Football Manager has eaten my life – and made me wildly nostalgic for web 1.0 | Joel Golby

We live in a world where our expression of ourselves online is not false, but controlled. The video game takes me back to a more innocent, enjoyable time

A few weeks ago, on a low-rumbling hangover that never threatened to push me into the abyss, something very interesting happened to me (and about 16 other people): I started rigorously documenting my Football Manager experience online.

For those not versed in Football Manager, it is a video game in which you, well, assume the role of a football manager and attempt, very slowly and carefully, to guide the club of your choice to glory. You get to do things such as answer emails and renegotiate the annual contract of your under-18s coach. Occasionally, you can sign a right-back. There is a button after every match that gives you the option to throw a water bottle.