The upcoming, incredibly in-depth Football Manager game will include a feature that allows players to come out as gay.
Twitter user @lugenhimer83 posted an image of the feature from a beta version of the game, asking its creators if it would be included in its final release on November 10.
@LokiDokigg @DoctorBenjy @milesSI Is this an early Easter Egg in the FM2018 Beta? pic.twitter.com/BWRz3KjxbL
— Lugenhimer (@lugenhimer83) October 29, 2017
The Football Manager series is pretty well-known for being insanely detailed. Its database and dedicated users are so obsessive (and accurate) that several clubs have actually licensed it out for scouting purposes. Incredible.
Miles Jacobson, one of the game’s directors, confirmed the feature as legit via a tweet, also expressing his surprise at how quickly it was discovered.
I wasn’t expecting this to be found so quickly but yes, it’s real. And you get a nice little merchandise boost if it happens in your save 😃🌈 https://t.co/sceRnqCOzo
— Miles Jacobson 💙 (@milesSI) October 29, 2017
According to a reply from Miles in the same thread, it’ll only happen with ‘regens’ – players that aren’t actually real – to avoid the implications that come with announcing a real-life player has come out as gay.
He also made it clear that using the feature would have no negative impacts on the player or their club. The only consequence will be a nice little merchandising boost for the club.
Responses to the feature have been, for the most part, quite positive so far, which is obviously bloody great to see.
Now I love FM even more.
— Kevin Wójcik (@Kewinoss) October 29, 2017
Genuinely nice touch. Yet another year you and the game are way ahead of the curve…..
— Ed McGready (@Thestretch83) October 29, 2017
Handled impeccably and in respectful & understated manner, quality from everyone involved, plenty of people could learn lessons from this
— Henry Parsons (@HenryParsons97) October 30, 2017
Excellent addition. Great to see a (mainly) positive reaction to it too. pic.twitter.com/v5xu6R8C4R
— Ben Keay (@Fed_by_Ben) October 29, 2017
Hell yeah. Football Manager 2018 will be out on PC November 10.
