This is on the sigames.com frontpage:

You dont want to miss this!


Sports Interactive will be making an announcement later on today, please check back soon. Last Updated : 13:00 BST

Hrm, wonder what that is.... Let's get the speculations started :D

FM

PFM: Pro Football Manager?

....I could only wish....

On The Park Football. You get to be one single player inside a text sim, make your way up from youth team to reserves to first team. It'll be mind-numbing.

On The Park Football. You get to be one single player inside a text sim, make your way up from youth team to reserves to first team. It'll be mind-numbing.


Given the fact the ITPB wasn't all that successful.....

I think it's supposed to be EHM related. probably the Gold demo. (I have no inside knowledge)

They are going to buy ManU from Malcom Glazer et. al., and choose Sir Alex's replacement by who can accumulate the most manager points in FM between today and his retirement.

:D

I doubt it is a new product. I'd guess either EHM or FM 06 announcement (or whatever they are going to call it.)

I think it's supposed to be EHM related. probably the Gold demo. (I have no inside knowledge)
I didn't look to find an exact thread, but in the thread dedicated to people speculating about the announcement, somebody said that Riz had posted that it wasn't about EHM in the EHM forums...

FM

Man...this tiny part of me that won't shut up keeps hoping it has to do with pro American football in some sense. Nothing other than that would really interest me, I'd think, but I'm still kind of excited anyway.

They just posted that they couldn't get approval from all sources, so the announcement is delayed until Monday. But it does appear to be EHM related, because it says they will be updating all Eastside fans shortly.

Man...this tiny part of me that won't shut up keeps hoping it has to do with pro American football in some sense. Nothing other than that would really interest me, I'd think, but I'm still kind of excited anyway.


ya, me too.

dola,

here's the update:


You didn't miss it, delayed!

We were planning on making a major announcement today, however we were unable to secure final approval on some things and this announcement will be delayed till Monday. Instead, we'll be updating all Eastside fans on the latest goings on shortly

Last Updated : 15:45 BST

Bah! Thanks, FM, for nothing!

Bah! Thanks, FM, for nothing!
yeah, as if I knew what was coming :p

fwiw, reading what's on the frontpage now:

Sports Interactive planned announcement today has been delayed, never one to miss an opportunity we've switched the announcements around and later today we'll update Eastside fans on the latest goings on! Today's planned activity now moves to Monday.
To me, this sorta means the big announcement isn't EHM related, since they switched today's planned announcement with an Eastside one... You all got the weekend to speculate :)

FM

What a tease.

Maybe it's OOTPB related.

Maybe it's OOTPB related.
I would agree. I'm assuming OOTP has to be close.


Todd

You'll have to wait and see .....

(but I think you'll be happy with things when you hear about them :D)

PS> Yeah I know I'm a tease ... ;)

PS> Yeah I know I'm a tease ... ;)
Was gonna ask if you knew you were a big tease :D

now, I know you know... Still doesn't give me anything, but I know you know :)

FM

Hmm... now I'm interested too. Either American football or OOTP news would interest me greatly. Several people indicated likewise before Marc said people would be happy...

I think the announcement is that they have found the reason for KLEW1987's problems with the career leaders and asterixs in OOTP. They will post his IM name so everyone in the world can help him figure it out.

Curling?

House cleaning manager, the only game my wife would buy for me even at $200.

Now the real dream, Jim and SI have made an agreement about publishing new FOF and TCY versions, both are schedulled to be released...on Monday!!

I don't know. Jim's home office sounds kind of trashed because of that 16yr old mad women in a mini-van. Maybe he needs a new office . . . :p

From SI website:

NHL Eastside Hockey Manager 2005 goes gold
Added on 06/05/2005 @ 17:14:13 in Community

SEGA have this afternoon confirmed that NHL Eastside Hockey Manager 2005 has gone gold and as you will no doubt be aware it will be released on May 27th 2005 in Europe.

A gold demo, complete with fast starts for the NHL, AHL, ECHL, Sweden and the UK will be released shortly.

House cleaning manager, the only game my wife would buy for me even at $200.



How insulting would it be, though, if you spent hours and hours playing a house cleaning GAME while your real house was left uncleaned?

How insulting would it be, though, if you spent hours and hours playing a house cleaning GAME while your real house was left uncleaned?

Damn shut up, don't give her ideas! :p

PS> Yeah I know I'm a tease ... ;)
pix pls thx

I dont know about this hockey game. Isnt hockey dead ?

I dont know about this hockey game. Isnt hockey dead ?

Yeah, the goal is to manage to make the players to come back and play again :)

If it's an American pro football sim, I'm going to crap my pants.

dola-

Hmmm..

There is no mention of it on the OOTP boards which may or may not mean anything but if it was OOTPB related you'd think the upcoming announcment would be posted there, right?

If it's an American pro football sim, I'm going to crap my pants.
I doubt it, I think its going to be FM related. Which isn't a bad thing to me :D

Now the real dream, Jim and SI have made an agreement about publishing new FOF and TCY versions, both are schedulled to be released...on Monday!!

Don't know about the Monday thing ( :) ) but yes, a merger of SI amd Jim would most likely make me go into unconsciousness for about a week.

I doubt it, I think its going to be FM related. Which isn't a bad thing to me :D
Agreed that it would be a good thing, but what could they announce that is so important regarding FM??? I mean, they're talking about licenses and not being able to close the deal and all that crap...

FM

Yeah, the goal is to manage to make the players to come back and play again :)
I'd think in this case, it would have to make the fans come back and watch again. That'd be a start...

FM

I think it is going to be OOTP related, the more I think about it. Of course, I'm hoping it will somehow be American Football related ;)

i agree

it will be an announcement of ootp gettting some license deals so far. and maybe a offcial release date.

I think Marc gave us a hint with his "tease" comment:

Worldwide Stripper Manager.

I would like to see those boxing guys release a game with FM's engine.

If you re-arrange the first letters of the paragraphs in one of Jim's posts about his garage debacle, they spell out 'IT IS SI'.... :D

If you re-arrange the first letters of the paragraphs in one of Jim's posts about his garage debacle, they spell out 'IT IS SI'.... :D


Hmmm...




