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Series Football Manager Handheld History/Overview


Dec
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Football Manager Handheld or the PSP version of FM as it is often known is a cut down version of its PC counterpart, the game is often abbreviated as FMH. So, why do people play an obviously inferior game? Apart from having your FM fix on the plane, train or even when you are at work but, that isn’t all! FM requires a lot of time and effort, seasons take a huge commitment from the gamer. However the pull for the impatient/travelling game is just one of the traits FMH has in which makes it the best Football game on a handheld console. The easy layout and quick navigation through menus works with the features such as a 2D pitch and assistant report to provide quick access to screens in just a few clicks, this simplistic style runs throughout the game attracting users of all IQ levels though it may take some time to get into (like it’s big brother) however once hooked there is certainly no escape from it’s luring charm. Despite the simplistic nature of the game FMH never fails to add in new features to make the game more in depth without going in to the realms of a manager and slowing run time down.

So what does it have to offer, I hear you say? Well, you couldn’t have asked a better question! Football Manager Handheld offers a fully customisable PSP game with the likes of changes (edit teams and players - an editor is available), logos and the ability to download tactics/save games. It also combines the highlights of Football Manager into a nifty game which takes veterans back to the CM2003 days. Now with it having the 2D pitch and up to four countries at a time FMH has never been so appealing as it continues to grow every year on par with its brother, however they are offered to different audiences - the detail experts and the casual gamer, this is no knock to any of the two games though as they are both marvellous at what they do and this casual gaming can become addictive and hook even the strongest of us. FMH still uses features like scouting and team reports like FM however, it does something else; unlockables are present in the game giving gamers a goal to strive to unlock their son in the game or even a sugar daddy taking over their club or no transfer windows. Also for the more varied user you have to unlock international management giving a whole taste of the game and not just half of it which simulation games are often known for.

Since FMH began in April 2006 the brand has gone from strength to strength, FMH2009 was possibly the biggest change in the game with the inclusion of the much anticipated 2D pitch and league swapping features, however in 2008 the reserve squad feature is now one of the most used in the game today and has paved a way for a new style of playing in the series as buying youngsters and growing them can be established easier.

FMH2010 saw subtle yet effective features brought into the mix, a new skin was much expected as the ‘new year, new skin’ trend continues however two new in-game unlockables of ‘son’ and ‘owe you one’ gave veterans new experiences in which to strive and a reason to play all thirty seasons in order to see your son thrive. Not only that an updated scouting, match odds and assistant reports all paved the way to make little changes to the game which have improved much of the experience in the game for players. On the other hand, the most notable is the updated logo options which sees logo makers make new style logos and include whole logos instead of the cut logos which were trended before the change and an updated board report to get a better feedback and help users instead of the monthly paragraph which was the norm beforehand.

Many players enjoy the PSP game and is possibly underrated terribly in the FM world however, the joys of Football Management still flow through the unsophisticated game play and wonderfully quick seasons which keep the more eager gamers amused and hooked for hours.

On 12th April 2010 SI announced that the 13th will see FMH hit the app store. Many iPhone users will see the game as an “evolved version” picking the bugs out of the PSP game and testing new features out (such as logos preset) though, FMHi (as it is nicknamed) will not have changes.txt or logos able to add in due to limitations. The game is £6.99 and on the Apple app store and since then FMHi has become one of the best Football Manager games of all time with people commenting on its depth but also how fun and quick it is however it bares a lot of resemblance to the PSP though it has an updated database and a few changes either way with it not including tactical depth the PSP bears, many prefer the iPhone version due to its transport friendly play and quick seasons allowing even the most busiest of Football Manager fans to have a fix of their beloved game every day and though £6.99 is a steep price SI and fans believe that FMHi is the £20 PSP game for a lower price. Soon after though SI have now lowered the price to £4.99.

FMH2011 was released on the 26th November 2011 and FMHi2011 was released in December bringing in for the first time for the iPhone the ability to share save games however, the PSP version added little new features rather than main ones.

Similarly FMH2012 on PSP didn't add much in terms of new features and speculation started to arise with the Vita being released whether this is the end of the PSP version, yet no official confirmation has been given either way.

The iOS introduced many big features including two new leagues (BSN/BSS and Welsh Premier Division) as well as a challenge mode in which gives the users to choose a scenerio to start on. This was released in December 2011 and on the 5th April an Android version in which is similar to the iOS game apart from no multi-leagues was confirmed to be released on the following Wednesday (11th April 2012).

“I play FMH because well it’s fun and simple to pick up. Its not like FM but if you play it right it can be realistic in some aspects as well. You can always role play by pretending that you know the players well and can talk about how your games go (not that any does). You can also get a really good game going with either your favourite or local team and just become the best manager in the world and end up not losing at all with the right tactic you have formed.” - FMH Player

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