Football Manager 2015 Features Enhanced Graphics, Scouting and Management [VIDEO]

Sports Interactive has launched a new video to reveal the new features coming to Football Manager, which will be available for purchase on November 7 (or available two weeks earlier for customers who pre-order the game).

The 30 minute video (see below) is definitely worth watching as it contains an overwhelming amount of information.  The bottom line is that the new features are indeed promising and will hopefully make Football Manager fans/addicts excited for this year’s edition.  The three main features that look promising are the changes to being the manager, scouting, and the new graphical changes.

When you start the game for the first time, you will be directed to choose a managerial style.  If working on the training ground regularly is your cup of tea, then the “Tracksuit Manager” is the role for you.  On the other hand, if you’re more tactically focused manager, then the “Tactical Manager” is ideal.  You can also be a balance of both.  Choosing one approach does affect your attributes as well as your coaching badges and experience.  It’s a welcome change as the type of manager you are impacts your club.

In terms of scouting, I like what SI has done so far.  The players in your areas for which you have scouting knowledge will produce more thorough reports while players in areas you haven’t scouted yet will have attributes listed with ranges.  As you scout the player, the ranges will narrow.  In addition, scouting leagues will produce reports of the best performing players in those leagues.  Lastly, instead of only being able to scout a player for a number of matches, you can now scout him for a specific time period, ie. 3 months, to get a more complete report.  The report cards also look cleaner and easier to read.

The game will also be getting graphical changes.  Mo-Cap has been utilized to add new animations as players do move more realistically and matches will look less robotic.  In addition, the interface has been revamped to appear cleaner and easier to navigate.  I’ve never been focused on the graphical side of the game, but I like the look of the new interface.  In terms of the graphics in the match engine, the game looked cleaner and the animations looked solid.  I’d have to play it to determine if the mo-cap has impacted the match engine more drastically.

There are many other features that Miles Jacobson talks about, including changes to player interaction, media dealings, press conferences, training, and new player roles.  While I enjoyed Football Manager 2014, the changes seemed more subtle than the previous season.  With the changes announced in the video, especially to the manager role, I’m looking forward to the beta.  It sure looks like my winter will be spent on my laptop, risking the wrath of my family.

Mobile app users, watch the video here.