I used to be a big CM/FM fan and bought every version from CM2 upwards including most of the annual updates.

However after a few years I realised that the difference between the annual updates was mainly bug fixes, one or two minor tweaks and a new updated database. I found that I could never justify paying full whack for the game, for what to my mind was patches and database update - worth half price at best.

SI should have been selling the annual updates as half price updates to owners of the originals, but (as I once did), the owners of each version appear to jump lemming-like into buying the next one. Who can blame SI for that I suppose? With a loyal fan base willing to do that the Collyer brothers would be daft not to keep raking it in - money for old rope really.

Now if only I could invent a popular software product that only required me to fix bugs and update the database once a year and then recharge full price for it, only then putting out a new version which is sufficiently different every three or four years.

Maybe I'm just becoming an old fuddy-duddy.

I might buy FM07 if it comes out as its been a while since I bought FM when it first came out.

GMcD.

I used to buy it every year as well. Didn't get 06 so will probably buy the new one. Will probably only buy every 2nd year from now on, at least that way the difference should be noticeable. Unfortunately my poker habit doesn't afford me as much time as I used to have in order to fully benefit from a new copy each year.

Fair point oh beardy one.

It is slightly less a scam now as CM and FM have gone their separate ways and now there are TWO game for sale at roughly same time, for same price, and almost same dataabse.

Anyone who buys both CM and FM is mad, I'd agree.

Yep, buy a new one every year practically.

Don't buy both CM and FM now they have went their separate ways, I have chosen the path of FM, and will buy each new version - as long as they are not more frequent than every year.

Usually around £20 delivered from Play - and the amount of use I get from it, makes every penny wortwhile.

im in the same boat as gabarelli....but the new 1 every year but i definatly get my moneys worth as i play it all the time!

Football Manager 2007 to be released in about a months time I hear.

Any early suggestions for the opening challenge on the new release?

1) Leeds
2) Aston Villa
3) Juventus

New features on FM07

Feeder Clubs - Brand new to Football Manager 2007, and one of the most requested features is the addition of feeder clubs to the game. This new addition works in all the ways you would expect it to in real life. You can establish your club as the small team who receives loan players from a larger club or a large club looking for support getting your youngsters match experience by loaning them out. Have the first option on players from clubs, and schedule pre-arranged friendlies each season by simply asking your board for a feeder relationship and choose from the list they compile.

Youth Revamp - A complete revamp of youth teams sees full youth squads for each team that has a youth set-up.

User Friendly - New easier to use default skin, along with hints and tips throughout the game, and an improved tutorial. In addition to better feedback from your assistant manager and scouts as well as lots more media, customisation and multiple row selection.

Scouting Revamp - A complete revamp of the scouting system inside the game leads to more information about players and teams being made available to managers, as well as a more realistic methodology for player scouting. This system allows scouts to grow and improve their knowledge-base of the world's football players.

Player Interaction - You can now talk to any player in the world via the media. Player interaction allows you to tap up other teams stars or see if players will buckle under the pressure. An effective manager must use the media as a motivational tool - why not praise your own players in many different ways or shout at them for loss of form?

Team Talks - For more varied ways to talk to your team, SI have worked hard to deliver vastly improved team talks at half and full time. Not only this, but pre-match team talks will now be making their first appearance in Football Manager - so you can send your team out onto the pitch with a specific briefing.

I just ordered my FM07 on Play.com £24.99
Says it is "in stock" although release date is not til Friday 20th Oct
I'm hopeful it may arrive early before release date as that is what has happened in the past.

CD WOW have it for £20.49, but state they will not dispatch prior to 20th Oct.
http://www10.cd-wow.com/detail_results_3.p...83049&subcat=pc

OK - I'll burst - I'll get this one......

Get FM2007 ..... TOMORROW!

http://www.shopto.net

You need to register with them, but £3 off 1st order so you will get it for 16.99 delivered.


PS, so what is first sesl FM challenge to be?

FM 2008 must be approaching completion now.

Any news on its release date?

Santa is brining me FM 2008 on PC

Looking forward to a festive challenge.