Digital Sportspage Blog

According to the Winning Eleven Blog (not an official Konami blog, but still a great source of information), here are the release dates for Winning Eleven/Pro Evolution Soccer:

Europe: October 25th, 2007
Japan: November 22nd, 2007
North America: Spring 2008

Yes, Spring 2008. This is even later than the usual North American release date in February.

Why is Konami releasing the title so late? We really have no idea. The reasoning for the October release in Europe is to try and compete with FIFA (being released in late September) and also be released in the (very) general vicinity of the start of the European season. In Japan, the release date really doesn’t matter, as the game will sell millions there at any time of the year.

A typical February release date for Winning Eleven in North America may be related to Konami traditionally releasing their Winning Eleven title in late winter/early spring. This goes back to the MLS ExtraTime series, where the release date previously coincided with the start of the MLS season. However, Konami currently doesn’t have the MLS license, and FIFA 2008 (their only competition) is being released this month. Translation time is an unlikely explanation, since there have been no major differences between the North American and European releases. So is there any sensible reason to delay the release date? Unless Konami plan on adding something for the North American market (MLS or Mexican league licensing), there is no reason to create such delays.

Of course, the traditional late release date creates the following pattern:

1) FIFA is released in September, a full six months before Winning Eleven. People that want to buy a soccer title at the start of the European season purchase FIFA.

2) Winning Eleven/PES fans see all the reviews and coverage of the title being released in Europe and Japan, and get frustrated with Konami for having to wait six months to play their title. Some of these fans also purchase FIFA to have any soccer game.

3) Winning Eleven/PES is released. Hardcore fans buy it, but other fans that have already purchased FIFA don’t bother to purchase the Konami title.

4) Sales of Winning Eleven/PES are poor compared to FIFA (and other markets) in North America. Konami, noting the relatively poor sales in North America, does nothing to cater to the North American market (release date that competes with FIFA, American, Mexican and South American licenses, etc).

5) Goto 1. Repeat. Year after year after year.