GC'06: Konami Talks Pro Evolution Soccer 6 News

Konami today released further details on Pro Evolution Soccer 6, confirming that the title will be making its next-generation debut on the Xbox 360 at the Leipzig Games Convention.

Boasting improved visuals, enhanced animations and a plethora of gameplay additions, the Xbox 360 version will be joined by the PlayStation2, PSP, Nintendo DS and PC versions, all scheduled for release in October.

With the sixth title in the series, Shingo 'Seabass' Takatsuka and his team have incorporated a variety of new features and improvements, ranging from player AI enhancements to advancements to the physics engine, resulting in players working to turn defenders as they receive the ball, and defenders standing slightly off to prevent such moves.

Pro Evolution Soccer 6 also features an improved shooting technique, which introduces a greater selection of snap shots and re-worked volleys and half-volleys. Players can also retain control of the ball with a sliding tackle (thank you Konami), along with all-new feints and tricks courtesy of the reworked dribbling system.

More importantly, Konami have continued to secure licenses for Pro Evolution Soccer 6, which will feature the fully-licensed kits for the Czech, French, Australian, English, Italian, Argentinian, Spanish and Swedish national sides. The French Championat league has also been added, in addition to agreements with Bayern Munich, Sporting Lisbon, Olympiacos and Manchester United.

Finally the online aspects of the PlayStation2 and PC version have been tweaked, implementing a new system that allows up to eight players to compete via four linked systems.

"Pro Evolution Soccer 6 is one of the most eagerly-awaited games of the year, and we are delighted to be able to come to the Games Convention with so many exciting advances to announce," commented Martin Schneider, Sales and Marketing Director for Konami in Germany. "As we show the first Next Generation version of the game for Xbox 360, we are sure that visitors to the Konami stand will see that the future of the Pro Evolution Soccer series is very bright indeed."