:)

I'll spoil the surprise: they're releasing Text Simulation Manager, a text simulation management game about text simulation management games. The database will include every known text sim, and thousands of real-life players (little-known fact: agreeing to the EULA for most such games signs over the rights to your name and likeness to the game's publisher, who in turn have licensed them to SI.) We'll all be rated for attributes such as Game Purchasing Budget, Cheating Tendency, Basic Literacy, and General Asshattery. If you've ever wanted the excitement of participating in an online league without having to deal with borderline sociopaths and excitable 14-year-olds, here's your chance. Available in stores* soon!

*note: Sega has secured agreements to carry the game with retailers in Equatorial Guinea, the Pakistan-Indian Disputed Area, and the Brazilian Antarctic Zone of Interest. Customers in other areas will be able to acquire the game on a convenient set of 5.25" floppy disks sent via carrier pigeon.

MLB License.

For those of you losers (like me :D ) that don't have anything to do this weekend, I suggest you head on over to the SI website and download the Gold Demo. Here are the particulars:

A six month time limited full functional GOLD demo of NHL Eastside Hockey Manager 2005 awaits. Choose your favourite side and manage them to glory.

Faststarts available include :

NHL,
NHL & AHL & ECHL
NHL& Sweden
NHL & UK

NHL Eastside Hockey Manager 2005 will be released on May 27th 2005 in Europe

Agreed that it would be a good thing, but what could they announce that is so important regarding FM??? I mean, they're talking about licenses and not being able to close the deal and all that crap...

FM

That's why I think it'll be OOTP, since I know they've been trying to get a lot of leagues for it (like they do for all of their games).

My own opinion, I think people are crazy if they think SI is going to put a ton of resources into a game they know they will have no chance of getting the biggest licnese for (NFL). I just don't see SI going into a market where they are already handicapped from the start.

sabotai is heard mumbling "and if they do come out with a great football sim....there goes my plans....hundreds of dollars on books and coutless hours of study right down the fucking drain........

:D

How insulting would it be, though, if you spent hours and hours playing a house cleaning GAME while your real house was left uncleaned?
Homer: Ooh, ooh, I want to see Lobster Boy and Shrimp Girl!
Lisa: I want some fried sugar!
Bart: I want to go to the Yard Work Simulator.
Marge: But when I ask you to do yard work... [Marge sighs heavily]

SI

I think it will be an FM announcement. Its getting to be that time of the year when the first details come out.

MLB License.


Thats fine it thats the case but I hope it doesn't take away from the fictional seide of OOTPB.

They do have the sequel to the "Everyone's a Football Manager" video on the site, but
it looks like that went up the 3rd.

American Football, as it turns out a clause in the EA contract with the NFL was limited to the United States. The game will contain college, NFL, and NFL Europe, but will not be sold in stores in the USA.

American Football, as it turns out a clause in the EA contract with the NFL was limited to the United States. The game will contain college, NFL, and NFL Europe, but will not be sold in stores in the USA.

I wish, but seeing as how American Football isn't really that popular worldwide it wouldn't make that much sense. Not that it really matters, I'm sure I'll go nuts no matter what it is. :D

i'm dying to know!!! i can't wait till monday!!!

Thats fine it thats the case but I hope it doesn't take away from the fictional seide of OOTPB.
Yep, I think it's the MLB license as well. Especially since the MLB license is for third party developers now.


Todd

My own opinion, I think people are crazy if they think SI is going to put a ton of resources into a game they know they will have no chance of getting the biggest licnese for (NFL). I just don't see SI going into a market where they are already handicapped from the start.:D
Unless they can buy/merge an already established game. Hello FOF.

I'll spoil the surprise: they're releasing Text Simulation Manager, a text simulation management game about text simulation management games. The database will include every known text sim, and thousands of real-life players (little-known fact: agreeing to the EULA for most such games signs over the rights to your name and likeness to the game's publisher, who in turn have licensed them to SI.) We'll all be rated for attributes such as Game Purchasing Budget, Cheating Tendency, Basic Literacy, and General Asshattery.


That is the best idea ever! You'll have to wait till monday to see if TSM (text simulation manager) 2005 is indeed coming soon! ;)

Basketball seems like a good fit with all the international leagues. SI + Heavyreign = What I'm hoping for.

it could also be an announcement for new screenshots for ootp 7 too

Basketball seems like a good fit with all the international leagues. SI + Heavyreign = What I'm hoping for.


you might be correct.. heavyreign has been very quiet lately.

it could also be an announcement for new screenshots for ootp 7 too
I doubt that, it's got to be bigger than that. They mentionned that they were not able to finalize the deal, so it's more than simply saving screenshots to disk and making them available to people.

Thing, we still have no clue what it, and we likely won't until it is announced, so I'll just go back to play some more FM2005, now that I've done just enough yardwork not to feel too guilty about playing :D

FM

Basketball seems like a good fit with all the international leagues. SI + Heavyreign = What I'm hoping for.

I had thought about that too. The direction of SI Games would suggest they are directing their development towards sports with an international appeal (Soccer, Hockey, Baseball). Basketball would be the next logical step.

Basketball seems like a good fit with all the international leagues. SI + Heavyreign = What I'm hoping for.

I certainly hope you're right...

I highly doubt it but GOD I hope that was the case.

It's a cricket game ;)

Speaking of cricket. I've always wanted to know the rules of the game or better yet, what the heck its all about. Anyone have any sites to find out?

Answer from Marc Vaughan last night on the SI forum.

<TABLE class=ev_msg_rowcolor2 cellSpacing=0 align=center><TBODY><TR><TD class=ev_msg_userinfo>Marc Vaughan (javascript:void(0))
http://jm.g.free.fr/smileys/unclassified/yelcard.gif - Sorry uncie Kris, was just happy at the result

Sports Interactive
http://community.sigames.com/si_logo.gif
Darth Vaughan
Location: Royston
Registered: 05 January 2000
</TD><TD class=ev_ubbx_tpc_alt>http://community.sigames.com/infopop/blank.gif (http://community.sigames.com/eve/ubb.x/a/tpc/f/98119937/m/654100611/r/8832016821#8832016821) posted<SCRIPT>document.write('<nobr>'+ myTimeZone('Sun, 08 May 2005 14:22:08 GMT-0700', '08 May 2005 22:22')+'</nobr>');</SCRIPT> <NOBR>08 May 2005 22:22</NOBR> <NOSCRIPT>08 May 2005 22:22</NOSCRIPT> <NOBR>http://community.sigames.com/infopop/blank.gif (javascript:void(0);)http://community.sigames.com/infopop/blank.gif (javascript:void(0);)http://community.sigames.com/infopop/blank.gif (http://community.sigames.com/eve/ubb.x?a=ma&m=8832016821&t=654100611&f=98119937)</NOBR>
quote:
Originally posted by eatontj:
Is SI looking to make an American Football (NFL) simulator at any point in the future?

