Very well Mike, maybe Paul could talk to some of those people who are not finding the game enjoyable and respond to their queries and complaints.
If you are done on the discussion then fine, but mark my words people will still be moaning about something not being right with the game months from now. This is probably the first time since the Steam introduction that people have complained about the game in significant droves.
Okay, we are not all computer experts, but most of us know what fairness is - and, regardless of what you or anybody else says, it is my opinion that the game at times is not fair. Granted, there may be freak games like the Sheffield United one where Sheffield United were left with six or so players on the pitch (?) but these are a million in one. The last game I played I lost five players through injury and scraped through 1-0 against a lower ranked side.
Try and see it from my side - every game I play, something will inevitably go wrong. Now, what am I supposed to think? Funnily enough, I had no problems on the Challenges - they were all completed quite quickly and I enjoyed playing them. FMC is also pretty good, but the main game is causing me concern.
I can understand you wishing to stand up for SI and co., Mike, and that is admirable. However when nothing will go right in the game, it saps out any bit of enjoyment and I might as well just lose every game because that it seems is what the game wants. If I then lose 10 games, I am out of the club I am managing. You see my point, I hope.
If you read the SI forums you'd see he does exactly that when given time.
Not enjoying the game hasn't got anything to do with arguing that the game is balanced against you, which is what you have been doing. There is a very very big difference between arguing something is too hard, and trying to say its scripted against you. The former is subjective depending on the user, and the latter is a fact that it is NOT scripted against you.
Yes sometimes thing go your way, sometimes they don't. Ever watched a game of football? happens all the time. This is reflected in FM. But again doesn't mean the game is against you, since it can and does also go your way.
People moan every year the game is too hard, people also moan its too easy. This year is harder, because you actually have to think about what you are doing and why. The ME is harder to exploit, the AI has a better grasp that ever before. People are having to actually manage more than before.
Your opinions is yours, and you are entitled to it, but in the face of the fact that the game isn't weighted against you, its simply wrong.
Have you honestly ever stopped to think that you might not be as good at it as you think? There is a lot more to the main game than there is in the FMC challenges, and rather than trying to blame the game, you'd get a lot further in trying to see where you are going wrong and get advice from others who are doing well. Take a look at the tactical threads here and on he SI forums, there are people winning in droves, i'd start by reading the threads by Cleon.
It's not a case of standing up for SI or anyone. As I've pointed out many times, there are certainly lots of areas where the game can be improved. Its simply arguing for some that is true against something that is false. As long as you continue to believe the game is against you, you wont get anywhere, and you honestly might as well give up with FM because you wont improve and you will continue to be frustrated and not enjoy it.