MLB Dugout Heroes – Updated to mark what’s apparently the hottest month in baseball
New Enhancements To Include Console Style Menu, Enhanced Minor League And Bench System, Team Logo Bonuses And The All-New Dodger Stadium!
To celebrate the hottest month in baseball, GamesCampus will introduce tons of new content changes coinciding with the Fall Classic in its popular online baseball game – MLB Dugout Heroes. Among the new features are a new console style menu, a minor league system, an enhanced bench system, new team logo bonuses and a brand-new stadium.
Both new and current players can check out the new features at www.mlbdugoutheroes.com starting this Thursday, October 8th.
Dodger Stadium
The newest stadium in MLB Dugout Heroes is here! Dodger Stadium has been the home ballpark of Major League Baseball’s Los Angeles Dodgers team since 1962. Dodger Stadium is currently the third oldest ballpark, and one of the biggest in Major League Baseball, behind Fenway Park in Boston and Wrigley Field in Chicago!
New Console Style Menu
The new Console Style Menu layout is more common to players who are familiar with console style presentation. Console sports games use this vertical style option with a portion of the screen dedicated to individuals who are great ambassadors for the respective sport.
Minor League System
The Minor League System makes a smooth transition from retirement to replacement. The new Minor League System allows players to groom their players of the future while using their present players. Players can assign up to nine pitchers in the Minor Leagues, up to three per concentration: Balanced, Flame Thrower (Increased Fastball Growth Rate) and Finesse Pitcher (Increased Breaking Ball Growth Rate).
Players may assign up to twelve Minor League Batters in the Minor Leagues, up to three per focus: Balanced, Power (Increased Power Growth Rate), Accuracy (Increased Bat Growth Rate), Run (Increased Run Growth Rate).
Enhanced Bench System
Players can ensure their bench players are doing more than just growing old on the bench. They can customize the way each player earns EXP and all Bench Pitchers have only one type of growth rate. All the Pitchers in the designated slots will receive 80% of pitchers’ default EXP.
Bench Batters have the option of selecting one of five growth types; Power, Bat, Run, Throw, or Defense. Batters in the designed slots will receive 80% EXP of the following positions; 4th Batter in Lineup (Power), 3rd Batter in Lineup (Bat), 1st Batter in Lineup (Run), Catcher (Throw), or Shortstop (Defense).
Team Logo Bonus
Using the Special Team Logo, players will receive a bonus for the amount of past players of a specific team they have in their lineup. User’s who recruit past players of their favorite teams – using the new Team Specific Draftcards – will receive bonus stats for having those players in their lineup.
More information can be found at: www.mlbdugoutheroes.com
Need for Speed SHIFT PC demo now available
Start your engines!
The PC demo of the highly-rated Need for Speed SHIFT is available for download at www.needforspeed.com.
Players will prove their racing prowess on the world-famous Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps and gorgeous city circuit of London River using one of four unlocked cars. Collect enough stars in the demo based on the player’s racing performance, and they’ll unlock the ultimate racing machine; the Pagani Zonda F.
Jump into the cockpit of one of these five cars and find out why Need for Speed SHIFT is the highest rated Need for Speed game in years.
• BMW M3 (E46)
• 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10
• 2006 Lotus Elise 111R
• 2008 Nissan GT-R
• 2006 Pagani Zonda F (unlockable)
A PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 Need for Speed SHIFT demo is also scheduled to arrive in early October.
With a perfect score from GameSpy.com and G4TV.com, and 90+ scores from IGN.com, Official Xbox Magazine, PlayStation: The Official Magazine, Team Xbox.com, Game Daily.com, Gametrailers.com and more, Need for Speed SHIFT redefines the racing genre by combining real world physics with perception based G-forces. The game introduces a brutal first-person crash dynamic that creates an unparalleled immersive experience. The signature cockpit view delivers a true driver’s experience. Need for Speed SHIFT further personalizes the experience through the all-new driver profile – a unique persona based on the driving skill and style of each player. Need for Speed SHIFT is the most realistic and intensive authentic racing game ever.
