Football Manager 2013 is out now and heading into the festive period, and the traditionally busy football calendar, many people will be making the decision whether to buy it to supplement their real football fix or stick with their previous version. I've played FM13 quite extensively already and although I could try to put into words my own thoughts I've decided to have a Q&A session with my best mate and local football pundit, Dan Pothecary. Having followed the action in the non league extensively for many years then he may wish to admit, I thought getting his unbiased view on the game would serve the gaming community better. We've both been playing football management sims for many many years, so between us we're able to offer an open, fair and most importantly, honest review of the fully released version of the game. If you have any particular questions you would like to pose to me or Dan, simply leave a comment below and we'll do our best to answer them.
Chris: Evening Dan, with the launch of FM13, why do you think this year's installment has received so much hype?Dan: I've come to expect the hype really, year upon year it certainly strikes me in the same way, but I think it just increases through the job SI do with the games development. The whole thing has come from 2D dots on a screen to a fully 3D match engine in recent times, and they are doing a great job of addressing how quickly the modern game has changed. The new features feel really current and I know they'll immerse me in the FM world even further than before.
Chris:I know the video blogs that Miles Jacobsen has released have looked at many of the game's new features, which have impressed you most?Dan: From the moment I took over my Tottenham team I was impressed with the better staff interaction, particularly the ability to change their individual responsibilities. Linking into this for me are the new staff roles, head of youth development and director of football. I actually feel supported in the future of my first team and youth network and I've been very impressed with these features so far. I have to mention the financials as well, country specific taxation brings a whole new level of reality for me.
Chris: The Director of Football is often considered a sinister shadow within a football club, one that undermines the manager's authority. How useful do you think they'll be in-game?Dan: For me it's a welcome addition. Not only does it embrace the modern-day game and all it's complexities, but on a personal level I can't help but welcome it. So many times in prior games I've found myself lumbered with players I just couldn't get rid of - in FM2012 I had Hamit Altintop on my books for 3 seasons despite offering him for £1 every couple of game weeks! In comparison, 2 weeks into my Tottenham save, Jenas was gone for £4mil and 60% of my youth team had found first team football on loan - perfect for the long term development of my squad. That said I've heard stories of players bought and sold without consultation (again, very realistic) so I for one will definitely be keeping an eye on my staff responsibilities!
Chris: Speaking of realism, much has been made of the new 3D 'physics' engine SI Games have implemented in FM13, how realistic are matches now?Dan: Obviously whatever changes we get, we'll still be looking at digital graphics, and i'd be surprised to ever see modelling such as that in recent FIFA titles. That said this match engine impresses me. Movement off the ball feels natural, pace is well illustrated - I'll never tire of seeing Gareth Bale leave a full back for dead, and the aerial battle seems well integrated as well. These were often factors in FM12 that left me scratching my head as to what had happened, so it's good to see. You'll never beat being pitchside cheering your team on, but this is the next best thing for me!
Chris: Speaking of teams, will you be selecting the team you support in real life? If not, why?Dan: I would if I could! Many an FM game has seen my take my club, Rushden & Diamonds to the dizzy heights of the Premier League. These days after their liquidation it's been difficult to choose a team as a neutral! I've chosen Tottenham for now to try and break the Manchester dominance in the Premier League - I've also got my eye on a Newport County save as a few of the last Rushden squad ply their trade there now! That will have to do until our phoenix club, AFC Rushden & Diamonds rise out of the United Counties League back to where we belong in the coming years.
Chris: You've mentioned a few old players might be plying their trade in the football league soon, are any of the AFC players likely to make the jump?Dan: The whole footballing world knows there's a massive jump between full time and part time football. We have football league experience, notably in ex- Gillingham centre back Chris Hope (our club captain) but we are basing our side around youth and hunger for success. So far our standout player has been our talismanic striker Alfie Taylor, with 11 goals already this season. He's stunning off the ball and lethal in front of goal. Could he play in the league? I honestly don't know. Right now I'll settle for him firing us into the UCL Prem next season and beyond, same as all the talented lads we've been lucky to sign up.
