Interfering With Play – Tuesday 11th May

Posted by Dan Bolas in Interfering With Play on Tue 11 May 2010

Welcome to this week’s Interfering With Play. Last week’s column was eclipsed by the news regarding PES 2011, something which I am totally ok with. However, it does mean there has been very little discussion regarding the issues raised, and therefore going over old ground seems like an easy option. At the same time neglecting the news regarding PES 2011 would be very short sighted of me. Therefore this week’s IWP will take a quick look at the latest PES 2011 news, and then will also be open to discussion from the issues raisedlast week . As complicated as it sounds, I think this is the most logical way to progress, seeing as there is still a great deal of discussion regarding the Konami press release. Another quick point, Konami are yet to respond to my question on why they have decided against releasing an International football game to coincide with the World Cup. I thank you guys for your own suggestions why, but hearing it from the horse’s mouth would be very interesting.

“This Could Be, The Perfect Year”

Don’t read too much into the heading, it’s a classic 90’s track by soul singer Dina Carroll. In fact, the choice is more tongue in check than an honest comment, however, this year seems to have Konami saying all the right things yet again. Total Control, Total Freedom. The usual buzzwords that is nothing more than promises, promises which have been both held and broken in recent years. Reading through the 2010press release , the promise of better graphics was certainly kept, but 360 degree movement and improved AI left something to be desired. I think, like many of the PESGaming.com community, I have been burnt by Konami’s promises one too many times and look towards these new revelations with a certain level of concern and trepidation.

But, the clever thing is, that Konami are saying exactly what we want to hear. More Freedom, more control, online Master League, new animations, build up play, passing football. These are the things that many community members have been crying out for. The promised (at the moment that’s all it is) option of mapping feints to the right stick is a top feature, meaning you can use the tricks most appropriate to your game. This is something that is currently a new feature within the football gaming world, and adds a bit of individuality to each game style.

Its far too early to make comments on if Konami are genuinely going to produce a product that incorporates the promises made, and at the same time ensure the game is both playable and enjoyable, but these steps are seemingly in the right direction. I know that we will get some people jumping on the excitement train and hyping up PES 2011 to beyond reality in the next few months, however, I will maintain the view of observing quietly, and waiting to see some concrete in game footage before even beginning to judge.

“This Is It”

With the above said, the one thing I must comment on is the online Master League mode. I will go on record now saying that if Konami get this right, it will become the single greatestfootball gaming mode in the history of the genre. The actual fact that every game you play is against a human opponent, and every deal you make is with real people is a huge boost. The one man’s diamond is another man’s rock philosophy is a huge feature in any game, and you would have players buying young and selling on to make big money. This would fast become a cross between Master League, Social Networking and Football Manager Live, three very addictive things indeed!

I make the above statement in the knowledge that getting this mode right will be very tricky for Konami. For three years they have failed to provide a consistent, stable and universally playable online game with Pro Evolution Soccer. Playing for rankings points is one thing, but when you take into the equation you will be playing for virtualmoney to purchase players, losing to a lagging goal or missing a chance due to poor response issues will become even greater. And then we have the very backwards ways of creating matches, menu’s and inviting friends. And then we have the poor level of stat tracking. And then we have all the known Master League issues such as International weeks, stamina and negotiations. To provide the ultimate online Master League experience will not only be the greatest ever gaming mode in the football genre, but it will also be up there with Konami’s finest ever achievements as a developer (Snake, Snake, SNAKE!)

I would love to here your views on Konami taking on what is surely the Holy Grail. Is it something they are capable of doing? Or is it really something that should have been preceded by basic online domestic leagues? Your views via e-mail or comment are greatly appreciated.

“The Time Is Now”

Just wondering how many people still play PES on the Playstation Two? I know PES 2011 is scheduled for release on the PS2, but surely this will be no more than a bland update. Are there people out there refusing to purchase a 360 or PS3 until PES has reached that pinnacle level, as PES4 5 and 6 did?

Furthermore, with PES now being released on the iPhone, does anyone feel that Konami are taking on too many projects without concentrating on their priority? Lets not forget that Konami released PES solely on the Sony console to start off, before progressing to PC and eventually X Box. Now, PES 2010 will be released on seven different formats, all but three requiring completely different programming, development patterns and control schemes. As an iPhone owner, I look forward to playing PES 2010, but would sacrifice that for a handful of new features in PES 2011. Anyone with a view on either of these issues can get in contact in the usual way.

“This Time Last Week”

Last week, I spoke about Stamina in football gaming, the progression of the single player / fixed cursor / become a legend game mode and the lack of Konami release to coincide with the World Cup. If anyone has anything they would like to add about any of these issues, please feel free to do so in this week’s column, as I will be addressing them further next week.

That’s your lot for this week. Whether there will be aftershocks following the shattering PES news from last week remains to be seen, but I assure you that if it is official, it will be posted on PESGaming.com. interferingwithplay@hotmail.co.uk is the place to send your emails to, alternatively you can comment and make your views known to the world. Finally, I must congratulate Chelsea on their Premier League win. Although they have some of the hate figures in the English game, they have made some of the mid-table teams in the league look terrible, and dismantled some decent defences on more than one occasion this season. Bitter pill to swallow for Manchester United fans, but over the 38 games, the best team does win the league.