. The board won't upgrade the stadium past 11,000, and I can see that's not going to change, as the surrounding area has a population (IRL) of like 20,000 people. But even if I had a higher earning power, past a certain point players won't join us because the level of competition is too low.

It's still super-fun, however, but I have this feeling that it'll take another 10 seasons of careful squad building to have a realistic chance of winning the CL (maybe 5 seasons for EURO Cup) and that's probably being a bit optimistic.

[nilodor]

Only thing I miss from FMC is to able able to play with custom databases, like the English lower level ones, or the Spanish 3rd division or for example right now, where there are updated databases available to this season but not able to use them in FMC, only un full game.

I have hopes that this is in Classic mode this year, or at least custom players. It looks like it may be with the expanded database options on startup. :chickendance:

[SirFozzie]

If the demo is out two weeks before release, it will be out this weekend.

[DaddyTorgo]

If the demo is out two weeks before release, it will be out this weekend.

yesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss it will. my precioussssssss!!!!

[Ryche]

Just got beta code in my email, should be soon. Just ended my last career in FM 14 so I'm ready.

[DaddyTorgo]

Really???

BOOYA

*loads up Steam to prepare*

[DaddyTorgo]

I'm getting...excited.

[Ryche]

Beta came out Wednesday morning last so hoping the same this year

[DaddyTorgo]

Beta came out Wednesday morning last so hoping the same this year

I hadn't remembered that. Nice.

[bulletsponge]

cant come out soon enough. i stoped playing fm14 only 2 months ago, to give myself a rest before fm15 comes out. well now im itching to play http://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/nervous/waiting.gif (http://www.sherv.net/)

[MacroGuru]

So question for someone that may have done this.

Has anyone tried to run 14 on a Surface Pro Tablet? I am going to be getting a Pro 3 for my Bday from my girlfriend and I am curious.

[HerRealName]

So question for someone that may have done this.

Has anyone tried to run 14 on a Surface Pro Tablet? I am going to be getting a Pro 3 for my Bday from my girlfriend and I am curious.

Yes I have a Pro 3 and no problems running FM14 at all.

[MacroGuru]

Yes I have a Pro 3 and no problems running FM14 at all.

AWESOME! Thank you..

[DaddyTorgo]

I totally wanna do that with a Pro 3.

[Grover]

I need to finish my EUIV Dynasty so I can start an FM15 one!

[Icy]

Nervous as a kid! (at my 39s)

The beta should be out before the weekend (just a guess).

Just in time for the "classic" Real Madrid Barcelona on Saturday, nothing like watching it on TV while playing FM15 in my notebook!

[DaddyTorgo]

That's right - it's a Clasico weekend!!

Nice!!

[Easy Mac]

I totally wanna do that with a Pro 3.

I run FM 14 fine on a Dell Venue 8 Pro. It can get a little bogged down with too many leagues, but I can run it with the main leagues selected without too much of an issue. The 64 gb version is on sale for $180 at Frys.

[DaddyTorgo]

I run FM 14 fine on a Dell Venue 8 Pro. It can get a little bogged down with too many leagues, but I can run it with the main leagues selected without too much of an issue. The 64 gb version is on sale for $180 at Frys.

That's hot. I totally want to do that. Is that worth $180 to me to be able to like...do that anywhere & anytime?

Quite possibly. Hmmm.

[bulletsponge]

heres a video of the match engine

Pre-Beta #FM15 Match Engine Footage (English version) - YouTube (http://youtu.be/H4J752MNCcA)

[SunDevil]

This is making it hard waiting for FM15:

James Rodriguez and Cristiano Ronaldo Combined For Beautiful Goal Against Liverpool | The Big Lead (http://thebiglead.com/2014/10/22/james-rodriguez-and-cristiano-ronaldo-combined-for-beautiful-goal-against-liverpool/)

[SirFozzie]

saw a tweet from Miles that made me think it's going to be friday or later:

Miles Jacobson @milesSI · 8h 8 hours ago
To save myself any more abuse or questions about it tonight, the beta is definitely not tonight. Still don't know when. But not tonight.

Miles Jacobson @milesSI · 3h 3 hours ago
@scottpratt1974 I will know by 8pm tomorrow if it will be out tomorrow or not. As I did tonight.

[DaddyTorgo]

AAAARGH.

NEED BETA TO IMPROVE MY MOOD.

[DaddyTorgo]

BUMP

As reported by Ryche in the FM14 thread, beta is now live on Steam.

Of course right before I head out to the gym for my workout. Need to workout now though so I can go home and be uninterrupted after work.

DLing on my work computer so I can at least poke at the UI and such this afternoon hopefully.

[Ryche]

Oops, didn't look close enough when I posted in the other thread, got too excited.

[Grover]

Yeaaaaaah!

I think I've come down with something in the office...

[bulletsponge]

i cant figure out how to dl it. i preordered it on steam

[bulletsponge]

DL FM15 now!

rats i have to go back to work for a few hours! grrrrrrrr

[DaddyTorgo]

Launching...

[Grover]

I wish I could download this remotely.

I AM JEALOUS.

[DaddyTorgo]

Choosing managerial style...

