I think that whatever changes SI make to the game, the FM series is always going to be a best seller. It is after all, THE definative football management simulation.
The problem is inevitably that some people play a number of management "sims", as it´s proven to be one of the most popular genres. Even Pro Evolution evolved a management sim, albeit extremely poor to play but graphically rich.
I think I´ve played every footy management sim out there, way back to Kevin Tom´s original Football Manager, with those little stick men
Right from the very first CM I played on the Amiga, I knew something different was afoot. The SI team have, it has to be said, produced consistantly the most detailed and "realistic" management simulation out there. It´s kept me busy for years throughout the whole series.
I have to agree that it´s generally been quite easy, even without the "killer" tactics exploiting flaws in the AI, to get a Conference team up to conquerors of Europe in a relatively short space of time. As the game has evolved over the years, this has become increasingly more difficult, which I think is a good thing.
Obviously casual players who want to win everything may disagree, but would´nt you agree that this is the whole point of an editor? Want to win everything - edit a game and give your chosen team mega bucks and get all the best players, etc...
I feel that rather than criticise the efforts of SI in the tweeks they´ve made to the AI, perhaps over compensating on certain aspects to counter the killer tactics, they should be congratulated. There are frustrating aspects, but perfection takes time.
I´m sure the posters who criticise on the forums here will go back to games like Premier Manager and get the pleasure they want in winning everything in less than a week of play time.
The realism is still there and as kolobok mentioned, this is also a strategy game. Strategies are based upon looking at your opponent and formulating the best way to beat them. The AI does it, therefore as the forums testify, everyone about knows what to expect from the AI with this version of FM. Roll with it :thup:
For those who think that the emergance of teams to gain success within a relatively short space of time is unrealistic, refer to the following, as it does happen quite often in real life, albeit usually involving an injection of cash.
Wolves - rise from old 4th to 2nd division.
Man Utd - the changes under Ferguson, built on cup wins to start with, then upon a good youth system.
Blackburn - Jack Walkers funds with Dalglish´s nouse. Even with some of the signings they paid out for, you might not have fancied them to win the Premier on paper.
Wigan - A rapid rise from mediocrity to the premiership, albeit with financial backing, but without huge signings.
Reading - Another rise from mediocrity.
Charlton - Challanged for a Euro place under Curbishley.
Chelsea (ski) - Obviously with a bottomless wallet, but who would have thought 5 years ago they of it?
There are countless more that I can´t remember right now, but the evidence is there that teams do emerge over the years.
Linear Mode
