It's probably been mentioned before, but while FM is the undisputed king of serious football sims, it's competition (FIFA Manager and CM) have pulled up some good new takes on the genre which I think need to include.

As far as I see it, FM has by far the best match engine, the best database/research and the best underlying mechanics for maintaining a simulated soccer world (FREDs, training, player happiness, finances etc.) These are the reasons that i've remained loyal to the FM series despite my frustration at the lack of development in the last couple of iterations. I've flirted with demos of CM and FIFA but I'm immediately struck by how inferior the under-the-hood mechanics are and thus can't see myself ever dedicating time to them.

But each have one thing that i'd really love to see in FM09. CM has Pro-Zone which has been talked about many a times, and just strikes me as the perfect tool to work tactics and analyse performance without having to watch full matches (plus i'm sure FM could implement that tool far better than CM has).

But what i would really like to see is FM adopt FIFA Manager's brand of slicker, more modern graphics and interface. It's hard to deny that FM looks like a database program at times, with very little imagination in the presentation of statistics or different features. While it's perfectly functional, i've gone stale on it after years without a real change (skins may be a new coat of paint, but it can't solve the systemic problem). FIFA Manager on the other hand looks fresh and interesting, it presents all sorts of graphs and maps to keep you amused and feel more like a real living world. It presents the data much more like it's seen in the media (TV, internet, newspapers) than FM, which appears more like a managers analytical tool. I know the irony in saying that, as Football Manager should be a simulation of what a manager would use, but it looks far too much like work than play.

If the presentation of graphics and the organisation of screens was also customisable (far more than the lame 'customisablility' of the home screen) then all the better, so that every user could tailor their own managerial experience.

To be honest, every time i see FIFA Manager screenshots with there liberal use of graphical representations, I wish that either FM could match it, or that FIFA manager's under-the-hood stuff was better. And while i'd love to stay loyal to SI, as a consumer, I'm just looking for the best product for me, and if FIFA or CM can continue to improve their engine while also churning out new inventive feature and fresher designs, then I feel I'll have to switch allegiance.

Love to hear what people (and SI would be even better).

I'd rather SI didn't spend too much time worrying about skins and graphics (unless it's the match representation) as there are so many available to download from various fan sites. I just don't see the point and would rather they focussed on other stuff that we can't edit ourselves.

As for pro-zone, it's for CM only although something similar would be a nice addition to FM.

Sorry to say it but to be honest I have no idea what SI are doing in between each new version, there are some database edits, a new skin and a couple on new features, surely this doesn't take the whole year for a dedicated team and I think they could definately be more productive with their time, adding new features (there have been billions suggested on these forums, most of them good like) and giving the game a proper graphical revamp for a start.

A feature like pro-zone would be brilliant and some kind of feedback post-match on how your players could be improved performance wise by using tactics, and feedback on your tactics in response to the other teams,
'Arsenal played a narrow game, make use of wingers and available space (wide on the tactics settings) to utilise this to your advantage'
Having a couple of these after each match would be a godsend and make the whole lower league game alot better to play because you know where your team are going wrong. Maybe these could also be colour coded in terms of urgency, say the ball just flat out isn't reaching your strikers the 'widget' (for lack of a better term) could highlight this with a red dot, and suggest something better off. Something like this would just be better presentation wise for the consumer.

Hi

Yes this has been discussed but it is worth reopening has things move on.

I too think that a little facelift would be a welcome addition to FM. I tried CM prozone and to be honest pro-zone was overcompliated and mostly unnecessary; what is needed is a much easier post-match analysis tool (and/or better assman post match comments).

Like you, I think that something similar to the FIFA interface and graphical representation would be a good start. I understand that a lot of the peeps who play and respond on here are much more diehard re what they are after e.g. 100% spot-on match engine, but that does not mean that FM cannot give itself a makeover [ala Trinny and Susan ].

You never know we might get some surprises from FM though their online game suggests the same presentational formula as now so...notwithstanding or holding my breath I agree with you that we could do with some new stuff.

K

I'm sorry to say but your wrong there. Lets see... two years ago, they completely revamped scouting (with the rather awesome scout reports. This year, they remade the match engine (which they hadn't touched except for minor tweaks since it first appeared) added usability tools and revamped international management. Next year they are (apparently) revamping tactics and (probably) training. Given the amount of code FM (millions of lines) and how much adding/editing match engines, tactics and the way they effect the match engine etc., (thousands of lines) then I reckon they do a pretty good job in just a year.

Sure, we'd all like some prettified version out there, but lets focus on the obvous. We love the match engine, we love the tactics, we love the ease of use, we love the realism, we just want one little thing. we can wait can'twe?

I hate the interface on Fifa Manager. It's sluggish and unresponsive for me and I've got a decent PC. I agree it can look good but there's no usability beyond a nice screenshot for me so I wouldn't like to see it in FM.

I should look like the stanpetrov [i think] ones posted a while back i thought they were quality but woulnd't like to see it without the actual premiership pictures. I understand you can dowload them but i just like to play the way it comes.

SI are getting there on the skin but i find it puts me asleep or makes me want to put the t.v on while its processing.

Where exactly did you get your information? Nothing about the new features in FM2009 have been announced and will not be before August at the earliest. If it hasn't been officially announced on these forums then the news should be regarded as nothing more than speculation.

Another thread wanting 3D? Whatever happened to the search function?

3D graphics = very pretty, nice to look at, but will add very little to the actual gameplay. SI need to fix what doesn't work, THEN make it look nice.

And comparing to another title. I've seen this thread 300 times in the last four days!