[DaddyTorgo]

Feel free to ask questions!!

[Scoobz0202]

Can Classic use custom databases?

[DaddyTorgo]

Oh sure - make me back out to start a classic game.

LOL - let me just save this game so I can bounce back into it.

[flere-imsaho]

FMC will still not be able to use custom databases.

I know this from hanging around the relevant SI board in question, so it's pretty iron-clad. And SI gets a lot of heat about it.

[DaddyTorgo]

Can Classic use custom databases?

Not sure if we can tell yet...the option to use different DBs is greyed out even for full mode at this point...

[Grover]

Did you need lotion and tissues while booting this up?

My guess is yes.

But seriously, how sharp is that match engine?

[DaddyTorgo]

Did you need lotion and tissues while booting this up?

My guess is yes.

But seriously, how sharp is that match engine?

Yes. This day is, I would say, better than Christmas.

Haven't gotten into a match yet, and truth be told, my computer at work doesn't have any graphical bells and whistles so I don't expect it to look as good here as it will look at home, but I'll let you know.

[DaddyTorgo]

Checking out the new scouting...

[DaddyTorgo]

I love the concept of "I'm looking for a backup LB" or "I'm looking for a replacement for my ST" or "I'm looking for a hot prospect at position X". It just feels so natural to me already. You get a list of "these are the suggested conditions (age/$/attributes/current ability/potential ability/etc)" that you can then manually adjust before sending out the scouts. And you can select a chief scout in a picklist that (THANK GOD) shows you their JCA/JPA!!!!

And you can still do reports by league/nation/region or on another team, so that's good.

The new couch/scout reports are weird and will take some getting used to I think. Switching from more of a text-based, horizontal interaction with it to a more visual + vertical format is disorienting.

[Grover]

The new couch/scout reports are weird and will take some getting used to I think.

What has changed about the reports? I haven't looked at too much on the web about the changes, so I'm definitely curious here.

Love the idea you mentioned with specifically looking for a role at a position. That's fantastic.

[DaddyTorgo]

LOVE LOVE LOVE the "here's a range of attributes on a player we're offering you who you haven't scouted" touch.

I can see it leading to a lot more mistake impulse-buys then when attributes were just greyed out - because you can talk yourself into saying "oh well his first touch is 12-17...i bet it's 17" and clicking buy.

[DaddyTorgo]

What has changed about the reports? I haven't looked at too much on the web about the changes, so I'm definitely curious here.

Love the idea you mentioned with specifically looking for a role at a position. That's fantastic.

Well the old way you had that page with the current ability/potential ability, the playing field with the roles, the price, the salary, the interest in transfers.

And it was all text, and all horizontal.

The new reports have 3 vertical columns "Pros" "Cons" and one that's untitled.

All the same info is there - in fact I think you get more color than just "strongest attribute" and "weakest attribute" the way it used to be, but it's just laid out completely differently and is disorienting.

[DaddyTorgo]

Assistants suggesting players to make available and for what reason with easy dropdown menu to do so - nice touch.

[DaddyTorgo]

The new tactics creator setup does a real nice job walking you through setting up a tactic and then like...suggesting what players are best for the roles you picked. Maybe not any different mechanically than last year, but more approachable for new users I suppose.

[bulletsponge]

finally back from work, time to fire it up!

[Grover]

The next two hours are going to trickle by. I cannae wait!

[DaddyTorgo]

THEY LOOK MORE HUMAN-LIKE ON THE PITCH!

[DaddyTorgo]

Maybe because it's an inter-squad friendly, but I didn't get a nice pregame visual of my stadium. Like it started to do a sweeping-view and then zipped right past it.

Although it looks hella nicer ingame up in the stands I hafta say.

[Ryche]

Tomorrow will be a good day to 'telework'

[DaddyTorgo]

I'm smoking my U20 team...LOL

[DaddyTorgo]

If you ask for a scouting report on a player you don't know you now get a quick snapshot that gives you some grey-area about his current and potential and when you go in to assign a scout to them you can select either an amount of time or # of matches to watch them for.

It doesn't just automatically open him up completely. That's going to make scouting much more realistic. Now I have to evaluate based on that snapshot is it worth the time to send a scout to watch him, and if so for how long. And how long will it take for the scout to get a true impression of him.

You also get a "knowlege level" telling you how complete their assessment is and what's left to assess.

[DaddyTorgo]

Whoa - one of my players wants to have a chat about leaving to join Barcelona. He's indicated he may be willing to have a chat with one of the senior squad members to resolve the situation though.

Nifty lil "color" added to players. Makes the world feel more alive.

[DaddyTorgo]

What? The squad not happy with how I dealt with the issue and now they want a meeting?

Aaargh.

[Grover]

Kouyate is listed as a DC. This makes me angry.

YOU HAVE FAILED ME SI!

[Bobble]

Did I miss a "deal on FM15" notice? Where's the cheapest place to get FM15?

[bulletsponge]

the 2 new MLS teams, Orlando and NYCFC are in fm15, in the '15 season

[DaddyTorgo]

Okay - so nobody is answering me.

Weren't we supposed to get like...more of a pre-game 3d view of the stadium in this version? Like before the match started? Is there some setting I'm missing?

