Championship Manager Revamped for '06

A new 3D viewer hopes to broaden the appeal somewhat of the numbers-heavy management sim.

With the looming new year come the inevitable updates of all the perennial sports titles, but instead of just refreshing players rosters (which is being done too), Eidos is giving Championship Manager fans brand new content to look forward to.

With no shots yet of the 3D engine, this is the most
exciting picture we could find

The first thing you'll notice in the pragmatically titled Championship Manager 2006 is developer Beautiful Game's take on injecting life into the usually-staid football management sim genre through a new 3D match engine. This allows you to watch games unfold and lets you shout strategies and fiddle with team formations either throughout the game or at key points.

You'll also be able to directly motivate individual players to coax better performances out of them using promises of bonuses and the like. But break your word and you'll see his mood indicator plummet.

The other big addition this year is a revamp of the way you go about getting new players. Instead of being constrained to just your home country, Championship Manager 2006 will now be able to simulate day-to-day changes at clubs right around the world, giving you a much deeper pool to choose from when that extra cash comes in.

Speaking of cash, you'll be able to go the way of Premier League teams too, if you want, bringing in money from obscenely rich benefactors. The extra cash bring along extra pressure, though, and just like in real life you'll be pressed for results.

Championship Manager 2006 will be out only for PC in spring 2006.

Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo Games