The closer we edge towards the end of the 2025/26 season, the more players will be looking forward to the next edition of the FM franchise.
Now more than ever, players are looking for a significant improvement in FM27 due to a perceived decline of game quality and a large decline in active players.
The game is not unsavable by any means – however, should the next instalment from Sports Interactive be underwhelming, they could lose players for good.
Here at the Sporting Loft, we present our early FM27 wish list with what we hope to see Sports Interactive implement or consider.
Better Communication
Not necessarily a gameplay feature but something that desperately needs improvement from Sports Interactive is player communication.
People would react more sympathetically to issues within the game if they were given more open communication around potential problems.
It does not have to be perfect immediately, but more honestly from the developers and studio lead Miles Jacobson would go a long way.
Players don’t want to hate the game but they need the reassurance that it will get better rather than complete radio silence until more bug fixes are rolled out.
UI improvements
They say if it isn’t broke don’t fix it, and that is almost an ideal summary of the changes to the FM user interface that were made for FM26.
The menus were never a cause for complaints amongst FM players, with only minor qualms surrounding how necessary certain niche features were in the depths of the game.
A full overhaul was simply not needed and has alienated players who spent years using a menu they understood inside out.
New features will always require players to learn their workings, however, to relearn an entire UI is simply too much for the hardcore audience.
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Maintaining match engine
A positive of the new release has been the incredibly improved match engine and this is something Sports Interactive must maintain.
The visual improvement that is evident on both PC and console is exactly what the series needed to avoid stagnating and should be built on for future success.
Ironing out small bugs and visual flaws will be essential at keeping faith in the Unity engine and should be protected to avoid further regression.
New leagues
The database is a feature that continues to grow year on year and with the newest additions of leagues in Egypt, Lithuania and the UAE there still remains ground to be covered.
With now two available leagues to play in Africa, it would be a welcome addition to see the possible inclusion of Algerian and Moroccan leagues to FM27 to accompany Egypt and South Africa.
Additionally, with the ever growing influence of Saudi Arabia in world football, the introduction of the Saudi Professional League would be great for those searching for glory hunter saves.
The ever growing number of licenses Sports Interactive have acquired over the years has been incredible for the growth of the game and this remains an area of strength for bringing new eyes to the franchise.
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