Business Model Shift in PES to eFootball Transition
One of the most significant changes eFootball introduced was the shift from a paid game model to a free-to-play model with microtransactions.
Konami aimed to tap into the industry trend of offering free access to games while relying on in-game purchases for monetization.
Unfortunately, this change seemed to prioritize financial gains over providing a satisfying gameplay experience. Many players felt forced to make additional purchases to fully enjoy the game, creating the impression that eFootball no longer offered the same value as its PES predecessors.
Rushed Launch and Lack of Proper Testing
When eFootball was released, expectations were high that it would be a landmark in digital football gaming. However, the rushed launch led to numerous unresolved technical issues.
Bugs and glitches abounded, making the playing experience highly uncomfortable. From unnatural player animations and unresponsive controls to bizarre visual problems, it became clear that eFootball was released in an unfinished state.
The lack of adequate testing before launch exacerbated the situation. Instead of addressing shortcomings through community feedback, the game was launched with various problems that could have been avoided.
This was further compounded by Konami’s minimal communication about long-term plans for fixes, further eroding fan trust.
The Use of Unreal Engine: A Double-Edged Sword
Konami decided to switch from the Fox Engine used in previous PES to eFootball Transition development.
While Unreal Engine is renowned for its graphical capabilities, this transition did not go smoothly. Issues with optimization, inconsistent graphic quality, and stiff animations left many players disappointed.
The switch to Unreal Engine was supposed to be an opportunity for Konami to enhance visual quality and gameplay, but the reality was quite the opposite.
Loss of PES Identity and Fan Favorites
For years, PES was known for its authentic and realistic gameplay, with smooth controls that made it a favorite among digital football enthusiasts.
However, eFootball is seen as losing the elements that made PES special. Many gameplay features were altered or removed, making the game feel alien to loyal fans.
The diverse game modes and rich content that characterized PES were not fully represented in eFootball, leaving fans feeling that the game had lost its soul.
Server Issues and Disappointing Online Experience
One of eFootball’s main promises was a more immersive and competitive online experience. However, problematic servers, lag, and unstable connections turned the much-anticipated multiplayer mode into a weak point.
This was especially frustrating given that the online mode was supposed to be a key feature of the game. Instead of enjoying smooth and competitive matches, players frequently faced repeated technical issues.
Community Criticism and Konami’s Slow Response
Harsh criticism from the gaming community, including streamers and influencers, further damaged eFootball’s reputation.
Many felt that Konami did not listen to feedback adequately and was unresponsive to criticism. Although several patches and updates were released to address some issues, the slow response and perceived inadequacy of the fixes left many fans feeling that Konami was not serious about improving the game.
Can Konami Still Regain Fan Trust?
The big question is: can Konami still regain fan trust? Indeed, restoring a damaged reputation is no easy task. However, several steps could be taken to try to make things right.
Konami needs to be more transparent in its communication with fans, address technical issues more aggressively, and perhaps most importantly, listen to the community’s desires to bring back the elements that made PES beloved.
Additionally, Konami should focus more on gameplay experience and quality rather than solely pursuing profits through microtransactions.
Developing more diverse content, improving graphical quality, and enhancing server stability are crucial steps if Konami wants eFootball to compete with other football games on the market.
Ultimately, Konami faces a challenging road to recovery and rebuilding trust. If done correctly, eFootball still has the potential to become a competitive and beloved football game.
However PES to eFootball Transition, the path to redemption is long and fraught with challenges, and only time will tell if Konami can rise from this failure.
