So news of the next game in the PES series is here. Much earlier than years gone by, and with a load of information to boot. Here’s my initial impression on the announcement, and explanations on why we should be proud of Konami and PES 2010.
“PES Productions, Konami’s Tokyo-based development team, has collated feedback on the series’ strengths and weaknesses via fan forums, both ardent and casual PES players and press comment, and has incorporated a wide range of requests in the new game.”
The press release was HUGE, but in my opinion that particular sentence is the most powerful and important one in the whole article. In your first press release, that happens to come out months earlier than usual, that leads with the admission that fans on forums were part of the development process is a massive statement. It finally shows Konami has learned. They have changed and now they are listening.
The way news was launched was also a bit of a surprise. The amount of info to digest was mammoth, but the content was very important with very few buzz words. There was a genuine attempt to tell people what’s going on, and how things are going to be different from now on.
Even the ever present Jon Murphy (who I met in Leipzig a few years ago – very nice fella) is quoted in the release mentioning the community:
“We are now in a better position to implement the greatest raft of changes and improvements to the series we have seen, and thank the PES community for their input.”
Another nod to fanbase who have been very critical of Konami and Seabass over the last few years. But an earlier sentence by Jon perhaps gives us an insight to what PES 2010 has in store for us:
“The preparations for PES 2010 have been in place for some time now, with the reorganization and increase of the Tokyo-based studio allowing expert teams to concentrate on their particular area.”
Me and Suff mentioned plans for PES 2010 were in place before PES 2009 hit, and it certainly seems so in this statement. It’s also encouraging to hear specific teams have specific duties, meaning the rumour of an extra 200 people could be true. Talking of rumours, it’s great to hear a few of the ones this site launched are indeed true. The revamped Master League is in, but that was perhaps an easy guess to make. Not so easy to predict was the UEFA Europa League, which we’re happy to hear has made it, along with more integration of the Champions League too. Expect to see both in the Master League.
Personal highlights headline with the ‘Individual Play Characteristics.’ Something the PES series has been void of over the past couple of years. This element, along with a solid passing system, was a huge factor in the PES series’ astronomical rise. This goes hand-in-hand with ‘All-new animation and moves.’ The animation count in the series has been shocking since nextgen, and this hit an all time low with every player having the same 90 degree shot fake animation in PES 2009. More news on this aspect very soon, expect this to be the biggest revolution in PES 2010.
Something that fans demanded, especially after FIFA 09’s achievement, was ‘Improved Visuals.’ Stating there has been a graphical revamp is promising, and judging by returning cover star Lionel Messi’s appearance in the artwork, things are looking nice. More niggling improvements come the way of a ‘New Penalty System’ and ‘Match Day Atmosphere’, two things that just weren’t up to scratch last year.
All in all then it’s been a very interesting day, with confirmation of many improvements we all wanted to see. For many words aren’t concrete enough, and the need of a video paramount. Let hope this year the first trailer shows PES 2010 at its best, and doesn’t hamper what the game is trying to achieve. Judging by the first press release however, Konami look like they’re doing things differently this year – and you guys deserve the credit.
Let us know what you think of the press release here.
