First look: LMA Manager 2003

Codemasters today released the first screenshots of the latest game in its successful soccer management series on the Xbox. LMA Manager 2003, which is due for release in the UK in October, will feature 720 European teams from 28 different countries--each with authentic player, stadium, and kit information.

In Europe, Xbox owners are already able to play Sports Interactive's soccer management game Championship Manager: Season 01/02 , but whereas that game is entirely text-based, Codemasters' offering allows players to actually watch the matches that they've spent time picking their teams and tactics for. The TV-style presentation of the matches will be complemented by the BBC's commentary team of Gary Lineker and Alan Hansen.

The game will let players run no fewer than 16 leagues simultaneously, which compares favorably to Championship Manager's three, although the transfer database contains only 17,000 players compared to Championship Manager's 80,000.

The LMA Manager series debuted on the PlayStation in the UK in November 1999, spawning two PlayStation sequels and, earlier this year, LMA Manager 2002 for the PS2. The 2002 edition went straight to the top of the UK PS2 sales chart, where it remained for two weeks, managing to keep EA Sports' Championship Manager: Season 01/02 off the top spot during its first week on sale.

LMA Manager 2003 will be released in the UK in October, with versions for the rest of the major European territories to follow. A North American release has not been confirmed at this time.