P.S. I tried to search for an answer before posting this question but I found way to many results containing "football" so I gave up.


Not at the moment, simply put we've expanded a huge amount in recent years and are waiting for things to 'settle' down a little before considering further expansion.

I'd recommend Front Office Football if you're looking for an American Football text-sim.

Its a great game and is written by a very nice chap called Jim Grindin (Hi Jim http://community.sigames.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif<!--graemlin:;)--> ) ....

You can find independant information upon the game at Front Office Football Central, along with linkes to download the game for purchase, hints and tips etc.

http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/showthread.php?t=16523 (http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/showthread.php?t=16523)

If a good place to start.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Well the announcements are about FM '06 by the look of the titles of the news stories:

Football Management on the move Football Manager 09/05/2005

The start of a new season with Football Manager™ 2006 Football Manager 09/05/2005

but the actual stories aren't up yet.

I saw a cricket game written by marc in 2001 on the underdogs website if im not mistaken

Well the announcements are about FM '06 by the look of the titles of the news stories:

Football Management on the move Football Manager 09/05/2005

The start of a new season with Football Manager™ 2006 Football Manager 09/05/2005

but the actual stories aren't up yet.

Damn, was hoping the basketball theories were right... :(

This is up now..

This time, it will happen!
At 2pm, we will be making a major announcement. Please come back soon

Ha, they must have spotted that some people were posting about the news headlines and took them down!

This is up now..

This time, it will happen!
At 2pm, we will be making a major announcement. Please come back soon

Ooh, so maybe there's still a chance! :)

Dola-

What time here is 2pm Brit? I'm too lazy to figure it out for myself... ;)

According to my clock on the computer thing it's in 1 hour.

Cool, thanks. Hopefully they'll have a nice birthday present for me...

Well the announcements are about FM '06 by the look of the titles of the news stories:

Football Management on the move Football Manager 09/05/2005

The start of a new season with Football Manager™ 2006 Football Manager 09/05/2005

but the actual stories aren't up yet.
Looking over at the SI forums, apparently someone from SI deleted the post with the announcements that I just posted here.

Cool, thanks. Hopefully they'll have a nice birthday present for me...
Congratulation.

I hope you get a new football sim in present.

3pm now... :(

Thanks, Northwood. And if by football you mean soccer, I hope you're wrong... ;)

Now its 3PM :(

This time, it will happen!
At 3pm, we will be making a major announcement. Please come back then

Soccer announcement. Ho-hum.

Ackter wins with the best quote of the day 'Ter and Graeme Kelly have fused together and turned into a Telly'

I have no clue what that means...

Soccer announcement. Ho-hum.
stop moaning, it still could be OOTP related, then you'd be all over it :p

FM

I have no clue what that means...
other than to TellyTubbies fans, it doesn't mean much... :D

FM

have you seen the little picture next to the news item? Looks like a F1 team... hmmm F1 racing sim anyone???

DANG they changed it to a dude almost sleeping but I swear it looked like a F1 team...

FM

stop moaning, it still could be OOTP related, then you'd be all over it :p

FMBut it ain't.

Last time they had a major announcement that was hyped this much was when Oliver Collyer was coming back into the fold.

Maybe he's quitting again?

have you seen the little picture next to the news item? Looks like a F1 team... hmmm F1 racing sim anyone???

DANG they changed it to a dude almost sleeping but I swear it looked like a F1 team...

FM
http://www.sigames.com/static/Picture-005_small.jpg (http://www.sigames.com/static/Picture-005.jpg)





But this guy has nothing to do with F1!!!

Announcing Pirates Manager

I guess there are a few options that I find actually believable..

1) An FM-announcement, a new "Cover guy" who's bringing "football knowledge" to the engine (would be the umpteenth time I see that announcement) ;-)

2) An OOTP-announcement.. MLB license sounds like an announcement worthy of the hype but it could also be "just" a release date for OOTP.

4pm :rolleyes:

But it ain't.
what makes you say that? you got info we don't?

FM

what makes you say that? you got info we don't?

FM
Yes
Well the announcements are about FM '06 by the look of the titles of the news stories:

Football Management on the move Football Manager 09/05/2005

The start of a new season with Football Manager™ 2006 Football Manager 09/05/2005

but the actual stories aren't up yet.

SI accidently put up these two titles in the newsroom but didn't give a link to the info on the titles. But the announcement is surely FM 06 related.

Announcing Pirates Manager

I would pay $100 for a Pirates Manager text sim.

If it makes you feel better the delays are winding us up as much as everyone else ... they're out of SI's direct control and due to one of the files being made public having to be reprocessed ......

Ho hum ..

Soo.. at 2pm, the major anouncement was that there would be a major announcement at 3pm. Which was that there would be a major announcement at 4pm.

I'm seeing a pattern here..

I would pay $100 for a Pirates Manager text sim.

Fork over the dough then and get NHL EHM 2005. You can be the Portland Pirates Manager in the game now :D

If it makes you feel better the delays are winding us up as much as everyone else ... they're out of SI's direct control and due to one of the files being made public having to be reprocessed ......

Ho hum ..

STOP!

Time to over-interpret things here..

FILE BEING MADE PUBLIC

What are we talking about here? FM going Open Source?! ;-)

Oh.. and I've already pre-ordered EHM Riz..

STOP!

Time to over-interpret things here..

FILE BEING MADE PUBLIC

What are we talking about here? FM going Open Source?! ;-)

Oh.. and I've already pre-ordered EHM Riz..
or a beta demo for FM2006, already :eek: :D

and Marc, don't fret it, you're only providing us with entertainment through our day ;)

FM

public beta for OOTP. They had to go back and rename the Angels from Anaheim to Los Angeles.

FM 2006 it is...

