A new brand identity for a new generation of consoles and players, eFootball represents a fresh approach for the long-running franchise, previously known as Pro Evolution Soccer and Winning Eleven.

Thanks to the greatly evolved football game engine, the animation system has also been overhauled. New technology called "Motion Matching" converts the vast range of movements that players make on the pitch into a series of animations, selecting the most accurate one in real-time. The system provides more than four times as many animations as before, achieving highly realistic movement. “Motion Matching” will be utilised across all eFootball platforms, including last-gen consoles, PCs and mobile.

Ensuring that eFootball is an experience that everyone can enjoy, Konami’s new football game is free-to-play across console, PC and mobile. Importantly, eFootball will also present a fair and balanced experience for all players. More details about gameplay and online modes will be revealed in late August.

As a digital-only title, Konami will regularly add new content and game modes after launch this Autumn. Local matches featuring FC Barcelona, Juventus, FC Bayern, Manchester United and others will be available, for free, at launch. In the future, certain game modes will be sold as optional DLC, giving players the freedom to build an experience that follows their interests.

Uniting football’s global gaming community for the first time, eFootball will offer the same highly realistic esports experience across console, PC and mobile, including full cross-play support post-launch. eFootball on mobile will be detailed at a later date.

Konami, the Major League Soccer Players Association (MLSPA) and OneTeam Partners (OneTeam) today announced that MLSPA’s Members will be featured in the Konami eFootball video game franchise through a trailblazing multiyear group licensing agreement. The partnership will grant Konami the right to feature the names, numbers, images, and likenesses for MLSPA players in eFootball, delivering wider engagement across North American soccer audiences.

“As we evolve our acclaimed soccer video game series towards a new brand direction, one key element of this transition is to further engage North American-based audiences on our updated eFootball franchise,” said Takayuki Kubo, President, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. “This partnership with the MLSPA and OneTeam will allow Konami to further grow our presence in North America and deliver the most immersive global football experience to our fans.”

"The MLSPA is proud to partner with Konami to bring players into the new world of eFootball,” said Bob Foose, Executive Director, MLSPA. “As the global football gaming community continues to expand and evolve, our members are excited to take the stage in this new simulation platform.”

Additionally, Konami unveiled the 11 MLSPA players who will join the roster of eFootball ambassadors. The newly named ambassadors represent both established and ascendant stars:

• Efraín Álvarez    
• Eduard Atuesta    
• Caden Clark    
• Cade Cowell    
• Jonathan Dos Santos    
• Jesús Ferreira    
• Tony Leone    
• Josef Martinez
• Andrés Perea
• Cristian Roldan    
• Yeferson Soteldo

OneTeam Partners, the group player licensing partner of the MLSPA, facilitated the trendsetting new partnership. OneTeam is a global sports company unleashing the collective power of world-class athletes to drive business via group licensing, marketing, media and venture.

“Adding the collective power of the players into the eFootball video game further enhances the fan experience and through Konami free-to-play approach opens new dimensions for all audiences to engage with the best soccer players in North America,” said Henry Lowenfels, Chief Product Officer, OneTeam Partners.

To ensure open and transparent communication, Konami has published the first roadmap for eFootball, presenting initial details about launch contents and what will be added in the months following.

Early Autumn:

• All-new gameplay experience, powered by Unreal Engine
• Cross-generation matchmaking (i.e. PS5 vs. PS4, Xbox Series X|S vs. Xbox One)
• Local Matches featuring FC Barcelona, Juventus, FC Bayern, Manchester United and more

Autumn:

• Cross-platform matchmaking between consoles and PC (i.e. PS5 vs. Xbox Series X|S, PS5 vs. PC Steam, etc.)
• Team Building Mode (Name TBC) opened – build your own team by acquiring players
• Online Leagues (Name TBC) opened – take your original team and compete in a global, competitive league
• Match Pass system – earn items and players by playing eFootball

Winter:

• Mobile controller support added
• Full cross-platform matchmaking across all available platforms including mobile when using a compatible controller
• Professional and amateur esports tournaments kick-off

Konami is honored that Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr., two of the greatest footballers of all time, will become global ambassadors for eFootball. In addition, Andrés Iniesta and Gerard Piqué have been closely involved in development as official advisors for offensive and defensive gameplay, respectively.

Further announcements regarding additional eFootball ambassadors and details about Partner Clubs, licensing and more will be shared in the coming weeks.

eFootball will launch worldwide first on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC ( Win10 and Steam) in Fall 2021, with iOS and Android to follow soon after.