FM 25 DEVELOPMENT UPDATE

[ds_61_1]

6 minutes ago, trevjim said:

Out of curiosity. Why did you pre order a digital product?

Lets not make out that this isn't normal. Plenty of people pre-order digital titles.

[Zek]

I can understand the delay, although it feels a bit misleading to show a roadmap and to even push for pre-orders when they already knew the game was never going to be finished in time for the 26 November release date, but I'm also a bit confused by the time between FM25 and FM26.

There are almost certainly licensing/legal issues in play here, but if there aren't I think releasing a data update for FM24 would be a better thing to do at this point so they can move all their assets to FM26.
Because I don't think new players would be interested into buying a yearly sports game when the season is already almost over by the time of release and the next game is only eight months away.

[vrig]

Just shoot FM25 in the head. Update the FM24 database and have another go next year. At least SI have now made every mistake in the book, so there's plenty to learn from if they're willing.

[diLLa88]

Just now, ds_61_1 said:

Lets not make out that this isn't normal. Plenty of people pre-order digital titles.

Which is dumb and should not be normal.

[vikeologist]

Got to love the fact that almost every single comment on Twitter is the same. 'Skip FM25, Release data update, etc'.

If this was a normal cycle like the last 10 or so years, at what point would they have started on FM26?

You'd think this would make the FM26 development cycle tough, because they're going to have to allocate a huge amount of resources to FM25 for at least a couple of months after its release. Focussing on FM26 in May or more likely June is going to make it tough to achieve a Nov '26 release.

They must have considered writing off FM25.

Even though the last 5 years have seriously dented my brand loyalty to SI, I still wish them the best, but I'm writing off FM25, unless they manage to pull off a really well-built game in March. Which is possible. They've just given themselves another 5 months, and I'm sure they realise that delaying the game is a lot less damaging than releasing a bad game. But if they release a bad game in March, well, that will be a challenge to recover from both reputation-wise, and being able to release FM26 in time.

[sufcdan]

Should have had an official data update out for 24 for when they announced this delay, at least it would go someway as damage limitation

 

[renato.]

Zealand said something about SI putting jobs avaliable aiming people to work on Unity years ago, like 3 or 4 years.

So FM25 is being worked on since then and after all this show (I wanted to put another word before "show"), they delay the game because it's not ready.

Congratulations, I feel like an idiot for liking this game so much. If you were clear from the start at least...

[KeegBCFC]

Gonna have to continue playing second phase set piece simulator until March then. Great.

[LingLing]

I don't mind the delay, I would like, maybe controversialy, that they release new game every 2 years, to have something to show, some meaningful changes (unlike FM24), and in the meantime make first year update free, then 2nd year charge for DLC updates (hard to pull off without removing the editor).

 

However, I hope SI release update for FM24 now, with latest and shiniest db.

[ForTheLoveOfTheGame]

Another thing, how did they host that Women’s night just a few days ago with hundreds of attendees in good faith? 😆

[forameuss]

1 minute ago, renato. said:

Zealand said something about SI putting jobs avaliable aiming people to work on Unity years ago, like 3 or 4 years.

So FM25 is being worked on since then and after all this show (I wanted to put another word before "show"), they delay the game because it's not ready.

Congratulations, I feel like an idiot for liking this game so much. If you were clear from the start at least...

So how long exactly does it take to move a creaking in-house engine over to Unity then since you seem to have an idea of what's acceptable?

[Fausto]

im a bit sad , i wanted to play FM25 so bad , but looks like its not even close to finish , i remember Grand turismo was like 3 years delay but then the product was at high standards, i think this is the start of FM 25 no (2025) so i think the will release FM 25 mid next year and a year or more FM 26(maybe not real 2026) so we just add number to FM 25 , 26 , 27 but that i dont think will mean the years anymore

[albertocerdeira.4]

If there is a little bit of respect of SI for the people that has been playing the series for so long, they wouldn’t release FM25 and they give us a squad update. 
 

I happily would pay something for an squad update

[andu1]

At least we will have a "beta" thread in feb/march..

