10. Realism
As per usual, every change that has been made in the name of progress for Football Manager has also been made in the name of a pursuit of realism - as well as of gameplay immersion, though the two are of course inclusive factors - and ahead of the November release, it looks like Football Manager 2013 is going to be the most realistic game the team have ever released. The match-day engine looks incredible compared to former limitations (though it is still not quite on a par with FIFA or Pro Evo), new feature additions like the Director of Football and new staff roles will lead to the closest thing to a real backroom feel that's ever been part of this franchise, and the new media interactions look to have developed an area of the game that is invariably pointed to as something of a frustration. Couple all of that with the fact that SI Games have an enviable track record for producing realistic management sims, and there is a lot to be excited for if you're a fan of the genre - even if you don't have the time to play as much as you once did. It's time to dust off the tracksuit for another round of Football Manager - I can hardly wait.
Football Manager 2013 is released around the world on 2nd November.