Here we go again, folks. The shiny new edition of Football Manager is just around the corner and with talk of this year's version being the most complete yet, we are ready to be struck down by FM fever... again.
So, what should you expect from the game when it officially drops on November 8?
To keep you up to date with everything FM23, we've put together a detailed piece on new features and improvements, as well as several screenshots from the Alpha version (featuring a player profile of Ilkay Gundogan and more).
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From a new Supporter Confidence system that allows you to connect with supporters of all profiles, including the 'hardcore' section of your fanbase, to testing your managerial skills against the most realistic AI managers in series history.
The guys at Football Manager say they will "thrust you closer than ever to the heart of the beautiful game" with these new tools – a statement that certainly shows promise after four hours of playtime on the Alpha version of FM23.
On top of that, we also managed to grab an interview with Sports Interactive studio director Miles Jacobson, who gave us some great insight into matchday improvements, the new Squad Planner and a certain Champions League anthem.
Right, let's get stuck into some of these new features...
UEFA license
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I can confirm that nothing – and I mean nothing – will prepare you for hearing the Champions League and Europa League anthem for the first time on Football Manager.
Whether you're playing on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday night, gamers will experience detail like never before on FM after Sports Interactive managed to conclude a deal with UEFA to be able to use licenced club competitions.
From the famous anthems being played before kick-off to detailed team sheets, scoreboards and substitute announcements, there are plenty of sleek gameday updates, including bespoke podiums for the trophy presentations.
Cup draws have also been completely revamped, and it's not just for the UEFA licensed competitions either, but across the board for all draws.
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Having the license in-game for all three of UEFA's major tournaments definitely gives this edition another layer of realism.
Miles Jacobson says: "We've got the music for all three tournaments and we're still mucking about with it now.
"At the moment, we're also experimenting with the longer form version of the Champions League anthem and how that can build up in-game, so we'll see what happens when it's released. We want people to feel special when they play in these tournaments."
Manchester City partnership
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Back in September, the reigning Premier League champions announced a new partnership with Sports Interactive; the makers of the hugely popular computer game Football Manager. So what does that mean for us?
Well, fans will now be able to take the Citizens to glory as a fully licensed team in FM23, which means gamers can enjoy real kits and badges, as well as real faces on player profiles.
Miles Jacobson says: "Manchester City are a club that we've always had a good relationship with and being able to work with them closer, like we have this year, has been great.
"The behind the scenes operation at the City Group is just insane. It shows that getting non-football people involved with football can absolutely work if they've got the right football people around them to help them break through. There are a few clubs like them that are just doing things differently, but it works. Definitely.
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"You'll see the power of working with City when it comes to our release trailer. They were brilliant to deal with; a super organised team."
Recruitment revamp and Squad Planner
As used by most elite clubs in modern football, the Squad Planner will become an invaluable tool in your save.
It not only enables a player to plan their squad up to three years in advance, but the new Experience Matrix spot gaps in your squad depth and uses Recruitment Focuses for more control over how you bring in new players.
Like real life, agents will also have a much more significant role in Football Manager 2023.
For example, you can check player availability with agents and even discuss fees and terms before making an official approach to the player.
Agents can also rescue negotiations that have gone wrong and even step in to help solve any issues with their player’s morale.
Miles Jacobson says: "I talk to a lot of clubs as part of making the game and one of the first things I'll actually do is look at their squad and do my own Experience Matrix.
"I'll look at the staff, my second choice players, and the youngsters that are coming through. It gives you an idea of the players you don't need. You can tell which clubs use Squad Planners and a Matrix in real life and which clubs don't because the ones that don't have unbalanced squads.
"Take Manchester City, who use one, as an example. They've got three players that can play in any position in their first team squad. It doesn't matter if someone gets injured because they've got somebody else there, lined up to come in.
"It's such an important part of football for those super organised, data driven clubs. But having it there in game and being able to get the assistant's advice, and being able to bring players in from your shortlist, is great.
"You can right-click on a player you might want to sign and add them to your squad straight away. You can see how that player is going to fit in; whether that be now or in years two and three.
