FM23 Launch Canceled: Devs Regret Fan Disappointment

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 decision follows a challenging development process hampered by the transition to the Unity game engine. While initially touted as a significant technical and visual leap, issues with the player experience and interface proved insurmountable.

The announcement coincided with Sega Sammy Holdings' financial report, which includes a write-down of FM25's development costs. Sports Interactive stated in a blog post that the cancellation followed extensive internal discussions and careful consideration with Sega. Sega has confirmed that no job losses resulted from this decision.

There will be no Football Manager 24 update incorporating 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 had already faced two delays before its ultimate cancellation, with the last projected release date set for March 2025. Development has now shifted entirely to Football Manager 26, anticipated for its usual November release window. Refunds are being offered to those who pre-ordered FM25.

Sports Interactive acknowledged the disappointment this news will cause, particularly given the previous delays and anticipation for the game's reveal. They explained that the decision to cancel, rather than release a subpar product, was made after extensive internal testing and evaluation clearly indicated that the game didn't meet their quality standards. Releasing in March would have been too late in the football season to justify another release later in the year.

The developer emphasized their commitment to delivering high-quality games and reiterated their focus on ensuring Football Manager 26 meets the expected standards. They concluded by thanking fans for their patience and continued support.