FM25 Cancelled: Dev Issues Apology

Sega and Sports Interactive 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 UK-based developer had touted FM25 as a generational leap in technical and visual advancements, but the transition to the Unity game engine proved significantly challenging, particularly impacting the player experience and interface.

The announcement, part of Sega Sammy Holdings' recent financial results, includes a writedown of associated costs. Sports Interactive explained in a blog post that the decision followed extensive internal discussions and careful consideration with Sega. Sega has confirmed that no job losses will result.

There will be no Football Manager 24 update incorporating 2024/25 season data, as diverting resources would hinder the development of the next game. Sports Interactive is currently negotiating with platform holders and licensors to potentially extend FM24 agreements on subscription services like Game Pass.

FM25 faced two prior delays before its cancellation, the last pushing the release to March 2025. Sports Interactive is now concentrating on Football Manager 26, anticipated for its usual November release window. Refunds are being offered to those who pre-ordered FM25.

The developer apologized for the delay in communicating the cancellation, citing stakeholder compliance and regulatory requirements. They emphasized their commitment to delivering high-value games and acknowledged falling short of their ambitious goals for FM25 despite significant team effort. While some aspects met expectations, the overall player experience and interface did not reach the required standard, a conclusion supported by consumer playtesting.

The decision to cancel, rather than release a subpar game and issue later patches, was made to ensure the next installment meets the expected quality. Releasing in March would have been too late in the football season for a new game launch. Sports Interactive concluded by thanking fans for their patience and support, promising future updates on Football Manager 26's progress.