Eishockey Manager

Eishockey Manager is a sports management simulation developed by Kron Simulation Software and published by Software 2000 in 1993 for the Amiga. The game was created by the same team behind The Manager and brings their expertise in management simulations to the world of ice hockey, focusing exclusively on the German hockey scene with German-language content.

Kron Simulation Software and Software 2000 had established themselves as masters of the management game genre, and Eishockey Manager continues that tradition with impressive depth and attention to detail. The game puts you in control of a hockey team, managing every aspect from player contracts and training to tactical decisions and match strategies. The goal is to work your way up from the lower leagues through the Oberliga and potentially to world championship glory—a progression that feels authentic and rewarding.

The game's complexity is its greatest strength. The wealth of options and settings gives the experience a genuinely professional feel, with intricate systems governing player performance, team chemistry, finances, and tactical preparation. Multiple menus allow you to tinker with formations, line combinations, player roles, and match strategies with remarkable granularity. This depth ensures that tactical thinkers and strategic minds can spend weeks glued to the monitor, constantly refining their approach and experimenting with different management philosophies.

The presentation showcases Kron's commitment to quality. The numerous screens are well-organized and beautifully designed, making the complex information accessible despite the overwhelming amount of data. Animation sequences during matches are genuinely impressive for a management game—while goal actions are somewhat sparse, what's there looks good and adds atmosphere to the simulation.

The mouse-icon control system is a pleasure to use, demonstrating thoughtful interface design that makes navigating the deep menus intuitive rather than frustrating. Everything feels deliberately placed and logically organized, allowing you to focus on management decisions rather than fighting with controls. However, screen transitions can be somewhat slow, occasionally interrupting the flow. Background images help mitigate this by providing visual interest during loading moments.

Where Eishockey Manager stumbles is in the audio department—the sound simply doesn't bring the ice to melt, as one might say. The audio presentation is functional but uninspired, lacking the punch and atmosphere that would elevate the experience. This is a minor complaint in a genre where visual information and strategic depth matter far more than sound design, but it's noticeable nonetheless.

The game truly shines in multiplayer, where up to four players can take turns managing their teams, diving into the extensive settings menus, and competing against each other. This transforms Eishockey Manager from a solitary strategic exercise into a social experience where friends can build rivalries, compare management philosophies, and battle for supremacy across seasons. The turn-based nature works perfectly for group play, making it an excellent choice for gaming sessions with fellow hockey enthusiasts.

The realism is noteworthy—the game accurately captures the structure of German hockey, the challenges of working with limited budgets in lower leagues, and the gradual progression toward elite competition. Player development, injuries, morale, and countless other factors create a simulation that feels genuine rather than gamified. Some humor and gags are sprinkled throughout, preventing the experience from becoming too dry despite its serious approach to simulation.

Compared to other Software 2000 management titles like The Manager or later entries in their sports management catalog, Eishockey Manager maintains the studio's high standards. It proves that their formula—deep systems, excellent presentation, thoughtful interface design—translates successfully across different sports. For fans of Bundesliga Manager or other detailed sports simulations, Eishockey Manager offers a similar level of satisfaction in the hockey context.

The limitation to German language means international appeal is restricted, but for German-speaking hockey fans or management game enthusiasts willing to navigate the language barrier, this is essential playing. The game received official endorsement from the DEB (Deutscher Eishockey-Bund), lending it additional authenticity and credibility within the hockey community.

Eishockey Manager is another hit from Software 2000, deserving recognition not just from hockey fans but from anyone who appreciates complex, well-crafted management simulations. The impressive graphics, professional depth, excellent interface, and engaging multiplayer make it a standout title that can captivate strategic minds for countless hours. It's a game that demonstrates how specialized sports simulations can achieve excellence by focusing on authenticity, depth, and thoughtful design.