FIFA Manager
FIFA Manager (short: FIFAM) was an association football series of sport management games published by Electronic Arts. The games were developed by the German studio Bright Future GmbH and EA Sports. The game was called Total Club Manager (short: TCM) until the name changed to FIFA Manager with the FIFAM 06. It was announced FIFA Manager's last installment was FIFA Manager 14 and that there would be no further editions to the game.[1]
Before FIFAM and TCM, EA Sports released FIFA Soccer Manager (1997) and The FA Premier League Football Manager 99, 2000, 2001 and 2002, but while the first managed to attract some attention, the latter were released when the managing games market for non-Championship Manager titles was close to non-existent, and after two unsuccessful titles, it was dropped.
However, by 2001, several employees of German software house Ascaron, who developed the highly popular Anstoss series in the past moved to EA, and the first game, Fussball Manager 2002, was released in Germany only, as a test for a potential series. It resembled Anstoss 3, although on a more serious note (in Anstoss, players could be abducted by aliens, train in Area 51 or use performance-enhancing drugs) and fewer financial options (managers developed by German teams often include deep financial options, such as stock and real estate markets). The game had positive reception, and a year later Total Club Manager 2003 was released, with Bobby Robson on the cover (for the second time, after FIFA Soccer Manager).
One of the key features of Anstoss 3 was the ability to actually play the games after Anstoss Action was released. Although it could be played as a stand-alone game, it only reached the full potential when used with the manager game. This feature, only present on other games with limited geographical distribution, the Spanish PC Fútbol, was included for buyers of both TCM 2004 and FIFA 2004, which could use the Football Fusion function. Some fans managed to control games in TCM 2003 by hacking the configuration files, but data loss and corruption was frequent. Celtic manager Martin O'Neill appeared on the cover of TCM 2004. Criticized by a confusing interface, EA reworked it for TCM 2005, with a more sleek design. European Champion with former FC Porto and Chelsea manager José Mourinho was selected for the main cover.
While the TCM series has been released for Windows, Xbox and PlayStation 2, the FIFAM series is only available for Windows. The PlayStation 2 and Xbox versions of the game were developed for EA Canada by Budcat Creations.[2]
Games
| English Title | Year | Platform(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Club Manager 2003 | 2002 | Windows |
| Total Club Manager 2004 | 2003 | PlayStation 2 |
| Windows | ||
| Xbox | ||
| Total Club Manager 2005 | 2004 | PlayStation 2 |
| Windows | ||
| Xbox | ||
| FIFA Manager 06 | 2005 | Windows |
| FIFA Manager 07 | 2006 | Windows |
| FIFA Manager 08 | 2007 | Windows |
| FIFA Manager 09 | 2008 | Windows |
| FIFA Manager 10 | 2009 | Windows |
| FIFA Manager 11 | 2010 | Windows |
| FIFA Manager 12 | 2011 | Windows |
| FIFA Manager 13 | 2012 | Windows |
| FIFA Manager 14 | 2013 | Windows |
Cover managers
| Title | Year | Manager (UK Version) | Manager (German Version) | Manager (Swiss Version) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fussball Manager 2002 | 2001 | N/A (German only release) | Rudi Assauer | N/A |
| Total Club Manager 2003 | 2002 | Sir Bobby Robson | Lothar Matthäus | N/A |
| Total Club Manager 2004 | 2003 | Martin O'Neill | Reiner Calmund | N/A |
| Total Club Manager 2005 | 2004 | José Mourinho | Felix Magath | N/A |
| FIFA Manager 06 | 2005 | N/A | Klaus Allofs & Thomas Schaaf | N/A |
| FIFA Manager 07 | 2006 | N/A | Thomas Doll | N/A |
| FIFA Manager 08 | 2007 | N/A | Hans Meyer | N/A |
| FIFA Manager 09 | 2008 | N/A | Joachim Löw | N/A |
| FIFA Manager 10 | 2009 | N/A | Ralf Rangnick | N/A |
| FIFA Manager 11 | 2010 | N/A | Felix Magath | Ciriaco Sforza |
| FIFA Manager 12 | 2011 | N/A | Thomas Tuchel | Murat Yakin |
| FIFA Manager 13 | 2012 | N/A | Lucien Favre | Lucien Favre |
| FIFA Manager 14 | 2013 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Details
FIFA Soccer Manager
| FIFA Soccer Manager | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | EA Sports |
| Publisher(s) | EA Sports |
| Designer(s) |
Dave M Colclough Jon Law |
| Platform(s) | Windows |
| Release | 1997 |
| Genre(s) | Sports manager[*] |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
FIFA Soccer Manager (or simply FSM) is a 1997 football managing computer game developed and published by Electronic Arts by their EA Sports label. It was followed by The FA Premier League Football Manager and the Total Club Manager series. A 97-98 update for the game is freely available from Electronic Arts' FTP. One of the first games in the genre developed for the Windows platform, FSM included five playable leagues (England, Scotland, Italy, Germany and France) and all UEFA competitions, including around 7500 players.