[bulletsponge]

Okay - so nobody is answering me.

Weren't we supposed to get like...more of a pre-game 3d view of the stadium in this version? Like before the match started? Is there some setting I'm missing?

hey yea your right. i dont know where that is

[DaddyTorgo]

hey yea your right. i dont know where that is

So I'm not imagining it right?

LOL was starting to worry I was crazy.

I posted a bug report on the SI site. A couple times I've seen it like...almost start but then quickly flash away from it.

[Ryche]

Didn't get to play with this much because of the Broncos game but I'm simming out a season with England overnight to play around with tomorrow. Interface will take some getting used to as always, but the game seems faster than 14 so far. It's blowing through this sim at least twice as fast as it would have taken before.

[DaddyTorgo]

So I figured my first tactics were farrrrr from finished, but I got drawn into a CL group with Real Madrid and Liverpool.

First game - Madrid come to the Juventus stadium.

I WON! 3-2!!!

Playing a 4-3-1-2, standard aside from the individual player roles being customized to their strengths. Standard/Flexible.

[DaddyTorgo]

hey yea your right. i dont know where that is

Bug was reviewed - they're aware of it. Not system-related, seems to have occurred for others as well.

[djsatu]

Anyone figured out the training yet? Playing all my preseason games and my workload is on very high and more than half my team is complaining about one on one time etc. I have tried hiring more staff to have 2 people training each section but I can't even do that.

[DaddyTorgo]

Finished top of my group over Real Madrid thanks to that win (lost 2-1 in the return leg at the Bernabeau though). Draw for the first knockout leg is held...Juventus vs...AJAX!!!

Too funny!!!

[TroyF]

Woo hoo, fire the game up. Psyched up. Screw Wenger, I'm going to finally get that DMC we so badly need. Gonna raid Dortmund for Bender. He comes in and I hold my press conference telling the world he's going to help lead this side to glory.

Go in and tweak his training. Can't wait to play him in my final exhibition game in a couple of days.

Get email: Sven Bender set to miss 4 months due to a torn muscle.

ADLFJKADLFKJALKJFALKJGLKJGLKJGLKFGJLKFJGLKJRGLKRJGK!!!!!!!!! Ooops, I hit the X and don't save.

Hey, it's the beta, it isn't my full fledged career, leave me alone.

[DaddyTorgo]

Yeah, injuries need to be tweaked down - they're ripping me apart.

[Grover]

Started a game as West Ham, had about 8 injuries for 3-4 weeks each in the first team throughout the pre-season.

[TroyF]

Started a game as West Ham, had about 8 injuries for 3-4 weeks each in the first team throughout the pre-season.

I reset and Bender got hurt again before his first gam (3 weeks) I've played 2 full regular season games:

3 injuries the first game, 1 of them a 3 month injury.
3 injuries the second game, 1 of them a 6 week injury

Between the injured players I already had as Arsenal, 12 of my 25 man roster is now injured. 8 of them are gone for 6 weeks or more.

I'm going to fight through it so I can get comfortable with the UI, but if this isn't just a random fluke, there is no way in hell I'll be able to play the game long term.

[DaddyTorgo]

I reset and Bender got hurt again before his first gam (3 weeks) I've played 2 full regular season games:

3 injuries the first game, 1 of them a 3 month injury.
3 injuries the second game, 1 of them a 6 week injury

Between the injured players I already had as Arsenal, 12 of my 25 man roster is now injured. 8 of them are gone for 6 weeks or more.

I'm going to fight through it so I can get comfortable with the UI, but if this isn't just a random fluke, there is no way in hell I'll be able to play the game long term.

Calm down Francis - I'm guessing it's an already reported bug.

[TroyF]

Calm down Francis - I'm guessing it's an already reported bug.

I'm calm. Just making a statement. They've always done a great job, I expect them to now.

[DaddyTorgo]

I'm calm. Just making a statement. They've always done a great job, I expect them to now.

;)

[Flasch186]

Perhaps the game hasn't been able to discern that when a player goes down like he was shot, he hasn't been.

[flere-imsaho]

You're playing as Arsenal and complaining about injuries? Have you had a chance to catch up with their experiences in real life, vis-a-vis injuries? :D

[Grover]

You're playing as Arsenal and complaining about injuries? Have you had a chance to catch up with their experiences in real life, vis-a-vis injuries? :D

Zing.

[DaddyTorgo]

Hey...hey yo

http://i.imgur.com/iDlnleSl.png (http://imgur.com/iDlnleS)

Now normally I've been playing with a 4-3-1-2, but for the matches where I'm more of an underdog I dropped back into a 3-5-2, more defensive/counterattacking.

[Scoobz0202]

Anybody having any trouble with the match engine and defenders and goalies? I am playing Chelsea so I have one of the best goalies in the world. I am tied for first in the Premier so the results are not bad, but every match the goalies do things that are just really dumb or odd. I have also seen time and again where the defenders just stand around, especially on deflections off the goalie. Or they just trot after a ball while a striker blows right past them to score.

