Traditionally, the FIFA and Pro Evolution Soccer series stand in competition with each other. While FIFA 22 is slowly approaching, the question arises: What is PES planning this year?
This is the situation with PES: The last installment of Pro Evolution Soccer was an exception. There was no “real” new game, but only a version called “eFootball PES 2021 Update”. The gameplay corresponded to the previous version, primarily a few data were updated. The game was then also released at a discounted price.
However, the announcement back in the summer of 2020 was linked with a teaser for the upcoming next-gen title of the series. A teaser trailer called “Taking PES to a Whole New Level” featuring Messi and a reference to the Unreal Engine was shown, which was visually impressive.
There was also the following description:
“This title will be developed with an updated engine that will enable us to overwhelm you with stunning improvements in all areas of the game. Expect more realistic player models and animations, improved physics, photorealistic graphics, and much more. […]
The sheer scope of everything we are aiming for our next-gen debut, however, has made it necessary to scale back our efforts in other areas of development. For this reason, we decided to release this year’s PES in the form of a “season update”.
via YouTube / Translated from English
You can see the trailer from the summer of 2020 featuring Messi and several close-up shots here:
Furthermore, it was announced at that time that initial tests of the next-gen title were to begin in mid-2021 and a release later in the year was planned. So what is the current status of Pro Evolution Soccer?
PES is working on licenses
This is why licenses are important: One of the greatest strengths of the FIFA series has classically been the licensing in the duel with PES. Normally, it was said: If you want to play your favorite team, you have to choose FIFA over PES.
Even today, FIFA is ahead in terms of licenses, but PES is working on it. As early as 2019, Konami secured the exclusive rights to the Italian club Juventus Turin, where Cristiano Ronaldo plays among others. Ronaldo is still playable in FIFA 21, but with a fantasy variant of the club called Piemonte Calcio, which does not feature the original crest or kits.
PES continued in the Italian league, obtaining the rights for the clubs in Rome as well as Atalanta Bergamo. The partnership with Atalanta takes effect from the next season – thus already for a possible PES 2022. Additionally, Konami has entered into a partnership with SSC Napoli, which should take effect in 2023. This way, PES has secured some of the most important clubs in Italy.
Also, the PES series has partnerships with FC Bayern Munich, Manchester United, or FC Barcelona. The official license for UEFA Euro 2020, which is currently taking place in 2021, also lies with Pro Evolution Soccer. Meanwhile, a European Championship mode is missing in FIFA 21, even though that would fit really well.
Overall, FIFA, as mentioned, still has the advantage in terms of licenses. However, if PES can secure further licenses of the scale of Juventus Turin, it could become interesting – especially if the announced “next-gen PES” can convince. And now it seems that the testing phase has begun.
Konami launches open beta and announces an announcement
This is what’s happening right now: Surprisingly, Konami has launched an open beta that runs from June 24 to July 08, 2021. However, it is not called “Pro Evolution Soccer 2022 Beta”, but simply “New Football Game Online Performance Test”.
In the beta, you can choose either FC Bayern, Manchester United, Juventus Turin, or FC Barcelona and play online matches against others. The beta is not intended to function as a demo but serves to evaluate the connection quality and stability of the servers, as well as the matchmaking. Konami points out that all gameplay elements and graphics are preliminary and that all elements may still change and improve.
Interestingly, both in the game and in the description, a literal announcement is mentioned: On July 21, new information about Konami’s upcoming football game is expected. By that time, there will likely be a closer look at the new generation of Pro Evolution Soccer. By the way, EA Play takes place just one day later, on July 22 – the event where FIFA 21 was presented last year.
It is quite possible that a first comparison will be drawn at that time, showing how the duel between PES and FIFA could unfold this year. You can find out everything that is currently known about the FIFA 22 release here.
