The latest edition of Football Manager will be out on November 24, 2020. The game will initially release for PC/Mac and it is available for download on Steam for USD 31.49 and USD 44.99 on Epic Games Store (Note that these prices are from 23/11/2020. They may change at later dates). For the first time in more than a decade, Football Manager will also be available on Xbox devices. FM21 Touch and FM21 for Xbox is set to be released on December 1, 2020.
The newest edition of the world-famous football sim will include many new features. Here are some of them:
Interactions
There have been changes in the way managers interact with players and other personnel. The previous system of ‘voice tone’ has been replaced with ‘gestures’. For example, instead of “Passionate”, “Aggressive,” “Assertive”, “Calm,” etc., managers will now have the option to have: “Wide Arms”, “Beckon with Hand”, “Wave and nod” etc. There are also changes to your reactions to press conferences. You can now “Point finger”, “Shake head,” and “Smile Warmly” to name a few.
These improvements mean that the way you talk to people and build your manager’s profile in the game will now have more impact on proceedings than ever before.
Matchday
There have also been significant improvements in the matchday in FM, which will help you to make sure that you grab those three points. Backroom staff now gives more and better-presented information before the kick-off and throughout the match. A new system of xG (Expected Goals) is also available, which helps us to gauge our team’s performance more accurately, as it was tiresome to do this using the “Clear Cut Chances” and “Half Chances” statistics.
Several visual improvements have also been made, with the player animations made smoother, making it look more like a real-life match scenario. Match UI has also improved, giving a more ‘broadcast-like’ feel. There are also improvements in the match engine, making your tactical decisions throughout the match more crucial than before.
Team talks have also changed, with the new ‘Gestures’ replacing the old ‘voice tone’ system.
Recruitment
Recruitment is one of the essential areas in Football Manager. Several improvements have been made on this front as well.
Firstly, there is now a recruitment meeting which will help you to keep a tab of what your backroom staff is thinking. You can get their suggestions and then make an informed decision, which will help you to maintain a balanced squad. Recruitment meetings are also held when you join a new club so that you and your backroom staff are on the same page from day one.
New staff roles have also been added. For example, data analysts will now split into two categories: recruitment, and match, each requiring a different skill set. Data analysts will now also have a job to turn raw data into meaningful information.
Due to Covid-19, the market effects have also been added in FM, making it more realistic than ever. Although Covid-19 is not listed as a separate injury, and there will be fans in the stadium, but the economic effects of the global pandemic will reflect in this year’s FM release. Another feature is that player loan deals can now be negotiated and finalized outside the transfer window. The player will join when the transfer window starts, but you can have the details wrapped up beforehand.
Finally, managers will now be able to ask agents about the availability of their players and get a general idea of what it would take for the player to join your club before you splash the transfer fees. Therefore, you can now speak to players before a bid is accepted for the player.
These new changes mean that clever recruitment might be the difference between you staying at a club or getting the sack.
End of Season
In this year’s edition of FM, the developers have made efforts so that the end of the season means something, rather than just a milestone before the next season starts. Here, improvements have been made in two areas: Celebrating Success, and End of Season Review.
In Celebrating Success, new animations have been added, which replace the old trophy lifting animations. Confetti cannons, podiums, media, and multiple other animations make it all more naturalistic; and worth it at the end of a hard-fought season. Additionally, if you have secured a trophy away from home, your title celebrations will be put on hold till you are back on home turf.
In End of Season Review, managers will be thrown into a brand-new environment, where they will be able to assess their season in full detail. It will happen at the end of each season. Regardless of whether you have won a treble, or barely avoided relegation. This section will include Best XI, financial information, shirt sales, significant results, etc. There will also be fan opinions, helping a manager to see if the fans like the progress being made, or they are frustrated by the team’s performance.
As expressed on the website, “Seasons now end with a bang, giving you not just a more visual conclusion to each campaign but all the crucial data and information needed to make adjustments before we go again.”
The new edition of Football Manager includes all of the above, plus much more, making it a new and unique experience for all types of FM players, old and new. So, get ready to immerse yourself in the world of football simulation. It’s that time of the year again. Time to either win or go home. No pressure, right?
