Isn't there a Football Manager for Dummies?

I got Football Manager 2018 after watching DoctorBenjyFM's Salford Story series. For those of you that don't know, it's a Let's Play Series on YouTube.

Anyway, the game captivated me and I bought FM18. However, I was in no way prepared for how involved it is - and how quickly, too. I mean, JEEEEEE-SUS CHRIST, there ain't no easy mode or anything. Is there like a Football Manager Tutorial mode?

I mean, one of my favorite games in AoE2 and - let me tell ya - the William Wallace scenario...THAT's how you introduce new people into a series. I get the impression that this game is - totally - not friendly to noobs. Or, maybe I need to look someplace...**Sigh** I don't know. A tutorial mode or a couple of easy scenarios to get your feet wet would be nice.

In a perfect world, I'd like to try and turn around Peterhead (giggity!) in a Ladbrokes League. I like watching those worst-to-first videos on YouTube and I figured I'd try this myself. However, many of these videos skip over the minutiae. And - hey! - I understand...you gotta make this entertaining somehow. Is there like a book or something that I could read with step-by-step instructions on what to do. Like "Day 1", do this stuff with Peterhead. Day 2, fire that guy. Day 3, try to hire that guy. I tend to read things like a recipe from a cookbook with clear, no-nonsense instructions for the everyday dude. Is there something like that for this game?

Like I said, FM does not make it easy for new folks to get involved. Don't get me wrong, I like games that are difficult to master but they got to ease the learning curve. The best sports game that accomplished that - to this day - is NBA Jam!

People argue that if you pick a big team like Man City, Bayern, Barca or Real Madrid then that is the game in "easy" mode.

There used to be plenty of guides around the interweb, I remember one group even tried to start selling theirs!

Having a quick search, here is one that might help you on your way: https://www.guidetofm.com/

Best of luck and keep with it! If you have any questions we have plenty of experienced players here who will always be happy to help.

When you do get your teeth into a game, it would be good to hear how you progress. You could keep us updated in our careers section with a story thread or even just the odd update in the casual gamers thread there.

Suffolk,

I appreciate your feedback, my friend. I'm serious about that scenario thing, though. If they really want to see this game take off - bigger than it is - then I think scenarios are the key. It would open up the game for people that ain't necessarily interested in "foot-soccer-ball" (to quote quill18) but still have a peeking interest in sports' management.

It can seem a huge task when you first start playing it, especially if you play like me - total immersion.
There are things you can do to make life easier for yourself< as has been said, taking over a big, rich club makes the financial side easier - you can leave it up to others.
Scouting can be left to the Chief Scout
Transfers can be left to the DoF
Youth teams left to the respective managers
Training and press conferences left to your AssMan

Unfortunately, to keep the simulation realistic, there can't be an 'easy' mode like an arcade game, as it would require a massive change in the way the AI and Match Engine works.

To this end, SI do allow you to delegate most of the mundane tasks to your staff, so have a look around the 'Staff Responsibilities' screen and see what you can delegate. As a new player, focus on one or two aspects of the game and let the staff take care of the rest.

With a big club, with a lot of money, you will have good players and a healthy bank account - your players should be good enough to 'hide' tactical errors, while the finances pretty much look after themselves. You can focus on tactics and transfers to start with.

Remember the YouTubers (well, most of them) have been playing the game for years, know the ins and outs intimately and make it look so easy. The rags-to-riches is a great scenario to play, but you do need to do the groundwork first and learn the game to be able to pull that kind of thing off.

To get to the top of the game with Peterhead will need someone who can get the best out of a limited squad, with little to no budget, few skilled staff and nowt in the bank. Benjy might manage it, I have playing for 10 years and I wouldn't back myself to pull it off.

For easier guides and help, use the forums and dig up some blogs - YouTube is often where the really successful ones show off, although there are some good 'beginner guides' to be found.

A good post I have played this game for years. I had the very first CM, but I find it a very hard game to crack at times. It was easy in the early games but I find it really difficult now. I have promised myself that FM19 is the one where I change that and I give it time to work ;-)
So yes a guide to the game would be really good as I feel as if I have no game plan. I admit I often end up cheating by adding another manager and making a HUGE bid for one of my players to give me a better transfer budget. This is CHEATING.....its the only thing i cheat in and this has to stop ;-)

Have you tried FM Touch version? I think some of features are disabled thus making the game more straightforward.

Best way to learn is by playing the game, So go ahead with that and you'll get used to the majority of it.
Besides that, I would suggest watching people play it on Youtube and watch for things they're doing that you can pick up on.
BustTheNet has some really good guides on different concepts that exist within the game.

Podcasts are good too.

Deep Lying Podcast and 5 Star Potential are the best ones.

I am sort of with the original poster on here , a comprehensive guide would be great. Like I said above I have played this game for years and years and I have never won a thing, ok maybe the odd cup here and there and a few promotions.
I actually didnt buy FM18 as I was going to give up, but it is addictive
My latest attempt I took over Hanover 96 in the second div of German football. I finished 4th one place out of the play off place and was duly sacked
Other than cheating and inflating my funds I have no idea how to play this game. Its like real life football management I guess in that you dont get enough time at the football club before they sack you. Training and Tactics are the two areas I struggle in most and in FM17 I really struggle to bring in players. I use the scouting page but rarely does it bring much success

If anybody wants to we could start a discord server where we talk about different things about the game to share knowledge on how to play.

Here's a link to a Discord Server to join up and talk about FM basics
https://discord.gg/sf499G

There is already a Sortioutsi Discord server, where I am sure people would be happy to help with any questions or share their knowledge as you play!

I feel your pain! Been playing since Championship Manager 2 and the last 2 seasons of FM I have enjoyed it less and less as I'm finding it even more difficult than it ever has been. But from reading the post I have made a note of the podcasts and the guide and will give them some time to read etc