Going back down memory lane, what is your experience and memory of ManagerSim?
A winter wonderland of bliss and ignorance. Loved the game, didn't understand a thing about it, but loved it. Some people might notice I get bored really easily and club jump. It was the same back then. At some point I became a GM of the game and loved it. That side took over more than playing. Back then with several worlds there was several GMs along with previous GMs and we were a pretty organised group, great times. Time passed and Peter Strand lost interested, the game was in the way out and the whole thing became about something else......trying to save the game. We all know how that ended. But the biggest and best memory of the game was the forums, a hive of activity and banter and abuse and full of information and questions. The forums were where friendships were made, some of which still last to this day and were the corner stone in the success of the game. Always had to laugh when you logged in and you see Simon or someone else had just completed another "full house" in the forums.
Back in those days, what were you doing at that time, job, study, family?
Same then as I do now, store manager for a UK food supermarket, Morrisons, although back then I was still employed by Safeway. By the time managersim left the internet I had maxed out on the family front with 5 kids, oh the joy. But the reality was back then with the job and the family? Life was around Msim, get up in the morning, turn PC on. Rush home from work to catch a tick on the PC. Stay up late all night writing crap for the forums or in the GM boards. Thank god for mobile phones these days, yet life still happens around msim to a lesser degree.
What is the best moment, memory or achievement you remember from those days?
Think I only achieved one thing in the game in the past, CL winner with Newcastle. The game world was a new launch (might have been H or G) and the game used the current player data base that we use in the game just now, except that the main players had their stats sharpened compared to the first version of stats BK used for this world. So the likes of Shearer were very good. Also the "Stephen Woodhead" I inserted into the game as data researcher for Scotland was removed very quickly as it upset a few folks. Won the CL final
and left soon after as I do. Pretty sure DaveM took over them after that
What is the worst moment, memory or achievement you remember from those days?
How long have you got? Would have to do with the death of Msim. So much hard work, so much begging for money from the community, just so much everything along with a cracking bunch of other guys, for nothing. If I was to say one thing or one person it would have to be peter strand though. Everyone was doing the hard work to look after his creation but he could not have given two hoots about what happened to the game. never understood that, still don't.
How is your daily life today, like work, family?
Just the same, just a little wider round the belly, and an increased love of alcohol but what I seem to have lost these days is time. it goes so fast, not enough of it and work if just nuts these days.
How did you hear about the reincarnation of the game and what did it mean to you?
Facebook, either in chat with BK or on the msim page. what did it mean to me? EVERYTHING. Its back!!!!! Here we go! The good old days are back! WoooooooooHooooooooooo !!!! it was a stunning effort from BK and an equally stunning effort from the main pledgers along with everyone else, I will be eternally grateful to everyone for that chance to have that buzz. People say sometimes in the last year.....its not the same......BK has made changes and the game is not as good. Lots of changes could be made, good or bad but it would not change a thing!
The reality is that the game needs numbers and a community, through all ages of the game from soccersim to reality games to msim to the present day the one thing the past had was vast numbers of players. The players make the game. What BK has developed over the last year might be a better game, in some eyes it could be worse but our viewing or enjoyment of the game is clouded due to human interaction is so low these days compared to the community feel in the past. Like it or not folks, half the fun of managing a team in
the old days was the managers you were playing
against that you got to know through the forums and interaction. These days the game is more pure about the game. So people are more critical. Since its just about the game. yet they forget all the flaws about the old game because that was clouded by the numbers and the interaction that gave the game 2 dimensions.
Favourite team of those you have managed in the new version and why?
None to be fair. I like the buzz of buying a new team and then moving on. Only team I was gutted about leaving was when I left the Gunners for AC Milan. Don't like Arsenal but for some reason I was gutted for days at moving to Milan.
Who, in your opinion is best manager?
Tough question - André CML - not only does he have a great understanding of the game and its workings he is THE best manager regarding tactics. Most managers play with the same tactics and formation every match, not CML. Switches and changes formation and tactics against other teams and managers to combat the formation he is playing. Takes the game to a whole new level of under-standing and commitment.
What competition, league or cup is most fun?
I think that many hold challenges. I think that the gulf between rich and poor clubs or rich and poor countries is too great.
Take Italy V England as an example. In England they cannot afford to run like Italian clubs due to lack of income, that's a shame and effects the CL. Dominance is not changing any time soon in that area. So for me I have to say England EPL. Most managers, so has to be the better challenge overall. Not as many super managers or teams that dominate the league either (just ignore Skello). So the likes of Newcastle done well this season and Gregory Clarke at Stockport is a tactical genius and a pain in the arse to play against when I was at Arsenal to name but a few. Hence I returned to the EPL for this season
What is the feature or functionality you don't need in this game?
Many! We understand the game and its navigation. For new managers is a mine field. Far too
complicated. navigation could be cut right down on
the likes of stuff folk don't use and that add no value.
Don't ask me what? I don't know, like you I played the game for years but for new players the game is complicated with too many screens and options according to my son. he quite enjoys playing football manager but does not understand this game as much and it's too complicated? The young generation is the new target audience and those folk are very different from all of us. We need to understand that more for the games progress.
What feature or functionality do you lack in the game?
FORUMS. Internal and the old retro style front page forums. Loved the both, it was half the game enjoyment. I believe old style front page forums would encourage more posters. problem is we only have about 115 managers in the game and only about 15 that want to add to the forums. So really not much use for just 10 - 15 folk (that's just me living in the old days)
As a manager you have won your league and/or national cup, what would your next challenge be?
Funniest or best wins have come again my mate RVP when after I beat him he would go nuts in the forums and call the game corrupt etc. I owe RVP a lot as he taught me a lot about the game when it returned last year. So to beat him made it funnier. But on next challenges? I am the wrong person to ask, I get bored at the end of every season and move on
Any final words/thoughts?
God I almost forgot! No idea how it would work, no idea how vacancies get managed or where you go at the end. But I would love to see a contract being given to managers and expectations from the board related to that contract. That would stop the same managers being at the same clubs for years. What fun is it for new managers if they can never manage a big club? if the same teams keep winning? Should be a maximum stay at one club before you are released to create movement. With more movement the stronger the game gets. Spain as an example............. 2 top managers, dominate everything. let's say the leave for a new challenge in the same league and two new managers join those great clubs.....within 1 season there is 4 great teams. Multiply and multiply. Either that or reset the game every 5 seasons or so and start from scratch. but have it so top managers from the "old" or previous game are ranked low and that new managers of lower skill managers get the bigger clubs in the reset to give them a better chance and the super managers don't get the option to go straight to a big club. Now folks there is an idea.