14 DAY TRIAL // We've just received word from publisher XIDER Games that FIBA Basketball Manager 2008 for PC has become the official game of Eurobasket 2007, the European Championships to be held in Spain in September '07. If you're into sports management, then get ready to experience something totally new, as far as basketball games are concerned.
"You too could be playing ball with Europe's finest as long as you engage shrewd financial and management tactics with FIBA Basketball Manager 2008. Bag the biggest sponsorship deals, woo the best players and draw in the crowds to create a wild atmosphere at the stadium," says the official report.
The genre isn't called "sports management" for nothing as the team's success, as well as the stadium's is down to you, the manager! Think you're up to selling out of tickets and stock the stadium's shop with great merchandise to excite customers and bring in the cash? Well, it's what you have to do as it will help to pay for essential overheads such as arena upgrades, media costs and staff wages.
But there's a small catch: you'll need to use your budget wisely so that you can offer your superstar players an attractive salary. What, you didn't think it was all about you, now did you? You'll also need to trade players between International and English teams to put together the top line up in the championships. Oh and... should a player get injured, they will need replacing, which means you'll lose a little, but hey, you have to learn to lose sometimes too.
As a manager, you'll also be obliged to break down some essential team tactics by taking your players through their moves, using one of the 3 ways, at your own choice: direct score, 2D view or 3D view to study the game's result. Use the tactics page to get the low down on killer moves that will give your team that extra edge.
Remember: FIBA Basketball Manager 2008 is being published by XIDER Games, developed by Hexarts and distributed by Pinnacle Software, with a release scheduled for early September this year. The game is going to cost around 20 Pounds. Here's the publisher's website for more info.