Sega has shocked fans by cancelling Football Manager 25 (FM25), opting to dedicate their resources to Football Manager 2026. The decision comes after two significant delays and concerns over the game's development progress.
Sega has made the unexpected decision to cancel Football Manager 25 (FM25), shifting its focus entirely to Football Manager 2026. This news, revealed during Sega 's recent financial results, comes as a blow to fans of the annual sports franchise who have eagerly awaited the next installment. FM25 had already experienced two significant delays, pushing its release to mid-football season.
This situation would have resulted in Sports Interactive, the studio behind Football Manager, releasing two games within the same calendar year, a logistical challenge that seemingly proved too much.Sports Interactive has expressed deep regret for the cancellation, assuring all pre-order holders that they will receive automatic refunds. The studio acknowledged the disappointment this news would cause, especially given the previous delays and the anticipation surrounding FM25. The cancellation stems from the development team's conviction that they were 'rushing too much and in danger of compromising our usual standards.' The studio stated that the additional time granted by the first delay 'has not been sufficient to ensure the game quality and experience meet your expectations and our very high standards.' FM25's development was marked by a daring attempt to break away from the traditional sports gaming formula. The team opted for a complete overhaul, transitioning to a brand-new Unity engine. This shift, intended to be the most significant technical and visual leap in the series' history, contributed to the delays. The developers, determined to avoid releasing a rushed product, prioritized quality over a timely release. Despite years of development, however, the match engine, interface, and AI mechanics failed to reach the desired level of refinement. The game's ambitious scope, which included features allowing players to manage national teams like England and Brazil, was ultimately scrapped. The following month, just weeks before its traditional November release window, FM25 was officially postponed until March. Despite assurances that the first gameplay footage would be unveiled in January 2025, that deadline passed with no updates, fueling fan concerns.Now, those fears have been confirmed. FM25 has been cancelled outright, marking the first time in decades that there won't be a new entry in the series this year. This news will undoubtedly spark disappointment and frustration among die-hard Football Manager enthusiasts. However, upon reflection, some may appreciate the bigger picture. Sports Interactive could have followed the EA Sports approach, churning out progressively stale games annually, watching their audience dwindle. Instead, they took a bold risk, tearing everything down and rebuilding from scratch. While this move has backfired this season, it could prove to be the right decision in the long run
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