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How the game works: rules, gauges and engine
Behind the messages and scenes, the game applies precise rules. Here is what goes up, what goes down, and why.
The three gauges that decide your game
| Gauge | What raises it | What lowers it | Critical threshold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Board trust | Good results, good answers to the chairman, objectives met, relevant reports | Poor ranking, negative budget, ignored chairman, wage cap breached | 0%: sacked |
| Stress | Poor ranking, losing run, negative budget, unanswered messages | Rest, Private life outings (rest no longer wipes it entirely) | 100%: burnout |
| Reputation | Wins, good press, ranking | Defeats, bad press, ignored messages | Sets your rank and offers from other clubs |
Difficulty
On the club selection screen you pick Easy, Normal (default) or Hard. The level sets gains and losses (trust, reputation, coach relationship, stress, budget) and the share of the unexpected: a choice that goes well on Easy can go wrong on Hard. On Hard, stress rises faster but stays manageable if you rest regularly.
A season’s calendar
- A 38-round league with a national cup alongside.
- For the best, three European cups depending on final ranking: top 3, 4th–5th, 6th–7th.
- A transfer window in July, August and January, announced by email.
- A training report on Friday, a press review on Monday, a medical review and the chairman’s update on the 1st of the month, a monthly assistant review on the first Monday.
- Each week, challenges (4 drawn from 14) and a daily reward.
What influences a match
The match is played by the coach with the squad you built. Team strength depends on player level, form and morale, and on the relationship with the coach. You can propose a game plan among 6 formations: the coach accepts it (+2 strength for 3 matches), adapts it his own way (+1.5) or refuses depending on your relationship. During a match your texts to the coach can also weigh in. Some randomness exists: it is football.
Constraints that force choices
- Maximum squad of 28 players.
- Wage cap: breaching it is punished by the board.
- Budget: every transfer is debited; a negative budget raises stress and lowers trust.
- Contracts: a refused extension lowers morale and blocks a new offer for 14 days.
- One treatment per injury: pick between club physio, intensive rehab or a specialist; the more effective, the costlier and riskier.
The price of silence
In most games, ignoring a message costs nothing. Here it does: an ignored chairman lowers board trust, the coach his relationship, the press your reputation, a player or agent their morale. Pending messages also add to your stress. Messages do not repeat within 40 days and reflect the club’s real situation, which makes reading them worthwhile.
Where to find each rule
The game includes a full guide, opened with the “Guide” button: each feature is described with its location. For procedures, read the transfer window and negotiating with agents. For the project’s history: the development log.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if board trust falls to 0%?
You are sacked and the game ends with a summary of your career.
How do I lower stress?
By resting, through Private life, and by answering messages: they weigh while pending.
What does the difficulty level change?
Gains and losses, stress pressure and the share of the unexpected.
How many players can I have?
28 at most, within the wage cap.