Control Command Escape

When I looked at Football Manager last year, as enjoyable as it was, I couldn’t help but wonder how much more I would have enjoyed the game if they’d based it on something I was more interesting. Well, it looks like I’ll be finding out soon, as Cyanide Studio have announced that Blood Bowl (a computer translation of the Warhammer-themed American Football board game) is getting a spin-off, which will take a more managerial approach to the gameplay.

Dubbed Blood Bowl: Star Coach, it’s scheduled for the “second quarter of 2013” and will appear on iOS as well as Mac and Windows:

“Blood Bowl: Star Coach” is a tactical multiplayer team-building game. Dwarfs, elves, humans, and other foul creatures are back and, once more, they are determined to grind each other into the turf! Star Coach tasks the player with creating his own Blood Bowl team (choosing from different races and players) and the development of his own offensive and defensive playbook. The player will then challenge other coaches, no matter which digital platform they play on, and choose the strategy that best fits his opponent.

The basics of this violent sport are simple: two teams, one ball. The team that carries the ball into the opponent’s end zone scores a touchdown, and the team with the most touchdowns at the end of the game is the winner. But, as with the original Blood Bowl, no holds barred violence and dirty tricks are allowed! Matches are resolved by an online server and a ranking system designates the best coaches. Coaches can develop their teams in a variety of different ways and have the opportunity to improve their teams by hiring Star Players or recruiting new staff. A ‘Cabalvision’ replay mode allows players to live out the blow-by-blow contest in full 3D!.

(via RPS, who also has a bunch of screenshots and more information)