[DaddyTorgo]

Anybody having any trouble with the match engine and defenders and goalies? I am playing Chelsea so I have one of the best goalies in the world. I am tied for first in the Premier so the results are not bad, but every match the goalies do things that are just really dumb or odd. I have also seen time and again where the defenders just stand around, especially on deflections off the goalie. Or they just trot after a ball while a striker blows right past them to score.

Yes and yes.

Assuming they are all being reported on the SI forums and will be fixed in patches. Typically GK and D AI needs tweaking every year.

[Scoobz0202]

Cool. I know it's technically beta so I might just hold off until an official release patch or whataever.

[DaddyTorgo]

Cool. I know it's technically beta so I might just hold off until an official release patch or whataever.

Yeah - I usually hold off on a longterm game until it's maybe 1 big patch in.

[Grover]

Yeah - I usually hold off on a longterm game until it's maybe 1 big patch in.

+1

Waiting for the actual release next week. The defending is so bad right now. Fullbacks seem to tuck inside way often, letting overlapping runs by opposing fullbacks destroy them. No matter what I do tactically, I'm finding my teams are viscerally ripped apart by teams exploiting the flanks with an overlap.

Very frustrating so far, but it is a beta.

[Flasch186]

+2

[TroyF]

You're playing as Arsenal and complaining about injuries? Have you had a chance to catch up with their experiences in real life, vis-a-vis injuries? :D

Which was part of the joke with my first post.

I get it, I'm playing with an injury prone team. :)

[DaddyTorgo]

My favorite - and I can't count how many times this has cost me, is the defender who's going back for a ball over his head and running with an attacker coming up behind him. He beats the attacker to the ball and takes a long-touch TO THE INSIDE and the attacker runs right onto the ball and scores.

It's ludicrous.

[Grover]

I cannot complain enough about how impossible it is to get players to cover fullbacks right now. It's ridiculous.

[DaddyTorgo]

I cannot complain enough about how impossible it is to get players to cover fullbacks right now. It's ridiculous.

Indeed. Maddening.

[bhlloy]

It wasn't great last year either - I could get any full back with decent pace to average a 7.5 rating at least in my system with them set to attack and get further forward. I haven't played this year so I don't know if it's much worse...

[Grover]

It wasn't great last year either - I could get any full back with decent pace to average a 7.5 rating at least in my system with them set to attack and get further forward. I haven't played this year so I don't know if it's much worse...

Much worse. Defensive fullbacks have a tendency to tuck inside leaving the flanks horribly exposed for the overlap. Man marking and always closing down the fullbacks seems to have little to no effect.

[DaddyTorgo]

Much worse. Defensive fullbacks have a tendency to tuck inside leaving the flanks horribly exposed for the overlap. Man marking and always closing down the fullbacks seems to have little to no effect.

Yeah - it's massively comical at the moment. So much open space on the flanks.

[Miller Time]

This is the first year since way back in the CM days that I have no purchased straight away.

I did not enjoy FM14 and hearing about these ME issues has caused me to hesitate.

Can anyone tell me if press conferences have improved? More out of curiosity.

Also, I have been playing a lot of CM01-02 lately with the old rosters. I believe Eidos has released it as freeware. Highly recommended to anyone who wants to take a trip down memory lane.

[DaddyTorgo]

This is the first year since way back in the CM days that I have no purchased straight away.

I did not enjoy FM14 and hearing about these ME issues has caused me to hesitate.

Can anyone tell me if press conferences have improved? More out of curiosity.

Also, I have been playing a lot of CM01-02 lately with the old rosters. I believe Eidos has released it as freeware. Highly recommended to anyone who wants to take a trip down memory lane.

Match Engine always gets patched up. Don't freak out about that.

Press conferences and player interaction have improved IMO.

[SirFozzie]

Is there interest in the American Premier League mod I did for FM14 being updated to FM15? Let me know.

[lighthousekeeper]

Do you have a link to the FM2014 version?

[SirFozzie]

Steam Workshop :: American Premier League 0.1 (http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=192516075)

[Grover]

Halfway through a West Ham season. The club sits at 13-3-3, 1 point behind Chelsea.

Enner Valencia leads the Prem in goals (13) and assists (10).

We just drew Chelsea 1-1 at the Bridge when John Terry scored an own goal in stoppage time. So beautiful.

[Grover]

Can't they make the FA Cup ball a different color!?

[Miller Time]

Match Engine always gets patched up. Don't freak out about that.

Press conferences and player interaction have improved IMO.

Glad they improved them. Looking forward to at least trying the demo.

Is the NASL in the boxed game? Or do I have to add a mod to activate it?

Would like to play a career with my Ottawa Fury, who were new to the NASL this year.

[HerRealName]

Is there interest in the American Premier League mod I did for FM14 being updated to FM15? Let me know.

I enjoyed your mod a lot on FM14. I played well into the 2020's with the San Antonio Scorpions.

[bulletsponge]

Glad they improved them. Looking forward to at least trying the demo.

Is the NASL in the boxed game? Or do I have to add a mod to activate it?

Would like to play a career with my Ottawa Fury, who were new to the NASL this year.

no NASL.

[Grover]

It's good to see headed goals from corners have seemed to decrease dramatically.

