The beta has been going on for a long time now and the full game was due for release in March 2008 but it has been pushed back slightly to allow a bit more time to iron out the online user experience. It is now rumoured to be out early summer 2008, probably June.

I was just accepted onto the beta today so I don't know too much about the game so far, except what I have read from the official site. Once I get a bit more play time under my belt I will post more info about Football Manager Live here.

For the time being I will just give you a bit of background to the game. It is being made by Sports Interactive (the people behind the Football Manager games we all know and love) but this version of the game will all be played online in a massively multiplayer style game. You can decide on the type of game room you would like to join based on the amount of time you will be playing the game. Some people will choose to be in a game world where people are playing all day every day whereas some more casual gamers might wish to only play a few games a week. When released Football Manager Live will be available as a free PC or Mac download but to play the game you will have to pay a monthly subscription. The price has not been announced yet but it has been suggested that it will not cost more than a couple of pints so it shouldn't be too expensive.

A game world (or server) will have space for 1000 people so basically you will be up against another 999 people or so. To begin with, everyone bids for the players they want in their squad but your finances are limited at first so that everyone has a chance of getting a decent enough squad. You won't have the cash for the top players at the beginning but if you manage your team well and performances are good you will soon be in a position to be bidding for the best players around. From what I know, your finances will be based on various factors but your results will have a major influence.

After an initial round of games have been played you will be placed into a league depending on how well you performed. You have a set amount of time to play your fixtures. If you or your opponent cant play your fixture in the time allocated the matched can be played against the AI. The following season you can also play European competitions if you do well enough the season before.

As I said already, i haven't even played the game yet so when I have had a bit of time with it I will post more details about the game. From what I have seen of it so far I think its going to be one of the most addictive games of the year. If possible we might even get a group of site members into a game and see who comes out on top!!

I have just setup a Football Manager Live Forum so if you have any questions please post them and I will try and answer them for you.