Return of football management's boss: Codemasters confirms LMA Manager 2005 for PlayStation 2 and Xbox this autumn. LMA Manager 2005 – PS2 and Xbox – October 2005 Manchester United FC Manager also confirmed as a special collector's edition. If you think you've got what it takes to be or beat the likes of Ferguson, Wenger, Robson and Mourinho, prepare to put your tactics to the test as Codemasters confirms that the nation's favourite console football management series will return this October with LMA Manager 2005 for PlayStation 2 and Xbox. Codemasters is also creating an exclusive Manchester United edition of the game: Manchester United Manager 2005 will be available for PlayStation 2 and Xbox and published simultaneously with LMA Manager 2005 [see notes for further information]. For the new 2004/2005 season, the management gameplay reaches all-new heights as LMA Manager 2005 becomes the most extensive title in the series' history with more countries, leagues and trophies. LMA Manager 2005 also lets you extend your management prowess to more countries too: compete as a manager in 21 leagues as Holland and Portugal join the playable English, Scottish, French, German, Italian and Spanish leagues. Your team can also play friendlies against clubs from 32 different countries – and you can scout for players from those teams too. It's set to be a nail-biting season and LMA Manager 2005 comes to it armed with all the 04/05 season stats, including updated statistics for every player and all the transfers after the summer break. Management tactics and information flow are increased: You'll be able to assign secondary playing sides to players, allowing better formation and positioning and when you want to find that player you really want to sign, an all-new player search makes scouting more relevant to your needs. And come match day, LMA Manager 2005 is set to be more compelling with its best ever looking 3D Match with faster, more fluid animations, high detailed players and kits. Matches run real-time meaning results aren't fixed before the whistle blows; it's about how you react as the game unfolds that can make or break the result. The 3D Match's game engine is enhanced too with improved speed, all-new goalkeeper AI, a wider variety of free kicks and all of the new 'non-interference' and 'clear daylight' offside rules for the new season. For the first time in the series, LMA Manager 2005 will be expanded with additional game content, downloadable over Xbox Live or PlayStation 2 Net Play, after the game launches. On Xbox Live, there'll be new fantasy teams, new challenges and, on both PlayStation 2 and Xbox, all the latest player transfer data from the January transfer window will be available to download. The voices of LMA Manager return in style with double the number of phrases in Barry Davies' commentary, while Gary Lineker and Alan Hansen's pithy, often downright amusing, match day summaries now flow more naturally thanks to an advanced audio system. Bringing all the tough decisions and ecstatic highs of professional football management to PlayStation 2 and Xbox screens, LMA Manager 2005 will kick off the new season as the essential management game when it launches this October. Follow the game and join the massive LMA Manager community online at www.codemasters.co.uk/lma2005 #ENDS# LMA MANAGER 2005: KEY GAMEPLAY POINTS The most extensive edition of LMA Manager – the market-leading football management game for console gamers. All the statistics you need, completely updated for the 2004/2005 season. More teams and divisions including Holland and Portugal's two top divisions joining the playable English, Scottish, French, German, Italian and Spanish leagues. Best looking 3D Match with more animations, new celebrations, new detailed kits Full game plus Fantasy Team and Expert Mode with unique and intuitive control designed for console gaming. Enhanced match engine for more entertaining, rewarding and realistic 3D match section. ABOUT MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER 2005 As the official video game partner of Manchester United, Codemasters will publish "Manchester United Manager 2005" as a special edition of the full LMA Manager 2005 game, with additional team-specific content. The Manchester United edition, fully branded in game in club colours, lets you take over from Ferguson and have your say at Old Trafford as you manage the 2004/2005 squad and beyond. If you're doing well and bringing in the money, you can buy new players for the club and even embark on an expansion programme for Old Trafford, accurately recreated for the special edition. With the official club badge, full kits, and crowd sounds and chants recorded at MUFC, Manchester United Manager 2005 will also feature exclusive club content including manager and player profiles and coaching tips. Manchester United Manager 2005 will be published for PlayStation 2 and Xbox, alongside LMA Manager 2005, this October. CODEMASTERS WEB SITE Codemasters receives over one million visitors to its web site every month, discover why at: http://www.codemasters.com CODEMASTERS CODE M It's free to subscribe to Code M, Codemasters' new privileged subscriber community. Sign up and receive priority access to playable demos, downloads and information ahead of general release. To subscribe, simply click this link: http://www.codemasters.com/codemprogram/joinup.php CODEMASTERS CORPORATE BROCHURE Codemasters corporate information can be accessed online at: http://www.codemasters.com/corporate/corporate.php ABOUT CODEMASTERS Codemasters is a leading developer and publisher of best-selling interactive entertainment products for a global audience on current and future gaming platforms and channels. Established in 1986, the company's dominant brands include Colin McRae Rally, TOCA Race Driver, LMA Manager, the Club Football range and Operation Flashpoint. The company is headquartered in Southam, Warwickshire UK and maintains European operations in Germany, France, Spain, and Benelux. The company has its US headquarters in New York. More information about the company and its products is available online at http://www.codemasters.com