In a surprising turn of events, Sega has announced that the highly anticipated Football Manager 2025 will not see the light of day. In a joint statement, Sega and Sports Interactive confirmed the cancellation of the game and assured that all preorders would be fully refunded.
The reason behind this unexpected decision is clear: the game, which had already been delayed twice, was deemed too unfinished to release. The developers had set ambitious goals, promising a significant technological leap for the new installment. Unfortunately, they were unable to meet these lofty expectations at this time. This level of transparency is refreshing, especially when compared to other sports simulators that sometimes release nearly identical versions year after year with minimal changes (we're talking to you, NBA 2K!).
Despite the commendable honesty, the news remains disheartening for fans. Adding to the disappointment, the developers also announced that Football Manager 24 will not receive updates for the new season's data. This is a significant setback for the community, particularly for those who have seen real-life career opportunities arise from their in-game successes. For the next year, players will have to make do with an outdated version of the game.
As we move forward, all eyes will be on future announcements from Sega and Sports Interactive. Fans of the series will undoubtedly be eager to see what the next steps will be for this beloved, albeit niche, franchise.
