Sega and Sports Interactive Cancel Football Manager 25
Today, Sega and Sports Interactive have announced the cancellation of Football Manager 25, shifting their focus towards preparing for the next installment in the series. This decision comes after multiple delays for FM25, which was supposed to bring significant advancements to the franchise.
The repeated setbacks led to FM25 being delayed twice, with the most recent delay placing its release in the middle of the football season. Releasing FM25 and the expected FM26 within the same calendar year would have posed a challenge for Sports Interactive.
Acknowledging the disappointment this news may bring to fans, Sports Interactive has issued an apology and stated that pre-order customers will receive automatic refunds for FM25.
No Update to FM24
It was also confirmed that there will be no update to the latest entry in the series, FM24, with new player data. Sports Interactive explained that diverting resources towards updating FM24 would hinder the development of the upcoming release, which is their primary focus.
Challenges and Decision-Making
The decision to cancel FM25 was attributed to various challenges faced by the development team. Despite meeting targets in many areas, the overall player experience and interface did not meet the required standards.
Instead of releasing FM25 in its current state and addressing issues later, Sports Interactive chose to prioritize the quality of their next release. The team recognized the importance of meeting player expectations and did not want to disrupt the football season by releasing a game too late.
Future Plans
With FM25 now canceled, Sports Interactive is fully committed to delivering a high-quality next release that aligns with fan expectations. Updates on the progress of this new project will be shared as soon as possible.
The team expressed gratitude for the continued support and patience of fans and emphasized their dedication to creating a new era for Football Manager.
For further insights into the future of the Football Manager franchise, Eurogamer’s Chris Tapsell conducted a detailed interview with Sports Interactive boss Miles Jacobson last year. The interview delves into the studio’s plans, the differences between FM25 and FM24, and other interesting topics related to the popular football management simulation game.