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Jonathan White

Video game publishers Konami have apologised for eFootball 2022 after the launch of the renamed Pro Evolution Soccer title was slated by fans in user reviews and online.
The highly-anticipated game was launched on September 30, a day earlier than the official release date of Fifa 22, the latest edition of the long-running series from rival publishers EA Sports.
Fans were quick to comment on eFootball 2022’s gameplay and the graphics, with many criticising the rendering of star players such as Lionel Messi.
On the Steam250 website, which aggregates reviews from users of the steam download platform, only 8.9 per cent of more than 9,800 reviews were positive. Google said that 36 per cent of user liked the game.

Important info for #eFootball fans pic.twitter.com/Tp9RFhmXp9
— eFootball (@play_eFootball) October 1, 2021

This latest edition of the long running series is the first to be released as free-to-play but fans still had complaints, with many posting glitches online.
The Konami game had been a favourite for Esports competitions, with an earlier edition of the series used for the Esports competition at the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia.
Fifa 22 slows things down to breathe new life into series
“After the release of eFootball 2022, we have received lots of feedback and requests regarding game balance that includes pass speed and defence operation,” the Japanese video game giants said in a statement on Twitter on Friday.
“We would also like to acknowledge that there have been reports of problems users have experienced with cut-scenes, facial expressions, movements of players, and the behaviour of the ball,” Konami said.
“We are sorry for the problems, and want to assure everyone we will take all concerns seriously and strive to improve the current situation.

Messi
Ronaldo
Hilarious own-goals

Here are the funniest eFootball glitches pic.twitter.com/eO0UtVdgxM
— Goal (@goal) October 1, 2021

“This work will be continuously updated, quality will be improved and content will be added consistently.
Konami said that they will have an update for the game later this month and they are going to seek further feedback.
“From next week onward, we will prepare an update in October, while receiving further opinions through questionairres to our users.

1️⃣ more sleep

Tomorrow sees the release of eFootball™ 2022 and our new model as we #SetFootballFree

Try and get some rest #eFootball fans, because tomorrow....#ThePitchIsOurs ⚽ pic.twitter.com/3KVejwsrnL
— eFootball (@play_eFootball) September 29, 2021

“We will do our utmost to satisfy as many users as possible, and we look forward to your continued support of eFootball 2022,” the statement ended.
Konami took a year out from the series to work on eFootball 2022, with the 2021 edition an update rather than a full game, promising a new experience with the series rebranding.
“Our ambition was to recreate the perfect football environment, from the grass on the pitch, to the players‘ movement, all the way to the crowds in the stadium,” they say on the Konami website.

The resemblance is spot on #eFootball pic.twitter.com/bkGGm69wdN
— Tom Henderson (@_Tom_Henderson_) September 30, 2021

“To this end, we decided to create a new football engine, with revamped animation system and game controls.
“The final result was even more impressive than we had originally conceived. We had gone beyond the border of PES, into a new realm of virtual football.
To signal this new era, we have decided to part ways with our beloved PES brand and rename it ‘eFootball’!”


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Video gaming

Konami ‘sorry’ for eFootball 2022 as fans slam Pro Evolution Soccer series relaunch

Manchester United players Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane pictured in the Konami video game eFootball 2022. Image: Konami

Fifa 22 slows things down to breathe new life into series

Spurs star Son Heung-min celebrates a goal with his trademark celebration in the Fifa 22 video game. Image: EA Sports/Fifa

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Barcelona's Antoine Griezmann celebrates scoring against Napoli in the Uefa Champions League in 2020. Photo: Reuters

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A still from the PES 2020 video game running with the WEHK patch for the Hong Kong Premier League that will be used for the HKFA’s e-Sports tournament. Photos: Facebook/WEHK

A still from the PES 2020 video game running with the WEHK patch for the Hong Kong Premier League. Photo: Facebook/WEHK

Sport

Football


New free-to-play version of long running Pro Evolution Soccer series slated as fans report glitches and mock graphics
User reviews of long-awaited game are overwhelmingly negative – ‘We are sorry for the problems,’ say publishers



New free-to-play version of long running Pro Evolution Soccer series slated as fans report glitches and mock graphics, while user reviews of long-awaited game are overwhelmingly negative – ‘We are sorry for the problems,’ say publishers.


Esports