No player development: My game review

[Sogarth]

I wrote my Steam review for this game, not realising I couldn't post till 1.0 releases. As such, I'm just gonna post it here and copy-pasta it on the 6th. Feel free to leave a comment!

Every FM game has some issues. They are mostly minor inconveniences, and that is unfortunately something fans of the series have just gotten used to as SI essentially ships database updates every year. Often, newer versions of the game even cause certain features to regress (newgen faces anyone?)!

The current beta version of the game CANNOT be recommended because a major aspect of the game is broken: players don't develop past 18 years of age. In my fifth season I realise without a shadow of a doubt that all my youth players stagnate. Key example: Sold my first choice keeper to a club in KSA, decided to give my promising 18 year old keeper the spot rather than purchase a new GK. After playing 1 whole year as first choice, over 50 games and keeping a very close eye on his training, mentoring, superb facilities, coaches, he hasn't improved at all. Not a single attribute increase. This applies to all my other youth as well. They get less playing time than my GK, but as with previous versions of FM, they get enough play time to keep them match fit year round and they fail to improve as well. Loaning players out also has no effect.

I feel players don't develop at AI led clubs either. Comparing Xavi Simons at the start of my save to my current date of end of 2027 shows that his Free Kick Taking has gone up from 12 to 13, but his finishing, long shots, passing, tackling, vision, balance, stamina and strength have dropped by 1 point each.

As someone who enjoys developing rather than buying players this game is UNPLAYBLE. I will alter my review if they fix this issue, but for now, shame on you SI.

[Queengoth Sparklebitch]

disappointing, if this remains true on launch ill be refunding as i too enjoy developing rather than buying.

[Sogarth]

Originally posted by Queengoth Sparklebitch:

disappointing, if this remains true on launch ill be refunding as i too enjoy developing rather than buying.

The problem is that this doesn't become very apparent until you are dozens of hours in. I regret having sunk over 100 hours into game now. Even if this is fixed at launch, my current save is useless. At Ajax, all the promising players are trash; Unuvar, Axel Dongen , Taylor, Rensch, Hato, Vos, Misehouy... all past the ages were they were supposed to have developed and are trash players.

[Garuda One]

Is this a thing? I'm on my second season managing Eastleigh and I definitely have players improving. A couple of them are actually a little older at 22/23. Is this restricted only to newgens? I haven't really gotten far enough to see patterns on newgens but as far as existing young players I have a few who have improved. Have you tested on multiple saves?

I'm going to test a few of my own later tonight but in my current save I definitely am seeing player development, and I'm in down in Skybet League 2

[Garuda One]

I hopped on my save and looked at this FB I have. 18 years old, I just signed him like 6 months prior and he's already showing development.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3071451411

Also, my 23 year old Keeper I signed in the offseason- hard to see but his Aerial Reach has also gone up from 12 to 13 in the 4-5 months I've had him.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3071453230

Most of my players under 26 have had some improvement over the course of the 1.5 years into this save I'm in. I'm curious if this is something unique to your save, or maybe there is a 'cliff' in-game time where it bugs? Further testing needed.

[Ngoc]

My player is 21 and keep developing

I even got a email that highlight strong development and went from 3 star to 4 in 2 months

Many stats went from 12-13 to 13-14 at least 6 or 8 of them

[Sam Bugden]

Players for me 18+ players are progressing largely in line with what I've experienced in recent iterations. The OP may just need to give it another season. There are many factors that go into players developing, and I've seen no indications that it's any different to previous games.

[Stinboi]

i dont have this problem, got many 18+ players that has shown good progress, devoleping players is ione of my favorite thing with FM so this is something i keep a close eye to.

[Sogarth]

Originally posted by Ngoc:

My player is 21 and keep developing

I even got a email that highlight strong development and went from 3 star to 4 in 2 months

Many stats went from 12-13 to 13-14 at least 6 or 8 of them

There are exceptions to what I said. I have had players who have had their determination jump up by 3 or 4 points after they turn 18 at one point. This is because of their mentality changing due to mentoring.

[Sogarth]

Originally posted by Ngoc:

My player is 21 and keep developing

I even got a email that highlight strong development and went from 3 star to 4 in 2 months

Many stats went from 12-13 to 13-14 at least 6 or 8 of them

I'm not gonna hate on the game for no reason. I will admit, the lack of development might be due to my play style. Is there anything you do different in regard to player development from FM23? Maybe I missed some new feature in FM24 that's essentially to development?

[Prej]

Originally posted by Sogarth:

I wrote my Steam review for this game

No, you wrote a review of the beta version of the game.

Every FM game has some issues. They are mostly minor inconveniences, and that is unfortunately something fans of the series have just gotten used to as SI essentially ships database updates every year.

If you regard every new FM game as a mere "database update", you're clearly not a reliable reviewer and take a big dump on the work SI puts into their games each year.
Also, why are you buying it then? You can download user-made databases.

Often, newer versions of the game even cause certain features to regress (newgen faces anyone?)

Judging the quality of the game by something as trivial as newgen faces is ridiculous. What are the other features that have been made worse?

The current beta version of the game CANNOT be recommended because a major aspect of the game is broken: players don't develop past 18 years of age. In my fifth season I realise without a shadow of a doubt that all my youth players stagnate. Key example: Sold my first choice keeper to a club in KSA, decided to give my promising 18 year old keeper the spot rather than purchase a new GK. After playing 1 whole year as first choice, over 50 games and keeping a very close eye on his training, mentoring, superb facilities, coaches, he hasn't improved at all. Not a single attribute increase. This applies to all my other youth as well. They get less playing time than my GK, but as with previous versions of FM, they get enough play time to keep them match fit year round and they fail to improve as well. Loaning players out also has no effect.