Need for Speed SHIFT is now available on the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system, PC, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system and coming soon on the iPhone™. More information can be found at www.needforspeed.com
Championship Manager 2010 out now
Special Edition Available In Store And Online From All Good Retailers Now
Eidos Interactive Ltd, creator of some of the world’s leading videogame properties, announces that Championship Manager 2010 is now available on PC-DVD across Europe, in an exclusive Special Edition featuring the full game and free CM Season Live™ which is normally priced at £5 for six updates throughout the season, a CM Manager’s Notebook & pencil plus a giant league structure poster – everything you need to become the definitive manager.
“This is a very exciting moment in the history of the Championship Manager franchise,” said Roy Meredith, General Manager of Championship Manager. “Two years of hard graft have come to fruition in what I can confidently say is the best version of Championship Manager the studio has made.”
Championship Manager 2010 delivers players a host of unique features never seen before in football management games including; a bespoke 3D match engine with over 500 individual player animations created specifically for Championship Manager, a Set-piece creator giving users the chance to create their own unique free kicks and corners, Scouting Networks allowing users to set-up local networks in countries around the world and scout for local players and Practice matches helping users build and mould their perfect team or trial new players. The new features are more accessible than ever before thanks to the completely reworked user interface design.
Championship Manager will be released across Europe fully localised into Turkish, Polish, French, Italian and Spanish.
For more information on Championship Manager 2010 and to gain insight on the game in the form of the Football Academy as well as articles from the Champ Man Football Council including Graham Poll, Mervyn Day and Brian McClair visit www.championshipmanager.co.uk
Championship Manager 2010; Special Edition (PC-DVD) is available from all good retailers now SRP £29.99
PES 2010: Major additions confirmed for further realism
Konami unveils new 360-degree control system, and more key gameplay advances determined by fan requests
Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH has announced that PES 2010 will benefit from 360-degree control and further elevating 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 PLAYSTATION®3, 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. PLAYSTATION®3 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: PES 2010 will be the only football title to offer users complete control of the keeper. Players can switch to their goalkeeper at any time, and will enjoy total control of his actions.
New Goalkeeper Moves: Players can now perform quick under-arm throws to their nearest defender to get attacks rolling more quickly.
All-New Animation: Key animation related to dribbling, running, turning, etc, has been reworked and enhanced, creating a more natural and organic feel to the way players chase down balls, change direction and move around the pitch. The result is a more fluid and natural look to the game.
Fine-tuned Close Control: The PES Productions team has worked to improve trapping of the ball and basic close control elements, giving the user more ways to spread and move the ball around effortlessly.
Manual Ball Request: The ability to demand the ball when running into space is now available to the player, and will be accessible in all game modes, such as multi-player, online, etc.
Simpler Skills: Moves such as feints, drag backs and upper body feints can be applied more naturally when taking on or trying to beat an opponent. The PES series has long been associated with clever flicks and tricks, and PES 2010 will boast the most to date.
“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,” commented 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 are determined to make PES 2010 the greatest football title imaginable.”
PES 2010 will be released for PLAYSTATION®3, Xbox 360, PC-DVD, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable), PlayStation®2, Wii and mobile phones in the autumn.
gamescom 2009: Cologne eagerly awaits the gamescom premiere, with more than 420 exhibitors from 30 countries expected
Fans of interactive entertainment can look forward to world and European premieres of games, action, events and entertainment in Cologne at gamescom, already the international meeting place of the industry at its very first staging
Gamescom is under starter’s orders and the stands are already being set up in Cologne. Organiser Koelnmesse and its ideal partner the German Association of Interactive Entertainment Software (Bundesverband Interaktive Unterhaltungssoftware – BIU) are eagerly waiting to greet more than 420 exhibitors from 30 countries from 19-23 August. With foreign participation at 45 per cent, gamescom has become the industry’s international meeting point at a stroke. Over a total of 120,000 square metres of exhibition space, the industry community, from developers to publishers and trading partners all the way to the large group of gamers, will meet in halls 4 to 9 of Koelnmesse.
