PES 2008 (Pro Evolution Soccer 7)

Sean

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UK, June 18, 2007 - Konami has lifted the lid on the first details for the next Pro Evo game and has promised that it will be "the closest simulation of real football to date." Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 (working title) will be released on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC, PS2, PSP and DS later this year and boasts what Konami is calling "a revolution in player artificial intelligence" -- dubbed Teamvision, which enables the opposition to learn your style of player and adapt their tactics accordingly.

According to Konami, Teamvision will totally change the way PES fans play the game, because the adaptive AI forces players to constantly rethink their tactics. So, for example, if you prefer to run the ball down the wing and knock in a cross to a tall centre forward like Peter Crouch, your opponent will quickly change their tactics to close down the wide players and mark your hitmen more heavily. Similarly, if your favoured method of defence is to protect the back four with a sweeper -- then the other team will quickly pick up on this and change their attackers to take advantage of your formation.


Naturally the effectiveness of an opponent's change in tactics depends on the team they're playing as: strong international and club squads will be able to counter your tactics faster and more effectively than less skilled clubs, although players will still notice the change in their opponents play if they resort to using the same channels of attack. Likewise, powerful teams can also punish lazy tactical play to devastating effect, so if you lose the ball in your half to Robbie Keane there's a good chance he'll score. However, lose out to a less proficient striker and the odds of them converting the shot are less favourable.

The improved AI changes the way the game is played almost on every level, forcing players to take a much wider view of the game and real use the full width and breadth of their team. As such the pitch scanner plays a much bigger part in the game because it enables players to pick out openings in the defence (if they're skilled enough, obviously) and thread a ball through to an advancing attacker.

Teamvision affects set-plays as well as free play too. Cheap free kicks are a thing of the past because the opposing defence will close down runs faster, which prevents players from passing a ball into the box and tapping a shot in from short range. Naturally there are times when you will scorean easy goal, whether it's from a well-worked passing move or a fizzing direct free kick, but the enchanced AI now means players must think more if they want to consistantly win.

Other improvements promised for PES 2008 includes improved greater close control, so there's more scope for skilled dribbling, tricks and neat inter-player passing moves. Setting up a free-kick isn't quick as restrictive either, whether you're defending or attacking. You can change the number of players in the wall if you're defending or, if you're on the attacking, plan runs more intricately and position specific target men for the kicker to aim for.

However, the most noticeable improvement PES 2008 will offer over its predecessors (apart from Teamvision of course) is the graphics. Konami promises it will be a true next-gen experience, so there will be proper facial animations, shirt pulling and kits that flow and crease as the players run around. Watermarks from sweat and rain appear as the game continues too, bringing the player that bit closer to the action than ever before. All next-gen versions will feature a fully functional edit mode too -- something that was sorely lacking from last year's 360 version of PES 6 -- so players can create there own team and or edit existing ones. As yet there's no word on which licensed teams will feature or indeed what online modes we can expect.

"We have taken a long hard look at what has made the Pro Evolution Soccer series so popular, and where we want to take it next," commented Shingo 'Seabass' Takatsuka, creator of the series and Producer of PES 2008. "With the new Teamvision AI system, we truly believe that we have elevated the game to a new level. The movement of players off the ball, coupled with the total control given to the player, creates the closest simulation of real football to date. We really hope everyone enjoys our evolution. I promise it will be worth the wait." We certainly hope so.
Source: IGN
Screenshots: Kotaku


Personally I can't wait. Any news on the Master League mode and if they are making any improvements?
 
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Yey sounds better than FIFA already and FIFA have revealed everything.
 
lol it would be better than FIFA anyway :D

Sounds interesting, wonder how different it will actually be to play. And hope it's not too drastic cos they don't wana ruin the best game in the world :D. Sounds like it will be harder against the best AI though which is good.

But having a PS2 prob means I won't experience the new graphics as much as 360 or PS3 peeps :(
 
i dont see why they need to bring back create player function, i think its just for n00bs who are **** so they have to make a team of supermen, do you think u wil be able to download updates from xbox live?
 
Create a player is used by people who create unofficial updates so it is kinda useful.
 
Yup, I can't ever be bothered to create my own players that aren't in the game that sign for clubs in January, I can't even be bothered to just transfer the players that are in the game either.

What I read looks promising but the AI may get become impossible if it isn't set up properly. If you aim for your target man and the CPU switches onto it and makes it near impossible to play that way for the rest of the game, that is fine, but if I then change my tactics again to have my other speedy striker run onto the ball, what's to stop the CPU from stopping that tactic and then my next tactic and so on.

It sounds good, I just hope they get it right.
 
Sounds Amazing. Unlucky James no more easy cut backs fro you :p
 
But having a PS2 prob means I won't experience the new graphics as much as 360 or PS3 peeps :(

Hmmm missing out on graphics is hardly a major downer though is it. But actually I bet you're gutted that the next gen versions have better facial animations <_<
 
The PS2 version probably wont include the new AI aswell. I think the new AI system is down to the resources of the new consoles.
 
Yup, I can't ever be bothered to create my own players that aren't in the game that sign for clubs in January, I can't even be bothered to just transfer the players that are in the game either.

What I read looks promising but the AI may get become impossible if it isn't set up properly. If you aim for your target man and the CPU switches onto it and makes it near impossible to play that way for the rest of the game, that is fine, but if I then change my tactics again to have my other speedy striker run onto the ball, what's to stop the CPU from stopping that tactic and then my next tactic and so on.

It sounds good, I just hope they get it right.

yeah i know what u mean, you're right...if it means a harder AI then cool but if it becomes impossible then it will be gay

Hmmm missing out on graphics is hardly a major downer though is it. But actually I bet you're gutted that the next gen versions have better facial animations <_<

meh, improved graphics are always a good thing :p
 
they better do sumert about the commentary in the new PES, everyone they have made has had ***** commentary
 
aye thats true, though it is comical :p
 
To be honest the commentary has been improving as each new game has come out.

Hopefully they will do an overhaul of the Master League and make it even more exciting and addictive to play :D
 
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