FSM was also known for a complete stadium builder, where combining 300 different pieces (stands and roofs) allowed the creation of stadiums with over 300,000 seats (a figure which is still double the highest stadium capacity in the world). While the overall presentation (which included short FMV clips for some events, such as cup/league wins and being sacked) was praised, the interface relied too much on submenus that could not only be reached outside the main section, slowing down gameplay. Also, when the better players retired, they were replaced only by average younger players (rated between 75 and 80), which harmed the possibilities of games over 15 years long, combined with the impossibility of joining a different club.
Football Manager 99
| The FA Premier League Football Manager 99 | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Electronic Arts |
| Publisher(s) | EA Sports |
| Platform(s) | Windows |
| Release | February, 1998 |
| Genre(s) | Sports manager[*] |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
The FA Premier League Football Manager 99 is a football sports management game. It is the first game to be released in the FA Premier League Football Manager series. It was developed by Electronic Arts and released in 1998.
Football Manager 2000
| The FA Premier League Football Manager 2000 | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Krisalis Software |
| Publisher(s) | EA Sports |
| Platform(s) | Windows, PlayStation |
| Release | |
| Genre(s) | Sports manager[*] |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
The FA Premier League Football Manager 2000 is a football sports management game. It is the first sequel to The FA Premier League Football Manager 99. It was developed by Krisalis Software and released in 1999.
Football Manager 2001
| The FA Premier League Football Manager 2001 | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | EA Sports |
| Publisher(s) | EA Sports |
| Platform(s) | Windows, PlayStation |
| Release | September, 2000 |
| Genre(s) | Sports manager[*] |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
The FA Premier League Football Manager 2001 is a football sports management game. It is the second sequel to The FA Premier League Football Manager 99. It was developed by EA Sports and released in 2000.
Football Manager 2002
| The FA Premier League Football Manager 2002 | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Electronic Arts |
| Publisher(s) | EA Sports |
| Platform(s) | Windows |
| Release | January 17, 2002 |
| Genre(s) | Sports manager[*] |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
The FA Premier League Football Manager 2002 is a football sports management game. It is the third sequel to The FA Premier League Football Manager 99. It was developed by Electronic Arts and released in 2002.
Total Club Manager 2003
| Total Club Manager 2003 | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Electronic Arts |
| Publisher(s) | Electronic Arts |
| Platform(s) | Windows |
| Release | September 20, 2002 |
| Genre(s) | Sports manager[*] |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Total Club Manager 2003 is a football-oriented computer game in the FIFA Manager series, the first game to be released in the Total Club Manager series. It was developed by Electronic Arts and released September 20, 2002,
Total Club Manager 2004
| Total Club Manager 2004 | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) |
Electronic Arts Budcat Creations (PS2) & (Xbox) |
| Publisher(s) | Electronic Arts |
| Platform(s) | Windows, PlayStation 2, Xbox |
| Release | November 21, 2003 |
| Genre(s) | Sports manager[*] |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Total Club Manager 2004 is a football-oriented computer game in the FIFA Manager series, the first sequel to Total Club Manager 2003. It was developed by Electronic Arts and released November 21, 2003.
Total Club Manager 2005
| Total Club Manager 2005 | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) |
EA Canada Budcat Creations (PS2) & (Xbox) |
| Publisher(s) | Electronic Arts |
| Platform(s) | Windows, PlayStation 2, Xbox |
| Release | October 22, 2004 |
| Genre(s) | Sports manager[*] |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Total Club Manager 2005 is the second sequel to Total Club Manager 2003. It was developed by EA Canada and released October 22, 2004.
This game also seen the new feature, Create a Club. This gave the game players the opportunity to create a New Club and try to make them successful.
The cover art features Portuguese manager José Mourinho.
FIFA Manager 06
| FIFA Manager 06 | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | EA Canada |
| Publisher(s) | EA Sports |
| Platform(s) | Windows |
| Release | October 7, 2005 |
| Genre(s) | Sports manager[*] |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
FIFA Manager 06 is a game produced by EA under the brand EA Sports. It is a football (soccer) management game from the annual series of FIFA Manager titles. FIFA Manager 06 is the only game in the FIFA Manager series to have music from real bands.
