Konami has delayed its upcoming patch for eFootball to "ensure the experience is improved for all of our users.".. Read more.
Konami has delayed its upcoming patch for eFootball to "ensure the experience is improved for all of our users."..
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You've probably heard about eFootball 2022 in these terms: historically disastrous Steam launch. Dearth of content. Dire bugs, sketchy online play, overwhelmingly negative reviews, death of the franchise. Sadly the plucky foil to FIFA's microtransaction-hoovering behemoth can be
You've probably heard about eFootball 2022 in these terms: historically disastrous Steam launch. Dearth of content. Dire bugs, sketchy online play, overwhelmingly negative reviews, death of the franchise. Sadly the plucky foil to FIFA's microtransaction-hoovering behemoth can be described quite accurately in all those ways this year...
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PES is dead. Long live eFootball! After 20 years of Pro Evolution Soccer in the West, Konami’s long-running football sim is undergoing a radical rebranding. No longer a full-price game, this year’s entry is adopting a free-to-play model . And that’s far from the only major soccer
PES is dead. Long live eFootball! After 20 years of Pro Evolution Soccer in the West, Konami’s long-running football sim is undergoing a radical rebranding. No longer a full-price game, this year’s entry is adopting a free-to-play model. And that’s far from the only major soccer shakeup...
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Arsenal star Mesut Ozil caused a stir last week when he criticized the alleged ongoing human rights abuses and persecution of Uighur Muslims by the Chinese government, and the failure of Muslims globally to adequately respond. As translated by The Guardian , he wrote, " Qurans ar
Arsenal star Mesut Ozil caused a stir last week when he criticized the alleged ongoing human rights abuses and persecution of Uighur Muslims by the Chinese government, and the failure of Muslims globally to adequately respond. As translated by The Guardian, he wrote, "[In China] Qurans are burned, mosques were closed down, Islamic theological schools, madrasas were banned, religious scholars were killed one by one. Despite all this, Muslims stay quiet."
The tweet sparked a backlash among Chinese Arsenal fans, and Arsenal's predictable effort to distance itself from its player—"As a football club, Arsenal has always adhered to the principle of not involving itself in politics"—failed to calm the outrage. Angry comments were posted, jerseys were burned, and China's state broadcaster canceled a planned airing of a game between Arsenal and Manchester City.
Now the backlash has also spread to videogames, as Ozil has reportedly been cut from PES 2020 in China. According to the BBC, publisher Netease has removed Ozil from all three editions of the game available in China, saying in a statement that his comments "hurt the feelings of Chinese fans and violated the sport's spirit of love and peace. We do not understand, accept or forgive this."
Earlier this year, 23 nations including the US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, and Japan issued a joint statement at the United Nations condemning the Chinese government's detention and mistreatment of Uighurs and other Muslims in camps in the Xinjiang province. Shortly after that, Belarus issued a statement on behalf of 54 nations, including Russia, Egypt, Bolivia, and Serbia, in support of China's "counter-terrorism" program, describing the detention camps as "vocational education and training centers."
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo came out in explicit support of Ozil, saying on Twitter that "the truth will prevail."
The reaction to Ozil's criticism reflects an increased willingness by China's game industry to flex its muscles in support of the government, as seen previously in response to expressions of support for Hong Kong from Hearthstone grandmaster Chung "blitzchung" Ng Wai and Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey.
In both cases, corporate interests moved quickly to mollify Chinese audiences—Blizzard suspended Blitzchung and two casters involved in the incident, while the NBA issued a de facto apology on Morey's behalf—and as grotesque as it is, it's not hard to understand why: As we said in October, the Chinese market is simply "too lucrative to piss off."
And while cutting a real person from a videogame because they were critical of the Chinese government feels like an escalation, it's not at all out of character: China actively censors videogames and other forms of entertainment media, and maintains policies that ensure foreign companies can do very little about it.
Somewhat oddly, given his apparent support for human rights, Ozil is also a known supporter of Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has imposed an increasingly authoritarian regime on the nation since becoming president in 2014 and recently launched an ethnic cleansing campaign of his own against Kurds in Syria. Erdogan actually served as a witness at Ozil's wedding earlier this year; Helge Braun, chief of staff of German Chancellor Angela Merkel (Ozil is German), said Erdogan's presence as a witness "makes one sad."
A Konami rep declined to comment on Ozil's removal from PES 2020 in China. I've reached out to Netease for more information, and will update if I receive a reply. Resident Arsenal fan Tim Clark would also like to hear Ozil's thoughts on why the team's season currently resembles a slow motion shuttle crash, but alas we are out of time.
