Unless the next-gen versions are editable, I’m going to be pretty resistant to making the leap to *either* next-gen console.

The editability issue is something Konami should already have addressed, either by obtaining licenses, or by maintaining editability.

Apparently they did neither for next-gen, which means that the PES franchise for the moment has lost its continuity: those with PS2 still have editability but stuck with dated graphics; those with next-gen have top-notch graphics but restricted editability.

Dee has a point, the series has lost its roots. Time to rediscover those roots and what really distinguishes PES in the video game market. Otherwise Seabass and Konami could end up losing a passionate and loyal customer base through inertia and adopting a “business management” approach–as opposed to the “artist/fanatic” approach that built the customer base in the first place.

And Dan’s allowed a few bad columns here and there… it *is* the silly season, after all. No matches in most of the world, so it’s transfer rumors and bickering (in the real world, not on PES, haha) for the next several weeks.

For me this is the last chance for the series, i cant believe they would mess it up so bad, the editing, the online (which wasnt always great in the first place) mode. It has to get back to its roots.

You should get your facts right before posting up an ill-informed article. Very poor.

“features of PS3 that they would like on their console, be it the motion sensing controllers, free online gaming or the simple ability to use generic Bluetooth and USB items in their system”

Firstly, everyone knows that the six-axis was only added at the last minute due to the popularity of the Wii, hence why no developer has bothered using it to good effect so far. Secondly, from what I saw of the online gaming (as a user) was a) very unuser friendly and b) rushed on the games that I had. I would sooner pay the £40 to get a much better online gaming experience.

Also just to correct you, you CAN use generic USB items on the 360, such as keyboards, webcams and links to digital cameras. You can even use a normal webcam to import faces into PES 08!!!

Finally I only partially agree with your comment about the Wii not being next gen. It was never built around horse power and next gen graphics, rather it focused on the way we played and interacted with games. Admittedly the majority of the Wii games are very poor mini game collections, however, its pretty naive to tie the tag of ‘next gen’ to simply graphics, power and memory! One of the only reason why the Wii won’t compete as a next gen machine is unfortunately developers feeling that they need to cash in on mini games and kiddy games.

PS3 vs 360, please don’t get me start it, it’s like PES vs Fifa, PS3=PES, Xbox=Fifa, and mainly because the PES has only the second year in the xbox, and the pes, has more than 10 year on Playstation, that’s why the PES it’s more played in the PS3.

Great piece….as always.

However, I have a bone to pick with you! Stop running down the PS2 version of PES2008. I was a gamer who waited for PES2008 to make the jump to PS3. I was fortunate enough to have a friend with a PS3 so I could compare and contrast. After a couple of hours gaming I was so pleased I did not blow £300 on a PS3. Graphics are slightly better on the PS3 but the PS2 version is a much better experience. I could have my beloved in Pompey in the correct kits courtesy of the easily updated option files and the game actually plays better. I am delighted Konami are releasing the PES2009 on the PS2 as it means I can delay my upgrade decIsion for at least another 6 months. The PS2 maybe 10 years old but it is still the ‘daddy’ console of PES.

Cheers,

Sean