It was obvious from the lack of marketing the game was not ready 

[Cavjj]

I'd rather play a late game that's good than a bad game, so the decision to delay is the correct one, but the journey here has been thoroughly disappointing and below the very high standards we usually get from SI.

The studio and publishers have made a series of bad judgements about the timeline, and the communication throughout this release has been awful.

I'm sure the game will be great when it releases, and I think the anger from those who haven't paid anything should be a bit more reasonable, but I think many of the questions being asked and concerns being raised are legitimate.

[DaddyPig86]

This has all become a bit of a farce.

[GunmaN1905]

5 minutes ago, diLLa88 said:

I dont see how they can keep the same release schedule for 26 and onwards tbh. There is no way to justify asking €50 for a game that is only relevant for like 6 months (not even counting that there is no guarantee that FM25 will even be in a good state by March).

Offering a 50% discount for FM26 to anyone who's got FM25 in library seems reasonable.
A lot of people will surely skip FM25 and wait for FM26, but loyal customers should be thanked for putting up with the delays and still buying the game that will be active for only 6 months or so.

[DarkStarr]

Probably been said already,  but just scrap FM25, and focus on FM26 instead.  

What would be good idea I think,  is to release a transfer update for FM24.  Could even change the name of it to FM25. 

[davehanson]

Is anyone who criticized those who pointed out the release date was 'From' going apologise either? 

Anyway. To be fair to SI this clearly isn't a decision that they have taken lightly and I am sure they realise it won't be popular with players. But, I would much rather them delay to March and get a proper working game than release another CM4 now. Loads of other companies would have released now and then just patched the game as best they could. 

If it releases eary-ish March then there is still 6 months playtime before (hopefully) FM26 comes out. 

 

[whatsupdoc]

After taking pre-orders for it. Wow.

Anyway, that's a good thing. I'd prefer to wait than for it to be a shambles. Clearly bit off more than they could chew.

[vikeologist]

It would be fun to pull up the comments today of those who've spent the last 10 years saying on here that FM should only be released bi-annually.

[forameuss]

For all the haughty march down the garden to pick up the pitchforks, there's no real way to know what has gone on between "here's our roadmap, and it'll be released at the end of November" and "yeah, it's going to be March lads, soz".  It makes little sense that they would go through with the whole stuff they did last week if they didn't think there was a chance of releasing something functional when they said they would.  It's very possible that they simply came across something that look their idea of November and gleefully kicked it to death.  It doesn't matter how close you are to release, it happens.  If there really is some nefarious plan to this to try and extort pre-order money from people and hope they won't refund, they wouldn't be announcing this now, and could have strung things along by being vague enough with their roadmap announcements. 

And also, one point about whether it's worth releasing 25 and not just waiting until 26.  I wouldn't be surprised if they've not already got a massive package of licenses purchased that only entitle them to use next season.  They're already in damage limitation mode, you really think they're not just going to take the hit of not releasing a title at all, but also potentially waste that not-insignificant license money?  No chance.

Ultimately a March release is incredibly disappointing, but with pressure off, it could well be the most stable title we've had in a while, and give a chance to add some stuff that would have never made November.  

Edited Thursday at 14:41 by forameuss

[KeegBCFC]

There won't be an update for FM24 as they stop working on the game totally in March every year to focus on the next edition. Now we get the game in March, so what does that mean for the future? Cos if they are expecting people to pay full price at the end of the football season, to then try and release another edition in November, they are crazy.

[Arnar]

They should just put out a data update for fm24 and release fm26 in early september and that way get into releasing the game earlier every season instead of november.

[Novem9]

5 часов назад, -Jef- сказал:

Honestly, I think we are way past the "seeming real ignorant" regarding most of the discussion here. Cannot believe we've had 2-3 pages of "SI will not release game on 26th, they are covering for themselves".

When I read your letter this morning, I thought it might be ironic. But I didn't think it would be so quick.

[diLLa88]

1 minute ago, GunmaN1905 said:

Offering a 50% discount for FM26 to anyone who's got FM25 in library seems reasonable.
A lot of people will surely skip FM25 and wait for FM26, but loyal customers should be thanked for putting up with the delays and still buying the game that will be active for only 6 months or so.

