The next title in the Pro Evolution Soccer series, PES 2012, has been dated and confirmed for an October 14 release this year on the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC. Konami says the next version of its long-running soccer series will be the most ambitious and advanced football experience ever, putting it head to head with its rival at EA.
The press release states that PES 2012 will offer players total control over the characters, replete with a new Active AI system that ensures teammates work to close down space, defend horizontally and hold their line so they aren't easily tricked by beelines towards the goal. Players defend, while AI characters will hold the defensive line and mark oncoming offensive support. When on the offense, the player will see teammates performing dummy runs to draw out defenders and give the player even more options while on the attack.
PES 2012 also breaks new ground with a strong emphasis of the team as a single unit using the game's new Teammate Control system, which allows the player to control two footballers at once, prompting runs or drawing defenders out with one, while the other holds the ball up. The game offers the player the ability to control two characters in either Assisted mode, where the second footballer will make a timed run to cut inside or receive a ball, or a Manual mode that allows the player to have complete freedom over what he does.
The game will be receiving a variety of visual upgrades, with new animations, livelier crowds, and the addition of managers who wander the touchline.
PES 2012 continues Konami's relationship with UEFA, which allows the series to have exclusive rights to the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, and the UEFA Super Cup with players within those licenses. The game will have full detail of the players, and extends even to the match officials, including referees and their assistants.
