Pro Evo Soccer 2012 takes the pitch September 27

Last month, Electronic Arts announced a September 27 launch for its latest soccer sim, FIFA 12. Not backing down from the competition, Konami today announced that the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC versions of its own soccer sim, Pro Evolution Soccer 2012, would also hit stores September 27. Release dates for the Wii, PlayStation 2, and PSP versions of PES 2012 will be announced at a later date.

The focus for development on PES 2012 is "the instinctive way the game can be played and on teamwork in particular," according to the publisher. The game's AI engine has received "a major overhaul," it is claimed, which has apparently resulted in improved zonal marking for all players, defenders holding tighter lines, and attacking players making more intelligent runs.

Konami has also promised "heavily tweaked animation, more detailed lighting techniques, a wider variety of player styles, improved dead-ball situations, expanded tactics, and a new customizable pass feature."

For more on Pro Evolution Soccer 2012, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.