It's probably the least they can do really. Even if FM25 by some miracle turns out to be good, I'll probably still wait for FM26.

[Conardo]

Should it now be postponed until 11/25 - or does SI then want to bring out FM 26 in six months after a release in March?

[vikeologist]

2 minutes ago, andu1 said:

At least we will have a "beta" thread in feb/march..

It was obvious from the lack of marketing the game was not ready 

Yes, they should have led with that. 

The good news - There will be a forum beta thread as usual.

The bad news - 

[metal_guitarist]

2 minutes ago, albertocerdeira.4 said:

If there is a little bit of respect of SI for the people that has been playing the series for so long, they wouldn’t release FM25 and they give us a squad update. 
 

I happily would pay something for an squad update

There’s all sorts of reasons why a database update might not be be possible for FM24 - licensing, resources to do it given that they’re working on FM25, there might be changes in the database structure with whatever new features are being added to FM25 so they then would need to translate that data back to the previous version which is even more work. 

[albertocerdeira.4]

Would be fine if somebody could tell us if there is a chance in getting the squad update we are all asking for

[hufcpaul]

The lack of communication from SI has been awful and deep down, everyone knew something was up. I won't be buying a game in March when the season ends in May.

[KeegBCFC]

2 minutes ago, davehanson said:

Is anyone who criticized those who pointed out the release date was 'From' going apologise either? 

Anyway. To be fair to SI this clearly isn't a decision that they have taken lightly and I am sure they realise it won't be popular with players. But, I would much rather them delay to March and get a proper working game than release another CM4 now. Loads of other companies would have released now and then just patched the game as best they could. 

If it releases eary-ish March then there is still 6 months playtime before (hopefully) FM26 comes out. 

 

6 months of play time and then being expected to pay the full price again would be disgraceful, but not surprising from SI.

[McClane29]

Wow! What a hot mess SI have made with FM25. On one hand, it's certainly the best decision to postpone the game, but how long have SI been working on this release? This is now the second time the release date has been pushed back; what makes us think another 5 months of development will be enough to sort this out?

As others have already said, putting up pre-orders and publishing a cryptic roadmap is just in bad taste from SI. They know this is a loyal fanbase and the majority of the core fans will be purchasing blind. 

FM25 is now pretty much pointless assuming the release for FM26 will be following the usual November release schedule (a later release into the season would be ridiculous).

Just cancel FM25 altogether and provide owners of FM24 with a squad update database as a goodwill gesture.

[jcw163]

A proper CM3 level **** up in big twenty twenty four, remarkable really

[Cavjj]

On scrapping FM25: I wonder how the Premier League would react given the new much-heralded licencing deal? I would imagine SI / FM Franchise are contracted on the releases that they make. I suspect that alone would make scrapping FM25 problematic.

[GunmaN1905]

1 minute ago, metal_guitarist said:

There’s all sorts of reasons why a database update might not be be possible for FM24 - licensing, resources to do it given that they’re working on FM25, there might be changes in the database structure with whatever new features are being added to FM25 so they then would need to translate that data back to the previous version which is even more work. 

Tbh, there are plenty of third party updates out there, a few surely good enough to be the official update.
The only legal issue would be moving the calendar, idk if it's possible, but I don't think resources and manpower would be an issue, especially since saves and databases are compatible between releases and we can carry saves over to FM25.

[danmcconnell1]

8 minutes ago, vikeologist said:

They've just given themselves another 5 months, and I'm sure they realise that delaying the game is a lot less damaging than releasing a bad game. But if they release a bad game in March, well, that will be a challenge to recover from both reputation-wise, and being able to release FM26 in time.

Agree with this point. I think the gripe the community have is that the PR teams were plugging, heavily, pre-orders for a game those in dev knew full well, was nowhere near ready for the original release date, which was later than normal anyway. 

Honesty and integrity goes a long way for loyal fans and it feels like we're being lied to constantly at the minute.

[StevehFC]

7 minutes ago, albertocerdeira.4 said:

If there is a little bit of respect of SI for the people that has been playing the series for so long, they wouldn’t release FM25 and they give us a squad update. 
 

