Every aspect of the game has benefited from refinement and enhancement, following feedback from PES 2015. On the pitch, the physicality of top-level matches is stressed via a significantly improved collision system that calculates how players interact and creating a unique outcome depending on the type of impact. Aerial battles are also a completely unique experience this year as the left stick is used to unsettle a larger, more powerful player or find the best position to make the header/volley. Other on-field advances include one-on-one control adding a wider range of movements within the existing control structure. Response times have been improved, allowing players to maneuver in tight situations and benefits the upgraded feint moves that allow sudden directional change.

The individuality of players is also further demonstrated via the ongoing Player ID and Team ID projects. This ensures players in PES 2016 not only resemble, but have all the playing traits, of their real-life counterparts. Defenses will automatically be set up to play to a team’s strengths, while the special skillsets of players will be used intelligently within the game’s extensive tactical options. The ID system has also been extended to goalkeepers, in a bid to improve quality and add unique individuality in performance. New goal keeper parameters have been added spanning Catching, Clearance, Collapsing and Deflecting. This adds definition to ‘keepers’, who you can count on catching the ball rather than punching, or are better at stopping close range shots. 

PES 2016 has also received an aesthetic overhaul. The new game boasts 3x the number of animations of last year’s iteration. Goalkeepers have an abundance of save animations added, while outfield players shoot, pass, dribble and tackle with incredible variety depending on the situation. Players complain when a foul isn't given, or berate a teammate when a pass isn't made, while tricky players can wrong-foot their opponents with shimmies and feints that can result in causing the opposing player to lose his balance and fall in the wrong direction!

The advancements of Konami’s Fox Engine also benefit the game visually in other ways. Surface water during rainy match days will splash as players slide in to win possession, or the turf will kick up as you strike the ball into the top corner. New night-time lighting and real turf textures are among some of the many improvements as well. Crucially, and for the first time in the PES series, dynamic weather has been introduced. Rain can start during a match and the ever more realistic ball physics will accommodate the change in circumstances. Rain changes how the game can be played with passes speeding up, less skilled players are likely to struggle with trapping and players are more likely to slip and fall due to incorrect studs or blades. The variety in playing conditions also demonstrates PES 2016’s incredible ball physics, wherein every spin, bobble or ricochet, has been calculated using real ball physics data, helping keep every moment in every game unique and unpredictable.

Konami has outlined its plans for the 2015/16 PES League, with new countries added to the nationalities currently participating. The PES 2016 publisher has also confirmed that the 2016 World Finals of the UEFA Champions League eSports event will take place on May 28, alongside the UEFA Champions League Final. The San Siro stadium will also give the PES League finalists a once in a lifetime experience. Konami has also developed a new PES League logo, which now aligns with the new overall brand identity of the highly acclaimed Pro Evolution Soccer series.

Following the huge growth during the 2014/15 season, with the PES League launching a global tournament for the first time, Konami has now opened the competition to players from Peru, India, Saudi Arabia and more that are soon to be announced (*). Each new territory will have its own regional leagues competing for a place in the highly esteemed PES League World Finals. Hundreds of thousands of players competed last year, with France’s Rachid Tabane emerging victorious in Berlin. The winner of the 2016 finals will receive two tickets for the UEFA Champions League Final and a money-can't-buy pitch side experience, with more prizes still to be confirmed.

Entry to the new PES League season is completely free. Registration has already opened and Konami will be selecting one lucky entrant at random to win a signed shirt from cover star Neymar Jr. shirt as well as a special 20th anniversary edition of PES 2016.  Every entrant will also receive 10,000 GP of in-game currency, for use within PES 2016’s myClub mode, allowing them to build a team of world stars.

The 2016 PES World Finals will be played using the PlayStation®4 edition of PES 2016. Players can compete using PS3/PS4 consoles, or both depending on their region. For the first time, PC players will be able to participate and compete in the PES League through Steam.

Additionally, players will be able to play with their myClub team via a special competition, wherein one player will win a qualification to compete in Milan. One player can rise through the qualifiers and be crowned the top player at the PES World Final! This particular myClub competition will launch at a later date – details will be announced soon.

To register for the 2015/16 PES League, please visit: the official website.

(*)Full list of participating countries: Spain, France, Italy, United Kingdom, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Middle Eat, Greece, Portugal, Turkey, Poland, Netherlands, Russian Federation, Nordic, Israel, Austria/Switzerland, Belgium, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, United States, Colombia, Peru, Mexico, Rest of Americas, India, Rest of World.