Games developed by heart-line Software GmbH
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Director of Football
Director of Football is a typical soccer management game of the 'German school' in the line of titles like the Bundesliga Manager series (from the same designers) or the ANSTOSS series, where the management of finances plays as important a role as the management of the team itself. It has 4 main leagues (England with 4 divisions, France and Italy with 3 and Spain with 2) along with four other minor leagues with only one division (Holland, Germany, Portugal and Scotland). However, only one of the four main leagues can be fully activated, eliminating all the lower levels of the remaining leagues. The player can create his own leagues and data sets (allowing to have more recent or even fantasy templates) using the built-in editor. And if that wasn't enough, the player can also choose any team and play with it in another championship, randomize the starting team of players as well as their attributes, positions, ages and stadium sizes, making each match unique.
Players are ranked according to a 'CTI' index on a scale from 0 to 999. The CTI sums a player's skills by averaging his condition, technique and intelligence values, which is also influenced by the player's form. Each CTI value corresponds to a wider range of skills: condition includes their strength, stamina and tackling ability, intelligence their team spirit, tactical sense and overall vision, and finally technique their average of acceleration, dribbling and shooting values. They are also rated in other areas of special skills, such as crossing, goal instinct and experience. Goalkeepers, being specialized players, have a much more simplified scoring system, with a single category of strength (which is not affected by form) and seven skill areas.
Within the game, the player is responsible for several areas, including squad management (setting tactics and formations and team talks), acting as the incumbent 'Manager' (insuring players against injury, signing players and establishing contracts, setting up training camps and dealing with potential new players for the youth team), and acting on finances (advertising and stadium extensions). The player can earn additional income by trading on the stock market (risky) or by making long-term deposits, which provide a reliable return, but the money cannot be withdrawn before the stipulated date.
The player advances in his career based on two factors: his success as a manager (set by a numerical score) and achievement medals, which are earned by completing the season with certain criteria met (such as a high end-of-contract average, good performance in competitions and milking advertisers).
Soccer Manager
Soccer Manager is a classic Windows game released in 2002, developed and published by the independent British game developer, Sports Interactive. It is a simulation game that puts players in the role of a football manager, taking on the responsibility of managing a team from over 50 different leagues around the world.
With detailed and realistic gameplay, Soccer Manager quickly became a favorite among football enthusiasts. The game allows players to experience the thrills and challenges of being a manager, from signing and selling players to creating a winning strategy and battling for league titles. The graphics may be simple by today's standards, but back in 2002, they were top-notch, contributing to the overall immersive gameplay experience.
One of the unique aspects of Soccer Manager is its focus on realism. The game includes real-world players and teams, allowing players to manage their favorite clubs. The player database is continuously updated, reflecting real-life transfers and injuries, making the game even more true-to-life. The game also incorporates financial management, where players must balance budgets, negotiate contracts, and deal with sponsorships, adding an extra layer of challenge to the game.
Another notable aspect of Soccer Manager is the level of control it gives players. The game allows players to make all the key decisions, from deciding the team's formation and tactics to making substitutions during the match. This level of control allows players to truly feel like they are in charge of their team, giving them a sense of ownership and pride when their team comes out on top.
Soccer Manager also includes a multiplayer mode, where players can compete against friends or strangers in head-to-head matches. This feature added a whole new level of excitement to the game, as players could put their managerial skills to the test against real opponents, rather than just the computer. The multiplayer aspect also added longevity to the game, as players could continuously challenge themselves against new opponents.
As the years passed, Soccer Manager continued to evolve and improve. The game received regular updates, adding new features and improving gameplay. Eventually, it even became available as a mobile app, allowing players to manage their team on the go. This move further cemented Soccer Manager's place as a favorite among football fans, even to this day.
