Football Manager 2016’s Winter update 16.3.0 released

The traditional post-Christmas-transfer-window update for Football Manager 2016 has been released today, taking the game to version 16.3.0. As usual, this is a pretty large patch which updates the various team databases to reflect recent transfer movements. It also makes a number of changes and fixes to the game in general.

If you were hoping to see “fullbacks can properly cut out crossing opportunities” in the notes, though, you’ll be sadly disappointed. Powerful crossing-based tactics are apparently here to stay in Football Manager 2016. It’s a strange situation, especially as the version of the Match Engine used during the beta period seemed to handle this a lot better.

Anyway, here’s what has actually changed. Your copy of the game on Steam should update itself accordingly:

DATABASE
– Updated ‘Winter Transfer Window’ database included

STABILITY & PERFORMANCE
– Fixed crash on Linux when using multiple monitors
– Fixed rare crash during processing
– Fixed rare crash with Dutch league play-off match
– Fixed rare crash with Belgian European Play-off match

MATCH ENGINE
– Stop keepers punching the ball when making a save from a penalty
– Prevent a player from taking a throw in from behind the goal line
– Give more time at the end of the match when a team wins a competition
– Fixed missing commentary for competition win at the end of a shootout
– Fixed throw in issue which caused dead time

USER INTERFACE
– Fixed ‘Potential’ and ‘Ability’ filters showing incorrect players on Scouting page
– Fixed use of Match Analysis time bar during a match
– Fixed code showing in calendar when using Greek language
– Fixed rare issue where no conversation options presented when interacting with homesick player
– Fixed rare warning popup when interacting with player
– Fixed player faces sometimes appearing blue on Competition Stats panels after a match

COMPETITIONS & RULEGROUPS
– Fixed issue where user was not asked to name their Copa Sudamericana squad
– Fixed issues with removing players from the Disabled List in MLS
– Fixed incorrect generation of Under 19 teams in MLS
– Fixed rare instances of User not being able to participate in the MLS Superdraft
– Improved AI squad building and Designated Player signing in MLS
– Fixed issue where Yellow Cards in Brazilian leagues were incorrectly counted towards Brazilian Cup suspensions

TRANSFERS & CONTRACTS
– Fixed issue where some nations would start qualifying campaigns without a manager in place
– Fixed instance of sacked manager remaining in role
– Fixed instances of players not being removed from the transfer list after the player has requested to be removed
– Fixed instance of staff rejecting transfer offers for user’s player despite not being instructed to do so
– Improved manager hirings in leagues that have been activated via the editor
– Improved the retention of goalkeepers by the AI throughout different squads
– Improved AI transfer & contract negotiations
– Fixed issue where Individual training for players returning from loan could be forgotten

TRAINING
– Improving effectiveness of Positional Training
– Fix for Allow Rest Before/After Match re-selecting itself
– Fix for Position/Role field returning blank

BOARD
– Improved long term board confidence to update club expectations
– Fixed issue where multiple Board return feeder club verdict news items were generated into the users inbox

STANDALONE EDITOR
– Fixed various crashes on specific Editor files
– Fixed specific instances of competitions not scheduling correctly in edit files
– Improved several error messages to be more helpful

IN GAME EDITOR
– Fixed issue with background kit not updating quickly enough to show the change when edited

NETWORK
– Fixed match score divergence between PC & Mac
– Fixed Must Respond timer issues
– Fixed Break Request issues

TOUCH MODE
– Fixed rare example of save game failing to load
– Fixed rare crash accessing in-match Tactics screen
– Fixed rare crash with Dutch league play-off match
– Fixed rare crash with Belgian European Play-off match
– Fixed rare crash with Italian Serie C playoff match
– Fixed Belgian Pro League fixtures not being scheduled in second season
– Fixed user being able to take control of Reserve teams
– Prevented job adverts for coaches and physios for national teams
– Removed age restrictions from Swiss Reserve Teams
– Ensured Austrian Premier Divisions enter into Reserve Competitions

VERSUS MODE
– Fixed issue where imported teams use incorrect badge

CREATE A CLUB
– Fixed reserve and youth teams not using the correct create a club kit colouurs
– Fixed issue where a created player could be cup tied indefinitely.

UNLOCKABLES
– Fixed issue where Design a Son could be applied when cancelling

LEADERBOARDS
– Fixed issue where Create a Club team names would be used instead of the user’s club that earned the score

STEAM CONTROLLER
– Improvements to Steam controller functionality