Football Manager 25 Canceled: Dev Issues Apology to Fans

In a surprising move, Sega and UK-based developer Sports Interactive have announced the cancellation of Football Manager 25 across all platforms. This marks the first time the long-running sports simulation series has missed an annual release since its inception in 2004. The decision comes after what has been a challenging development cycle, particularly with the transition to the Unity game engine.

Sports Interactive had previously touted FM25 as promising "the biggest technical and visual advancement for the series in a generation." However, the shift to Unity has led to significant issues, especially with the player experience and interface. The cancellation was disclosed during Sega Sammy Holdings’ recent financial results, which also included a writedown of costs related to the game. After "extensive internal discussion and careful consideration," the decision was made in collaboration with parent company Sega. IGN confirmed that no roles at Sports Interactive are affected by this news.

In a blog post to fans, Sports Interactive stated that there will be no update for Football Manager 24 with the 2024/25 season data, as it would "divert critical resources away from the development of the next release which requires our full focus." The studio is currently negotiating with platform holders and licensors about possibly extending its FM24 agreements on subscription services like Game Pass.

Football Manager 25 is canceled. Image credit: Sports Interactive / Sega.

FM25 had already faced two delays, with the most recent postponement setting a release date for March 2025. Now, Sports Interactive is redirecting its efforts towards Football Manager 26, slated for release in the traditional November window.

Addressing those who pre-ordered FM25, Sports Interactive expressed deep regret and gratitude for the trust and support, assuring that refunds are available. "We know this will come as a huge disappointment, especially given that the release date has already moved twice, and you have been eagerly anticipating the first gameplay reveal," the studio said. The decision to cancel was communicated as soon as possible due to stakeholder compliance, including legal and financial regulations.

Sports Interactive has always aimed to deliver games that offer exceptional value and enjoyment. With FM25, they intended to introduce a significant technical and visual upgrade, setting the stage for a new era in the series. However, despite the team's efforts, numerous challenges, both anticipated and unforeseen, prevented them from meeting their goals in critical areas of the game. Extensive consumer playtesting validated the new direction but also highlighted that the overall player experience and interface were not up to the desired standard.

The studio could have opted to release FM25 in its current state and address issues post-launch, but they deemed this approach inappropriate. Additionally, they were unwilling to delay the game beyond March, as it would be too late in the football season for players to purchase another game later in the year.

With the cancellation of FM25, Sports Interactive is now fully focused on ensuring that Football Manager 26 meets their high standards and achieves the quality expected by fans. They promised to provide updates on their progress as soon as possible and thanked fans for their patience and continued support.