[SirFozzie]

beta patchlist is up:


STABILITY & PERFORMANCE


- Improved general performance
- Improved trackpad performance
- Fix for issues affecting 10.6.8 NVIDIA Macs
- Fix for crashes during processing and going into a match
- Fix for crash on quit


MATCH ENGINE


- Improvements to goalkeeping
- Improved goals from direct free kicks
- Fixed consistently, unrealistic high scorelines in lower leagues
- Fixed skin tone issues
- Fixed headed backpasses leading to goals
- Reduced own goal levels
- Hundreds of other changes to match AI
- Further polish to animations


TRANSFERS & CONTRACTS


- Fixed issue where selling a player for a large fee would reduce the users transfer budget
- Fixed issue where users could sometimes not offer a contract to a player they had made an enquiry for
- Fixed issue in contract negotiations where including the ëOne year extension after X league games would prevent the user from agreeing terms with the player
- Fixed issue in contract negotiations where selecting Use Existing Terms would prevent the user from removing some competition bonuses


INTERACTION


- Improved balance of the ease at which a player can be talked around when they are unhappy
- Improved balance of the amount of teammates who support players in their unhappiness
- Fixed issue where players would ask to leave for first team football before they simply asked for more first team football
- 'Request Tutoring’ option has been added to increase the amount of tutoring options the user has
- Fixed the ability to offer continent-specific tournament football to players not playing in that continent
- Fixed rare instances of promises to accept a bid for a player being broken when no bid was made
- Balanced the regularity at which players will request new contracts
- Fixed board meetings being generated harshly and the ability to set yourself multiple points targets from within a board meeting


COMPETITIONS


- Amended Champions Cup seedings for 2014/15 season
- Improved Liverpool Champions Cup Quarter Final scheduling
- Fixed drafts not being scheduled correctly
- All A-League matches are now on TV
- Fixed players not coming off DL6 at the end of their stint
- Fixed Re-entry Draft Two pick duplication
- Fixed issue where Young Designated Player contract logic was being applied incorrectly at times preventing User offering a contract to a player
- Fixed issue where Free Agent retained Season Ending Injury status meaning they couldn’t be registered
- Fixed NYCFC manager job becoming Insecure when they join MLS
- Toned down NYCFC trade activity before they join MLS


MEDIA & NEWS


- Fixed AI managers being incorrectly questioned and talking about the user struggling
- Fixed Team of the Year player in incorrect position
- Fixed not enough nations available to manage
- Fixed subscription selections being reset on save/load
- Fixed results in League Cup counting towards club’s Highest Scoring League Game record
- Fixed English Premier Division Top Goalscorer Record is Sheringham with 1 goal
- Fixed view Incident button on controversial penalty incident news item doesn’t show the foul
- Fixed completely blank news item


MISC


- Adjusted Dutch wages in both Eredivise and Juplier League
- Fixed an issue where a player would retire immediately after signing as a Player/Coach
- Fixed an issue where a player would retire without giving the correct reason
- Adjusted coaches training workload
- Fixed an issue with transfer budgets after adjusted season expectations mid-season
- Fixed the issue of a users profile changing unexpectedly


FMC


- Various skin fixes
- MLS now be playable in Challenges

If your game version doesn't immediately update (the game has to be closed for it to update), please try closing and restarting

[Grover]

I hope they've fixed it so Kouyate is a natural DM and at least accomplished at AMC.

Though I've been playing a 4-1-1-2-2 to great effect. Valencia has 17 goals at left wing, Amalfitano with 12 on the right. Sakho with 13 up front and Zarate with 17 up top. We're in early March.

I should probably restart the game with each subsequent patch though.

[DaddyTorgo]

Good list of Match Engine changes and player interaction changes.

[Shepp]

Match Engine always gets patched up. Don't freak out about that.

Press conferences and player interaction have improved IMO.

The problem is that its the same merry-go-round every year. The game is typically a hot mess at release and then gets incrementally better, with the occasional step backward thrown in for good measure, until the following February/ March. Even then its not uncommon for problems to linger until the next version which introduces its own set of issues.

I still end up playing FM more then anything else. But I can't help but wonder how good the game would be if there wasn't the yearly push to work on the next version and soak another $50 out of me.

[DaddyTorgo]

The problem is that its the same merry-go-round every year. The game is typically a hot mess at release and then gets incrementally better, with the occasional step backward thrown in for good measure, until the following February/ March. Even then its not uncommon for problems to linger until the next version which introduces its own set of issues.

I still end up playing FM more then anything else. But I can't help but wonder how good the game would be if there wasn't the yearly push to work on the next version and soak another $50 out of me.

I think it's usually long-term playable after the first two patches IMO. Not "perfect" at that point, but good.

YMMV though.

[flere-imsaho]

I don't believe, personally, that the yearly schedule is revenue-driven (though I'm sure it has to be a part factor of some kind). I think it's probably a combination of a) wanting to have a game each year due to numbers (i.e. 2014, 2015, etc...) and b) wanting to have the discipline to actually produce a new game with new features each year. The latter is, in my experience, a very good goal for any software shop.

