PES makers to open UK studio
Konami hiring for London studio to reinvigorate Pro Evolution Soccer for "high-end consoles and PCs."
Pro Evolution Soccer publisher Konami plans to establish a European studio for Tokyo-based PES Productions. The London studio will focus on PES projects for "high-end consoles and PCs," Konami said in a press release.
The new London-based satellite office will "adopt and recreate local football culture that will ensure the long-running series is kept fresh and exciting," according to Konami. The Japanese firm will be recruiting staff for the new studio at the Games Developer Conference Europe, the mid-August industry conference that precedes Gamescom in Cologne, Germany.
With the Tokyo team's PES 2013 scheduled for release this autumn, a secondary team dedicated to "high-end consoles" might turn its attention to the next generation of games machines, given that the Wii U launches this winter, and Sony and Microsoft are expected to unveil their efforts next summer.
The football franchise will be looking to recover ground lost to rival series FIFA. Though last year's PES 2012 performed solidly for Konami, it debuted in the UK sales chart at five, while FIFA 12 charted at number one and outdid PES's first-week sales several times over.
Konami president Shinji Hirano talks up the new UK studio as an initiative to capture "the majesty of European football," saying that “these are hugely exciting times for the PES series."
Hot Stories
Newsmakers
-
Biden: No legal problem with taxing violent games
United States Vice President Joe Biden believes there is no legal restriction on ability to tax violent media. Full Story
- Posted May 13, 2013 12:50 pm PT
-
Just Cause dev promises 'holy f**king sh**' moments in future games
Avalanche Studios co-founder says developer's ambition is for action, not moments that make players cry; steampunk-style game on hold. Full Story
- Posted May 15, 2013 6:33 am PT
Featured Stories
-
Bungie shoots down Destiny for PS Vita rumor
Developer confirms image suggesting version of upcoming shared-world shooter in development for Sony's latest portable is a fake. Full Story
- Posted May 16, 2013 5:08 am PT
-
Ubisoft planning to release games more frequently
Assassin's Creed and Far Cry publisher says its network of 26 studios and over 7,000 developers will allow company to ship major franchises more regularly. Full Story
- Posted May 16, 2013 4:42 am PT
-
Metro: Last Light dev responds to workplace conditions claims
4A Games creative director Andrew Prokhorov thanks Jason Rubin for telling the studio's story, but says, "We deserve the ratings we get." Full Story
- Posted May 16, 2013 12:44 pm PT
-
EA opens DICE LA to make Star Wars games
DICE head would also like to poach top talent from rivals Infinity Ward and Treyarch. Full Story
- Posted May 15, 2013 3:28 am PT
-
EA dropping Online Passes - Report
Future EA games won't require Online Passes; the service is being scrapped after tepid player response. Full Story
- Posted May 15, 2013 8:28 pm PT





