[Official] Football Manager 2011

[Crazysah]

Football Manager 2011 (abbreviated to Football Manager 11 or FM11) is a football manager simulation video game. It was released on Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X on 5 November 2010.

Football Manager 2011 is the latest iteration of the award-winning Football Manager series. Selling in excess of 6 Million copies worldwide, Football Manager has been topping the UK PC charts for the last five years.

The 2011 edition will be more polished than ever, and Sports Interactive will again set a new standard for the genre by adding a host of new features. For the first time ever, aspiring managers can now negotiate contracts with players in real time. And by working with a multitude of real-life football agents, Sports Interactive gained an insight as to how these negotiations can be made as realistic as possible in-game. Prepare to meet different types of agents in your contract talks; each with their own personality so will therefore need a different approach.

It's out now. Does anyone here have it? How is it? Is it better than FM 2010?

Crazysah

[Petvas]

I have preordered it and it should be here today or on Monday. I will post again as soon as I have time to play with it :)

[ylcard]

Pre-ordered it on Steam and found out it costs around $29 on Amazon (55% discount) about three days ago... oh well :p

I'm fairy happy with the game, as always the UI has changed and they added a bunch of new features that add a bit of realism, but the game itself hasn't really changed.

I'm not a fan of the new features, I don't like wasting time talking to randomly generated messages that are supposedly my players, or do press conferences (not new) against a 3rd division club trying not to **** their pants when they play my Real side in Copa del Rey... It's really bugging me that all these features are simply shoved down our throats, letting the Ass. Man handle it means that you can still feel the effects of it on the team, and god knows how terrible an Ass. Man can be.

Still I think it's an improvement from 10, which I think wasn't all that popular to begin with, so it's not like 11 had a huge bar to reach.

[Dark_ph0enix]

Like I said in the first Football Manager 2011 thread, against my better judgement, I downloaded the Strawberry demo via Steam, and started playing it. I've just got to the start of the season, and after playing it for a (relatively) short period of time - I don't think I'm gonna upgrade.

Usually with FM, I average around 3 years on each game. That's to say, I started with FM2004, then upgraded to FM2007, before upgrading again to FM2010 last year. I personally LOVE FM2010 - for me it's the best one in the series, which is perhaps reflected in the 366hrs of gameplay I've clocked up (might not be a lot to some people, but for me, that's a hell of a lot of gaming).

The main reason, going into the 2011 demo, for being reluctant to upgrade, is because of my progress with Villa, upto this point. I'm due to move into an 80,000+ seater stadium soon, and have recently won a 4th consecutive Premier League title (to go with the 3FA Cups, 4 League Cups, 1 Champions League, as well as the possibility of the final for both the FA Cup and another Champions League). That and I've got my sights set on flying up the Manager Hall of Fame ;)

Having spent a few hours playing the 2011 Demo - There are enough things that I dislike, that - at least for the moment, will make me stick with 2010. I personally don't really like the interface - it's like they've tried to put too much information on the screen. To be fair, the interface has changed everytime I've upgraded, so I'd probably get used to it, but it felt a bit 'heavy' for me. The other thing, is the role of Agents when it comes to negotiations - I don't wanna try and faff around deciding how much money you personally get - I just wanna negociate the fee / details for the player. Speaking of which...

The whole Player / Manager interaction. Going into the demo, I thought it was a really, really interesting idea, but it seems a bit 'forced' to me.

As for the 'match day' element. I've gotta prefice this, by saying I was playing FM2011 on a nettop. Albeit an Atom/ION (i.e. fully capable of 1080p playback) packing one, but still - a nettop. The new 3D match highlights engine ran a lil slowly for me - not to the extent that it'd be distracting, but definitely not as fast as the 2010 game. However, to balance that out, the different camera options is a good idea.

So yeah - tl;dr -> Downloaded the demo via Steam, but for me, there isn't enough incentive to leave my Villa team of legends, and start all over again, in 2011. Perhaps by the time 2012 is due to be released, and Steam cut the price on 2011 - then I might possibly consider it, but yeah, for me, I'm gonna stick with Fm2010.

