Football Manager series is relatively short – it is just four games (2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008). We will soon get another two - FM Live and FM 2009. Everything, in fact, already begun in 1992 with the Championship Manager (issued annually since then), whose heir is a game created by Miles Jacobson and company. Ordinary football club management simulation created in English county of Shropshire has become a passion for both authors and players. However, mindful of the past we still must always look to the future. To what extent can FM be developed?

A few days before the game’s announcement one player wrote that the game creators will soon stop issuing the ordinary FM, because their attention will be focused on FM Live. Such view has been sharply denied. Since both games will be existing we have to look for another starting point.

For sure the game elements such as finances, transfer market, the media will be constantly developed. Some time ago the introduction of 2D mode was a revolution – now the next one is coming introducing 3D mode. It is easily noticeable, that the match presentation is still being developed. From the beginning it was primitive and chaotic, but it was getting better and better with every game version. Maybe next are the stands, some fans and better textures and therefore – more detail. More? The 'real' commentator using his voice instead of text? Who knows what ideas are in the Sports Interactive developers heads? 3D can be used to stay with your team at a training - the observation of tactics a few hours before the match may help in choosing the proper first squad.

Perhaps the FM Live will help to develop the multiplayer system. Eventually it may happen that a game with few players will not be boring.

The creators certainly will be directed towards improving the game’s realism – this is the main reason why the transfer market and media are still being improved (a quick example: press conferences from the 2009 version). Maybe next will be the system of player’s motivation? Tactical commands are in need of being developed as well. Realism is one thing, but just as ‘The Sims’ will never be a real life simulation with all it’s aspects, playing FM you will not get to be the new Sir Alex Ferguson. At least for now.

Everything is moving in the direction of series’ peaceful evolution, because it will be difficult to have a more revolutionary year than the current one, where FM Live and FM 2009 with a 3D are arriving. Is it a dead end?