Konami Announces Pro Evolution Soccer 2011

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. announced today that it will deliver a
completely new soccer experience later this year with the advent of PRO
EVOLUTION SOCCER 2011, scheduled for release on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3,
PlayStation 2, PSP, Nintendo Wii and Windows PC this fall. The publisher’s
long-running PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER (PES) series will undergo the most radical
revamp in its history.

The PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER franchise has long been regarded as offering
incredible realism and control, however PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2011 will
reinvigorate the series with the most advanced set of improved gameplay
additions, control options and to catch up with the evolution of the real-life
soccer. Central to its total freedom of play, PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2011
introduces a power bar for each player that allows the user to determine the
exact strength and placement of every pass and shot. Balls can now be spread
absolutely anywhere with surgical precision, with long balls into space, short
passes to feet, and intricate one-twos allowing the player to dictate play and
control the tempo of a match.

This freedom of play is also extended via new AI routines designed to place
every move and decision into the player’s hands. No longer will assisted AI
intervene during matches; users will now need to sense and react to threats
intuitively as opposed to chasing the ball; and passes will not automatically
reach the nearest player. Instead, all-new routines facilitate complete control
both of the player and their chosen actions in every respect to give the player
sublime control over every movement.

Key to PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2011’s new approach is a specially designed
control system that allows total control over every element of play. The
triangulation of passes and making space using clever runs becomes paramount,
and building up a play will pay massive dividends. Additionally, dribbling and
close control are tougher to master, and the days of making streaking runs
through the centre of the park are over, as PES mirrors the real-life soccer.

The result is the most complete and realistic PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER to date.
PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2011 delivers an evolved experience that still has the key
PES ethos of skill and realism at its core, with every other aspect of the game
being totally reworked as well, including:

• Total Control: The PES Production team has enhanced the 360-degree passing
  ratio, offering unprecedented levels of control over every pass, shot, headed
  ball, throw-in and through ball. This allows users to pass the ball into
  space, and move their play with total freedom. Players must precisely weight
  their passes and second-guess the runs of their teammates and exploit their
  movement, while lofted through-balls have an all-new level of accuracy.
• Shot Stamina Gauge: In addition to the generic power gauge, the Shot
  Stamina meter details the player’s exact level of fitness. Constantly
  sprinting will affect the player’s movements and will have an adverse affect
  on his stats, with passes going awry and a loss of pace.
• New Defender AI: Players now also hold their positions naturally, no
  longer chasing any ball that enters their area; preferring to close down the
  attacker and force them into a mistake.
• Animation and Player Physics: The PES Production team has totally reworked
  every element of in-game animation. These additions will become clear before
  even kick-off, with the players enjoying fluid, natural movements, with more
  realistic acceleration and inertia than ever before. The physicality between
  players is also improved, which was a priority requested in PES forums.
  Jostling and blocking now looks stunning, while there is a larger variety of
  convincing tackling styles. Ambient animation also adds to the in-game
  atmosphere, as players adapt their running and movement styles in line with
  play.
• Speed of Play: The new level of control means that PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER
  2011 enjoys a more considered pace of play, which varies dependent on
  situations. The game will burst into life as counter-attacks come into play,
  but players can dictate the pace via slow build up or exploiting available
  space to surge forward. It is harder to make long runs from midfield, and
  successful play will depend on making quick passes to make room.
• Improved Goalkeepers: In keeping with the basis of total freedom of
  movement, players now have more control over their ‘keeper. This greater
  control allows for quick roll-outs, instinctive saves, pinpoint accuracy with
  goal kicks, and precision ball distribution to make quicker breaks or playing
  down the clock easier.
• Aesthetics: PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2010 showcased the best likenesses in a
  soccer game, and PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2011 ups the ante further. Facial
  animation has been enhanced, but the key advances are over 1000 all-new
  animations which have been recreated from the ground up using over 100 hours
  of motion captured footage. Every aspect of player movement has been reworked,
  with more organic runs, turns, throw-ins, tackles, and interaction. The way
  players speed up and slow down is also more natural; while replays display
  elements of motion blur that bring your saved goals to vivid life.
• Tactics and Strategy: The sheer number of options available in the PRO
  EVOLUTION SOCCER series has established it as a remarkably flexible
  simulation, allowing players to stamp their playing style on each match. The
  PES Production team has implemented an all new ‘Drag and Drop’ mechanism that
  can be used in every aspect of team management, not just substitutions or
  formation changes. These settings are also animated to promote better
  understanding of the plays that have been altered.
• Feint Settings: PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER has always offered a wide range of
  subtle skills, feints and turns, but PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2011 allows users to
  map key skills to a specific control area, making them available via the
  second stick or via specific button presses, making them more accessible than
  ever before.
• Master League Online: Master League will offer an all-new challenge, as
  users are invited to try their hand against other managers online. PRO
  EVOLUTION SOCCER 2011 will mark the online debut for its much-loved Master
  League element, with players bidding against each other for the world’s best
  players, and attempting to build a squad that can compete with the best
  against online peers all over the globe.

PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2011 also features a myriad of smaller additions, all
designed to enhance the overall experience. The game’s difficulty level has been
upped thanks to the greater control on offer, while new camera angles showcase
the game’s stunning visuals and animation. Both referees and goal keepers have
been improved in both aesthetic and AI terms, while an all-new commentary
process has been implemented that offers a better and less repetitive overview
of the proceedings.

The game will also see the return of Lionel Messi – arguably the greatest
player in the modern game – as its cover star, and the expansion of its
exclusive UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League elements, and the
addition of the Copa Libertadores, South America’s most influential and
important club-based competition.

For more information on PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2011, please visit:
www.konami.com.