Konami Drops Pro Evo Xbox Bombshell!

Tijdens mijn nimmer aflatende speurtocht naar nieuws over online soccer op Xbox, kwam ik dit tegen...



Thursday 2nd October 2003


EXCLUSIVE: KONAMI DROPS PRO EVO XBOX BOMBSHELL!

Can it be true? Dare to dream? Will Xbox host the first online version of the world's greatest sports game? Full shocking details inside

18:19 It's the rumour that's haunted the industry for the last couple of years, a rumour which grew initially from wide-eyed hope more than actual fact, but recent comments from Konami have given the strongest hint yet that the majestic Pro Evolution Soccer series will reach Microsoft's mega-console in the near future.
Speaking to us exclusively at a recent press event in Switzerland, PES producer Seabass, when questioned about the possibility of an Xbox version, said: "We'll let you in on a little secret... The team has not started on the Xbox version yet, however the team is very interested in Xbox Live in terms of the technology and the infrastructure Microsoft has, but that's about all we can say today, as our President is here! [laughs]"

The desire seems clear and, like Capcom with Resident Evil Online, the implication is that companies find Sony's European online service a far more troublesome prospect than the pretty much ready-and-waiting Xbox Live service.

Although SCEE is quick to slam down on such suggestions, as Capcom is rumoured to have discovered after Resi Evil procucer Tanaka-san commented in an interview with Eurogamer: "It depends on SCEE, because the network system is very different to Japan and the US. There is a possibility the game may have no option for online play."

The big stumbling block is Konami's exclusivity deal with Sony in Europe, still in place, but for how much longer? It's an open secret that Bill Gates would likely sell his kids into slavery to get the game on Xbox so a bidding war once the contract expires is a certainty.

It's well documented that one of Xbox's main problems in Europe is the lack of an essential online footy title, and with EA still refusing to work with Xbox Live, PES is the dream ticket.

Couple that with the PES team's keenness to take it's masterpiece online, apparently favouring Microsoft's service, and this could become a reality sooner or later.

Konami Europe's reaction today was: "PES remains a PS2 exclusive and no Xbox version is currently planned." But where there's a will there's a way and once Microsoft sends round the heavies to do over SCEE, anything is possible.



Johnny Minkley

 

Dit nieuws is hier in het kort al gepost, van mij mag je t erbij zetten, want volgens mij staat er geen verwijzing naar het hele stuk, maar volgende keer wel graag een bronvermelding