The build to the release of the latest iteration of Football Manager continues with a new episode of Inside FM, which shows us the updates to the Fantasy Draft mode:
First introduced in the 2016 edition, the fantasy draft offers a new approach to online multiplayer in the game without the need to schedule entire seasons of play.
Apart from the usual ‘sleeker look and feel,’ the following gameplay updates and tweaks are promised:
- There will now be the option to play recurring seasons in fantasy draft league mode
- A mid-season draft has been introduced to act as a transfer window
- Players can join fantasy leagues already in progress at the end of each season, meaning if anyone drops out, they can be replaced
- Fantasy cups now have the option to play two-legged ties
- Options for setting up the game allowing players to adjust starting budgets (up to £500 million or two Neymars) and starting player pools
- Non-aging players (so Ronaldo can truly consider himself immortal) and injuries calculated over matches instead of weeks or months
Fan reaction on Twitter and YouTube has been mixed, with several players pointing out they rarely play anything other than career mode. However, others have expressed excitement about the new changes and trying out draft mode for the first time.
There are also calls for Sports Interactive to update us on the main focal area for an enjoyable simulation experience – the match engine – and for presenter Joe Tomlinson to change his shirt, which has appeared in all five videos so far. With more updates promised over the coming days, there is still hope on both counts.