Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3455 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Eidos
• Released on: 2006-10-12
• Platform: Windows XP

Amazon.co.uk Review:
In a nutshell:
The biggest name in football management returns for a new season in which it's suddenly the underdog. Despite giving 110% though it doesn't quite walk away with the silverware this time.

The lowdown:
Since 1993, the Championship Manager series has been the most popular football management game in the world - for a while it was the best selling PC game of all time in the UK! Ever since original developer Sports Interactive left to work on Football Manager for Sega though it's never quite been the same. This new version is a definite improvement on last year's game though, with a brand new interface that's arguably better than any of its rivals. As well as the new Match Analysis Tool there's also a new team talk feature and the chance to give individual instructions to specific players. The accuracy of the database of players still doesn't come close to that of Sports Interactive, but it's still far from second division.

Most exciting moment:
The new Match Analysis Tool is probably the game's biggest new feature, with a truck load of statistics to examine at the end of every match, for not just the game itself but every individual player involved. Not all of it is always useful but it certainly does help when deciding what changes to make to your side.

Since you ask:
After Sports Interactive left the series, publisher Eidos set-up their own brand new development studio just to work on the Championship Manager series. Named Beautiful Game Studios, the team is based in Wimbledon with their own in-house research team for player statistics.

The bottom line:
Second best is still good enough.-HARRISON DENT

Manufacturer's Description:
Developed by London-based Beautiful Game Studios (BGS), Championship Manager 2007 is a totally new iteration of the best-selling football management simulation. Championship Manager 2007 has a completely new look with new skins, menu shortcuts and a dynamic side bar, all ensuring that every gaming taste is catered for. The introduction of an International Management option enables players to manage their country and be a part of the biggest football tournament in the world.

An innovative new Match Analysis Tool is an `under the bonnet' reveal of statistical information relevant to every player and every game including; goals scored, runs made and shots/passes/tackles made or failed. This offers each manager a true representation of the information on offer to top flight football managers.

Managers will now be able to praise and criticise players in a brand new team talks feature and give individual instructions to players either pre-match or at half time and receive staff feedback on performances. Plus behind the scenes there is also a huge backroom staff of improvements including transfers, negotiations, news, media and pre-match build up along with player and club data accurate up to the closing of the August transfer window, a refined AI system and the introduction of two new leagues: Conference North and South.

Championship Manager 2007 allows you to manage your club to glory, dealing with everything from tactics and training to transfers - everything you would expect a real-life football manager to do without owning a sheepskin coat.

New Features:
ProZone - For the first time, exclusive to Championship Manager, use ProZone for full match analysis - as used by top football managers. This new feature provides you with stats for every player and every game including: goals scored, runs made and shots/passes/tackles made or failed.

Comprehensive data update to player, staff, club and league data - including Conference North and South. Contains all transfers up to the end of August Transfer Window.

International management - Live the ultimate fans dream and manage your country to glory in the biggest tournaments in the world

Overhauled front end interface - All new skins, with `Dynamic Side Bar' and `Menu Shortcut' system.

Team talks - Pre-match, half-time and post match talks. Praise/criticise players and give individual instructions e.g. intimidate/go in hard - but be careful not to start a mass brawl.

Speed navigation (SpeedNav) - The new speed navigation feature allows you to quickly cycle through players, clubs and competitions. Simply use the arrow on the top bar and you will find the game easily cycles to the next option on the quick select menu.

Overhauled player interactions - The player interactions have been totally overhauled for CM2007. You will find that players will respond directly to your promises, so don't make promises you don't intend to keep.

Improved contract negotiations - Players will now demand more than just money. You'll find personalities come into play like never before. In the modern day era players are not happy to sit on the bench, so be sure to offer the correct terms or risk losing out on your star signing.

Overhauled news and media text - The news and media has been given a total re-write, You'll find that every story you read is more compelling than ever before, making the overall experience of CM a great one.

Improved match engine AI - CM2007 again continues to revamp and improve the football on show. Put your team out and watch them play to your tactics and style of play like never before, offering you the most realistic match action to date.

In-game help - CM2007 comes complete with in-game help so if you're ever stuck you should find a solution to your problem quickly.

Customer Reviews

good but can get boring after a while
a great game when you start but after a few seasons you can get bored and fed up as many of the players are unknown to everyone so you end up spending more money on scouts than the players. the actual matches are very good as you can change the game speed and what part of the game you want to watch but the graphics are awful with coloured circles representing players. this game overall is well worth it due to its realistic features but i wouldnt spend over £20 on it as it will only entertain you for a year or so and no longer unless you are very dedicated (and or (possibly)have no social life)but a good game overall.

Unnecessarily complicated
This game is by no means worth the investment of time it requires. Having to choose your team on one skin and set positions on another and formation on yet another is the tip of the iceberg in terms of problems. It is absolutely impossible to get any non EU-players with a small transfer budget because of work-permits and again this is only one of many other problems this game has. What may seem like attention to detail in between games is simply borig and a waste of time. Despite the ammount of time that needs to be put in you still feel hopelessly uninvolved and I would not recommend this game.

Good Game
A very good and above all addictive game for all ages. With the addition of the international team management (previously missing from the 2006 version) it has even more scope for possiblilties.
My only disappointments about the game are the pre-match engine that take an age to prepare each match, and the omittance of the MLS league due to (i believe) licensing rights. Next season with Freddy Adu alongside the one and only David Beckham, I feel it is imperative to add this league to next seasons version.