Football Manager 26, we know less about this game than we do about black holes or how the pyramids were built. In fact, as of right now, it's fair to say FM 26 is among the biggest mysteries in humankind, coming just after The Holy Grail.
It's been forever since Sports Interactive talked about the game, and that's because Football Manager 26 hasn't even been mentioned by the studio! We know developers are working hard on the next franchise installment, but fans are starting to wonder if that's Football Manager 26.
The community's worries, doubts, and skepticism reached a new level when they saw SEGA, Sports Interactive's owner and Football Manager publisher, announce a new football simulation game called "SEGA FOOTBALL CLUB CHAMPIONS." Very original name, by the way.
So, what is happening with Football Manager 26? Is SEGA FOOTBALL CLUB CHAMPIONS replacing the Franchise? And should fans be worried? Let's find out!
Is Football Manager 26 actually happening?
Like all of you, I don't know if Football Manager 26 will be released, but the writing on the wall isn't good. Sports Interactive went radio silent the last time before the cancellation of FM 25, so history isn't exactly on our side.
There have also been no leaks about the game, its development, or plans for the franchise. That leads me to think that only Sports Interactive workers and higher-ups at SEGA actually know what's going on.
While that is normal for most video games, it's pretty concerning regarding Football Manager 26. Fans haven't heard anything about the game, we don't know what to expect, when to expect it, and if we should even expect it.
I'm not saying Sports Interactive should release all the information about the game, announce its release date, platforms, new features, etc. A simple "hey, we know the community is concerned, but rest assured, we are working on Football Manager 26 and will have more news for you soon" would be appreciated.
If they could just show that it's alive, that would give Football Manager fans hope and build a little hype for the game, which is currently non-existent.
What does SEGA FOOTBALL CLUB CHAMPIONS mean for the future of FM?
SEGA FOOTBALL CLUB CHAMPIONS, the new football simulation game from the Japanese giants, was announced at the end of May. The game already has a trailer and an official website. Closed Beta signups and pre-registrations are already open.
With the game being a football management simulator from the parent company of Sports Interactive, it's only natural that fans started to speculate. Many are wondering if SEGA just decided to abandon Football Manager for the time being and focus on a new football simulation franchise.
While the game has familiar elements to Football Manager, including the questionable graphics, it seems more like a game designed to compete with Top Eleven or OSM.
It has two modes: Career Mode and Dream Team Mode, the latter of which is a PvP mode. I would be very surprised if Dream Team wasn't the main focus of this game.
While Career Mode offers your typical Football Manager experience, as it allows players to manage a team offline, it does so on a subpar level, or at least that's what it looks like now.
The game has partnered with many leagues worldwide, but the J League and K League were highlighted, which might suggest that it is directed at the Asian market.
So, I wouldn't worry about Football Manager being replaced by SEGA FOOTBALL CLUB CHAMPIONS, because even though they are games from the same genre, they have significantly different purposes.
At the same time, I think it's valid for Football Manager to be upset that we still don't know anything about FM 26, but that SEGA has just announced a similar game.
On the bright side, at least we have a new football simulation game to try while we wait for news about Football Manager 26.