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| Developer(s) | Solecismic Software |
|---|---|
| Publisher(s) | Solecismic Software |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows |
| Release | 1998 |
| Genre(s) | Sports (American football) |
Front Office Football is a series of sports management games where the player directs an NFL football team. It was designed by Jim Gindin, as part of his one-man company, Solecismic Software, founded in Redmond, Washington on February 20, 1998. [1]
It has had seven sequels: Front Office Football 2, Front Office Football 2001, Front Office Football 2002, Front Office Football 4, Front Office Football 2004, Front Office Football 2007, Front Office Football 7, and Front Office Football 8. A college football version titled Front Office Football: The College Years was released in 2001. Having received many favorable reviews over the years, it has been called the most realistic American football simulation for the computer. [2]
Front Office Football 2004 was the first version that allowed for multi-player capability, resulting in the creation of several on-line leagues.
Front Office Football 8 was released on November 23, 2016.
In 2018, Gindin announced after years without a publisher following being dropped by EA Sports, he had joined forces with Out of the Park Developments. [3]
On June 11, 2020, it was announced that Solecismic Software and OOTP Developments were parting ways. [4] [5] Full ownership of the FOF9 code was given to Gindin to develop the next version of Front Office Football, which Gindin released on Steam on October 31, 2023.
The series revolves around the player managing an American Football team. The player plays the role of the general manager, and is tasked with leading the controlled team to success. The main goal of the games in the series is to win the Front Office Bowl, which is supposed to represent the Super Bowl. [1] Excluding Front Office Football: The College Years, all of the games mirror the NFL. The series does not include any other football leagues. [6]
The player is also tasked with managing the team's finances. The player can manage the contracts of the team and staff and control the ticket prices. If the team doesn't make a profit, the player can be in danger of being fired. [7]
The series also allows the player to be a coach, by creating game plans and calling plays. [7]
Unlike other sports games, such as EA's Madden NFL, the series does not feature sophisticated graphics. Instead, the games are mostly text-based. The in-game matches are represented through a scoreboard. [8] The game does not feature any music or sound effects. [6]
Games in the series have been referred to as a better alternative than Madden when it comes to managing a team. [11]
A common criticism is that the games are lacking when it comes to graphics. [11]