Football Manager confirms why FM24 data update isn’t happening

As a seasoned Football Manager player with countless hours invested into this captivating game over the years, I must confess that the news about FM24 not receiving a data update has left me feeling somewhat crestfallen. The allure of managing my favorite clubs through the 2024/25 football season, with up-to-date player stats and team formations, was a tantalizing prospect. However, upon reflection, I’ve come to appreciate Sports Interactive’s decision to focus on delivering FM25 instead.

Sports Interactive, the creator of Football Manager, has officially announced that there won’t be an update for FM24. This news has left many fans, who had been hoping for one, feeling quite disheartened.

After learning that FM25 (Football Manager 25) has been delayed, fans are speculating if the creator will release a new data pack for the earlier version to represent the commencement of the 2024/25 football season.

Among the fans, it was generally believed that this update would bring a new lease of life to FM24, helping to alleviate some of the anticipation for FM25.

Instead of announcing a new update, Sports Interactive has confirmed that they are concentrating on developing Football Manager 2025, so no updates are planned at this time.

Clarity on why an FM24 Data Update is not possible ahead of FM25’s March release.
— Football Manager (@FootballManager) October 22, 2024

The message clearly confirms that there won’t be any official updates adding the 2024/25 season data for FM24, as it has been explicitly stated as “not possible”.

It turns out that to move assets from FM25 to FM24, a complete re-creation is necessary because, although several licensors initially showed interest, they can’t transfer the assets as they stand without going through a full recreation process.

In most cases, the same rule holds true for updates involving competition guidelines, translations, and database modifications. These updates – both new assets and data – must be presented together to secure licensor approval; they can’t be considered separately.

Tackling this project requires significant effort that might divert essential assets from ensuring the best output for Project FM25. We are committed to maintaining its high-quality standard and cannot afford to make any compromises.

After the choice to delay the launch of FM25 until March 2025, the information about the data update coincides with this timeline, allowing Sports Interactive sufficient time to deliver a well-crafted product.

Some players may question if it’s still beneficial to carry on with their Football Manager 24 (FM24) game save, given that the latest data isn’t integrated into their gaming experience.

On the other hand, numerous individuals are staying hopeful about the triumph of FM25. One supporter expresses: “Thank you for maintaining openness and updating us regularly on the happenings. Real FM enthusiasts will eagerly look forward to playing FM25 no matter what.

Sports Interactive has announced that fans who prefer not to wait the additional months can request a refund from the store where they pre-ordered the game instead.

Regardless of some resistance, the enthusiasm for FM25 is still at a peak level, as many anticipate it could be the most outstanding installment yet in the management series due to the extra development period.

FM25 is being positioned as a fresh start for the franchise, with a new game engine being deployed.

Experiencing a hold-up with FM25 and no fresh information being released can undeniably be aggravating. However, it’s reassuring to note that Sports Interactive is providing more clarity about the matter compared to leaving fans uninformed about the current situation.

2024-10-23 15:03

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