Fans and friends of interactive entertainment can look forward to a grand show of game premieres, a spectacular event and entertainment programme on the entire trade show grounds – indoors and outdoors – and in the city itself at the gamescom Festival. Already well over 100 world, European and German premieres of games in all genres are on the bill. With more than 30 exhibitors from the areas of media learning and expertise, and the gamescom congress organised by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Europe’s largest event for interactive entertainment and games is also giving a huge boost to child welfare. Koelnmesse, the German Association of Interactive Entertainment Software (BIU), the City of Cologne and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia are ready to launch the premiere of gamescom. “The games can begin,” say Oliver P. Kuhrt, Managing Director of Koelnmesse, and Olaf Wolters, head of the BIU, in unison.
Industry meeting place
With foreign companies making up 45 per cent of exhibitors – including firms from the UK, France, the US and Canada – gamescom is already the new international industry meeting place right from the start. Games producers from France, Italy, the UK, Scandinavia, Taiwan and Thailand will present their products on six shared stands. The business area (halls 4 and 5) will see the European games industry do business with their trading partners, while the entertainment area (halls 6 to 9) is devoted to companies presenting their new products to private visitors. For example in hall 6 of gamescom, companies including Activision Blizzard, Capcom, Electronic Arts, Microsoft, Square Enix and Take Two will showcase their latest titles. In hall 7, Konami, Sony and Ubisoft, Bigben Interactive, Hama, Koch Media and others will cater to fans of interactive entertainment. In hall 8, next to the north entrance, firms including Nintendo, Namco Bandai, Sega, Warner Brothers, dtp and Tivola will present their innovations. Hall 9 puts e-sports, core gaming and the dynamic online gaming segment centre stage. Here, Turtle Entertainment, GOA, NcSoft, Funcom and others will show their products in the best light. To ensure that visitors to gamescom have as much active gaming time as possible, themed game zones (lifestyle, sport, action & adventure, e-sports) will complement the exhibitor stands. This is where the virtual world of games meets its real-world counterpart.
World premieres and interactive supporting programme
In the entertainment area, visitors to gamescom will experience a festival of new computer and video games. It will feature new products in just about every genre, from infotainment and edutainment games, to casual, sports and music games, all the way to action and adventure. In short, video and PC, online and browser games producers and hardware providers, too, will be presenting their latest developments, with exhibitors presenting more than one hundred world, European and German premieres. Sports fans, for example, can look forward to the premieres of Pro Evolution Soccer 10, FIFA 10, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 and Tony Hawk Ride, while racing aficionados will be treated to Need for Speed Nitro and Forza Motorsport 3. The pulses of music-lovers will also be quickened by titles such as Guitar Hero 5, DJ Hero 5, The Beatles Rock Band, Band Hero, LIPS – No. 1 Hits and Just sing.
The line-up of global players from around the world is already being hotly awaited by the European gaming community in the focus area of online, browser and mobile games. Besides browser game market leaders gameforge and Bigpoint, more than 20 companies from Germany, Europe and South Korea will present the entire gamut of games and latest blockbusters, among them World of Warcraft and “Celebrities”.