[Petvas]

I have a different opinion. I got FM2011 today morning and I have been playing it the last three hours. Surely the time isn't enough to judge the game fully, but my first impressions are very positive. I like the new negotiation options, the interaction with managers, the improved interface and the in game action. It also seems to be faster.

[Crazysah]

Well the last FM I played was 2009. So I'm wondering whether to get 2011 or stick with 2009.

[Vortex566]

The game is like digital crack! I always just want to play that one more game. I much prefer the 2D match engine, and I've got no time for the 3D one.

[ylcard]

I don't like this bug.. in Spain players get an auto-ban after their second yellow card, which should be 3 if I'm not mistaken. either way.. I'm still playing.. but it's getting silly seeing all those icons telling me that half my squad will be banned for the next game if the ref decides to be ****y about something.?

Ahahah, this was great, I had some awesome come backs and last-minute goals this season, but this one is my favorite so far..

I played like ****, this was the only "shot" on target out of 5 total shots on goal that I had (Getafe having 12/2 and taking over the match with 56% possession).

Total 8 yellow cards, last game I also had 8 yellow cards...

So far this season I got 49 yellow cards and 5 red cards, out of a 26 man squad. I wouldn't say it's extremely unrealistic, but coupled with the annoying 2-yc-ban bug, it makes the game very "edgy" for me, constantly looking for the next fixture to see if I'll miss half my squad...

[red.]

I've somehow got West Ham to second in PL mainly thanks to Landon Donavon who was offered to me for a pretty low price :p

[Crazysah]

So, is the game worth it? Shall I buy it?

[swissdude]

Yea' what's the opinion?

I've bought all the FM's but for some reason...maybe coz it's such a time waste and addictive....I'm reluctant to buy 2011

I want to know the opinions of people though - if it is a drastic improvement from 2010 then I think I'll buy it

What's the thought lads?

[Dark_ph0enix]

I've played around with the demo for a few more hours (having recently passed the 370hr mark on 2010), and for me - it's a no go. There isn't enough incentive, at the moment, to shell out ?30 to upgrade to the new version. Having played the 2011 Demo for a few more hours, I still stand by what I said previously:

Having spent a few hours playing the 2011 Demo - There are enough things that I dislike, that - at least for the moment, will make me stick with 2010. I personally don't really like the interface - it's like they've tried to put too much information on the screen. To be fair, the interface has changed everytime I've upgraded, so I'd probably get used to it, but it felt a bit 'heavy' for me. The other thing, is the role of Agents when it comes to negotiations - I don't wanna try and faff around deciding how much money you personally get - I just wanna negociate the fee / details for the player. Speaking of which...

The whole Player / Manager interaction. Going into the demo, I thought it was a really, really interesting idea, but it seems a bit 'forced' to me.

As for the 'match day' element. I've gotta prefice this, by saying I was playing FM2011 on a nettop. Albeit an Atom/ION (i.e. fully capable of 1080p playback) packing one, but still - a nettop. The new 3D match highlights engine ran a lil slowly for me - not to the extent that it'd be distracting, but definitely not as fast as the 2010 game. However, to balance that out, the different camera options is a good idea.

So yeah - tl;dr -> Downloaded the demo via Steam, but for me, there isn't enough incentive to leave my Villa team of legends, and start all over again, in 2011. Perhaps by the time 2012 is due to be released, and Steam cut the price on 2011 - then I might possibly consider it, but yeah, for me, I'm gonna stick with Fm2010.

[ylcard]

Especially not worth it with the current bugs, quite game-breaking.

[yeoo_andy_ni]

I love FM2009. Didn't play much of 2010, but have just got 2011, and am going to give it a go tonight.

I have got Shrewsbury (FM2009) to the premier league and won Champions League, Europa League, World Club Cup, FA Cup, League Cup and Premier league. It took me 8 game years to get to this point! Just got offered (and accepted) the Brazil job after a short but successful spell as Greece manager. Couldn't turn down the Brazil job, therefore leaving Greece (hence the short spell).

[Dark_ph0enix]

I love FM2009. Didn't play much of 2010, but have just got 2011, and am going to give it a go tonight.

I have got Shrewsbury (FM2009) to the premier league and won Champions League, Europa League, World Club Cup, FA Cup, League Cup and Premier league. It took me 8 game years to get to this point! Just got offered (and accepted) the Brazil job after a short but successful spell as Greece manager. Couldn't turn down the Brazil job, therefore leaving Greece (hence the short spell).

