Tagged: pro evolution soccer

PES 2008 Details

With the game due out next month, Konami released further details regarding PES 2008, the highly anticipated entry in the football series. Here’s the whole deal:

Following the announcement of Cristiano Ronaldo as the European face of the new game, Konami has also extended the number of officially licensed national and club teams in the game. PES 2008 will boast more licenses than ever before, with Brazil, Portugal, Greece, Scotland and Ireland amongst the new officially licensed National teams on offer. Similarly, the roster of licensed club teams has also been bolstered, with Newcastle, Tottenham, RSC Anderlecht, HJK Helsinki, IFK Goteborg, Panathinaicos, Spartak Moscow, Fenerbache, NK Dinamo Zagreb and FC Basel amongst those added to the ranks.

The new licensed club sides join the likes of Juventus Turin, AC Milan, Celtic, Porto and more, and demonstrate Konami’s commitment to adding the world’s greatest teams to what is regarded as the most realistic football game for any system. The new teams also combine to ensure PES 2008 has over 3000 licensed players realistically replicated within the game, and over 250 teams.

PES 2008 will mark a quantum leap forward for the Pro Evolution Soccer series. An all-new AI system entitled Teamvision has been designed to actively monitor the player’s onscreen movements and adapt accordingly. This means players cannot resort to overly-familiar tactics, and forces them to change their movements if they are to pose offensive threats. New set pieces have also been implemented, with players selecting key players to receive free kicks, and tailoring defensive walls to their specific needs. Coupled with a massively enhanced aesthetic upgrade that includes facial animation and shirts creasing, plus an extensive edit mode, and PES 2008 is already shaping up to retain its footballing crown.

PES 2008 will be released for PS2, PSP, PS3, Xbox 360, PC and DS this October.

Pro Evolution Soccer Heads to Wii

At GC, Konami announced that it will be bringing its Pro Evolution Soccer series to the Wii, with a bespoke version of the game being developed for release on the platform in 2008.

Expected early next year, the Wii version of PES will offer the same level of realism that has become the hallmark of the series. It will make full use of the console’s motion-sensitive controllers, offering total control of every aspect of the players and their movements both on and off the ball.

“We are extremely keen to introduce PES to as wide a selection of football fans as possible, and the Wii and its unique abilities are a perfect fit,” commented Jon Murphy, Pro Evolution Soccer Team Leader for Konami. “The potential for PES on the format is enormous, and we look forward to a very exciting start to 2008.”

PES 2008 Gets Michael Owen

owen_ball_balancer.jpgKonami sent out word that Michael Owen, the Newcastle and England striker, will be featured on the UK packaging and promotional materials of Pro Evolution Soccer 2008.

Owen will be featured alongside Ronaldo as they grace the covers of the game which launches on PS3, PS2, PSP, Xbox 360, PC and DS this Autumn.

“Securing Michael Owen is a real coup for Konami,” commented Jon Murphy, Pro Evolution Soccer Team Leader for Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH. “Since he burst on to the scene, he has proven himself an incredible goal-scorer, netting at every level both domestic and international. We are delighted to be working alongside such a talent on PES 2008.”

“PES 2008 is a fantastic game, and the only choice for pro players,” added Michael Owen. “It enjoys a brilliant reputation within many, many players and manages to be a true simulation of football while also being a real laugh to play. I look forward to working closely with Konami in the run up to launch, and being a key part of its development.”

Pro Evo/FIFA Not so Exclusive to Xbox 360

1Up reports that Microsoft’s soccer-exclusivity announcement at the Leipzig Games Convention may not be so exclusive. Speaking with Pro Evolution Soccer producer/creator Shingo ‘Seabass’ Takatsuka, the reporter learned that Microsoft’s claims weren’t true: “We never said exclusive for one year on the next-gen platforms. We said this year. We were agreed that it was this year.”

As per Takatsuka, Pro Evolution Soccer is exclusive to Xbox 360 this year only and not the “twelve” months Microsoft announced. It may be the same with FIFA07, as sources are indicating so. However, an official comment from EA is yet to come.

Pro Evolution Soccer 6 Unveiling at E3

Konami sent word that the “eagerly-awaited” Pro Evolution Soccer 6 will make its appearance at E3 this year. To be showcased at the Konami stand (#800, South Hall), the game’s producer and creator Shingo “Seabass” Takatsuka will be on hand to celebrate the unveiling.

Not much is known about the title at the moment, but the announcement noted the “impressive roster of new moves, licensed clubs, and gameplay modes” among other new features.