Danilo D'Ambrosio heads off an opposition pass with an outstretched foot, finds some space on the right and surges forward into it. He looks up and notices Radja Nainggolan's made a clever run clear of his Bologna marker and deftly outside-foots it to intercept his trajectory, wh
Danilo D'Ambrosio heads off an opposition pass with an outstretched foot, finds some space on the right and surges forward into it. He looks up and notices Radja Nainggolan's made a clever run clear of his Bologna marker and deftly outside-foots it to intercept his trajectory, whereupon Nainggolan consumes the ball and the yards in front of him ravenously. It’s a few seconds of lithe, deeply human football that cuts out half the opposition squad, and with the final third theirs for the taking, my Inter attackers descend on the box, smelling blood.
Perisic is the spearhead of that advancing line, and Naingollan picks him out with a perfectly measured through ball. All he has to do is dink it up past the keeper’s flailing arm. He gives up on the run and watches the ball roll harmlessly past him.
Such is the freeform, mercurial, usually convincing and yet often frustrating football that PES has played for several years now. Only it’s not called football this time, it’s eFootball, the added character presumably some sort of enthusiastic nod towards esports.
Don’t be eFooled though, the modes are just as they always were: Become a Legend zooms the microscope in on a single player and lets you live out a career—though nothing as choreographed as FIFA’s The Journey—while Master League’s there for longform pursuit of team glory in offline form, and MyClub provides the real showpiece: a full-fat, menu-laden odyssey of online competition, team-building, and stat-padding. Online multiplayer offers a new Matchday mode akin to limited-time raids in MMOs along with divisions, quick play and co-op. These things we know, of course: they’ve been that way since the formation of Pangea.
What has changed, marginally but perceptibly, is what happens on the pitch. There’s an influx of new animations in all aspects of the game, and the end result is indeed a more realistic game of football. That’s not to say it’s always a prettier one—for every new bit of bicycle kick mocap, an improvised finish, or a pass that would have been right at home in the Joga Bonito adverts, there are a legion of new ways to show players tussling with each other, miskicking the ball, stumbling, or crowding each other out.
That has an odd effect. Part of me's nodding along in appreciation of the purity and realism, while the other part (and this part becomes dominant as soon as I go a goal down) just wants my players to go whirring around like cartoon characters as they did fifteen years ago. It’s a definite improvement. It doesn’t always make for a more spectacular game of football, that’s all.
With your players now empowered to make all manner of new cock-ups along with all the ones they proved themselves eminently capable of making in previous games, an added pinch of concentration’s required. It’s crucially important to use player’s bodies to face the direction they’re passing and keep an eye on trajectory and momentum, because if their stats don’t let them pull off backheels they’ll try—and fail—to turn on a dime and gallumph the ball out of bounds when you ask too much of them.
There s an odd dullness to AI players which isn t entirely new but manifests itself in new ways.
That’s especially true of crossing. This is the area that feels the most evolved from PES 2019 and its nigh-identical predecessor PES 2018, because it rewards proper body positioning and timing with some fantastic, varied deliveries, and also punishes artless taps of the cross button with demeaning scuffs.
When it comes to problems, though, the song remains the same. Even aside from eFootball PES 2020’s scant licenses (which its community is already beavering away at remedying via option files), its presentation still feels forty or fifty years behind FIFA's. There’s nothing here to contend with Alex Hunter's cheesy but luxurious cinematics, and the big new feature in Master League is the inclusion of wordless, faintly creepy cutscenes between your chosen manager avatar and other club staff. It’s endearing, in its own way, but it’s a world away from EA Sports' patented polish.
The failings aren’t just surface-level, though. Ivan Perisic isn’t the only player to pass up an easy goal or watch a perfectly good pass roll inches away from his boots. There's an odd dullness to AI players which isn’t entirely new but manifests itself in new ways thanks to the increased emphasis on tussles and loose balls pinging out of challenges. They seem simply incapable of pouncing on the ball themselves, and there isn’t always time to select them and move them manually before the moment escapes.
And yet—how many times have you read this statement over the years?—PES still plays more convincing football than its rival. Players don’t seem to snap between canned animations anything like as much as in FIFA, and for eFooty purists that’s all that matters. Those with a soft spot for decadent presentation and narratives, though, will be frustrated by eFootball PES 2020’s unwillingness to compete on those terms.
When it comes to the best PES 2020 wonderkids, identifying the best young talent in the series goes a long way. In Master League, they can be honed into world superstars over the course of multiple seasons. In the online-focused myClub, you can develop their skills and improve th
When it comes to the best PES 2020 wonderkids, identifying the best young talent in the series goes a long way. In Master League, they can be honed into world superstars over the course of multiple seasons. In the online-focused myClub, you can develop their skills and improve their ratings considerably.