Away from the screens and monitors, the interactive supporting programme at gamescom will provide the best in entertainment. Creative costumed action fans and friends of relaxing entertainment at gamescom will certainly get their money’s worth in the real world too. For example, from Thursday the best case modders will battle it out in the German case-modding championships, which will award prizes to the most inventive homemade PC housings. People looking to enter the games industry or move within it will want to head straight to the job and career centre in hall 8. There visitors will also find the “Retro Gaming 1972-2009″ exhibition, showcasing almost four decades of gaming history. Outside, cosplayers – costumed players – will be awaiting their turn. On Saturday, the south entrance will be the setting for a cosplay world record attempt, which has been officially registered with Guinness World of Records. Another outdoor event will see the most daring motorcyclists take their racers through the freestyle course. In hall 8, the German Motorcycle Trade Association (Industrie-Verband Motorrad Deutschland – IVM) will showcase the fascinating world of motorbikes and scooters. Participation is the order of the day in other supporting events too. The outdoor course will test entrants’ mettle in overcoming obstacles and becoming the fastest and most effective in getting from A to B, a skill that comes first and foremost in many games, after all. Trade show visitors can also attend small workshops to learn the basics of this trend discipline straight from the pros. From Thursday to Sunday, the other outdoor exhibitor events will provide perfect entertainment for fans and families alike. Those in need of a break from the hubbub in the halls and the grounds can escape to the gamescom beach, where they can relax and recharge before the next round of show highlights.
“gamesCompetence” unites teaching content and expertise
Youth protection, media learning and instruction in media skills come under the “gamesCompetence” heading at gamescom. This event throws the spotlight on offers from young people for their age group, associations, clubs and institutions, as well as the gamescom congress organised by the state government. Almost 40 exhibitors, among them associations, clubs, and educational facilities, will actively participate in the “gamesCompetence” event highlight. The NRW 2009 Youth Forum in hall 8 hosted in collaboration with Cologne Youth Welfare Office will centre on offers from young people for young people. Also taking part in the “gamesCompetence” programme: the Federal Centre for Political Education (Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung – BpB), the Commission for the Protection of Minors in the Media (Kommission für Jugendmedienschutz – KJM), the Federal Department for Media Harmful to Young Persons (Bundesprüfstelle für jugendgefährdende Medien – BPjM) and educational facilities including the University of Cologne. The main highlight of the gamescom days under the sign of youth protection, media learning and expertise is the gamescom congress to be staged under the state government’s auspices on 20 August in the Congress Centre North. The congress, which is free to all, is devoted to the latest debates revolving around the world of computer gaming. The topic of age-appropriate use of interactive media does not only play a role in the specialist part of gamescom – the right way to deal with games will also be demonstrated live in the trade show grounds. To ensure young people are protected at gamescom itself, visitors will be given coloured armbands according to their age. This follows the guidelines of self-regulating software body the USK and enables exhibitors to ensure that games are only played by the age groups they are intended for. Games for players aged 16 and over will be demonstrated in a closed-off area of exhibitor stands. All in all, the offers for parents and teachers, educators, politicians, media and other interested parties at “gamescompetence” range from practical applications and tools all the way to top political discussions.
The gamescom Festival takes the games into the city
The supporting gamescom Festival takes the games into the city where it will address the target group of casual gamers, leisure and occasional players after the trade show closes with lots of fun. The city centre around Rudolfplatz, Friesenplatz and Neumarkt will feature two stages with an entertaining line-up of live acts, while the area between Rudolfplatz and Friesenplatz will be given over to interactive gaming with show trucks and game modules. The festival will open its doors on 19 August with top European music act Die Toten Hosen who will appear with Gentlemen and other top names to rock the audience in the dancing zone adjoining the trade show grounds. Following the opening ceremony on Wednesday, the city festival in downtown Cologne will provide spectacular entertainment from Friday to Sunday. National and international music acts, interactive gaming and the BÄM Awards will showcase fun from its best angle over three days true to the gamescom motto, “Celebrate the games”.
Championship Manager 2010 available September 11th
Demo available on August 14th
Eidos Interactive Ltd together with Beautiful Game Studios announces that Championship Manager™ 2010 will be available on Games for Windows across Europe from September 11th 2009.