Meh...

well, if anybody is able to see it, could you please copy/paste it here. Looks like the SI website is getting hammered right now... I can't load the frontpage...

FM

well, if anybody is able to see it, could you please copy/paste it here. Looks like the SI website is getting hammered right now... I can't load the frontpage...

FM

There's something with a video on the front page.

There's something with a video on the front page.
yeah, their forums are loading and it's all I could find...

FM

British humor. Odd video.

Some notes on the new features in FM2006... BIG news is that it'll be on the PSP.

Some notes that I'm gathering from the video (no details on them as the sound doesn't work right for me):

-Man Management
-Manager Contracts
-Improved Training Module (this is every year, though)
-Half-time Team Talk
-Improved Game Design

So you all know (seeing as its filtering out slowly on the SI Games forums) .... its Footballer Manager related (sorry chaps) .....

* First look at some of the new FM2006 features
* Brief first look at the forthcoming Football Manager PSP game

(via. a lovely video featuring uncle Miles from SI and a lot of sheep ..... not as scarey as it sounds :D)

here's the news item concerning the PSP version (hope it's okay Marc, will hopefully lighten the load on your server)


Football Management on the move
Added on 09/05/2005 @ 16:00:01 in Press Release</FONT>


LONDON, UK – May 6<SUP>th</SUP>, 2005- SEGA Europe Ltd, and Sports Interactive are proud to announce Football Manager™ 2006 for PSP. Specifically designed for Sony’s PlayStation Portable handheld entertainment system (PSP), this new game will, for the first time, offer fans of Sports Interactive’s games an opportunity to experience the highs and lows of virtual football management ‘on the go’.

Sports Interactive have modified their genre defining football management game to purposely suit the PSP. Football Manager 2006 retains all of the hallmark realism and excellence, but is specifically designed to be a more immediate pick up and play experience.

“From the moment that we got our hands on our first PSP we knew that we were finally looking at a portable system that could do our game justice,” comments Miles Jacobson, Managing Director of Sports Interactive. “Football Manager™ is well-known as being a game that people carry with them in their hearts and minds – pretty soon they’ll be able to carry it in their pockets too. ”

“This has to be one of the most exciting games coming to PSP. I’m going to start getting the train into work so I can play it in the mornings!” commented Matt Woodley, Creative Director of SEGA.

For anyone who loves football, Football Manager™ 2006 offers a dream come true. Using a new state of the art game interface and management infrastructure, Football Manager™ 2006 accurately simulates the trials and tribulations of a real football manager. Experience the pressure as you rise through the ranks, reach the heady heights of the Premiership and try your luck in Europe.

Features for Football Manager™ 2006 PSP:

<LI class=msonormal>Select an active league from a minimum of 6 countries’ <LI class=msonormal>Accurate data from the world renowned SI football database <LI class=msonormal>Up to date and accurate competition simulations <LI class=msonormal>Accurate European competitions and world rankings <LI class=msonormal>Complete tactical options to allow a manager to influence a match <LI class=msonormal>Every player has an accurate player history <LI class=msonormal>30 players in a squad <LI class=msonormal>Realistic commentary style match engine and computer manager intelligence <LI class=msonormal>Staff feedback on the current squad via coach and physio reports <LI class=msonormal>Realistically simulated media involvement - including transfer rumors <LI class=msonormal>Agent approaches and dressing room unrest <LI class=msonormal>A full interactive transfer system simulating modern day negotiations, including player loans, signings etc.
Realistically simulated world of football, giving information about transfers, results and injuries involving the big names in football
MORE FEATURES TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON!

FM

psp? interesting...


Todd

and here's the news item concerning simply FM2006 for PC & Mac...


The start of a new season with Football Manager™ 2006
Added on 09/05/2005 @ 16:00:00 in Press Release</FONT>


LONDON, UK -- May 6th, 2005 - SEGA Europe Ltd is proud to announce the next step in Sports Interactive's genre-defining Football Manager™ series. Boasting a multitude of new and upgraded features, Football Manager™ 2006 is set to release on both PC and Mac in Winter 2005. The first set of new features being announced today are a small selection being implemented into the game. Football Manager™ 2006 is bursting with many more features that will be unveiled throughout the year.

"The new game is destined to build on the outstanding commercial and critical success of the last," Matt Woodley, Creative Director of SEGA. "Football Manager? is now the genre benchmark and once again our colleagues at Sports Interactive are creating a game which their fans will be delighted to play."

"Just like the real-life game, Football Manager™ continues to evolve as each new season comes and goes," says Miles Jacobson, Managing Director of Sports Interactive. "As has become traditional over the years, the changes that we've made this time around have been inspired not only by events and trends in the real world, but also by changes which have been suggested by our ever-keen fan base."

One of the many fan-inspired features to make it into FM 2006 will be that, for the first time, managers will be able to negotiate with their board of directors - not only for a better contract for themselves, but also for improved player wage budgets and increased transfer budgets or even stadium expansion. Be aware though, if you push too hard and don't reach the heights that the board specify, you'll soon be looking for a new job.

Half-time team talks add the ability to tell your players individually or collectively exactly what you thought of their first half performance, via the tactics screen. Will you be able to keep your players motivated, or will you cause a collapse in the second half?

Another welcome feature is the ability to manage players on a personal level. Unhappy players can cause huge morale problems for the whole squad and result in bad performances, so the new Player Interaction feature will help you to manage your team more closely.

A completely revamped training module simplifies training schedules and players' training progress, with your coaches becoming far more important members of backroom staff. New media items and expansion of the media module have been implemented, including but not limited to, cup draw news and man of the match news.

Want to know how many yellow cards the ref looking after your Saturday match has given in the last few matches? Now you can, with referee profiles and league tables, which add an extra element to tactics of the game. Maybe hard tackling is not a good idea for this Saturday's match!

Also adding an extra tactical element to FM 2006, the player positions feature has been taken one step further. A player position indicator will not only show you the best positions for your player and where to play on the pitch, it will also show player preferred moves for those players in your team. As well as this, the Player Positions display format has been upgraded, making it easier for the manger to pick the team.

MORE FEATURES TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON!

With all-new features, vastly improved gameplay and a heritage of unquestionable quality, Football Manager™ 2006 offers an unrivalled management simulation experience.

FM

Will the PSP version be fully functional or will it be stripped down?

