Platform: PC

Genre: Strategy / Sports

Publisher: Digital Jesters

Developer: Cyanide Studios

ETA: March 26, 2004

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Pro Rugby Manager

Hell it had to happen sometime, the ever elusive rugby title following hot on the heels of the English world cup rugby success in Australia last November.  To anyone residing out side of the British empire, that’s American football to you and I.  So, thus lo and behold Pro Rugby Manager 2004 has appeared and plans to offer us that sumptuous piece of rugby gaming that we’ve apparently all been begging for. 

Here comes the science bit, apparently, Pro Rugby Manager 2004 delivers everything a rugby fan could ask for (really? I doubt that very much, where is the pint of lager and busty blonde?). It is supposedly a perfect blend of management and real time 3D simulation. One of the features available is you can manage all the aspects of a professional rugby team from 

the negotiation of players‘ contracts to the set-up of the actual game strategies.

You can execute the decisions you see fit and watch it unfold in “3D with body crushing, adrenaline pumping, try-scoring feats”, sounds good so far right? You can also adapt these tactics on the fly during the game as you watch the behaviour of your players unfold in realistic 3D action. Participate in all major competitions from 10 championships, Super 12, Tri-Nations, Six Nations, European Cups and the most prestigious of them all, The World Cup.

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Features:
Exciting game modes and teams: Participate in all the major competitions from the 10 National championships to the Super 12, Tri-Nations, Six Nations, European Cups and The World Cup

Choose from over 100 Clubs and 50 National teams (France, UK, Italy, New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, and many more)

Authentic Stadiums: Experience 13 authentic 3D stadiums

Management Aspects: Feel the intense real-life pressures of a manager with key decisions such as the hiring and firing of players to improve the status of your team.

Train, hone and develop key individuals with rigorous set-up training programs and unleash their full potential on the pitch.

Give instructions as the game progresses in real-time such as substitutions to tired, injured or under performing players that will affect the outcome of the game.

Manage staff and balance the books for the board to maximise profits for your team.

Realistic tactics and strategies: Select your starting 15, assign tactics and strategies and watch them carry it out. Delve further and come up with your own advanced strategies that promise to deliver limitless tactical gameplay possibilities.

Weather Effects: Weather will affect match conditions throwing curve balls into your tactics, strategies and crowd turn out that will affect profits and the way your game will played out.

Realistic and fluid animations: Motion captured players allow for realistic animations and immersion into the bone-crushing thrills of Rugby.

Multiplayer functions: Play with up to 2 players in real-time Online (Gamespy) or LAN. Set up leagues Online or LAN over multiple seasons for up to 100 players and watch your progress unfold in style with a Worldwide Online ladder system.

Will Pro Rugby Manager 2004 be the definitive Rugby sports simulation for the PC? Or will it disappear into the ever increasing list of failed sports games? Well, I’m afraid that’s up to you to find out, but if one conclusion can be drawn, it is that Rugby fans globally will be entertained for the next few weeks, possibly even months.

- Chase Scott-Pearson

(February 26, 2004)