Konami says PES successor eFootball will be ‘basically a demo’ at launch

Konami has stated that its Pro Evolution Soccer successor eFootball will essentially be a demo when it releases.

As part of a new Twitter thread addressing fan questions, the official eFootball account addressed players who have been asking if the game’s launch in early Autumn will be “basically a demo”.

“In many ways, yes,” it replied. “We want people to get hands-on with eFootball as soon as possible, so we will launch with a limited number of teams and modes. Exact details to follow.”

According to the roadmap provided as part of eFootball’s official announcement last month, the game will launch with the ability to play “local matches” with nine different clubs, as well as the ability to play cross-generation matches (PS5 vs PS4, Xbox Series X/S vs Xbox One).

Later in the Autumn the game will add support for online leagues and a team-building mode similar to the myClub mode in PES titles (although its new name has yet to be confirmed).

Cross-platform matches will also be implemented at this point (allowing PlayStation, Xbox and Steam players to compete against each other), along with a season pass system.

Then, in the winter, Konami plans to add iOS and Android players to cross-platform matches, and kick off a series of eSports tournaments.

Elsewhere in the thread, the studio confirmed that:

• console and PC graphics won’t be downgraded when playing against mobile players
• the game will include matchmaking filters so you can play against people on the same system
• Master League mode will be added as paid DLC in the future
• Edit Mode and Option Files will be added as a free update for PS5, PS4 and PC after launch
• the game will have free and paid ‘Match Passes’ which let players nominate and acquire specific players based on matches played

Konami announced last month that the next game in its long-running football series would be free-to-play and have a new name.

Formerly known as Pro Evolution Soccer and Winning Eleven, eFootball has been “completely rebuilt in Unreal Engine”.

The new game will be released on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One and PC in the Autumn, with iOS and Android versions following later.

Although the game will be free, Konami says that more content and game modes will be released after launch and some of these will cost money.

“As a digital-only title, Konami will regularly add new content and game modes after launch this Autumn,” a statement from the publisher last month read.

“In the future, certain game modes will be sold as optional DLC, giving players the freedom to build an experience that follows their interests.”