Will the PSP version be fully functional or will it be stripped down?

Looks like stripped down, at least in some regards. Right now, it looks like they only have 6 countries locked up, so there certainly won't be the variety that is in the full version.

Will the PSP version be fully functional or will it be stripped down?

Its a new game written from scratch - but reusing components of our existing PC games (ie. AI etc.).

Its not the 'full' FM by any stretch (fitting a game which has 50 leagues onto a PSP with 32Mb of memory and no virtual memory just simply won't happen) more a hark back to the days of our third series of games ....

This means its aster to play than FM, so easier to pick up and blast through a season during say a couple of hour train journey.

Its realistic and a lot of fun to play in my obviously biased opinion :D

I like these:

One of the many fan-inspired features to make it into FM 2006 will be that, for the first time, managers will be able to negotiate with their board of directors - not only for a better contract for themselves, but also for improved player wage budgets and increased transfer budgets or even stadium expansion. Be aware though, if you push too hard and don't reach the heights that the board specify, you'll soon be looking for a new job.

Half-time team talks add the ability to tell your players individually or collectively exactly what you thought of their first half performance, via the tactics screen. Will you be able to keep your players motivated, or will you cause a collapse in the second half?

Another welcome feature is the ability to manage players on a personal level. Unhappy players can cause huge morale problems for the whole squad and result in bad performances, so the new Player Interaction feature will help you to manage your team more closely.

IMO, it'll make the game even more immersive, if it's even possible, even more like a RPG. I've had plenty of players say they want "clarification on their role at the club" but I can't tell them anything right now. I also have often wanted to talk to my team at the half, or at least wake up one of my players sitting on a form rating of 5 after 45 minutes...

The training & tactics module can only be good, we'll have to see what it is before we can judge, but as RPI-fan said, these are in the upgrade about in every version...

Not too anxious to see it released though. 6 months after getting FM2005, I'm still playing on a daily basis :)

FM

Not too anxious to see it released though. 6 months after getting FM2005, I'm still playing on a daily basis
Don't worry we won't be rushing it out - expect it in time for xmas ...

Don't worry we won't be rushing it out - expect it in time for xmas ...
well, a bit before xmas wouldn't be too bad. You know, we gotta have it shipped to North America and have it in our hands before xmas, you don't want to cut it too close either ;)

FM

I think a sporting text sim for PSP is a *huge* deal, even if I don't own (and have never played) FM. SI should be congratulated.

Will the PSP version be a career sim, or just a single-season deal with reduced countries? If it's got career play, even with only six countries, I'm all over it.

Don't worry we won't be rushing it out - expect it in time for xmas ...


will it be available to buy in the united States stores.

last year version was so hard to find in any US stores.

thanks

I think a sporting text sim for PSP is a *huge* deal, even if I don't own (and have never played) FM. SI should be congratulated.

Great news for train/bus/metro commuters. Probably not so much for driving commuters.

crap. I was really hoping for something regarding American football - although I knew the chances were slim. :(

crap. I was really hoping for something regarding American football - although I knew the chances were slim. :(
Given the several mentions over the last couple of months on this board about an announcement coming we'd all be very interested in, I was also not expecting this to be about the next iteration of FM.

I was interested in it, though. Sounds like some nice additions.

As far as American Football goes, why can't we get Jim to implement some of these ideas for FOF? How much can it take to bribe him?

FM2006 Q&A on Eurogamer.com....
hxxp://195.157.98.220/article.php?article_id=58958

I was interested in it, though. Sounds like some nice additions.

As far as American Football goes, why can't we get Jim to implement some of these ideas for FOF? How much can it take to bribe him?

Contract work runs at about $80 per hour.

Eventually, that is a direction I'm headed with the series. It's just a question of what order I do the mountain of things I'd like to do.

Marc and the SI fellas . . .

Since y'all are still in the development process, I would like to ask for the following:

1) Bring back the complain about the referee function. I know it did not do a whole lot. In fact, I have only heard or seen one instance where it did something (somebody here had a referee be fired). Regardless, my Gunners still has to travel to Old Trafford and, undoubtedly, one day Mike Riley is bound to be assigned to my game.

And Frogger will still have to deal with his favourite referee, Mr Styles. :D

2) Please add the ability to discipline players for the reason of "Missing Training". As of right now (and in the past), we have had to default to "Unprofessional Behavior" which just doesn't . . . satisfy.

Even if I have to use the ARSE (or whatever it is in the current version) command to get around the stupid PFA.

3) Please give me back the ability to send whichever player I choose on holidays when they are having issues settling. As of the demo, I was able to send some on holidays (Lupoli) but not others (Flamini).

4) If at all possible, consider the possibility of adding the ability to select multiple players for the same function. With this version, y'all have added the right-click contextual menu and I heart all of y'all for it. The second step to that would be to add multiple select (ie, selecting multiple players to be scouted).

From my outsider point of view, 1-3 does not seem to be difficult additions so I'm hoping not to join the ranks of those who ask for the moons and the stars. The 4th is probably going to be tougher to implement within the current frameworks but, y'know, one has to lay the groundworks for the FM5 engine while your brains are churning. :D

Well, this was a disappointing "announcement". :(

And Frogger will still have to deal with his favourite referee, Mr Styles. :D

well then I'd like to have a special option called something like "beat with a stick until he bleeds", please please please

:D

Will be indeed funny to see how many yellows and reds he gives out on average. I'd say average of 7.8 yellows (both teams combined) and almost one red a game, say about 0.85 red per game on average :)

FM

I was interested in it, though. Sounds like some nice additions.

As far as American Football goes, why can't we get Jim to implement some of these ideas for FOF? How much can it take to bribe him?Contract work runs at about $80 per hour.

Eventually, that is a direction I'm headed with the series. It's just a question of what order I do the mountain of things I'd like to do.To be fair, FOF is on the 4th iteration of the game engine while SI has had a bit more time and iterations to improve CM/FM.

Contract work runs at about $80 per hour.

Eventually, that is a direction I'm headed with the series. It's just a question of what order I do the mountain of things I'd like to do.

*massive celebration in the streets*

Will the PSP version be a career sim, or just a single-season deal with reduced countries? If it's got career play, even with only six countries, I'm all over it.
It'll be a career sim ... probably have an upper limit on the number of seasons you can play, but I'm aiming for a around 30 (ie. same as in CM97-98) so not that many people will ever reach the end.