But who are going to be the best wonderkids in eFootball PES 2020? We’ve picked out ten young stars of the future that boast outstanding potential in Konami’s sport sim.
Still just 20 years of age, Donnarumma has already become Milan’s tenth most-capped goalkeeper of all time. He was one of last year's top wonderkids, with massive potential in both Master League and myClub. He's set to flourish all over again in this year’s outing.
This talented defender lit up the Champions League with Ajax last season, before making a high-profile move to Juventus in the summer. The Serie A side’s new exclusive partnership with Konami will likely see him adopt a starring role throughout eFootball PES 2020’s lifecycle.
A key new fixture in the Barcelona squad is central midfielder Frenkie de Jong, also coming from Ajax back. The 22-year-old was named the Eredivisie Player of the Season in 2018-19, and his move to the Camp Nou should see his potential increase even further.
Bayer Leverkusen’s Havertz made his national team debut in September 2018, and scored 20 goals in all competitions with his club side last season. He’s still only 20, so expect his high starting stats to only improve in Master League and myClub.
Another of eFootball PES 2020’s new partner clubs this year is Manchester United, who sport a number of promising wonderkids in their ranks. England star Marcus Rashford is the obvious standout, boasting excellent pace and a prolific eye for goal.
How many players can say they won the Champions League at the age of 20? Trent Alexander-Arnold is one of the few, playing a crucial part in Liverpool’s triumphant 2018-19 European campaign. Naturally he’s packed with potential, so snap him up if you can.
You’d be forgiven for not having heard of 18-year-old Rodrygo, who plied his trade with Brazilian club Santos before moving to Real Madrid back in June. He was one of the very best wonderkids of last year, however, and he continues to boast outstanding potential ability.
Arsenal’s young French midfielder sported a 77 overall rating in PES 2019, but with the potential to increase to a 90 rating in myClub. He enjoyed an impressive first season with the Gunners, so he’s definitely worth keeping an eye on in this year’s release.
Brazilian winger Junior proved effective in his debut year with the Real Madrid first team in 2018-19, featuring 18 times throughout the La Liga season. The 19-year-old remains a highly-promising talent, and should make for a lethal presence down the left wing.
It’s no surprise Kylian Mbappe makes the list, with the PSG and France star proving one of the best players in the world today. He’s still only 20 years old, but his already-incredible career makes him a forward you should try and sign at all costs.
Another of last season's top wonderkids was River Plate midfielder Exequiel Palacios, who suffered from an unfortunate fibula injury earlier this year. The 20-year-old remains admired, with Real Madrid and Arsenal reportedly showing an interest in the Argentine star.
English star Sancho actually missed out entirely in PES 2019 due to Konami losing the Borussia Dortmund license. At the very least, it seems he’s back in this year’s game as a member of the England squad, and should become one of the country’s best players in future Master League seasons.
Man City’s young English talent enjoyed a breakout year with Man City in 2018-19, scoring seven goals in 26 appearances. He’s still only 19, and if you can somehow tempt him away from Pep Guardiola’s squad, he’ll be a stunning Master League signing.
Konami’s football series has long been lauded for its impressive graphics, and PES 2020's stadiums are no exception. In recent years, we’ve seen the likes of Barcelona’s Camp Nou and Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium replicated in exquisite detail—and the list continues to evolve each y
Konami’s football series has long been lauded for its impressive graphics, and PES 2020's stadiums are no exception. In recent years, we’ve seen the likes of Barcelona’s Camp Nou and Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium replicated in exquisite detail—and the list continues to evolve each year.
There are loads of officially-licensed stadiums to get your hands on in eFootball PES 2020, spanning teams from across the globe. Here we’ve picked out a selection of arenas in which you'll want to spend as much of your playing and managing career.
German giants Bayern Munich are one of the new partnered teams in eFootball PES 2020, and their impressive Allianz Arena is featured as a result. You can also get your hands on it in the demo, giving you a taste of the pulsating German atmosphere.
The famous Camp Nou has arguably been the centrepiece of the PES series in recent years, with Barcelona signing a premium partnership with Konami in 2016. The agreement was renewed in June of this year, with a new four-year deal put established. That can only be good news for fans of the Catalan giants.
Another major new partner in eFootball PES 2020 is Manchester United, and the legendary Old Trafford comes as part of the spoils. The team and stadium were last licensed in PES 2016, but Konami have since signed a multi-year deal with the Red Devils.
The El Monumental belongs to Argentine side River Plate, sporting a capacity of just over 60,000. It’s been included in PES games dating back over a decade, and you’ll only find it in eFootball PES 2020: both the club and stadium are exclusive to Konami’s series this year.