I'm not generally concerned that most iterations of FM ship with a bunch of bugs and, as DT says, it often pays to wait for the 1st or 2nd patch. It's gotten big enough at this point that the team probably can't realistically achieve the same test coverage that's accomplished through the 2-week "beta" or even the first few weeks of release. The responsiveness (good responsiveness) of reps during this time period on their forum kind of indicates, this, to me.

The one thing that has concerned me is that this is two expansions in a row with similar issues regarding fullbacks, goalkeepers, and stupid defenders in general. It seems to me there's an underlying issue going on there, and I'd hate to think that SI haven't been able to find the root cause, and are coding over it instead.

But it's still far-and-away one of the best yearly franchises out there, well worth the money, to me.

[DaddyTorgo]

Yeah...my cost/hour played far eclipses anything else in my life.

[Grover]

Yeah...my cost/hour played far eclipses anything else in my life.

+1

When I'm averaging 1,200 hours per year at $50 per year, well worth the money.

[DaddyTorgo]

+1

When I'm averaging 1,200 hours per year at $50 per year, well worth the money.

Exactly. :)

[Flasch186]

true

[McLovin]

It's out, where are you guys? I'm liking it so far, still have a lot of injuries and the tactic screen is still a mess but overall it's a success.

[korme]

Is that instant result thing a FMC feature only?

As much as I like to watch games, sometimes I really just want to advance through a season, especially in a rebuilding year. It'd be great to skip through games.

[SirFozzie]

There are skins that add instant result button to regular fm

[korme]

There are skins that add instant result button to regular fm

Whoa, cool.

[SirFozzie]

Scorpio skin for FM15 (http://www.fmscout.com/a-scorpio-fm15-skin.html) for example

[MrBug708]

Beware of instant results, it doesn't sub players unless they've updated it since

[Icy]

As much as I hate waiting, I simply can't play a long term game right now with the ME issues like fullbacks leaving their assignment at the side to come inside as an extra CD and high scoring from crossing, that of course could be related as outside players are totally unmarked to cross.

Both are being looked at by SI and I hope we won't need to wait months for a new ME update that otherwise looks great.

Hate this time of the year, the new FM version has always some bugs that really irk me but can't play the older version as looks so outdated after playing the new one.

Might give classic a try with gameplans and instant result as that way at least I won't see those bugs in the ME.

[Flasch186]

I'll wait for patch. Im already frustrated by defense so this may kill me, from what I hear.

[Scoobz0202]

Beware of instant results, it doesn't sub players unless they've updated it since

I may be wrong but I thought that was if you used a match plan. If you don't, then they sub. I could be wrong, though, as I rarely use it.

[Scoobz0202]

Finished my first season with Chelsea. Interesting season. Went on a tear where I won 16 straight matches (10 in Premier).

Premier: The streak wasn't enough, though, after a mediocre start to the season (mediocre for the current Chelsea team). Finished 3rd. Biggest surprise was second place Tottenham lead by Golden Boot winner Roberto Soldado (32 goals in 28 (3) apps.).

Man U 83 pts 60 GD
Tottenham 81 pts 36 GD
Chelsea 77 pts 38 GD

The alternating Man U/C title winners continues.

Did take the FA Cup and Champions League so a very successful year overall. Cesc Fabregas going down with a broken leg in game 15 of that 16 game win streak was poor timing.

Edit: As the season ended with just the FA Cup and the Champions League final remaining Diego Costa twisted his ankle in the final premier league match. Said fuck it, gave him the injection to at least have him in the FA Cup. He scored 4 goals in a 5-3 victory over Arsenal. Then went on to stomp Bayern 5-0 without Costa, Fabregas, Oscar, or Filipe Luis.

[Grover]

Just started my second season with West Ham.

We finished 4th in 2014/15.

Took out Valencia 4-1 on aggregate to get into the group stages (Viktoria Plzen, Zenit and Bayern await). Drew City 1-1 and beat Everton 1-0 around the Valencia games.

Brought in GK Nicola Leali on a free, as well as DC Frederik Sorensen. Sorensen is an absolute steal.

Purchased: MC Jonjo Shelvey, ST Khouma Babacar, DM Gzregorz Kyrchowiak (sic).

Loaned: DL Ryan Bertrand, AML/ST Lukas Podolski

Sold: AML Stewart Downing (3m), ST Andy Carroll (7m), ST Mauro Zarate (23m)

[DaddyTorgo]

Match engine is fixed up enough for you guys to consider long-term games?

[Ryche]

Match engine is fixed up enough for you guys to consider long-term games?

I'm liking it pretty well playing with a 3rd division Belgium team. Might still be a touch too much offense but shutouts are not uncommon

[BreizhManu]

Match engine is fixed up enough for you guys to consider long-term games?

Definitely isn't, once you figured that wingbacks are useless in defense and you have to go offense all the way, it's way too easy, hope they fix that soon.

Took me just 4 seasons to do that :

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad154/BreizhManu/CLFinal_zps64643837.jpg

and as you can see from the schedule, offense all the way :

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad154/BreizhManu/CLSched_zps61053948.jpg

[MrBug708]

I may be wrong but I thought that was if you used a match plan. If you don't, then they sub. I could be wrong, though, as I rarely use it.

Hmm...that would make sense.

[Scoobz0202]

Hmm...that would make sense.

