FM23 Feature – UEFA Licences
One of the most eagerly awaited sports games of the year is Football Manager 2023 has been announced to be released on a variety of platforms on November 8th 2022. One of the most intricate and thorough football simulations ever created by Sports Interactive, and each new version of the game adds new elements. In this article, one of FM23’s headline features the addition of the UEFA Licences will be looked at.
The Football Manager 2023 trailer caught the attention of many longtime fans when the Champions League logo appeared in the background. Prior to this release, Sports Interactive did not have the rights to use the Champions League’s likeness. The newly released images signalled a major shift in the beloved franchise.
Football Manager 2023 will hold full official licences for the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Europa Conference League and UEFA Super Cup. Compared to previous versions, the experience when playing in UEFA competitions will be even more authentic with match day graphics being displayed in the manner of the relevant competition; there will also be special walk-outs before games and the competition’s anthems will play before matches.
“FM23 thrusts fans closer to every aspect of the beautiful game, from the supporters filling the stands to scouts, players, opposition managers and newly-licensed competitions like the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League,”
Sports Interactive
For FM22, Sports Interactive worked closely with the Bundesliga to enhance the matchday experience, for FM23 Sports Interactive worked closely with UEFA allowing for a wider sample base for the experience of matchdays across the different UEFA competitions.
Before a game in the UEFA competitions, you’ll see the lineups in the manner in which they are presented exactly as you see them on TV. The lower-third graphics for goals, cards and substitutions have all been updated to incorporate the relevant UEFA branding.
As previously mentioned, before the match even starts to immerse players into the action, UEFA Club Competitions will feature specific walkout scenes as well as the official club competition music during these scenes a new bespoke camera angle has been added to make the experience even more realistic.
When it comes to the final stages of the UEFA stages, each tournament will have official podiums which will be used during trophy presentations, all the UEFA trophies have been created and will be seen during trophy presentations.
Cup draws have been made more life-like and immersive. An official host will lead the draw and will provide insight into the fixtures and remaining teams.
“The Live Draw will allow you to watch the draw unfold in real time, with the host providing clarity on who can’t be drawn in a certain group (two teams from the same nation, for example)”
The Overview tab, meanwhile, will show the current state of play across the groups and the teams that are left to be drawn. There is a similar format for all the draws, whether you’re looking ahead to the Group Stage or gearing up for the Quarter-Finals.
While these have been upgraded to be more significant, lengthy processes, players will also have the option to skip the whole draw and go straight to the result.
With UEFA Club Competitions changing from the 2024/25 season, UEFA Cup draws will change to reflect this with news items explaining how the new league-style format will work and the coefficients of your opponents.
Naturally, the addition of official UEFA competitions licences will excite those that have been playing Football Manager for many years without an official UEFA licence. Football Manager 2023 releases on November 8th 2022, with BETA access approximately two weeks earlier. Check out other Football Manager 2023 articles below: