Championship Manager goes online

Eidos has announced that the popular franchise Championship Manager now has a playable online version. Championship Manager Online is a subscription-based soccer management simulation developed by Swedish studio Jadestone. Championship Manager Online is available at the game's Web site.

Championship Manager Online challenges gamers' managerial skills by pitting them against other soccer enthusiasts. Players start off as managers of lower-level teams and eventually graduate to powerhouses, such as Chelsea and Liverpool, as "jobs" open up. The game also features "buddy leagues," which let groups of chums compete against one another as managers of any team. The game also features SMS updates, letting managers receive information even when they're tilting back a pint at the local pub.

Subscription rates are as follows: One month for £3.99 ($7.63), three months for £9.99 ($19.11), six months for £18.99 ($36.33), and 12 months for £34.99 ($66.94).

Eidos also announced the release date of Championship Manager 5 for the PC. The game will hit store shelves on March 18 in the UK and on April 1 internationally. This latest edition of the popular franchise features faster loading and gameplay, and it lets managers watch their decisions play out via a 2D soccer match. PlayStation 2 and Xbox versions are expected this spring.