Not that it should be like that, but that is what I've experienced.


And yea, I wouldn't say the ME is fixed. Crosses and Full backs are broken, but I don't feel like waiting anymore. I just tell myself I am a genius when in reality I'm probably winning not just because Hazard/Costa is a beast but because I'm probably exploiting some broken shit.

[DaddyTorgo]

Cool - I was thinking I'd wait to start a longterm game till crosses/fullbacks/defending is cleaned up, so I think I'll continue to wait :)

[Scoobz0202]

I hope you are not waiting until January.

[DaddyTorgo]

Nahhh - I'm sure I won't be.

And I'll still putz around with a short-term game until then.

[Flasch186]

I'm waiting

[Ryche]

The last game I had that finished 5-4 had me thinking I may suspend my current game for the moment. My team is set up to play narrow and that just feels like it's a recipe for disaster. Might see if a wider set up is more effective.

[SirFozzie]

Tempted to do a FOFC league on Twitch once the game gets a patch or so in..

[Miller Time]

Well, I gave in and purchased.

The ME is definitely not ready for a long term save. The goals are almost comical at this point. Every game I am getting two or three goals from crosses from the touchline, 30 yards out.

Otherwise, I am really liking the new interface and the match graphics are nice too.

I am just going to tinker around until a few more patches are out.

[Miller Time]

BTW

A small patch was released today.

MATCH ENGINE

Tweaked some defensive play
Fixed some keeper issues, including, but not limited to:
Not reacting quickly enough after a save
Some instances of not holding an easy ball
Some instances of parrying the ball into goal
Not kicking the ball quickly when being closed down

PERFORMANCE

Optimised processing performance on certain Mac hardware
Fixed rare crash on continue

[DaddyTorgo]

Damn - just beat me to it Miller.

Hoping this will fix a lot of the defensive issues.

[Grover]

My West Ham side beat Zenit 7-0. Damn, that was fun.

[Flasch186]

Let me know if this patch fixes the defense

[DaddyTorgo]

Let me know if this patch fixes the defense

Roger

[Scoobz0202]

A FMC question. My lead scout just retired right after I have him recruiting a shit ton of players. Will the new scout continue scouting for him or do I need to go back and find all these damn players again and click "Get scout report" I would obviously just click continue to see but I am posting from my phone and just curious if I am going to be annoyed when I go to play later.

[BreizhManu]

Let me know if this patch fixes the defense

Not fully but it's definitely better, still some big scores though but more clean sheets.

[Miller Time]

Not fully but it's definitely better, still some big scores though but more clean sheets.

Agree. Granted, my tactics were designed to completely combat the crossing glitch. I am still using the same tactics and crossing goals are definitely down.

[Barkeep49]

This is FM14 related but had to post and share. My last two seasons have been frustrating in that I think I have a really good team (helps when you start as Real Madrid). I have gone 35-2-1 each of the seasons and have won the BBVA each year I've played them as (I simulated two years before starting my career), but can't win the Champions League. This year I basically played my second stringers in league matches to try and always have my best team on the field for the CL and PSG still knocked me out in the semi-Finals on an embarrassing 8-3 aggregate (I was up 3-2 entering the 2nd match, so yeah). I've never had this much trouble winning the CL even when I played with lesser teams. Very frustrating (but mostly in a good way).

[DaddyTorgo]

Not fully but it's definitely better, still some big scores though but more clean sheets.

Yeah - Small Sample Size and all, but it seems to be improved.

Went from Bayern width-raping me to the tune of like 4-1 to a 1-1 draw with them (lost on PKs), and had a couple league wins that were by more "normal" scores (2-0 for example).

Want to finish out this season before I can say for sure - compare past meetings with some teams to 2nd time around meetings.

[flere-imsaho]

I'm still waiting. The uselessness of fullbacks and wingbacks in FM14 upset me too much. Going to wait until there's confirmation that they're fixed in FM15.

[Ryche]

This is pretty awesome...

Erik Midtgarden on Twitter: "Here is your permission to put Martin Ødegaard into FM15... @milesSI #FM15 http://t.co/6valTXRAte" (https://twitter.com/ErikMidtgarden/status/532214958868946944)

[DaddyTorgo]

Something is still not right...

Your 2016 Champions League winner: HAMBURG

Courtesy of a 2-0 win over Barca!

[Grover]

I feel like it has greatly improved.

And Hamburg? Awesome.

[DaddyTorgo]

I feel like it has greatly improved.

And Hamburg? Awesome.

Made me LOL and do a double-take thinking it was the Europa League and not the CL.

Their top striker, who had 9 goals in the CL, has "10" for finishing but "19" for pace. Seems like maybe a bit of pace-whoring was done by them.

[flere-imsaho]

So, what's the current verdict, especially those of you playing FMC?

[DaddyTorgo]

Okay, so I had to share this LOL-worthy sequence of events.

1. Takeover at Juventus. Means Max Allegri is out of a job.
2. Great success at Juventus, win 1 CL, knocked out by Bayern (finals opponent in 2nd). Allegri says nice things about me in public.
3. Get offered an interview for the vacant Barcelona job in early-season 3rd year.
4. Turn down Barca because I'm with my lady love (Juventus obviously) and I can't conceive of leaving.
5. Barcelona hire Max Allegri as manager.
6. CL Knockout Round 1 Draw: Juventus vs. BARCELONA

Too funny.

