Konami Announces Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 For Wii (Press Release)

First Details of Konami's Next Addition to
its Legendary Soccer Franchise Are Revealed

El Segundo, Calif. - July 23rd, 2009 - Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., announced today that Pro Evolution Soccer™ 2010 (PES 2010) is currently under development for Wii™. Already in development for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Windows PC and PSP® (PlayStation®Portable), Wii owners can look forward to Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 to arrive Fall 2009.

Featuring Argentinean forward Lionel Messi as the cover athlete, Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 for Wii will also boast extensive additions to the Master League via the integration of UEFA Champions League license, and the Champions Road makes a welcome return. Also the graphic elements of the Wii game have been further enhanced. In addition, Producer Akiyoshi 'Greyhound' Chosogabe and his dedicated team have also worked to add key gameplay advances to this year's version.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 will feature a distinctive all-new game balance system that affects both attacking and defensive phases of the game. The player with possession will now have 'instantaneous stamina' in addition to overall stamina, which prevents them from using full-pace sprints as a constant tactic. This means that players should be cautious not to sprint continuously while attacking because it will have an adverse affect on the player's body balance and the precision over their control of the ball. Additionally, excessive attempts to gain possession will also drain the player's stamina - just like in real life! Trying to be as real as possible is the key to rewarding gameplay.

Proper and timely controls within the context of the match have also been given more significance. Thanks to the advanced AI, attackers now perform more 'AI feints' to shed the opposing defenders while dribbling - but only within the confines of that player's abilities. Defenders will also have to think of which areas of an opponents' attack to close down upon as well as defend areas of open space.

Greyhound has also worked hard on a new free kick system, wherein these set pieces are now viewed from the kicker's perspective and targeted using a pointer system. This allows users to add arc and additional pace to their kicks, depending upon the taker's abilities. This level of control even allows players to move their 'keeper earlier in a match against another human player.

To highlight the new animations, Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 will showcase the slickest animations in a PES title on Wii to date. Players will find out new ones such as players signaling for passes once the whistle is blown.

"The stakes have been raised and PES 2010 for Wii shows that Konami can still innovate and surprise," commented Akiyoshi 'Greyhound' Chosogabe. "Our control system for Wii is still regarded as the finest and most intuitive around, and we have once again reworked it to add a level of control and realism that can appeal to new and old PES fans alike."

For more information on Pro Evolution Soccer 2010, please visit: www.konami.com.