RSS Feed
Twitter
Facebook
Throughout time, one thing has been abundantly clear – “it’s not my fault”. Caesar wasn’t murdered because he made a mistake in judging Brutus’ character. Napoleon certainly didn’t lose in Russia because he over extended himself. Icarus certainly didn’t die because he flew too close to the sun? Nope, the real reasons were jealousy, the weather and the sun. Personal failings had absolutely nothing to do with it.
In the Football Manager universe we have a similar phenomenon. Teams do not lose because the human manager makes a mistake – teams lose because the AI “cheats” them.
Whether you chose to blame the Russian winter or the Russian chairman for being fired could, however, become a thing of the past. And the reason is Football Manager Live. It certainly won’t make Stalingrad any warmer for the Panzer Division, but it will make Abramovich’s decision to get shot of you seem far more realistic.
When FML was announced, many people were concerned that SI was not only “selling out” but would be concentrating on the new MMOFM far more than they would on ‘classic’ FM09. In short, FML’s development would take precedence and FM09 would whither and not receive the attention in desperately needed. If anything, however, the biggest gripe about FM08 (the match engine) may, indeed, be solved.
The biggest problem with the match engine in previous versions has been the ability of human players to ruthlessly exploit it and play it in a way which, in real life anyway, makes no logical sense. Arrows everywhere, 8 people in midfield, ridiculous player instructions – because SI never really envisaged that people would play the game in such a way, holes were left in the engine. Play in an unrealistic way, and expect unrealistic statistics and results.
This is, in the opinon of SI (and myself), the reason why we see so many cries of “cheat!” If you play in a way the engine never thought of, you are very likely (if the tactic competently exploits the engine) to get 60%+ possession, 31 shots on goal and a hole raft of other things. Equally, you’re likely to leave yourself completely open to a sucker punch from the AI as your own team gets frustrated from not being able to break the AI down and as the holes in your unrealistic and ultimately unsound tactics are picked apart.
But what if we remove the AI completely. What if each FM manager comes up against another human and plays them in a simulated duel? Who will win? How great are these tactics.
That is exactly what FML has done. From the people I have spoken to involved in the development and the testing of the current beta version, FML has seen thousands of these unrealistic tactics and has, one by one, close the loopholes which make them so successful on FM08.
The first thing people shouted when somebody beat them with an exploitative tactic was cry “cheat!” So, the tactics were examined, the reasons for the exploit outlined and the loophole closed. Over time, little by little, the engine has managed to reward well constructed, more realisitic tactics and squeeze the exploitative managers out of the engine. With the reduction in the effectiveness of these tactics has come a reduction in the number of complaints.
If this trend continues, it seems only logical to assume that nearly all of the things that made exploitative tactics so potent will be removed. If this is done, the only way to play the game will be the way SI imagined – realistically.
The AI won’t be able to exploit you – simply because there won’t be any exploits to exploit! Unless, of course, you count exposing your fullbacks because they’re pushed 70 yards down the field when holding onto a slim lead “exploitative”. I’ve no doubt some people will, but they will find less support around the community.
SI have continually said that while FML started using the FM08 engine, most of the advances made in the ME in the FML testing period (and beyond) will be incorporated into FM09. The two games should, if all goes well, push forward the development of each other. FML also has, I am led to believe, better default tactics provided with the game, which can only bode well for FM09 too, since there should be a much gentler learning curve to the tactical side of the game.
So, in the end, it could all come down to who has a good solid tactical approach and the best players. Pretty similar to real life, if reports are to be believed. Whose fault will losing be then? One assumes Moscow’s meterological society should expect some pretty terse e-mails.