It'll be a career sim ... probably have an upper limit on the number of seasons you can play, but I'm aiming for a around 30 (ie. same as in CM97-98) so not that many people will ever reach the end.

If I ever make it out to the UK, drinks are on me. ;)

Contract work runs at about $80 per hour.

Eventually, that is a direction I'm headed with the series. It's just a question of what order I do the mountain of things I'd like to do.

I think Jim does fantastically considering he's the sole programmer on FOF ... its a fantastic achievement imho, I for one am looking forward to the next game ....

Wow! I just finally got to FOFC for the first time today, and see this great announcement. I agree with those that mentioned a text sim on the PSP is a huge deal. This game will be the final straw that pushes me over the edge and makes me buy a PSP whenever this game comes out :)

I'm also quite excited by the announced features for FM 2006, particularly the halftime speeches, and more features for managing players on a personal level.

Contract work runs at about $80 per hour.

Eventually, that is a direction I'm headed with the series. It's just a question of what order I do the mountain of things I'd like to do.


Sounds great Jim. I would personally love to see a graphically enhanced FOF/TCY sim. The FOF series sim engine is far superior to any other football sim/game currently out there that an immersive graphical interface (TPB, OOTP for ex) would blow the market wide open - even further than you already have.

I think Jim does fantastically considering he's the sole programmer on FOF ... its a fantastic achievement imho, I for one am looking forward to the next game ....


Would a merger like the SI/OOTPD ever be possible with Solecismic and SI? :D

Marc and the SI fellas . . .

Since y'all are still in the development process, I would like to ask for the following:

1) Bring back the complain about the referee function. I know it did not do a whole lot. In fact, I have only heard or seen one instance where it did something (somebody here had a referee be fired). Regardless, my Gunners still has to travel to Old Trafford and, undoubtedly, one day Mike Riley is bound to be assigned to my game.

And Frogger will still have to deal with his favourite referee, Mr Styles. :D

This one has been asked for many times on the SI boards. They can't do it for legal reasons.

Personally, I'd rather see fictional refs, think "Bob Myles," with the ability to interact with that aspect of the game more.

I want the 2d pitch for a football and baseball game. Im a sucker for 2d moving dots.

I like these:


IMO, it'll make the game even more immersive, if it's even possible, even more like a RPG. I've had plenty of players say they want "clarification on their role at the club" but I can't tell them anything right now. I also have often wanted to talk to my team at the half, or at least wake up one of my players sitting on a form rating of 5 after 45 minutes...

The training & tactics module can only be good, we'll have to see what it is before we can judge, but as RPI-fan said, these are in the upgrade about in every version...

Not too anxious to see it released though. 6 months after getting FM2005, I'm still playing on a daily basis :)

FM
Agreed with the first part, I'm definitely excited about the ability to more fully interact with your players. To me, this has been the one big missing piece from the series. Having referees' stats available will be nice as well. However, I've always thought it was strange that this has been missing from the series, as it was in games based on the CM3 engine.

Sounds great Jim. I would personally love to see a graphically enhanced FOF/TCY sim. The FOF series sim engine is far superior to any other football sim/game currently out there that an immersive graphical interface (TPB, OOTP for ex) would blow the market wide open - even further than you already have.

A pretty interface doesn't matter to me, but there are several other aspects of the FM series I would like to see incorporated into FOF. Media interaction, player personalities, etc. That's where all the other sports sims seem to fall well short of the FM series IMO.

A pretty interface doesn't matter to me, but there are several other aspects of the FM series I would like to see incorporated into FOF. Media interaction, player personalities, etc. That's where all the other sports sims seem to fall well short of the FM series IMO.

Exactly, plus I'd love a 2d field to watch the "x"s and "o"s move around.

I love my hyper-emotional goalie in FM. He's on an emotional tightrope all the time. I have to get him into good situations and then praise him in the press (but not too much!) to get the best out of him.. This kind of thing really gets you involved, and the personalities in football.. man. /boggles

Good thing the article spelled out "PSP". I had no idea what that was.

i think i already can't wait to get my hands on this! player interaction is HUGE, as so many others have mentioned this is an area where I feel like CM/FM has been lacking a bit. I want to be able to interact more with my players, praise them more or criticize them to try to affect their performances or happiness. And halftime team talks...same thing. It'll be nice to not have to talk to my computer screen knowing it won't do anything, but knowing it'll actually mean something.

I just wish there were more ways to mock people in-game. I kind of wish players would start to get into feuds with each other on different teams.

Player A tells Player B that his momma is fat.
Team A plays Team B.
Player B proceeds to break Player's A's leg.
Player B asks Player A who is his daddy.

This is the kind of stuff I can only dream about.

I was really hoping for some OOTP news. I would have been satisfied with just a release date.

A pretty interface doesn't matter to me, but there are several other aspects of the FM series I would like to see incorporated into FOF. Media interaction, player personalities, etc. That's where all the other sports sims seem to fall well short of the FM series IMO.


I see your point but I am not really looking into just pretty graphics. OOTP isn't the prettiest game out there but for me it's immersive. The player cards, news section, ect. It's all done very well imo.

Wooot! The advances sound great. I'm REALLY looking forward to managing individual players. It should make the game that much more realistic :).

I see your point but I am not really looking into just pretty graphics. OOTP isn't the prettiest game out there but for me it's immersive. The player cards, news section, ect. It's all done very well imo.

I agree with the sentiment. It's not "just pretty graphics." A good gui goes a long way towards my enjoyment of a game.

As for FM06, it sounds great; like most of the holes in the player's interaction with the AI are being filled.

i think i already can't wait to get my hands on this! player interaction is HUGE, as so many others have mentioned this is an area where I feel like CM/FM has been lacking a bit. I want to be able to interact more with my players, praise them more or criticize them to try to affect their performances or happiness. And halftime team talks...same thing. It'll be nice to not have to talk to my computer screen knowing it won't do anything, but knowing it'll actually mean something.
One thing we haven't mentioned 'formally' is that the player-manager interaction will largely be editable and extendable via. an update of the forthcoming media editor ... the idea is for all of our media side of the game to eventually be configurable and extensible ...

