Football Manager 2018 is just a few weeks away.
But before you go out and buy it, we’ve pulled together every single detail you need to know.
Football Manager 2018: Release date
Sega have announced that Football Manager 2018 will be launching on Friday 10 November 2017.
All three versions will be made available on same day for the first time ever: desktop (PC, Mac and Linux), Touch (PC, Mac, Linux, iOS and Android) and Mobile (iOS and Android).
Football manager 2018: Price
The new game will cost £37.99, which is slightly more expensive than the £34.99 they’ve asked for previous games.
Football Manager Touch 18 costs £21.99.
We’re not sure how much the price of the mobile game will be, but last season’s edition cost £8.99.
Football Manager 2018: BETA version and discounts
If you can’t wait for the official release in November, then there’s always the pre-purchase version (for Windows, macOS or Linux) through the SEGA approved digital retailer (which includes Steam).
You’ll be able to start pre-season at least two weeks prior to the official date through a fully-playable Beta version.
You can even continue your single player careers started in the Beta once you get the full game.
DREAM TEAM EXCLUSIVE OFFER: BET £5, GET A FREE £20 BET
Also, fans who pre-purchase Football Manager 2018 before October 9 and already have Football Manager 2017 in their Steam Library, will be able to receive a ‘Contract Extension Bonus’ discount of 25% off their purchase via Steam or the SEGA Store (see the embedded tweet above).
All purchases of Football Manager 2018 include a free copy of Football Manager Touch 2018 (for Windows, macOS or Linux only).
Football Manager 2018: Where to buy?
You can pre-purchase the game on the Football Manager website and here’s another look the SEGA approved digital retailer list.
The touch and mobile versions of the game will be available for download in the App Store, Google Play and on Amazon.
Football Manager 2018: System requirements
SI have suggested that most system specs are similar to those of FM 2017, but the required hard drive space has risen to 7GB (compared to 3GB before, so watch out for that).
Windows Requirements
Operating Systems (64-bit or 32-bit):
Windows Vista (SP2)
Windows 7 (SP1)
Windows 8/8.1
Windows 10 (1703/Creators Update)
Processor:
Intel Pentium 4, Intel Core or AMD Athlon
2.2 GHz or higher
Memory: 2 GB RAM
Graphics Cards: Cards equal to or better than the following:
Intel GMA X4500
NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
AMD/ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650
256MB VRAM
DirectX Version 9.0c or higher
Hard Drive Space: 7 GB available space
MAC Requirements
Operating Systems (64-bit only):
macOS 10.8.5 Mountain Lion
macOS 10.9.5 Mavericks
macOS 10.10.5 Yosemite
macOS 10.11.6 El Capitan
macOS 10.12.5 Sierra
macOS 10.13 High Sierra
Processor:
Intel Core 2 – 1.8 GHz or higher
Memory: 2 GB RAM
Graphics Cards: Cards equal to or better than the following:
Intel GMA X4500
NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
AMD/ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650
256MB VRAM
OpenGL 2.1 compliant
Hard Drive Space: 7 GB available space
SteamOS + LINUX Requirements
Operating Systems (64-bit only):
SteamOS
Ubuntu 14.04.5 LTS
Processor:
Intel Pentium 4, Intel Core or AMD Athlon
1.8GHz or higher
Memory: 2 GB RAM
Graphics Cards: Cards equal to or better than the following:
Intel HD Graphics 3000/4000
NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
AMD/ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650
256MB VRAM
OpenGL 2.1 compliant
Football Manager 2018: New features
This year, the folks over at SI will be releasing a series of snazzy reporter style videos to hype the new game’s features.
Check it out below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=F_1gPUeY0EY
For those of you seeking the short version, it looks like they’ve promised improvements in scouting, stadium design (which looks beautiful), more reliance on sports scientists, and an improved game engine.
Football Manager 2018: Team Dynamics
Dynamics is essentially the happiness and harmony of your squad and focuses on three key areas: Team Cohesion, Dressing Room Atmosphere, and Managerial Support.
Team cohesion controls how well-drilled your players are together on the pitch, with a higher rating improving players performance and overall teamwork.
Dressing room atmosphere reflects the overall mood among the players, with the general feeling around the dressing room ultimately reflecting the players individual morale.
This couples with how well your current squad will integrate with new signings; so bring in the right character and they’ll fit in with the rest of the team, but bring in someone a bit fiery… and you might begin to see some problems.
Managerial support tells you how happy the playing staff are with you, which is affected by how long you’ve been at the club, your worldwide reputation and how you interact with your players.
Check this out for more information.
Football Manager 2018: New Scouting System
SI have said the scouting centre for this year’s game has been completely overhauled, with data analysts set to play a key role in player recruitment (much like in real-life football management).
Their role is to look at specific players and follow statistical trends over a season to see if they could add something new to your team.
As we all know, stats have become increasingly important in football, so this is a great new feature for the game.
Football Manager 2018: Tactical Revamp
One of the most prominent features of this year’s game is the changes to the the tactical interface.
The tactics screen is now split into two, with ‘tactics’ and ‘players’ separate to allow you to see both sides at once and reduce any of the old clutter.
There’s also plenty to sink your teeth into in the the pre-match briefing.
Essentially, you can now tell your squad what you’re looking for in the game ahead, while each member of the team can provide you with feedback on their given instructions.
Football Manager 2018: Fantasy Draft
This year’s new and improved multiplayer mode allows players to get the better of their mates by assembling a squad from a pool of players and competing in a league or cup knockout format.
Football Manager 2018: Matchday Experience
In-game cut scenes, tunnel interviews, improved team talks and Player Watch among the innovative new features to the game’s matchday experience.
Football Manager 2018: Best teams to play as on the new game
Have you decided which team you want to be on the new game?
Personally, we always enjoy trying to put Gateshead on level pegs with Newcastle and Sunderland.
But that’s just us.
From Parma to Rangers, we’ve looked at seven teams we can’t wait to take charge of on FM18.
Football Manager 2018: Wonderkids
Unfortunately, no one knows anything about individual players on the game just yet.
But personally, we’re super excited to see how good the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Marcus Rashford will be.
While this is all speculation, some players you might want to look out for include 18-year-old Nice centre-back Malang Sarr, Juventus’ 17-year-old Moise Kean and Borussia Dortmund hotshot Alexander Isak.
The obvious ones remain, too.
We expect the prices of last year’s must-haves Ousmane Dembele and Gianluigi Donnarumma to be astronomical, while Manchester City’s Phil Foden and Liverpool’s Ben Woodburn will be pretty unobtainable.
