Sports Interactive and Sega have announced the cancellation of Football Manager 25 across all platforms. This marks the first time the long-running series has skipped a year since its inception in 2004. The decision follows a challenging development process hampered by the transition to the Unity game engine. While initially touted as a significant technical and visual leap, issues with the player experience and interface proved insurmountable.
The announcement, part of Sega Sammy Holdings' financial results, includes a writedown of associated costs. Sports Interactive stated in a blog post that the decision came after extensive internal discussions with Sega. Sega has confirmed that no job losses will result from the cancellation.
There will be no Football Manager 24 update with 2024/25 season data, as resources are fully dedicated to the next iteration. Discussions are underway with platform holders and licensors to potentially extend FM24 agreements on services like Game Pass.
FM25 faced two prior delays before its ultimate cancellation, with the most recent target set for March 2025. Development has now shifted to Football Manager 26, anticipated for the usual November release window. Refunds are being offered to those who pre-ordered FM25.
Sports Interactive acknowledged the disappointment, apologizing for the delayed announcement due to stakeholder compliance and regulations. They emphasized their commitment to delivering high-quality games and explained that despite progress in some areas, the overall player experience and interface did not meet their standards, a conclusion supported by consumer playtesting. Releasing a subpar game, or delaying it further into the football season, was deemed unacceptable.
The developer assures fans that all efforts are now focused on ensuring Football Manager 26 meets expectations, promising future updates on its progress.
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