Btw, some screenies:

http://www.sigames.com/softography.php?type=view&id=20

I especially love the new player positions (instead of a player being "D/M LC" now we got "D LC, MC" and the like:

http://www.sigames.com/graphics/images/1212.jpg

And some cool "Preferred Positions":

http://www.sigames.com/graphics/images/1186.jpg

Can't wait :).

Finally, a screen that shows you which of the player's positions he is most comfortable/proficient with. That will make starting a new game with an unfamiliar team MUCH easier.

This one has been asked for many times on the SI boards. They can't do it for legal reasons.Understandable.

Not liking but understanding. :DPersonally, I'd rather see fictional refs, think "Bob Myles," with the ability to interact with that aspect of the game more.Concur! :)

About that video.. who was the guy they tried to get for their "packtalent"? I'm sure he's easily recognizable to folk over the water, but I have no idea who he is or how the skit played off his reputation. Can anyone fill in the missing details?

Don't worry we won't be rushing it out - expect it in time for xmas ...
err, now that I've looked at the screenies, forget what I said. I want it NOW! :D

Some I liked...

1) a player comes to you and says he wants to play first-team, now there's a nice little "respond" button on the bottom right, me likey!!!
http://www.sigames.com/graphics/images/1200.jpg

2) another player wants to move out, you can tell him whatever you want...
http://www.sigames.com/graphics/images/1202.jpg

3) the little training activities seem to be gone and replaced with sliders. I kind of like that...
http://www.sigames.com/graphics/images/1222.jpg

4) half time talk, nice
http://www.sigames.com/graphics/images/1208.jpg

5) player preferred positions with color shades, I also kind of like that, much more precise... Some players can play many positions, but are really good only in one..
http://www.sigames.com/graphics/images/1192.jpg
http://www.sigames.com/graphics/images/1190.jpg

6) best of all, you've toned down Rob Styles' card giving style (pun intended)... There's no way the FM2005 version or Mr Styles could have given a high of 3 yellows over 10 games, even if they're all friendlies... :D
http://www.sigames.com/graphics/images/1182.jpg


Okay, my hype work is done for today :)

FM

About that video.. who was the guy they tried to get for their "packtalent"? I'm sure he's easily recognizable to folk over the water, but I have no idea who he is or how the skit played off his reputation. Can anyone fill in the missing details?
He's not anyone famous (all part of the 'very english' humour I'm afraid) ... he's a farmer who was used in a previous promotional viral-ad we did where he's training his sheep dogs as if they're players ...

(don't worry if you don't get it - us English are somewhat eccentric, leave it at that ;) )

There are some really nice additions shown on the screen shots. I'm really looking forward to the next version.

Edit:

The referee rating is interesting...I wonder how that will play out

I'm also among those who is very excited about the preferred positions :)

Rob Style's career record

Season Games Yellows Reds
1997/1998 37 151 16
1998/1999 40 213 17
1999/2000 40 96 10
2000/2001 31 98 12
2001/2002 28 108 8
2002/2003 35 119 13
2002/2003 27 112 6
2003/2004 30 118 15
2004/2005 37 97 7

You're off!

http://cache-1.sportinglife.com/pictures/general/allsportrobstyles.jpg

Btw... I don't think I can wait until the Winter for this game!! Hopefully we get the US distribution straightened out this time. I'd like to buy WWSM to help that distro in the US become more smooth.

Really, they need to adjust their release calendar to reflect the European season. The release date should be sometime in August, starting this year.

One thing we haven't mentioned 'formally' is that the player-manager interaction will largely be editable and extendable via. an update of the forthcoming media editor ... the idea is for all of our media side of the game to eventually be configurable and extensible ...
i...i...i don't even know what to say here. That is awesome news. Simply awesome. Amazing. *drool*

Nice to see Gamespot covering this news. Also, I'm anxiously waiting to read the interview tomorrow:

Football Manager 2006 announced for PC, PSP

http://www.gamespot.com/b.gif
Next soccer management game from Sports Interactive to kick off on the PSP and PC.

Sega Europe and Sports Interactive have not only announced that work is already well under way on a sequel to Football Manager 2005 (known as World Wide Soccer Manager 2005 in North America) for the PC, but they have also announced that a PSP version of the game will be arriving in European stores alongside it this winter. The PC version of Football Manager 2006 will improve upon last year's through a number of new features. Meanwhile, the PSP version will be specifically designed to play to the Sony handheld's strengths.

"Just like the real-life game, Football Manager continues to evolve as each new season comes and goes," said Miles Jacobson, CEO of Sports Interactive. "As has become traditional over the years, the changes that we've made this time around have been inspired not only by events and trends in the real world, but also by changes which have been suggested by our ever-keen fan base."

This year, new features for PC soccer managers will include negotiations with their boards of directors, halftime team talks with players, an improved player-training system, and personal management options that can be used to appease unhappy players. Player position information in Football Manager 2006 will also be much more detailed than that in last year's game, including information on players' preferred moves as well as on which positions they're most comfortable playing in.

The PSP version of Football Manager 2006 is being redesigned to make it more suitable for shorter gameplay sessions, but it will retain much of the depth the series is known for. You'll be able to manage a squad of up to 30 players from any of at least six national leagues, and you'll have to concern yourself with the media, agents, backroom staff, and the transfer market while simultaneously trying to lead your chosen team to glory. The PSP game won't feature the same match engine that's used in the PC game, but it will employ the same text-based commentary system that Sports Interactive has been using and refining in its games for years.

"From the moment that we got our hands on our first PSP, we knew that we were finally looking at a portable system that could do our game justice," added Jacobson. "Football Manager is well known as being a game that people carry with them in their hearts and minds. Pretty soon they'll be able to carry it in their pockets, too."

The PSP is currently scheduled for release in Europe in September. Check for more information on Football Manager 2006 tomorrow when we interview Miles Jacobson.

By Justin Calvert (http://www.gamespot.com/user/profile.html?user=Justice+Covert) -- GameSpot (http://www.gamespot.com/)
POSTED: 05/10/05 02:35 PM PST

You're off!

http://cache-1.sportinglife.com/pictures/general/allsportrobstyles.jpg

To be fair to Rob Styles, that's Paulo di Canio he's sending off there. He's a well known referee-pushing, nazi-salute making madman, so he almost certainly deserved the card.

