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Pro Evolution Soccer 8 was announced earlier today. This is the first time in forever that I can remember Pro Evolution Soccer (released in Europe) announced before Winning Eleven (released in Japan). There are rumors that Pro Evolution 2008 will be released before Winning Eleven, but we will see if this holds.

Some notes from press release, which is after the jump:

Brazil and Portugal (national teams) are licensed. No word, pro or con, on any other licenses.

There is a new adaptive AI system (Teamvision, supposedly the AI adapts to your strategy so you can’t abuse teams w/the same tactic if it’s effective). It looks like Konami has learned from EA to add new features and give them a PR-tastic name. We will hope that this addition helps balance gameplay against the computer.

There’s a screenshot of what looks to be a post-game player interview section. This is promising, because it points to improvements in presentation. Also interesting is the logo in the background…it looks like a master league logo (League A) so my guess is that it’s still in the game.

New options for free kicks (the ability to target a player, set the number pf people on a wall).

New stadia, including Estadio Dragao (FC Porto).

A “fully functional edit mode”. I would love to know what this means…

The Evolution of the ‘Beautiful Game’

‘Learning’ AI, new Next Gen iterations, and specific enhancements to gameplay revealed in Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH’s new Pro Evolution Soccer
Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH has announced that PES 2008 will be released in Autumn 2007. The latest edition to the multi-million-selling Pro Evolution Soccer series will be released for PLAYSTATION®3, Xbox 360, PC-DVD, PlayStation®2, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) and Nintendo DS, and is primed to be the definitive football title for any format.

Key to PES 2008 is a proprietary adaptive AI system entitled Teamvision. Unique to the Konami game, Teamvision is a sophisticated AI programming that learns and adapts according to an individual’s style of play. As such, it will learn new ways to build attacks and to counter specific movements and previous attacking or defensive errors, ensuring games are more in line with the tactical but flowing nature of the real thing.

With the Pro Evolution Soccer series renowned for its fluid, realistic gameplay, the new game builds on the implementation of Teamvision with additional key advances. As with previous releases since its inception in 1996, the ball is again treated as a separate entity, with the timing of shots entirely down to the player, while the new AI ensures that defenders work to close down space and block efforts on goal. Similarly, distribution of passes works along the same lines, with players using the space available to them to switch the ball. Close control has also been enhanced with more control when dribbling the ball, and a number of subtle moves added to bypass defenders and move the ball into space.

Working in conjunction with the Teamvision system, every aspect of Pro Evolution Soccer 2008’s on-field play has been reworked and fine-tuned to create the balanced and strategic play of a high stakes match. Set-pieces have been improved, with full control given over the number of players and the position of the defensive wall. A wider range of set piece options are also available to make use of specific talents within the team.

Marking the series’ first appearance on PLAYSTATION®3, and its second Xbox 360 outing, these and the PC-DVD ‘Next Generation’ versions of Pro Evolution Soccer 2008’s are further enhanced by stunning aesthetic elements. Player detail has been taken to incredible levels with full facial animation and the high-definition detail afforded by the hardware used to show full movement and subtle details to the various kits during the course of a match. All ‘Next Gen’ versions will also benefit from an extensive Edit mode, allowing gamers to customise their PES experience.

“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.”