7. Online Play
One of the biggest changes this year is the overhaul of the online multiplayer arena - it is now a lot easier to set up online games, and more ways to play against one another. Even though for many Football Manager is a solitary experience, the opportunity to play online against other players is certainly a boost, and one that has up until now felt a little like a tacked on feature. The improvements to the user interface are particularly good, making it easier than ever for users to find or start network games This year, SI Games are working more effectively with Steam, introducing online leaderboards as well as giving players the opportunity to import their squads from their solo campaign into user-created competitions, bringing the opportunity for bragging and showing off the dynasty you are building in your own game. Players will be able to set up either a Knockout Cup, League or Head-to-Head league (in which two players play one another five times). SI have rebuilt the mode, with new gameplay features and crucially with an eye on problems from previous versions, chiefly when players attempted to watch their network games with different speeds and settings - this year players can agree on those settings before matches to eradicate the problems. And they seem extremely confident that this will be the best online play Football Manager has ever offered. Here's hoping.