Will not be funny if I go out for a second year before the semifinals though.

[Miller Time]

So, what's the current verdict, especially those of you playing FMC?

I am enjoying it currently. The ME is playable. I still see a few too many goals from 40 yards out and there seems to be goals off large rebounds from the keeper almost every game.

Fullbacks and wingbacks seem to be closing down better and respond to instructions.

I am managing Shaktar in Ukraine right now. They won't be my main save but they are a fun team to manage. A good chunk of money and it is easy to get non-EU players into the league (ie Brazilians). There has to be 4 homegrown Ukranian players on the pitch at all times so I find I am spending more time combing the transfer market for young Ukranian talent.

Definitely enjoying this year's version more so far. Will keep you posted.

[Flasch186]

I think Im going to await one more patch...

[Miller Time]

15.1.4 released. Haven't played much with it yet but the ME fixes are pointing in the right direction.

PERFORMANCE

- Optimised save game speeds
- Fixed game launch issues linked to local user permissions
- Fixed rare crash on continue

MATCH ENGINE

- Improved defensive reactions to crosses and corners
- Tweaked wide defending of wingers
- Improved goalkeeper reaction times after an initial save
- Various other goalkeeper improvements
- Fixed further instances of own goals being awarded incorrectly
- Fixed further instances of players not being given offside when collecting rebounds
- Fixed rare instances of U18 teams starting match with only a goalkeeper, resulting in high scorelines
- Fixed problem where AI teams would sub many of their players off the pitch without replacements, resulting in high scorelines

DATA & COMPETITIONS

- Fixed Greek Superleague scheduling
- Martin Ødegaard added to new games
- Added licensed kits for MLS expansion teams

USER INTERFACE

- Added player Role & Duty to pitch on tactics screen

FM2015 15.1.4 MEv1538

PC: 579096
Mac: 579098
Linux: 579102

[DaddyTorgo]

Like you said Miller - haven't gotten enough time with it to see a difference, but pointing in the right direction indeed.

[bulletsponge]

i noticed save games were going faster and wondered if they had a patch

[SirFozzie]

And.... my American Premier League mod is released:

Steam Workshop :: American Premier League 0.1 RELEASE (http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=348186952)

This is a "Fantasy America" mod that replaces the byzantine and complicated MLS contract setup with a more "standard", 3 league, 64 team system with promotion and relegation.

20 Team Premier League. All 18 surviving MLS teams, plus Orlando City and New York City FC (Debuting in 2015 in real life)
24 Team First Division (Includes a rebranded Chivas USA as LA Football Club)
20 Team Challenge Division

The Premier League has full prize money, the First Division has limited prize money, and "money as you play", and the Challenge Division is strictly results based.

Known Details:
A) Many Teams do not have managers.
B) A couple teams do not have listed Stadiums
C) A lot of teams do not have players (Workaround: Add players to clubs in pregame setup)
D) Money will probably need balancing.

(I'm testing the 0.1.5 version now, which will add: Squad Size Limits (30 for the top two divisions, 25 for challenge division) and max foreign player limits (20/15/10) to keep it from being an all-foreigners league)

Upcoming 0.2 Changelog (Estimated Release Date 5 December 14)

Many Lower Division teams updated from Amateur to Semi-Professional status, and received slight reputation bumps as a result
Money Slightly Balanced, more work will need to happen
Squad Size Limits are in effect

American Premier League: 30 Man Roster, Max 20 Foreign Players)
American First Division: 30 Man Roster, Max 15 Foreign Players
American Challenge Division: 25 Man Roster, Max 10 Foreign Players

Los Angeles FC Scheduled to get new stadium in 2017

Bugfixes (Most important, playoffs are now 2 legs home and away, and Cups have been assigned a permanent home to avoid being played at small facilities)

[DaddyTorgo]

Zoinks - that might be my best ever league win. Or at least best in a few years.

11-0

[Flasch186]

So I should wait for another patch?

[DaddyTorgo]

So I should wait for another patch?

Haha no. I was playing a just-promoted side who are getting beat-up on by everyone.

[DaddyTorgo]

dola

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/BKl7vPWyXwM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Flasch186]

Somehow Ive still held off. I just cant afford to start a career, which I basically never stop, until the next version comes out if its just going to piss me off due to the ME. I mean Im crappy as is without the game being slanted against me.

[Miller Time]

Somehow Ive still held off. I just cant afford to start a career, which I basically never stop, until the next version comes out if its just going to piss me off due to the ME. I mean Im crappy as is without the game being slanted against me.

You're a better man than me. I lasted about a week saying that.

I am actually really enjoying this game a lot more than 14. Everything feels a lot more smooth.

Have you considered using the demo? Start a year with a madrid barca type and just dink around using some vanilla tactics to get a feel for how the ME will run. Be warned, I tried the demo and ended up pulling the trigger on the game pretty quickly.

I also think we are getting closer to the first Steam sale, wouldn't surprise me to see a 25-30% off in the next 4-6 weeks.