FM25 Canceled: Dev Apologizes to Fans

Sports Interactive and Sega have announced the cancellation of Football Manager 25 across all platforms. This marks the first time the long-running series has skipped a year since its inception in 2004.

The developer had touted FM25 as a significant technical and visual leap, aiming for a "generational advancement." However, the transition to the Unity game engine proved challenging, particularly impacting the player experience and user interface.

Sega Sammy Holdings' recent financial results included a writedown reflecting the game's development costs. The decision to cancel, Sports Interactive explained in a blog post, followed extensive internal discussions and careful consideration with Sega. The company confirmed to IGN that no job losses resulted from this decision.

There will be no Football Manager 24 update with 2024/25 season data, as resources are fully dedicated to the next iteration. Discussions are underway with platform holders and licensors to potentially extend FM24 agreements on subscription services like Game Pass.

FM25 faced two prior delays before its cancellation, with the latest projected release pushed to March 2025. The focus has now shifted to Football Manager 26, anticipated for its usual November release window. Refunds are being offered to those who pre-ordered FM25.

Sports Interactive apologized for the delay in announcing the cancellation, citing stakeholder compliance and regulatory requirements. The developer emphasized its commitment to delivering high-quality games, but acknowledged that FM25, despite significant effort, did not meet their standards in key areas, particularly the overall player experience and interface. They stated that releasing a subpar game was not an option, and a later release would have been too late in the football season.

All efforts are now concentrated on Football Manager 26, aiming to deliver the expected quality and usher in a new era for the franchise.