Konami Clarifies Some eFootball Rumors, Confirms Option Files Will Still Exist

This morning, Konami decided to answer some questions the company has been receiving. As always, we’re on top of all the eFootball news so let’s get into what Konami had to say.

Ahead of our next major #eFootball announcement, we wanted to briefly answer common questions that we've seen! Much more to follow this month 🤩

Thread below 👇

— eFootball (@play_eFootball) August 2, 2021

And we’re off!

Q: Is eFootball™ just a mobile game for consoles?

A: eFootball™ is developed first for consoles but is a platform for everyone to enjoy. The game will take full advantage of the hardware capabilities of each supported device.

One of the more frightening rumors, one that was exasperated by the Online Performance Test, was that eFootball was going to basically be a mobile game at its core and therefore developed primarily for mobile devices. Konami here restates its thinking (Producer Seitaro Kimura has already addressed this on IGN here). For those of us with next-gen consoles, this is a reassuring note.

Q: Will next-gen graphics be downgraded to play against mobile users?

A: We will make graphical adjustments to the mobile version but the next-generation graphics on consoles and PC will not be downgraded.

More reassurance here from Konami as the company states that the consoles/PC versions won’t be scaled down graphically to accommodate for inferior mobile devices. Although it hasn’t been confirmed, the PC version of eFootball has been rumored to be a scaled-down version — as will be the case with FIFA 22 and EA’s decision to not implement the new HyperMotion feature on the PS4/Xbox One/PC.

As it relates to PCs, the issue is about making the PC version that accommodates the majority of PC users and not just those who have superior rigs. If eFootball is about accessibility and reach, then this strategy makes sense.

Q: Can you turn off or filter cross-platform matchmaking?

A: We will include multiple filters for matchmaking based on location and platform.

Here, Konami clears up a lot of confusion regarding matchmaking and the possibility of scaling graphics and overall experiences to potentially less powerful devices. Matchmaking for the next-gen devices might be more difficult as supplies are still relatively low but that’s not a problem we can tie back to Konami.

Q: Is “Early Autumn” launch basically a demo?

A: In many ways, yes. We want people to get hands-on with eFootball™ as soon as possible, so we will launch with a limited number of teams and modes. Exact details to follow.

Looking at the PES roadmap Konami provided during the trailer reveal implied that the fall release of eFootball was basically the equivalent of a demo, and here Konami confirms our suspicions. Things are going to be really interesting come “Early Autumn” and, if we’re being honest, I don’t expect anything that resembles a smooth release by Konami. Between the traditionally poor PR and subpar online experience, the odds are that eFootball stumbles out of the blocks, hopefully picking up steam as time moves forward.

Q: What exactly will be free-to-play at launch?

A: During “Early Autumn”, eFootball™ will have no micro-transactions – so everything will be free-to-play at launch. We will then add more content during “Autumn”. Exact content details to follow.

As I expected, eFootball will launch with free-to-play modes. If Konami’s strategy was to increase its reach, then offering those early adopters free access is a smart move. On the flip side, Konami’s modes and gameplay are going to have to be strong in order for folks to keep the game. As with a lot of free apps/games, the tendency to move away and delete a free app/game is high because buyer’s remorse has been removed.

Q: Can I play against the CPU/AI from “Early Autumn”?

A: Yes, Local Match will include this.

Another area of concern from the offline PES crowd centered around the possibility that Konami would be removing “Local Match” modes as the company migrates towards “player vs. player” modes. I’m sure playing what will essentially be a “demo” will get stale, but at least the option hasn’t been removed. Just maybe one of these days Konami will replace “Local Match” with “Exhibition” as well. Actually, tackling the entire Japanese to English translations would be a great little detail Konami could address.

Q: Will there be support for Edit Mode / Option Files?

A: We are planning to add Edit Mode / Option Files as a free update for PS5, PS4 and PC after the initial release. Exact details to follow.

Option Files will still be available. PES has always been a game that the community takes to the next level. Without many of the prominent licenses FIFA has, Konami has relied on the community to bridge the gap between EA and PES. If it weren’t for sites such as PES Universe, many of us, myself included, might struggle to play a generic game of footy. Hopefully the release of Edit Mode coincides with the eFootball full release.

Q: When will Master League be added to eFootball™?

A: Master League will be available as premium downloadable content in the future. Please wait for further announcements.

So Master League will be included, but what is this “premium” part you’re referring to Konami? To me, it sounds like we’ll have to pay money for Master League, which I’m not opposed to. If I have to shell out $20 or even $30 for a Master League mode without having to fork over additional money for modes I don’t play like MyClub then that’s a nice incentive for me and puts some extra money back into my pocket. Again, the gameplay has to be good and build off eFootball PES 2021 Season Update and be fully optimized for the PS5 instead of the mobile version.

Q: Can you sign players without special agents?

A: Previous games had a strong “lottery element”, but eFootball™ lets you nominate and acquire your favourite players with Match Pass, a system to receive items based on matches played. Free & Paid Match Passes will be available.

For the MyClub lovers out there, Konami is going to incentivize MyClub based on the number of matches you play, but it is still offering you a free version of Match Pass. It’s nice to know that MyClub won’t be a straight cash grab, but much like FIFA’s Ultimate Team, in order to compete at the highest levels you’re probably going to need to spend some money on microtransactions.

Konami could have saved itself quite a bit of bad press had the company released some of today’s information during the official trailer release. Nevertheless, we’re here now, in the beginning of August, which means we’re a month away from the launch release. Until that time, here’s to hoping that Konami releases more information.