[matts0344]

Fun really, it's a game isn't it? Although a balance between fun and realism is best, I think the balance has been lost in recent years to be honest. If I wanted something ultra-realistic I'd go get some coaching badges and help out the local team

[retired_kooky]

Originally posted by thisboyshouts:
For me, the 'fun' is all about becoming immersed in what feels like a genuine footballing world.

If the realism is lacking, it's more difficult to maintain the suspension of disbelief, which for me spoils the fun.

So i believe that realism is critical to the 'fun'.

That's exactly it - the minute i feel like it isn't real i do start thinking of it as a computer game rather than me being involved with football, and i want to play the game because it kind of makes me feel like i am actually managing a team

My main gripe about every FM is the over-importance of tactics. If you put 4 good defenders, 2 good centre mids, two good wingers and a couple of good forwards out there in a 442 then they should do ok. But unless you spend hours poring over the Tactics forum (and that won't be enough tbh) then you won't have a hope in hell.

I dont really agree with that - when i first start a game i have a quickie to see what it's like - and i found that general tactics seemed to work fine (of course it could be i accidentally picked tactics that happened to suit...)

[retired_lidaltd]

Originally posted by stokes_83:
If SI could continue the realism within the game, and produce a realistic 3D engine, I think I would quit my job and just play all day.

Ya, that will get you far in life

[Mikey JS]

Let's just say, it's not as realistic as it should be.

[ppx81]

45% realism
55% fun

i like it mixed really, for example i loved the way my GK scored from a goal kick and went crazy in his celebration, then 1 minute later he must have still been thinking about his goal as he conceded a sitter lol

so there i have run and the realism all in one!!!

[Mikey JS]

Where's the realism in that?

[ppx81]

the loss of concentration bit is relistic and its just like peterborough irl lol

score then concede

[KryptonSean]

As others have said, a balance.

I don't want it to be as hard as 08 is. 07 was pretty easy, or maybe I just had a knack of creating great tactics. I'd like a fun game. Hell, if it was fun I'd love it. However, I don't want a game where you can take Bishop's Stroford to the quadruple in 6 seasons with a basic 4-4-2.

If you play Man U and you are a mid table side, there are 3 ways you can realisitcally come away with anything:
1. Play 4-5-1 or 5-4-1, not giving them space and man marking
2. Be extremely lucky
3. Be Spurs!
I'd like it to be that way in the game.

There is no way winning everything would be any fun. If you want to live out fantasies, don't play FIFA Manager, it sucks, just imagine.

Tactics are important (that's why your PE teacher kept going on about them when you were playing badmington ), but if you put out a team that is far superior (say, 4 divisions), you'd have to be using an awful tacic (i.e. 2-3-5 with wingers.) If you play a team that is one division below and only slightly inferior, you'd have to play a reltively sensible formation with decent instructions. If you play a superior team, you'd have to use a good tactic but not the perfect ones you have to use at the moment. In any situation, however, there should still be a small chance that it wouldn't pay off (and that goes both ways, for the AI and the manager).

FM07 was pretty realistic, and very, very fun, but 08 is neither. SI are trying really hard, it's plain to see, but they've made a few mistakes, such as the two year plan bug. I belive that any game should be realistic, but only to the extent that you shouldn't be able to buy VDV in the Championship.

[Neb]

Its a bit of a conundrum...

The realism is fun, but is it being fun realistic?

I personally prefer the realism. I just wish it could be speeded up. I hate the fact I need to spend 20 hours+ to play one season. so you are talking over 200 hours to see some of the youth i've developed hit their peak. Thats the bit that makes me lose interest after about 3 months. Most computer games can be 'completed' in 30-50 hours of play. I love the fact that FM goes on forever, but I never even see 1/6th of the way through my managerial career before I lose interest...

[Neb]

The realism is fun, but is being fun realistic?