“I’m delighted to be able to confirm the 11th September release date for Championship Manager 2010. This edition contains features which will really set us apart from the competition such as CM Season Live™ which offers a totally new dimension to the football management genre,” said Roy Meredith, General Manager, Championship Manager. “This is the culmination of two years incredibly hard work and the whole studio is genuinely excited about how gamers will react when they get the chance to play it for the first time.”
Championship Manager 2010 is the latest edition of the classic football management franchise, and will be the first football game available for the 2009/10 season. In development for over 2 years, the 2010 edition offers players a host of unique features never seen before in football management games. These include a bespoke 3D match engine with over 500 individual player animations created specifically for Championship Manager, a Set-piece creator giving users the chance to create their own unique free kicks and corners, Scouting Networks allowing users to set-up local networks in countries around the world and scout for local players and Practice matches helping users build and mould their perfect team or trial new players.
Championship Manager also includes an industry first in CM Season Live™ allowing players to download the real-world 09/10 football season data and take on real world managerial decisions and challenges in the leading leagues across Europe.
Ahead of the games release, players will be able to try out all of the latest features and more in a full demo available from August 14th via the Championship Manager website. With 6 months game time (over half a season) contained in the demo and fully compatible with the full version of the game on its release, players have a full four weeks to prepare themselves for the release of Championship Manager 2010.
Championship Manager 2010 will be available across Europe in French, Italian, Spanish, Turkish and Polish on Friday September 11th 2009.
PES 2010: Master League Evolves
Konami reveals expanded managerial elements, including new fiscal, sponsorship, and youth team elements
Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH has outlined significant advances to the Master League section of its forthcoming PES 2010 title.
Master League has proven one of the key attributes to the PES series’ longevity, and PES 2010 will introduce a number of new elements that will contribute to the overall realism and lasting appeal of the new game.
On selecting the Master League option, players are now presented with a menu split into three areas: ‘Club House’, ‘Stadium Walk’, and ‘Office’. Each of these is an umbrella for different parts of a manager’s role, with ‘Club House’ used for tactical and match day options, ‘Stadium Walk’ for main game settings, and ‘Office’ for scouting and player acquisition dealings.
The in-game menus are now much simpler to navigate, and players can jump between the three areas with ease. The Club House element has also seen the creation of an all-new Youth Team section, which works alongside the first team squad. As the game progresses, the player can opt to invest in talented members of their youth team to fast-track their development. This burgeoning talent can then be introduced into the first team, as with so many real-life ‘academies.’
The Office area is where all transfer and financial dealings take place. Real currency is now used in PES 2010, and additional monetary routes are also available. Sponsorships can now be negotiated, with player securing big money deals with companies that can be used to invest in the team and youth set-up. Results on field affect the direct value of the club tio interested parties, and fan clubs are also used as a barometer of the club’s success.
Pro Cycling Manager – Tour de France 2009
NEW SPORTS SIM TITLE HITS RETAIL AS THE TOUR DE FRANCE GETS UNDERWAY
Pro Cycling Manager 2009, the must have simulation game for cycling enthusiasts and sports management fans from Ascaron Entertainment and Focus Home Interactive is available to buy. Based on the world famous Tour de France race, the latest edition includes the Spanish Tour (La Vuelta) for the first time. Players can enjoy an exhilarating and competitive sports management experience whilst guiding their team to victory in four authentic events.
Fans of the series can watch the new trailer online at www.cycling-manager.com to view the game’s beautiful environments, realistic animations and experience the buzz of the most renowned cycling event in the world.
There are various competitive events in the velodromes that enable managers to put their team’s endurance, speed and skill to the test:
Scratch race – all contestants start the race on equal terms. Riders must overtake and lap their competitors, holding this lead until the finish to gain an advantage over those who have completed fewer laps.
Flying 200 metre time trial – time is critical in this speedy event as riders must race along the set distance to achieve the quickest time possible, ensuring a win for their team.