"Clubs that don't do this in real life aren't getting the marginal gains that are needed in football. So it's a really important feature and it also feeds into the recruitment meetings. It's there as your constant companion.
"And for those people who play the longest saves. it's absolutely invaluable. It's one that you never knew you needed."
AI managers and Match engine improvements
You will notice almost immediately that opposition AI managers will make much smarter decisions, both before and during matches, in Football Manager 2023.
Not only will they react to what’s happening on the pitch and your tactical manoeuvres, but they understand the context of the match too – from playing in-form teams to facing off against relegation contenders.
Those behind the scenes have also added a wealth of defensive improvements to the game, including improved abilities to win tackles and make interceptions to better defensive shapes. This makes playing styles such as Atletico Madrid’s more viable.
There are animation changes covering almost every aspect of the match; goalkeepers spreading, parrying and diving, midfield ball control, attackers controlling and finishing, and so on. Even how the nets animate after a goal has been improved.
Miles Jacobson says: "In the past, it's kind of been a little bit too easy. The human manager's have had a bit of an advantage when it comes to the AI depending on how deeply they go into it with the way they do substitutions and things. You've just gotta keep your eyes open a bit more.
"Those days of, carrying on playing the same way for 90 minutes rather than wasting time for the last five minutes, have probably gone. But again, like in real life, clubs protect their lead. Even those bigger teams will do something different for the last 5/10 minutes because their opposition are doing things differently as well. It's an extra little challenge.
"We have a four or five year animation roadmap. We added some of it two years ago, some of it last year, some of it this year and we've got another couple of years to go until we think it's going to be in the form that we'll be happy with it. Then we'll probably rip it up and start again as new technology comes in. That's what tends to happen.
"When things look like players are skating, that is the shudder moment in the studio. We absolutely hate that. So a lot of work has gone into the inverse kinematics of the game.
"I think there's still a long way to go to where we want it to be, but we think we know how we're going to do that."
Supporter confidence
In recent additions, we have had club vision; a tool that allows you access to you what the board think. Now, players must also consider Supporter Confidence.
This tool will tell you what fans are really thinking. Much like real-life, fans may have a completely different view to the board, so you have to find the right balance as you progress.
For example, the board might not like you making financially irresponsible transfers to bring back club legends, while sentimental fans are more likely to love you for it.
The supporter profile is bespoke to each club as well. Huge clubs such as Barcelona have loads of casual fans, which changes how the fanbase reacts to transfers, matches and so on, while non-league clubs are made up of hardcore supporters who will view things very differently.
The Supporter Profile will be split into six categories:
- Hardcore: The most loyal and passionate section of the fanbase
- Core: Representing the average football fan
- Family: These supporters tend to be temperate and patient
- Fair Weather: Fans who are especially impatient for success
- Corporate: Most interested in the stadium’s facilities and club marketability.
- Casual: Less passionate and loyal than the average fan
Miles Jacobson says: "It's something that's that's been more prevalent over the last few years. Social media has become such an important part of life, with the different YouTube football channels and Twitter spaces. Fans have more of a voice than ever.
"In-game, you now know how different supporters are rating players. You have to take it all into account because there's such a wide ranging fan base. From the happy clapper supporters through to the, 'it wouldn't matter if we signed prime Lionel Messi, I'm still going to slag everything off' supporters.
"It's a case of balancing everything to come up with what the supporters think.
"The supporters will put extra pressure on the board more than anything, and that that can cause people to lose their jobs. It happens."
Dynamic manager timeline
Previously, tracking your achievements in Football Manager meant scrolling through text but in FM23, you will be able to access the Dynamic Manager Timeline; a tool that shows the highlights of your career in a way that does justice to your hard -earned achievements.
It’s not just a visual change but, as the name suggests, it’s a dynamic one too. As you progress through more and more seasons, the timeline will change to make sure only important milestones and achievements from your career are highlighted, powered by an Events System that scores each moment in accordance with its importance.
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Thoughts on the new Football Manager 2023 features? What team will you be in your very first save?
Let us know in the comments.
Featured Image Credit: Sports InteractiveTopics: Football Manager, Gaming