My plan for the rest of FM26.

Hey everyone,

I just wanted to take the time to discuss what is next for me in FM26. Now with the (presumably) last big update out from Sports Interactive, I've thought about what I think could make the game better and how to improve the user experience. I also want to highlight that although I am still on break, I am still thinking, drafting up ideas and will slowly get back to working on things in the coming days.

I have come to one sentence:

• I will take the rest of the FM26 gamecycle to learn new skills, explore what IS possible and best prepare my arsenal of skills for the release of FM27, to bring more polish and features for that iteration.

What that means on the "short" term is that aside from obviously continuing making the stadiums, I'm going to be looking at completing the weather overhaul. It's been a bit of a slog sometimes, but I want to fully work that out and finish it off. It'll be a base to work from in the future. What I won't be working on actively for this version is the shadows. I think it is reasonable to assume that in FM27 they will use different light sources, shadows and how that system works. So instead of pumping hours on hours into that, I'll be working on things I think are more "static".

One thing I will explore if at all possible is the additions of modding in totally new scenes. If that is at all possible I will be cooking. If you don't know what that means, a scene change is essentially what happens when you go from the UI to matches, or load into a save. If I can do that, we're in. And so much will be possible!

I've given thought to how to improve the matchday, and I think the next most logical step here would be player and manager faces. I will be looking at a feature where I can change the player models and manager models. This will undoubtedly bring me much newfound hate, frustration, depression and sleepless nights before ultimately seeing the light and feeling pride and accomplishment in my achievements - as famously said by that one EA representative.

But on a more serious note, FM26 is not what I or many wanted to see, but it made this all possible. I want to continue to change my little corner of the world, which is this. It wouldn't have been possible without any of you. But I also want to be honest in my statement. It has been tough. 7 months ago no one knew my name, less knew my face. I am so happy that I got to know so many lovely people over this time. There are honestly too many to name or give appropriate credit to in this section, but I assume you know who you are!

I struggled a lot with the immense pressure that I felt. I don't know if I placed that on myself, or if there was actual pressure, maybe a bit of both. Sometimes it felt like people expected me to fix all the issues, and obviously that had a negative effect on me. I feel I've got better at managing that and I am happy I got to experience learning that and dealing with it. Similarly, I felt a level of jadedness that was driving me up the wall. Luckily, that is getting better now with the break. Sorry for the moan🤣

Looking back at the past year... Fucking hell... In the most positive sense. It baffles me in a really positive sense that so many people are willing to contribute to the project and are essentially beta testing it... Apologies if this post is rambly and vague... It is 25 degrees already at 9am. Beaty Swalls weather!

So let's make the best out of a poor situation and prepare as well for FM27 as possible!

Thank you as always and take care,

Bassy