Points race – this official Olympic discipline involves many cyclists racing simultaneously on the same track for up to 160 laps. A sprint is held every ten laps, with points awarded to the top four finishers; the winner is the rider with the most points at the end. This event is very tactical, so players must decide the best racing style in order to secure a win for their team. Some racers prefer to sit back and conserve energy, only attacking for the sprints to accumulate points. Others may attempt to take control of a lap early in the race and defend their leading position.
Omnium – a multiple race event where all contestants compete against each other in a flying time trial, scratch race, individual pursuit, points race and shorter time trial. It is widely considered to be the event that determines the best all-round track cyclists due to the combination of sprint and endurance required. Team manager’s skills will be put to the test as they decide which riders are best at each specific discipline to ensure success.
Pro Cycling Manager 2009 is available today from all good retailers.
Publisher: Ascaron Entertainment / Focus Home Interactive
Web: www.Ascaron.com / www.Focus-Home.com
Developer: Cyanide
Release date: 10th July2009
PEGI: 3+
Format: PC and PSP
Genre: Sports Simulation
Colin McRae: DiRT 2 delayed to make the most of the upcoming DirectX 11 release
Multi-threading, hardware tessellation and Shader Model 5.0 to turbocharge off-road racer – AMD (NYSE: AMD) powers new levels of visual realism with DirectX 11 software engineering expertise
Codemasters® announced that the Games For Windows® LIVE edition of Colin McRae: DiRT 2, the thrilling and stylish sequel to the award-winning off-road racer, will support the wealth of new performance enhancing features that will be available in DirectX 11.
With DirectX 11 hardware expected to ship in the second half of 2009, and DirectX 11 coming to home computers with the release of Microsoft Windows 7 on October 22, 2009, Codemasters also announced that the Games For Windows® LIVE edition of Colin McRae: DiRT 2 will benefit from an extended development program to take advantage of DirectX 11 and is now scheduled to be published in December 2009.
“While the console editions of Colin McRae: DiRT 2 will retain their September ship date, we believe that the DirectX 11 feature set is too compelling to ignore, especially considering how much more it can add to the visual experience for PC gamers,” said Bryan Marshall, chief technical officer, Codemasters. “As a leader in digital racing entertainment, we are staying ahead of the pack by immediately taking advantage of key new technologies such as hardware tessellation, multi-threading and Shader Model 5.0 to deliver the most realistic, immersive and exhilarating racing experiences in the business. The fusion of DirectX 11 with Codemasters’ EGO™ Engine will raise the technical bar considerably in the racing genre.”
With the introduction of Microsoft Windows 7, DirectX 11 will be made available both as part of the operating system and as a downloadable update to Windows Vista. Codemasters intends to immediately take advantage of DirectX 11 features that add to the realism of the racing environment. Hardware tessellation will further improve the appearance of water and other surfaces as well as crowd animations.
The shader performance of Shader Model 5.0 (SM 5.0) will aid in creating an even richer 3D experience, enhancing key image quality parameters such as depth of field, ambient occlusion and shadows. These DirectX 11 features, and many others, will add the horsepower needed to improve performance.
“We expect Codemasters’ early move to DirectX 11 to place them in a leadership position in developing the next generation of PC games and simulations,” said Rick Bergman, senior vice president, AMD Products Group. “To aid in transitioning to DirectX 11, AMD is providing Codemasters with access to our software engineering expertise in DirectX 11 technologies such as tessellation and shader modelling. DirectX 11 has all of the ingredients needed to take PC gaming to a new level of realism by giving developers tools to effectively utilize the multi-CPU, multi-GPU systems now available to players.”
Colin McRae: DiRT 2 is being turbocharged for Games For Windows® LIVE supporting DirectX 11 and is set to ship this December. Editions for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft®, the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, Wii™, Nintendo DS™ and PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system are scheduled to launch in September. For the latest videos and information, powerslide over to www.dirt2game.com.
