Could another game ever truly compete with FM ?

thisboyshouts · 11-12-2007, 11:32 AM

SI have the advantage of years of experience in the Football Management genre, as well as the existing code and database which they can draw on in every new version.

This gives them a HUGE head start in every generation of football management games. Look at the problems with the first CM game developed without SI.

Let's face it, no other management game is worth playing. They lack depth, realism, and 'weightiness' of FM. IIRC, the tag line used to be 'made BY football fans FOR football fans' and that's something the large developers don't seem to understand.

Could you ever see someone like EA making a viable challenge for the football management crown?

Svenc · 11-12-2007, 11:38 AM

EA I can. The lead designer they hired a couple of years ago also used to be the lead designer of the On The Ball series, and quite frankly, I liked that a lot. Recent versions were apparently developed in large parts at EA Canada, which since the 07 version isn't the case anymore. It's Bright Future taking over more control. Who knows where that series might be going..

In terms of simulating a footie match, there's absolutely no contest so far though. Hats off to the lads at SI.

White Raven · 11-12-2007, 11:45 AM

There's no contest. But then again if I started manufacturing the first jam, chocolate and banana sponge tomorrow there would also be no contest - but that wouldn't stop it tasting like sh*t.

SI may have a monopoly on football management sims, but like all businesses, they are abusing it by churning out an untested, poor game and using their own customers to as guinea pigs safe in the knowledge they'll buy it.

Won't happen next year though.

homerjnick · 11-12-2007, 11:48 AM

Well to be fair to BGS they created the first CM game after the split was horrible but then so was CM4 remember?

CM08 is by far catching up to FM08 and CM08's new features and design is far more than FM08's new features and design.

Whilst FM is still the best at the current rate CM will be as good in the next couple of releass unless SI get going!

If you look at the CM forums you will find a lot of FM gamers who are now playing CM.

SpeedyReedy · 11-12-2007, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by White Raven:
There's no contest. But then again if I started manufacturing the first jam, chocolate and banana sponge tomorrow there would also be no contest - but that wouldn't stop it tasting like sh*t.

SI may have a monopoly on football management sims, but like all businesses, they are abusing it by churning out an untested, poor game and using their own customers to as guinea pigs safe in the knowledge they'll buy it.

Won't happen next year though.

I think you are wrong...

Jam, chocolate and banana sounds like a delicious combination!

Oh...and SI aren't really that awful in all honesty...lets not exaggerate!

Grateful One · 11-12-2007, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by White Raven:
There's no contest. But then again if I started manufacturing the first jam, chocolate and banana sponge tomorrow there would also be no contest - but that wouldn't stop it tasting like sh*t.

SI may have a monopoly on football management sims, but like all businesses, they are abusing it by churning out an untested, poor game and using their own customers to as guinea pigs safe in the knowledge they'll buy it.

Won't happen next year though.

I think that's simplifying things just a bit don't you? The unintended consequences of having such an immense, flexible game is that playtesters can't possibly re-create the individual way thousands of quirky gamers prefer to play, and some problems only show themselves in those odd moments. To call it a poor game is just silly.

NorthWolfe CND · 11-12-2007, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by thisboyshouts:
SI have the advantage of years of experience in the Football Management genre, as well as the existing code and database which they can draw on in every new version.

This gives them a HUGE head start in every generation of football management games. Look at the problems with the first CM game developed without SI.

Let's face it, no other management game is worth playing. They lack depth, realism, and 'weightiness' of FM. IIRC, the tag line used to be 'made BY football fans FOR football fans' and that's something the large developers don't seem to understand.

Could you ever see someone like EA making a viable challenge for the football management crown?

There is no other game that even comes close to FM. The only way I can EA topping SI if if EA buy SI, or "head-hunt" their best coders...

thisboyshouts · 11-12-2007, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by NorthWolfe CND:
<BLOCKQUOTE>Originally posted by thisboyshouts:
SI have the advantage of years of experience in the Football Management genre, as well as the existing code and database which they can draw on in every new version.

This gives them a HUGE head start in every generation of football management games. Look at the problems with the first CM game developed without SI.

Let's face it, no other management game is worth playing. They lack depth, realism, and 'weightiness' of FM. IIRC, the tag line used to be 'made BY football fans FOR football fans' and that's something the large developers don't seem to understand.

Could you ever see someone like EA making a viable challenge for the football management crown?

There is no other game that even comes close to FM. The only way I can EA topping SI if if EA buy SI, or "head-hunt" their best coders... </BLOCKQUOTE>

that's just my point, it's not just about the coders, it's about the background - existing code / routines / database / knowledge ... that's what makes SI unique and so much more capable.