You’ve probably heard about ‘Piemonte Calcio’ by now: the new name for Juventus in FIFA 20. This is because the Serie A giants have partnered exclusively with eFootball PES 2020, making it the only game where you can play in their famous Allianz Stadium.
There were a few grumbles when both Celtic Park and Rangers’ Ibrox Stadium took months to be added to PES 2019 but, this time, they’re both in from day one. The Scottish Premiership is fully licensed for the second year in a row, too.
Schalke 04’s stadium was included for the first time in last year’s game, with Konami signing a new partner deal with the German side in the summer of 2018. It returns in eFootball PES 2020, and serves as one of two Bundesliga stadiums in the game at release.
There’s a huge array of legendary Brazilian stadiums in eFootball PES 2020, with Flamengo’s Estádio do Maracanã arguably the most magnificent. The iconic site of the 2014 World Cup Final has been officially licensed in every PES game since 2016's outing.
The 50,817 capacity Ibrox Stadium features in eFootball PES 2020 for the second year in a row. The home of Steven Gerrard’s Rangers is the third largest football stadium in Scotland behind Hampden Park and Celtic Park.
Another stadium that returns following its debut last year is the San Siro. And, as with PES 2019, it actually appears as two different stadiums in-game. The San Siro is the AC Milan variant, while the Giuseppe Meazza serves as Inter’s home arena in the newly-licensed Serie A.
Like River Plate, Argentine side Boca Juniors are exclusive to Konami’s series in this year’s game. This means their impressive Estadio Alberto J. Armando stadium shares the same fate, allowing you to recreate the famous Superclásico rivalry with unmatched authenticity.
Old Trafford is the new Premier League license in eFootball PES 2020, and Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium returns. The home of the Gunners features for its third year in a row, with a partnership extension revealed with Konami back in June.
We’ve all heard the jokes about 'Man Blue' and 'London FC' but, ultimately, it’s pretty simple to find the PES 2020 option file that gives you authentic team names, kits, badges, and more. It only takes a few clicks and a bit of know-how, and we’re here to guide you through it. K
We’ve all heard the jokes about 'Man Blue' and 'London FC' but, ultimately, it’s pretty simple to find the PES 2020 option file that gives you authentic team names, kits, badges, and more. It only takes a few clicks and a bit of know-how, and we’re here to guide you through it.
Keep in mind that the following instructions might change slightly in the full version of eFootball PES 2020 which, at time of writing, has yet to be released. This guide is also purely PC related (duh!), so different rules apply for the PS4 version of the game.
You can get downloadable PES 2020 option files from a variety of PES fan sites across the web. Notable examples include PES World, PES Universe, PES Patch, and PES Gaming, and while some include paid membership options, there are plenty of free downloads to discover as well.
This year Konami included part of the Edit Mode feature in the eFootball PES 2020 demo, allowing creators to get to work early: you should have a pick of downloads to choose from on September 10th.
First, load up the game and apply any live updates. This ensures your game is ready and up to date ahead of installing the correct licensed information. Be aware that applying live updates in the future will make changes to your game’s data.
Locate your chosen download and use file extractor software to open it. Typically, you’ll be presented with a single ‘WEPES’ folder. Extract this to the ‘C:\Users\XXXXX\Documents\KONAMI\eFootball PES 2020’ folder (or to whichever drive you’ve installed the game), and you’ll be good to go. Installation instructions do vary, especially for bigger patches, so keep an eye out for specifics.
Next, go back to eFootball PES 2020 and head to Edit Mode in the ‘Settings’ section. Choose ‘Import Teams’ from the Import/Export menu, then ‘Select All Teams’, and confirm it. Ignore any additional settings. When you’re done, repeat the process for ‘Import Competitions’.
If you need to install any images manually, head to the ‘Import Images’ section. Pick the type of image you’d like to add, and then select all of the relevant files. Finally, go back to the Edit Mode menu, where you’ll be able to assign any new kits (‘Teams’) and logos (‘Teams’ or ‘Competitions’).
You should now find that all the relevant data has been updated. If anything is amiss, be sure to check for any additional instructions left by the creator. Otherwise, enjoy your new team names, kits, badges, and any extra PES 2020 goodies.
Fans of the English leagues should note that the default club names have changed this year. Instead of 'East London' and 'Merseyside Blue', for example, teams are fitted with more authentic names to simplify the editing process for creators.
There’s also a new addition to Edit Mode in the form of custom sponsor logo images. These will be used in Master League, where they’ll feature as part of the media backdrop during interviews and the mode's main menu.
Imported team names, kits, and badges do work online, but only you can see them. Your opponent will still be faced with the default settings unless they’ve installed an option file as well. These imports also work in the popular, online-focused myClub game mode.