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Football Manager 2016 coming November 13th, across three games on desktop and mobiles

Football Manager 2016
Matt Purslow

Published:

Football Manager 2016 

This year is no exception to the rule: we’re getting a new Football Manager. Yet this year, things are slightly different: the game is divided over three different releases. It’s a sign of the times, according to developer Sports Interactive, and it now means that no matter how you want to play, there’s an option for you.

Football Manager 2016 is the core release, and it’s the kind of full-simulation you’d expect. This is what you want to buy for the typical FM experience. If you’re looking for a quicker game though, Football Manager Touch is likely what you need. Previously known as Football Manager Classic, it was the ‘quick play’ option in the full game. It’s now going to be available separately on Steam and high-end tablets.

These two will be joined by Football Manager Mobile for iOS and Android, which replaces Football Manager Handheld.

“For some time now it’s been clear to us that there is no ‘one size fits all’ football management experience,” said Sports Interactive’s Miles Jacobson. “While a huge number of our fans have the time and dedication required to devote themselves to the ‘full’ simulation, there’s an equally-large number who prefer a more streamlined option. Not only that, but the widespread availability of mobile devices means that people are playing in different ways. The introduction of Football Manager Touch as a standalone offering – playable across computer and tablet – means that we now offer something for everyone.”

Pre-purchases will come with ‘An Alternative Reality: the Football Manager Documentary’. Pre-purchase digitally, and you can also play the beta which will be released around two weeks prior to the full game. Any progress made in the beta will carry over to the full game.

The Football Manager Twitter account has been revealing some of the new elements of the game today.

Key features new to Football Manager 2016 are:

  • TWO ALL-NEW GAME MODES: Take on your mates with ‘Fantasy Draft’ mode – which gives you the chance to build your own dream team and compete in a mini league – or add your own custom-built team to any existing league you choose with the new ‘Create-A-Club’ option.
  • MANAGER ON THE TOUCHLINE: Get closer to the action than ever before with your own customisable character to bark out instructions and join the celebrations from the touchline.
  • IMPROVED MATCHDAY EXPERIENCE: More than 2,000 new animations make the Football Manager 2016 match engine the best ever. There’s also more control when planning set pieces and a new highlights package to keep you up-to-date with all the action from every league.

And also on PC will be Football Manager Touch 2016:

  • CROSS-SAVE: All versions of Football Manager Touch 2016 ARE ‘cross-save compatible’ with one another, so careers started on a tablet can be saved to the cloud and continued on computer (and vice versa).
  • MATCHDAY EXPERIENCE: Football Manager Touch 2016 offers enhanced tactical options, including set-piece planning and opposition instructions – all of which play out in the acclaimed Football Manager 3D match engine.
  • CREATE-A-CLUB MODE: Add your own club to the game using the ‘Create-A-Club’ option. Name your club, choose your colours and edit your squad to your heart’s content – even adding yourself and a friend.

Football Manager 2016 will release on November 13th

One of the founding voices of PCGamesN, Matt's passion for miniatures, war games, and mechs is as much a part of the site's fabric as the Half-Life-inspired colour scheme. You can now find him writing about news and entertainment over at IGN.