FM25 delayed again, this time to March 2025. Lack of transparency from SI leaves fans feeling let down. What does this mean for the game?
SI's transparency woes worsen as FM25 faces yet another delay, leaving fans
in the dark until March 2025.
The Delay That Broke Our Patience
The frustration is palpable. For months, we’ve waited with a mix of excitement and cautious optimism for Football Manager 2025, the version of the beloved game that promised to take things to the next level. But once again, the team at Sports Interactive (SI) has managed to let us down—not just because of the game's delay, but because of how they've handled it.
A Six-Month Setback
The news just broke: Football Manager 2025 has been pushed back to March 2025. Yes, you read that right. After already being postponed once, it's now been delayed for an additional six months. And what's worse? The communication, or rather lack thereof, from SI has been nothing short of dismal. There has been no consistent dialogue with fans about the game's development journey. No insights, no behind-the-scenes glimpses—just silence, and then, out of the blue, another major setback.
Poor Communication Leaves Fans Frustrated
Take a look at how they chose to break the news: a simple, almost robotic announcement on their social media channels. It feels disconnected from a community that’s been nothing but loyal. The tweet below sums it up—no depth, no empathy, just a statement to dampen our spirits. For a game that’s meant to be about passion, it’s disappointing to see this lack of care in how its makers communicate with those who keep it alive.
We have made the tough decision to delay the release of Football Manager 25 until March 2025.
Statement: https://t.co/zW7dRd1Lkp pic.twitter.com/UKPnz4l0Gb
— Football Manager (@FootballManager) October 10, 2024
The Official Statement: A Missed Opportunity
And then we get to the official announcement on their website, which offers some context, sure, but not much comfort. The reasons given for the delay—issues related to cross-platform development and an expanded feature set—seem plausible, but they could have told us about these challenges sooner. A little transparency goes a long way, and it’s hard not to feel like SI has taken us for granted, stringing us along without considering the community's expectations. The lack of regular updates or openness about the development struggles only adds salt to the wound.
In their statement, SI mentioned: "For the large numbers of you who have already pre-ordered the game, we thank you very much for your trust and support. Given the delay, however, should you wish to claim a refund, please contact your retailer." This acknowledgement is important, but it feels like a mere afterthought, tucked away without much emphasis. The community deserves better—clearer communication, more frequent updates, and genuine empathy for the players who have invested their time and money in anticipation.
There Will Be Beta Access for FM25
Another significant point from their announcement was about Advanced Access (known among the community as Beta Access). SI stated: "Something you noted as missing from our announcement on 30 September was mention of Advanced Access on PC/Mac. We can confirm Advanced Access will be available ahead of the new release date and, when we are confident on how long that period will be, we will update you at the first opportunity." While it’s good to see they are listening to community concerns, the vague promise of an update does little to instill confidence. Additionally, the gameplay reveal, which is now rescheduled to the end of January 2025, feels like another carrot dangled just out of reach.
A Community Let Down
Let’s be honest: this is a tough blow for all of us. The Football Manager community thrives on the annual cycle, the excitement of a new season, the anticipation of fresh features and challenges. To have that disrupted not once, but twice, feels like a betrayal. It makes us wonder if SI truly understands how deeply this game matters to its players. The silence, followed by a sudden delay, only deepens that feeling of being left out in the cold.
Holding Onto Hope
Yet, despite all this, we must hold onto a bit of hope. The ambition behind FM25—to bring a truly revolutionary experience to both PC and console players—is immense. If the added time means a better, more polished game that lives up to its potential, then perhaps the wait will be worth it. We’ll keep our fingers crossed that when March 2025 finally comes, we’ll have a game that makes all this frustration worthwhile. And maybe—just maybe—SI will learn that openness with their fans isn't a luxury; it’s a necessity.
