For the first time since 2004, Sports Interactive won’t release a new installment of their iconic series. Football Manager 25 has been officially canceled, but the franchise isn’t dead. The studio is already shifting focus to the next game.

While football has thrived in video games through third-person gameplay, where players control athletes on the field, sports management simulators have carved out their own loyal fanbase over the decades. One of the most successful series, Football Manager, developed by Sports Interactive, has reliably released a new installment every year since 2004—until now. After multiple delays, Football Manager 25 has been officially canceled, and the studio is now focusing on the next entry in the series.

The news comes after the management simulator was delayed twice, sparking significant concern among fans. The first delay was already a major blow, as the game missed its initial September-October 2024 release window and was pushed to the end of the year, with some features cut to meet the new deadline. However, just a month later, the game was delayed again, this time without a concrete release date, only a vague window set for March 2025.

But the problems piled up to the point where the London-based studio had to face reality: the game couldn’t meet the desired quality standards. In a statement, Sports Interactive admitted that while progress had been made in certain areas, the overall experience and user interface still fell short of expectations. Despite multiple delays, the team concluded that they wouldn’t be able to deliver the game at the desired level within the stipulated timeframe. Additionally, releasing the game after March would have forced players to purchase two titles in a short period, which the studio deemed unfair.

So why wait until February, just a month before the planned release? Sources indicate that the decision couldn’t be announced earlier due to agreements with commercial partners and legal and financial considerations. As a result, all pre-orders made through official stores will be automatically refunded.

The development team is now fully focused on the next Football Manager installment. The studio confirmed that there won’t be an update for Football Manager 24 with data from the 2024/25 season, as that would divert resources needed for the next game. However, they are in talks to extend licensing agreements, ensuring FM24 remains available on subscription platforms.

Despite this setback, Sports Interactive has assured fans that they are working hard to ensure the next Football Manager exceeds expectations. “We’re throwing everything into this new era of Football Manager,” the statement reads, making it clear that the studio’s goal remains delivering the best possible experience for the franchise’s loyal fanbase.

Source: 3djuegos