I happily would pay something for an squad update

I'll be starting a FM24 save tonight. At least we can still play International Football on it. 

[davehanson]

1 minute ago, KeegBCFC said:

6 months of play time and then being expected to pay the full price again would be disgraceful, but not surprising from SI.

Why would it be disgraceful? 
 

Most 'playtimes' on games now if you complete one are somewhere from 10-30 hours. Why is 6 months disgraceful? 

[Rodrigogc]

The whole issue is not delaying the game, this is a correct decision after all, since it is clear the game is not going to be polished until november. What makes people sad is how unclear and the lack of transparency by SI. There were many red flags showing the game is far from finished, but SI kept pushing the roadmap thing as if things were going on as expected. Saying in this week we will get real news about women's football, it's been 3 days and they've show nothing, and now THIS!

To me it shows some sort of lack of real management inside the company, as FM25 has been on its production for years. We've been fed promises for 2 years almost and all we have is a bunch of TBAs and statements proving how right people are for being skeptical about this game. 

Not a threat or something, but I hope they deliver a great game in March because I feel a lot of people are getting fed up with so many unfulfilled promises.

[davehanson]

2 minutes ago, jcw163 said:

A proper CM3 level **** up in big twenty twenty four, remarkable really

CM3 was fine though

[armbi]

So the first gamplay video will be on february 2025 😉

[WelshMourinho]

Anyone with sense could see this game was in trouble from the way their rollout has panned out.

People on here were still saying "we don't know, we haven't seen anything"  as if that also wasn't a massive indication that the game just wasn't ready. 

Nothing more to say on it. 

[KeegBCFC]

1 minute ago, davehanson said:

Why would it be disgraceful? 
 

Most 'playtimes' on games now if you complete one are somewhere from 10-30 hours. Why is 6 months disgraceful? 

If you are happy buying a data update for full price 6 months after buying the game then that is fine

[albertocerdeira.4]

hace 2 minutos, metal_guitarist dijo:

There’s all sorts of reasons why a database update might not be be possible for FM24 - licensing, resources to do it given that they’re working on FM25, there might be changes in the database structure with whatever new features are being added to FM25 so they then would need to translate that data back to the previous version which is even more work. 

Whatever work needs to be done is better than release a football game in MARCH. 

 

Ok, FM, that is the franchise that made me happier than anybody else, has failed with FM25. Fine, but at least, skip this year and gave the people only a database update, even for twenty pounds.

 

But releasing a football game in March is lilke open a ski station on June or to schedule a beach trip on January

[diLLa88]

1 minute ago, jimbo22 said:

Nots sure its good to talk about people losing jobs but there will be a lot of issues in house over this, its probably losing the company millions of pounds. Someone will be getting their arse felt over this. 

Considering the amount of licensing going on I'm sure this will be a feast for lawyers as well.

[davehanson]

Just now, KeegBCFC said:

If you are happy buying a data update for full price 6 months after buying the game then that is fine

Ah, so you are already speculating on what FM26 will have in it then. Excellent. 

[Ghost77]

The Roadmap now seems like a bunch of premeditated lies, sorry to say, SI. 

[SHK-555]

Just now, CamAshworth said:

Nick Madden knew ladies and gentlemen - Nick Madden knew.

I was just about to say, him leaving definitely raised red flags for me

[shaunwwfc]

Three things spring to mind

1) They should honestly not bother, focus on FM26. March release is awful. It has been badly handled, badly communicated. 

2) Instead of the March release, kill two birds by focusing on 26 and releasing a data update, rights update for 24, sure you can patch it so it is essentially 2025 anyway. You would probably find people would even pay for that, say a £5-10 patch.

3) The future does not look great, lets be honest. Was anyone that bothered about Unity? I mean I dont speak for everyone, but to me, your not playing FM/CM if its any further than 2D anyway. A great ME, get the basics right, let the imagination do the rest and run away with you. I don't need to see Jack Grealish calves. 

Not sure if others are feeling this way - but I am actually really enjoying FM24 anyway, so this actually hasn't stung me that much. Perhaps it is the final "true classic" game of this wonderful series.