A "real" update?

As you probably know we're working on a new match simulator. Several users have criticised us for not focusing on "real" updates. They can't understand why we want to spend so much time improving only the visuals of the matches.

The argument often goes like this: "People will become tired of it after watching a few matches, so why bother?"

But these people have clearly misunderstood something. The new match simulator is not a new viewer - it is a new simulator (which is why we call it a simulator :P). That is, it simulates matches in a new and more interesting way. And yes, the new simulator also happens to have an improved viewer but that's just a nice extra feature.

We want the new match simulator to improve the game significantly and fundamentally. It'll make setting the right strategy and finding players that fit together more important. We believe it'll affect the gameplay fundamentally and set up new interesting challenges for each manager. And if that isn't a "real" update - then what is? :)

Because you're right: If the new match simulator was merely a cosmetic improvement, we shouldn't spend so much time on it. But it isn't just that.

If you want to read more about our goals and visions for the new match simulator, please read this blog post from Juni.

The match simulation is so significantly changed that we also had to redesign the entire tactics system (also described in the above mentioned blog post). Here you can see a draft for the new tactics overview page. You'll be able to define which tactics to use for certain kinds of matches. This can be used in combination with the new tactics editor that will let you do a lot of new things. For instance, you could go defensive if you leading by one goal after 80 minutes - and maybe focus on counter attacks? Such a strategy might be more desirable when playing playoff-matches than when playing league matches. You decide :)