I feel players don't develop at AI led clubs either. Comparing Xavi Simons at the start of my save to my current date of end of 2027 shows that his Free Kick Taking has gone up from 12 to 13, but his finishing, long shots, passing, tackling, vision, balance, stamina and strength have dropped by 1 point each.

Judging by the comments in this thread as well as my own experience with this BETA VERSION, there must be
a) something wrong with your save
b) something wrong with your perception

Either way, you should report the issue to SI instead of writing negative reviews for the BETA VERSION of the game.

As someone who enjoys developing rather than buying players this game is UNPLAYBLE. I will alter my review if they fix this issue, but for now, shame on you SI.

You will alter your review of the BETA VERSION of the game once they have released the full game?

[Sogarth]

Ughhh, had to expect a fanboy troll...

Originally posted by Prej:

No, you wrote a review of the beta version of the game.

They asked money for this, so it's open to criticism. They want proper feedback, do an open beta.

Originally posted by Prej:

If you regard every new FM game as a mere "database update", you're clearly not a reliable reviewer and take a big dump on the work SI puts into their games each year.
Also, why are you buying it then? You can download user-made databases.

Really, you've been to their offices and seen how hard they work? Releasing a game with minor new features every year isnt a cash grab?

Also, none of your damned business what I spend my money on.

Originally posted by Prej:

Judging the quality of the game by something as trivial as newgen faces is ridiculous. What are the other features that have been made worse?

Yeah... the fact that something worked well in older versions but doesnt now, doesnt matter if it's a "trivial" matter.

Originally posted by Prej:

Judging by the comments in this thread as well as my own experience with this BETA VERSION, there must be
a) something wrong with your save
b) something wrong with your perception

Either way, you should report the issue to SI instead of writing negative reviews for the BETA VERSION of the game.

if its A. The game is buggy.
B is not possible because the game literally shows you their development from certain ages. So STFU.
Coming back to an earlier point, SI don't give a sh*t about feedback, otherwise they wouldn't lock reporting behind making an account. They don't pay me to do QA, so I won't jump through hoops to give them their feedback.

Originally posted by Prej:

You will alter your review of the BETA VERSION of the game once they have released the full game?

Yes, if they patch this and fix it, then the game deserves a new evaluation. Again, this isn't an open beta.

[Stinboi]

Originally posted by Prej:

Yes, if they patch this and fix it, then the game deserves a new evaluation. Again, this isn't an open beta.

you can call it whatever you want, closed beta, open beta, early access, pick what you like, the fact is still that you pre purchased a game that hasnt been released yet, ofc they gonne put out some fixes before full release.

If only a very few people experience a problem it may be something wrong with the save file and im 99% sure you havent reported it, contact SI, send them your save file and let them check it out.

Si devs dont just sit around and drink coffee every year so stopp comment on things you have no knowledge about.

Your post smells of someone that just want to complain and had found something no matter what.

If you cant handle bug in a game, then stopp playing them before release, and also after release very few games are bug free so maybe try a new hobby?

Finding bugs is what BETA is for, but no need to whine about it like a kid, atleast wait until the game is RELEASED for that.

[Prej]

Originally posted by Sogarth:

They asked money for this, so it's open to criticism. They want proper feedback, do an open beta.

I'm pretty sure you wouldn't be able to provide constructive feedback either way.

Really, you've been to their offices and seen how hard they work? Releasing a game with minor new features every year isnt a cash grab?

Also, none of your damned business what I spend my money on.

Talking about "minor features" solidifies the fact that you have no idea what this game is about. Get in line with all the other "iT's jUsT a dATaBasE uPDaTe" specialists.
Also, I don't need to visit their offices to see how hard they work. Playing the game each year is enough.

Yeah... the fact that something worked well in older versions but doesnt now, doesnt matter if it's a "trivial" matter.

In a game as complex as FM it is. It's just fluff, and it's the only thing you're able to moan about.

if its A. The game is buggy.
B is not possible because the game literally shows you their development from certain ages. So STFU.
Coming back to an earlier point, SI don't give a sh*t about feedback, otherwise they wouldn't lock reporting behind making an account. They don't pay me to do QA, so I won't jump through hoops to give them their feedback.

Yeah, you pay for the BETA VERSION of the game so you can whine and get all emotional because it has some bugs.
Get your clown show outta here, you spoiled little brat.

[Ngoc]

So the op just said player don’t improve and than said my player improved a lot in the same post

What a clown

[Centipede]

No idea why you feel like that but I can definitely see the young players in my beta squad (Man UFC) improving considerably year by year until reaching their max potential (I presume, I don't look at the under the hood stuff). E.g.: Kobbie Mainoo, Rasmus Hojlund, new signings like Assan Ouedraogo, Guillaume Restes, Ousmane Diomande all getting a lot better each year. And I'm checking out wonderkids around the world and they're definitely developing into world stars. Also, just like they've claimed, this year's FM has late bloomers up to 26 yo so I am seeing a few of them as well (Antony, Mason Mount), it all seems legit so far.

Could it be something specific to your staff setup/facilities/training schedules? Have you tried keeping an eye on other teams, check if their players are advancing? Could it be that the players you were monitoring were already close to their max potential? I'm throwing a bunch of suppositions at you since you haven't really provided much context to go by.