Fernando Torres signs for PES 2010
Liverpool and Spain striker joins Lionel Messi as the face of PES 2010, as Konami lifts lid on even more gameplay advances
Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH has announced that Liverpool FC and Spanish international striker Fernando Torres is to join Lionel Messi as the cover stars of PES 2010.
Torres, 25, has enjoyed an incredibly successful season both at club and international level, and will now join UEFA Champions League winner Messi on the front of PES 2010’s packaging and marketing materials. Fernando Torres was born in Madrid in 1984, and gained acclaim by helping Spain win the Under 16 UEFA European Championships in 2001 scoring the only goal in the final against France. His pace and prowess in front of goal saw him signed by Atlético de Madrid as an 11-year-old, making his mark in the first team from the age of 17 and scoring 82 goals in 214 league appearances for the club. This form took him to Liverpool for a £26m fee in 2007, where his prolific strike rate has continued and has seen him cement his place in the senior Spanish national squad. Torres was a pivotal figure in Spain’s successful EURO 2008 campaign where he again scored the only goal in the final against Germany.
“Everyone knows that when it comes to football simulation, Konami’s PES series is by far the most realistic title available,” commented Torres. “The new game looks absolutely stunning, and I look forward to seeing myself in action in PES 2010.” “Fernando Torres has established himself as one of the most exciting strikers in the game,” added Jon Murphy, PES European Team Leader. “He encapsulates everything that is good about the modern game, showcasing both pace, skill and vision – three elements that play a major part in PES 2010 as a football simulation.”
In addition to the announcement of Torres’ involvement, Konami has also unveiled key new additions to PES 2010’s content:
• Enhanced Realism: PES 2010 delivers a pace of game in tune with football played at the highest level. Triangulation of passes and use of off-the-ball runs are key to breaking down the opposition, forcing the player to use the strengths of their team mates to create scoring opportunities. Gone are ‘soft’ goals that can be used to break the deadlock; instead, only working the channels and the precision play expected of great players will make a difference.
• Player Characteristics: Key skills of the many players have now been attributed names, allowing users to incorporate them into their play strategy. Cover star Torres, for instance, is renowned for his ability to receive a pass in the penalty area, and to drop the ball to a teammate in a good position for a goal-scoring opportunity. As such, he is labeled a ‘Fox in the Box’ and Goal Poacher’, in line with his prowess in both scoring and setting up goals. Player characteristics are more vividly reproduced by these names.
• Instant Tactical Switching: Konami has already unveiled its new tactical bar system related to PES 2010’s attacking and defensive elements, but can now reveal additional information. Each team has unique settings matching their real-life playing styles. Torres at Liverpool, for instance, will recreate the Merseyside club’s sophisticated play and high numbers in attack, their pressing from midfield, strong defensive line, and width across the pitch. For the offense, the default settings support wide attacks and the aim to move in the back of the opponent’s defense line. The user can summon the bar instantly during a match to adjust team tactics to enhance their defence or strengthen attacks.
• Master League: The Master League now incorporates both the Champions League and Europa Leagues in its content, offering a complete season for players to enjoy. Success in the Master League will see players streamed into these competitions. The lure of European football can also be used to attract stronger players to your side, with transfer dealings and contracts now significantly more realistic in their use.
• Commentary: PES 2010 reunites Jon Champion and Mark Lawrenson in the game’s virtual commentary box, but in a more effective way than before. The commentary is now more tied to the action, with comments detailing player ability, significant match history and analysis, within a more concise and detailed delivery designed to mimic the presentation of games.
Konami is committed to delivering the most realistic football to date, and will make further announcements regarding PES 2010’s exciting, innovative content in the run-up to the game’s Autumn launch. Key details on the game’s DLC, online elements and options will follow shortly.
PES 2010 will be released for PLAYSTATION®3, Xbox 360, PC-DVD, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable), PlayStation®2 and mobile phones in the autumn.