Konami Digital Entertainment, a leading Japan-based developer of toys and games, has launched PES (Pro Evolution Soccer) 2010 featuring 360-degree control and other components to further elevate the unrivalled realism of the title.

The announcement comes following Konami’s close contact with the global network of PES and football fans, who have played a key role in the development of the new game.

Via forums and feedback, the PES Productions team in Tokyo has canvassed opinion on elements fans hoped to see included in PES 2010, and 360-degree control was part of the long list.

360-degree control will be available on both the PlayStation3 (PS3), Xbox 360 and PC-DVD versions of the game via the analogue sticks on the respective controllers. The system will allow players to spread the ball with ease, opening up new attacking and defensive possibilities.

PS3 owners will also benefit when using the Dual Shock’s D-Pad, but Xbox 360 and Win D-Pads are limited to eight-directional control due to technical limitations of the hardware.

Konami has also confirmed a number of similarly crowd-pleasing elements as requested by the fan base, including manual goalkeepers, new goalkeeper moves, All-New Animation, Key animation related to dribbling, running, turning, etc., fine-tuned close control, manual ball request and simpler skills.

“The PES community has been an incredible asset in the development of PES 2010, and we can finally lift the lid on the many requests the team has been able to meet,” explained Naoya Hatsumi, producer for PES Productions at Konami Digital Entertainment Japan.

“We have strived to make the system work and coupled with the new AI and player elements in the game, it helps make PES 2010 a much richer and more realistic experience.”

“We cannot thank the PES community enough for their unerring support and constant stream of ideas,” said Jon Murphy, PES European team leader.

“They have offered a non-stop list of elements and options that has given the team so much to think about. As anyone can see, we are committed to making such things happen, and the addition of 360-degree control and extras such as the manual goalkeepers, being able to demand the ball, and all-new animation shows that the PES team is determined to make PES 2010 the greatest football title imaginable.”

PES 2010 will be released for PS3, Xbox 360, PC-DVD, PlayStation Portable, PS2 and Wii, and will be distributed by Pluto Games, one of the leading retail distributors in the region. – TradeArabia News Service