In real life, I love Brazil - brilliant footballing history. In FM, I hate 'em with a passion. I got offered the Bazil job after about 3 game years, which I gladly accecpted. Lasted three months, before being sacked. I'm currently England Manager (along with Aston Villa), and I'm hoping the boys get the opportunity to thrash 'em :)

[Shibby]

I could never get into 2010, but I'll give 2011 a go since its the only footy sim out there for PC currently. ?As some as you may be aware I am a CM fanboy but the game and studio is mismanaged so FM is currently the only way to go for footy sims. ?The CM on iPhone doesn't even have a sodding loan system!

[Shibby]

Ugh. ?I want to find out what players demands are before I start to enter talks with them first. ?If I exit talks then they won't talk to me again. ? I need to know how much a free agents wants, I need weigh in money terms if I can get certain players, i.e ?If one player is asking a certain amount and knowing that I can get 2 players for that then I won't bother with the player out of my price range. ?But in order to know that information i have got to start talks.... ?Sometimes realism is just too far.?

[Crazysah]

So I get the feel that if you have FM 2010 then this is not worth it? I haven't played FM 2010 at all.. I last played FM 2009. Is it a worthy upgrade? I think a new patch is out as well!

[hackdoom]

So I get the feel that if you have FM 2010 then this is not worth it? I haven't played FM 2010 at all.. I last played FM 2009. Is it a worthy upgrade? I think a new patch is out as well!

Have you played the demo? It appears to offer a good look on how the actual game plays out.

http://www.footballmanager.com/demo

P.S.: Update your sig.'s link to Season 5! ;)

[Crazysah]

Have you played the demo? It appears to offer a good look on how the actual game plays out.

http://www.footballmanager.com/demo

P.S.: Update your sig.'s link to Season 5! ;)

Updated my sig. I did try out the demo for a small bit but not enough to know whether or not it is a worthy upgrade from FM 2009. That's why I'm asking all of you who have played it.

[red.]

I have to say that i much prefer the new instant negotiations for contracts. It was pretty annoying before where you had to wait like a day to see if the contracts were accepted or not by which time you could forget.

[Shibby]

I have to say that i much prefer the new instant negotiations for contracts. It was pretty annoying before where you had to wait like a day to see if the contracts were accepted or not by which time you could forget.

Oh yes that is rather sweet, but the problem with it is you can't get an initial estimate, in order to get that you need to enter into talks, once you exit I assume its some time before you can start again. ?Also can the talks go on over the days? because in reality clubs are doing more than just talking to one player at a time...

I'm starting to think is this feature really that good??

[Dark_ph0enix]

I have to say that i much prefer the new instant negotiations for contracts. It was pretty annoying before where you had to wait like a day to see if the contracts were accepted or not by which time you could forget.

My problem with the contract negotiations, is the role of the Agents - some of them want obscene amounts of money - I went into one negotiation, and the agent wanted something like ?6m for his part in the deal.

[red.]

Oh yes that is rather sweet, but the problem with it is you can't get an initial estimate, in order to get that you need to enter into talks, once you exit I assume its some time before you can start again. ?Also can the talks go on over the days? because in reality clubs are doing more than just talking to one player at a time...

I'm starting to think is this feature really that good??

I agree that may be a problem for new players but i find it much more helpful and better for negotiating with current players.

As for finding the worth of a player, usually when you've scouted a player you can look at their report which usually has an indication of how much they will cost and how much they want as a wage. I usually use that as a guide.

My problem with the contract negotiations, is the role of the Agents - some of them want obscene amounts of money - I went into one negotiation, and the agent wanted something like ?6m for his part in the deal.

Yes that's quite annoying. One of the agents was asking four times the amount the club were willing to give and he was pretty insistent. I got him down to a low amount after a while by increasing the signing on fee by quite a lot. But i don't mind it too much, i feel the (random) agents feature makes it slightly more realistic and entertaining than before (although i've only played a couple of months in game so it could end up really annoying me eventually :p).

[ylcard]

Woohoo !!

The hotfix has been released today !

It is save game compatible !

On to my Real Madrid save !