Soccer Tycoon: Football Game 4+

Enjoyable manager experience

I have found this game to deliver what it intends, and I am pleased with the entertainment. The developers are correct in stating that you can compete at the top with only spending your time on watching adds :). Indeed it takes a while, but for me the strategy and planning was fun so I did not mind patiently building my team, without spending actual money. The lack of the money grab here by developers was refreshing, but surely you can jump start your success with an investment.

Wonderful Game, Massive Game-breaking Issues

This game is pretty good and arguably one of the best free football managing games on the App Store, but there are some massive issues that really kill the game.
•Why do I lose money every week in game during the off-season when I literally CANT play any games to make money back!? Please fix this massive issue immediately because it makes the game impossible to progress financially as I was in debt before I played even ONE game in my first season. At this point in my 5th season, I’m 700k in debt and have never even been close to making profit on a season. I understand losing money during away games on the season but NOT during the off-season. If this issue could be resolved it would solve the only issue I have in this game as the rest of my problems relate to this.
• Why is there a massive gap between the end of December and March where there are no games played? It makes no sense that no games are played for months in the middle of the season, and I also still lose money every week during that break.
• I’ve reached the point where since the finances are broken and I’m 700k in debt, when I try to get better players on Bosman Free Transfers they will agree to sign but the game blocks the deal because I can’t afford $0 to get a free transfer!
These are massive issues, but the only issues I have with the game as the rest is very well put together and is a really good game. I’d greatly appreciate those changes, thanks!

Developer Response ,

There are opportunities every 4 game weeks to watch a rewarded video for money. If you watch the videos, you will have plenty of money and this allows people to play for free. If you don't want to watch the videos but still want the money, you can buy the 'Remove Ads' IAP. I can only assume you are not watching the videos or haven't bought the 'Remove Ads' IAP. Do one or the other and your problems will be solved.

Finances

As one of the other reviews said, I start with a new club and they’re already losing money every month even if I sell the team for parts. According to dev response the answer is to watch the ad for money or pay real money, which isn’t unfair, but it feels more manipulative than just having ads with no opt-out, if the bottom line is that I have to watch the ads anyway. Your way forces the ads to be part of the game, in the sense that not watching the ad is a bad strategical choice, and in the sense that it puts the lie to the whole fictionalized finance aspect, to some extent. It also just doesn’t make sense—presumably this club was not leaking $200k/year before I bought them.

Oh, also. I spent like an hour playing the game for no reason because I didn’t figure that the optional ads were in fact required. Generally I don’t watch ads for in-game currency as a matter of principle. I’m not exactly eager to pick it up again, and I’m sure I’m not the only one who this has happened to.