Since 98/99 Styles seems to have settled at roughly just over a hundred yellow cards a season no matter how many games he refs. But the year before.. 213 in 40 games? What in gawds name..?

Its the amount of 'reds' which makes him feared imho .... some seasons its nearly one every other game ...

Its the amount of 'reds' which makes him feared imho .... some seasons its nearly one every other game ...

believe me, anytime I see one of my players get a yellow, then I read the dreaded "xxxx is furious with the referee", I start shaking... Fábio Rochemback on my Q.P.R. squad, even with only basic English, is very good at getting on Mr Styles' nerves... :mad:

FM

To be fair to Rob Styles, that's Paulo di Canio he's sending off there. He's a well known referee-pushing, nazi-salute making madman, so he almost certainly deserved the card.

A match made in heaven then.

Perhaps its just me, but while media interaction is nice, my beef is with the loan system in FM, which still doesnt make sense to me. Every year, a premiership club or two signs old players (over 24) to year long loans (Sorondo and Ventola for Palace, Contra for West Brom, and so forth) - something that you can't seem to do in FM- it seems impossible to offer a year long loan for an older player in the premiership. In the same way, you can never get a player on a loan in the Jan window for the rest of the year - you can only get them for 3 months. Birmingham has done this the last 3 seasons (Dugarry, then Nafti and Pandiani this year), as have Everton with Artera, Man City with Musampa and Celtic with Bellamy - it makes little sense to be able to take the player on loan till April, but not keep him till May. I understand I've complaine about this before Marc, but we repeatly see these transactions, and its simply not viable in FM to do this kind of deal with an older player.

Along these lines, I'd further like the ability to take good players on loan with an option to buy - like the Yobo deral, where he was certainly a first teamer for Marseille, but they still let him leave for the year. Especially involving Europe- First teams will often go on loan because of their wages or a potential transfer. This matters less to me than the loan issue above per se, but its still something I would like to see.

Perhaps its just me, but while media interaction is nice, my beef is with the loan system in FM, which still doesnt make sense to me. Every year, a premiership club or two signs old players (over 24) to year long loans (Sorondo and Ventola for Palace, Contra for West Brom, and so forth) - something that you can't seem to do in FM- it seems impossible to offer a year long loan for an older player in the premiership. In the same way, you can never get a player on a loan in the Jan window for the rest of the year - you can only get them for 3 months. Birmingham has done this the last 3 seasons (Dugarry, then Nafti and Pandiani this year), as have Everton with Artera, Man City with Musampa and Celtic with Bellamy - it makes little sense to be able to take the player on loan till April, but not keep him till May. I understand I've complaine about this before Marc, but we repeatly see these transactions, and its simply not viable in FM to do this kind of deal with an older player.

Along these lines, I'd further like the ability to take good players on loan with an option to buy - like the Yobo deral, where he was certainly a first teamer for Marseille, but they still let him leave for the year. Especially involving Europe- First teams will often go on loan because of their wages or a potential transfer. This matters less to me than the loan issue above per se, but its still something I would like to see.
One thing that has always annoyed me about the loans is the number of 3-month loans that occur in the summer months. Why would a team want to bring somebody in the first week in June?

I find it fairly easy to loan older players. As Genoa, I loaned a 24 year old Hugo Viana from Newcastle for the 07/08 season. The player has to be out of favor at the old club, obviously. Teams won't loan people in their first team.

I agree with all the rest though.

I find it fairly easy to loan older players. As Genoa, I loaned a 24 year old Hugo Viana from Newcastle for the 07/08 season. The player has to be out of favor at the old club, obviously. Teams won't loan people in their first team.

I agree with all the rest though.

24 is the limit Desnudo. I'm also talking about in England primarily - I tend to stick to the English league, with the occasional Spanish jaunt... ;)

Its the amount of 'reds' which makes him feared imho .... some seasons its nearly one every other game ...

believe me, anytime I see one of my players get a yellow, then I read the dreaded "xxxx is furious with the referee", I start shaking... Fábio Rochemback on my Q.P.R. squad, even with only basic English, is very good at getting on Mr Styles' nerves... :mad:

FM
yeah, i've never tried to click "X tactics" as fast as when i see "Mr Styles calls over <insert name>" to change tackling to easy everywhere

24 is the limit Desnudo. I'm also talking about in England primarily - I tend to stick to the English league, with the occasional Spanish jaunt... ;)

It might just be in England, because I saw a 31 year old and a 27 year old get loaned out in Serie A.

England traditionally does a lesser amount of loans than certain other European leagues (notably Italy)* ... however its still possible to loan players in England, if you're after them then look for:

(1) Overpaid Premiership players who aren't getting a game (NB> will only work if your club has enough of a reputation to get the player interested)

*All this sort of stuff IS modelled in the game as per usual with weird and wonderful nuances ... even down to Greek teams getting cash injections each year from their Goverment (weird but true).
(2) Reserves who are restless or probably need first team experience (ie. their manager will see something to gain in loaning them out).

Bear in mind that few players in higher professional divisions will want to move even on loan to a semi-pro club because they'll suffer from the part-time training etc.

Don't know if it's been mentioned or if it's supposed to be apart of the new game, but a feature I'd love to see is a "team shortlist" Much like when you put a player on your shortlist, you'd get news about the team you put on the shortlist.

In my current career for example I started out at Rosenborg, then went to Marseille and am now at Real Madrid. I'd love to have an easier way to check on how my previous teams are doing without me, and even though I'll probably get a notice if Man Utd starts hiring it'd be nice if you are a fan of a not so high prestige team and could shortlist that team and you'd be notified of any changings in it.

Nice to see Gamespot covering this news. Also, I'm anxiously waiting to read the interview tomorrow:

Football Manager 2006 announced for PC, PSP

Next soccer management game from Sports Interactive to kick off on the PSP and PC.


Marc, can you comment on whether or not this will be region coded? Will US PSP owners be able to import this or (gasp) find it on store shelves?

Marc, can you comment on whether or not this will be region coded? Will US PSP owners be able to import this or (gasp) find it on store shelves?

To the former, you should. PSP games aer region-free. It's only the movies which are region-coded.

As to the latter...I think the flying monkeys will be delivering it to North American retail, but don't quote me on that.