Konami Announces eFootball as Successor to Pro Evolution Soccer Series
Konami announces soccer game eFootball as a free game. The title can be regarded as a successor to the Pro Evolution Soccer series. The PES name will be replaced worldwide by eFootball. Incidentally, there were already parts of the world where this name was used.
Konami will release eFootball in the fall of this year and the digital-only title will be free to play for everyone. The new football game will be released for the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S and X, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows 10 and Steam. Versions for Android and iOS are coming after that, but Konami is not saying anything about a port for the Nintendo Switch.
There will be support to play eFootball with players on another platform, although it will be gradually expanded. In early fall, cross-play will only be possible between PlayStation console owners on the one hand and Xbox players on the other. Cross-platform competitions between the various consoles and PC will be launched in the fall. Then in the winter comes full cross-platform support including Android and iOS, so everyone can play regardless of the platform used. Support for the use of controllers in combination with a smartphone will also follow in the winter.
The Japanese game company says it has created a new football engine based on Unreal Engine 4, including a new animation system and new controls. The own FOX Engine is therefore no longer used. Konami indicates that players on the PS5 and Xbox Series consoles can expect improved graphics, but does not provide further details. EFootball will receive regular updates without the advent of annual paid releases.
Based on developer schedule It is clear that for local matches there are nine well-known football clubs available at release, including FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester United. Later in the fall, the so-called Team Building Mode will follow with the option to select clubs. That is probably the equivalent of MyClub, an earlier PES mode that is similar to FIFA Ultimate Team. There will also be a Match Pass System, which can probably be regarded as a battle pass. Certain new modes will only be available through paid DLC.