- Diva International - "Nothing to Do"
- Exitpilot - "Circles Cycles and Braincells"
- Hard-Fi - "Cash Machine"
- McQueen - "Running Out of Things to Say"
- Midnight Juggernauts - "Fire Below"
- Stereophonics - "Dakota"
- The Rakes - "Retreat"
- Vatican DC - "Antisocial"
- WhiteSilver - "In Brief"
FIFA Manager 07
| FIFA Manager 07 | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Electronic Arts |
| Publisher(s) | Electronic Arts |
| Platform(s) | Windows |
| Release | November 3, 2006 |
| Genre(s) | Sports manager[*] |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
FIFA Manager 07 is the 2007 successor to the now annual FIFA Manager series from EA's sports brand, EA Sports. It is the follow-up to FIFA Manager 06.
FIFA Manager 07 Extra Time Expansion
The Extra Time expansion adds new features like a revised half time talk screen, new 3D stadiums, selling stand names, and more analysis for matches.
FIFA Manager 08
| FIFA Manager 08 | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Bright Future |
| Publisher(s) | EA Sports |
| Designer(s) | Gerald Köhler |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows |
| Release | November 2, 2007 |
| Genre(s) | Sports manager[*] |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
FIFA Manager 08 is the 2008 successor to the now annual FIFA Manager series from EA's sports brand, EA Sports. It is the follow-up to FIFA Manager 07. FIFA Manager 08 has been created by Bright Future and published by EA. FIFA 08's Official Site currently offers a Windows demo.
FIFA Manager 09
| FIFA Manager 09 | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Bright Future |
| Publisher(s) | Electronic Arts |
| Platform(s) | Windows |
| Release |
|
| Genre(s) | Sports manager[*] |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
FIFA Manager 09 is the 2009 successor to the FIFA Manager series from EA's sports brand, EA Sports. It is a follow up on FIFA Manager 08. FIFA Manager 09 was developed by Bright Future and published by EA Sports. It was released on 30 October 2008. On 29 October 2008, the first database update was released, including the first division of Cyprus and the necessary adjustments. The game gives players the chance to control a wide range of features from discussing tactics with individual players to creating monster stadiums to house fans.
FIFA Manager 09 received mixed reviews from Metacritic, with an average of 69%. Scores ranged from a dire 30% (Total PC Gaming) up to a more than respectable 85% (GameStar). Most reviews commented on the level of depth and realism involved in the game, while noting that it might well be too much for some. Play.tm called it "more a lifestyle than a game", observing that "a season, if played thoroughly, will take as long as most full games these days".[4] IT Reviews commented that, "it may still feel like you're awash with a tsunami of statistics but FIFA manager 09 has injected a number of new features to appeal to micromanagement fans".[5]
FIFA Manager 10
| FIFA Manager | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Bright Future GmbH |
| Publisher(s) | Electronic Arts |
| Platform(s) | Windows |
| Release | October 30, 2009 |
| Genre(s) | Sports manager[*] |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, Multiplayer |
FIFA Manager 10 is the 2010 successor to the FIFA Manager series from EA's sports brand, EA Sports, following up FIFA Manager 09. FIFA Manager 10 was developed by Bright Future and published by EA Spore. When installed there will be two executable files: Single-player mode and the Multiplayer mode that can be played online.[6] The game gives you the chance to control a wide range of features from discussing tactics with individual players to creating monster stadiums to house your fans. For the first time ever on the series, there is an online mode, as well as a superior 3D animation and a customizable manager desktop.[7] Bright Future have released a new update on June 2, specially for their 10th anniversary, the new update lets the players manage their national team through the FIFA World Cup 2010. The players can choose the national teams that they want in the tournament and they can choose the original squad or make up their own squad.
FIFA Manager 11
| FIFA Manager | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Bright Future GmbH |
| Publisher(s) | Electronic Arts |
| Platform(s) | Windows |
| Release | October 28, 2010 |
| Genre(s) | Sports manager[*] |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, Multiplayer |
FIFA Manager 11 is the 2011 successor to the FIFA Manager series from EA's sports brand, EA Sports, following up FIFA Manager 10, and is also the 10th edition of the franchise. FIFA Manager 11 was developed by Bright Future and published by EA Sports, and released on October 28, 2010.