Chris: Moving back to the more high profile players, much as been made of the stat accuracy in previous games. How do they measure up this time?Dan: As ever I think it varies. I think you'll never find two people in the world who would rate one footballer exactly the same on scales of 20. There will always be players you look at, longingly wishing their stats fulfilled your impressions of them. On the whole I think SI do a stunning job with this though, balancing an entire virtual world and creating individual players. Quite why Fernando Torres isn't a better finisher than Andi Weimann on this years edition though I don't know!! It's what makes the game though really, each player of fm13 will look at a players stats and see something different. A pacy winger can be an inside forward, a straight winger, a converted wing back or a pacy poacher - it's how you adapt your tactics to those stats that is the crux of the game for me.
Chris: How has your Tottenham team fared so far? Do they tried and tested FM12 tactics work just as well?Dan: So far so good - 12 games into my first season and I'm 8-3-1 leaving me second in the league behind Man Utd. I've not really changed the squad, cut it down a bit and brought in Demba Ba for some firepower. Tactics wise, I've not tried to use my fm2012 formations yet, I always try and craft whatever I feel suits my key players, in this case, bringing Bale into play, using Adebayor's presence and Defoe's goalscoring instincts.
Chris:We've focused on the many positives of FM13, what hasn't lived up to your expectations?Dan: I still find the transfer system unrealistic at times. It can be frustrating when players valued at one price won't move until you pay 10 times the asking price. I was also pretty frustrated when my new signings couldn't have a pre-season due to being signed after I started my training camp, rendering them useless for the first few games of my season. That said, I have to say, so far the positives far outweight the negatives.
Chris:I know SI games set up a bugs forum on their website, have you come across any on your travels?Dan: Nothing major - all i've really noticed is that occassionally a media interaction option will be blacked out, and sometimes my arrow keys have no effect on news items, apart from that, relatively flawless for me.
Chris:That's really positive compared to isses gamers have had in previous installments. Are there any features you think they are still missing?Dan: It's hard to see anything massive that would need an overhaul. Interactivity seems to be the key in modern day gaming, and i suppose after a few seasons the media interaction may start to get dry. That said, if FM13 was perfect, how would SI possibly get my mouth watering for FM14 this time next year!
Chris: That's a very fair point. Some have suggested rather than releasing a new game each year, they bring out add-ons instead. Do you think that would work?Dan: Potentially, yes. It seems to be a solid business model at least in modern times. The FIFA franchise has revamped its games halfway through a season in past years with add on content such as Ultimate Team and the Euro 2012 modes. I suppose SI could look at this, and the in game purchases such as additional transfer budgets obviously show it's something they are open to. Graphics are always going to be a consideration on future releases though, as well as user interfaces, and they are big portions of the game to update with add-ons. I couldnt really see that working effectively.
Chris:Moving back to FM13, the new 'Challenge' mode features bonus' you can both earn and buy. This is the first time SI Games have implemented something like this, do you think gamers will mind?Dan: I think gamers enjoy progress. I certainly do. Sure, some people will scoff and turn their noses up at purchasing content on an already bought and paid for game, but each to their own. If a gamer wants to spend an extra few pounds to change their game then so be it, it's great that they will have that capability. Often it can totally freshen up a game and make it as good as new without a hefty price tag.
Chris:Lastly, for anyone out there reading this and who are still undecided whether to take the plunge and buy the game, what would you say to them?Dan: I'd say this: if you are or ever were a fan of SI's Football Manager series, then this game is a no-brainer from what I've seen so far. A fresh feel and a powerful engine make FM13 the closest thing to actually standing on the sidelines yourself, and you won't get caught out with a Steve McClaren umbrella in the rain in the comfort of your own home! Those who bemoan its lack of accesibility for those without time to spare will find FM Classic mode a breath of fresh air, and a new haven in a 10 hour season, and the new features and modes make this the definitive football management simulation. As ever though, I can use all the kind words under the sun to the SI team for FM13 - the real tribute to their work will come when i stare at the clock at another dark 4am, realising that the Football Manager series has once again completely immersed me - and far from a negative, this is what keeps me coming back year after year,
Chris:Well that's a positive endorsement if ever I saw one! Thanks a lot for your time this evening, and I'll look down the table on you during the fully working network game :)Dan: Thanks Chris - may the best manager win! Football Manager 2013 is out now. You can read
our full review of it here.