The game features a vast array of all-new features. Hundreds of improvements to the game have been made across the board with a special focus on its core areas. Introduced in 2009 it also includes a separate online mode where up to 8 players can play against each other over the internet. The manager still has full control over the management of a football club. In the game you are responsible for the line-up, the tactics and the training of your team – as well as for signing the right players, improving the club facilities and the stadium. Special highlights are the FIFA 3D engine, more than 13,000 original player pictures, the player manager mode, the national team manager mode, the Create-a-Club mode and the Match Prognosis Tool.
FIFA Manager 12
| FIFA Manager | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Bright Future GmbH |
| Publisher(s) | Electronic Arts |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows |
| Release | October 21, 2011 |
| Genre(s) | Sports manager[*] |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, Multiplayer |
FIFA Manager 12 is a football manager simulation video game developed by Bright Future GmbH and published by Electronic Arts worldwide under the EA Sports label. It was released for Microsoft Windows on October 21, 2011. It is the eleventh game in FIFA Manager series of video games.
FIFA Manager 13
| FIFA Manager 13 | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Bright Future[8] |
| Publisher(s) | EA Sports[9] |
| Platform(s) | Windows |
| Release | |
| Genre(s) | Sports manager[*] |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
FIFA Manager 13 is a football management video game developed by Bright Future and published by Electronic Arts. The game was released on Windows on 25 October 2012. In the company's press release on 29 May 2012, Electronic Arts indicated that it would publish FIFA Manager 13 under its EA Sports label, and that Bright Future would develop the game, having previously developed earlier titles in the FIFA Manager series.[8]
A demo for the game was released on the 23 October 2012, 3 days before the release of the actual game. In the demo you can play in 1 of 6 leagues, chose to play from over 100 teams and play the first half of the current football season.
The new basic screen resolution of FIFA MANAGER 13 was increased from 1024x768 to 1280x1024 and the positional level was removed from the game. The general quality of a player will now be calculated with a formula that includes the skill levels and the player type.
FIFA Manager 14
| FIFA Manager 14 | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Bright Future |
| Publisher(s) | EA Sports |
| Designer(s) | Gerald Köhler |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows |
| Release | |
| Genre(s) | Sports manager[*] |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, Multiplayer |
FIFA Manager 14 is a football management video game developed by Bright Future GmbH, published by Electronic Arts worldwide under the EA Sports label and released on Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8 in October 2013. The game was mentioned in an EA press release on 8 May by EA Labels president Frank Gibeau and later fully confirmed on the German EA Facebook page on 19 July. A statement regarding the game was finally released on 31 July. The game was released on 24 October 2013 in Germany and a day later in the UK. It is the last instalment of the FIFA Manager series as it was announced no further editions after FIFA Manager 14 would be released.
The game was released as a Legacy Edition along with FIFA 14 for PS2, PSP, PS Vita, Wii and Nintendo 3DS. This means no updates to gameplay or game modes at all and no new game modes and features apart from updated kits, rosters and statistics. The only changes to FIFA Manager 14 are the fact that over 25 previously locked features are now available to play right from the start such as Psychological Profile, Coach Rumors, Team Matrix and Expanded Statistics. The international and national name pools have also undergone a complete overhaul, with over 6,000 names added.
The game consists of over 1000 officially licensed clubs, featuring more than 35,000 players, across more than 70 licensed leagues. FIFA MANAGER 14 retains all of the licenses from FIFA Manager 13, but with the addition of Brazil's Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, Chile's Campeonato Nacional Petrobras, Colombia's Liga Postobón, Argentine Primera División and the Polish Ekstraklasa. There is also the addition of licensed squads for all of the teams in the Ukrainian Premier League, Croatian Prva HNL and the Czech Gambrinus Liga.
References
- ↑ http://www.fm.de/home/blog/blogartikel/n/News/show/offener-brief-von-gerald/
- ↑ "Moby Games: Developer listing". Retrieved 2007-04-05.
- ↑ The F.A. Premier League Football Manager 2000 release information at GameFAQs
- ↑ http://play.tm/review/22324/fifa-manager-09 Play.tm
- ↑ http://www.itreviews.co.uk/games/g519.htm IT Reviews
- ↑ FIFA Manager 10 Impressions
- ↑ EA takes FIFA Manager 10 online
- 1 2 "FIFA MANAGER 13". Gamasutra. Electronic Arts. 29 May 2012. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
- ↑ Sliwinski, Alexander (9 June 2012). "FIFA 13, FIFA Manager 13 kick out E3 screens, trailer". Joystiq. Retrieved 24 September 2012.