PES 2022 is coming over the horizon!
Rumours are circulating that Konami's new game could be going completely free-to-play.
So, check out everything you need to know about Konami's next release on Xbox Series X, along with the latest PES news below.
Latest - PES 2022 could be going free-to-play
While there is no solid confirmation yet, signs are pointing towards PES 2022 being free to play.
As Konami tries to re-establish itself as a big name in gaming, taking a competitive share of the football game market would be huge.
Whilst on the VGC Off The Record podcast, Andy Robinson notes that he has heard that Konami have a number of projects in the works whilst actively trying to change things up with existing projects like PES 2022.
He then goes on to talk about the free-to-play possibility.
PES 2022 Release Date
No official release date has been stated for PES 2022 - but we do expect the game to arrive in September.
PES titles have arrived as early as August in the past - but this year we are putting our money on Tuesday, 7 September.
Demo
We are expecting to see a demo return for PES 2022.
We should see various teams and a handful of game modes for us to try out.
As for a release, we are expecting something in August - on 10 or 17 August perhaps.
Trailer
We've already had a sneak peek at a PES 2022 teaser, with Konami letting us in on the progress for Next Gen consoles on Unreal Engine.
The trailer arrived on 15 July 2020.
We can expect to see what Konami has been working on at E3 this summer - which is set for 15-17 June.
Unreal Engine
The exciting addition for PES 2022 is the arrival of Unreal Engine - specifically designed for Next Gen consoles.
We don't know if the engine will be Unreal 4 or 5 however, with UE5 not expected until "late in 2021" - suggesting PES 2022 will be on its predecessor.
As much as UE5 would bring Hollywood level graphics to the video game industry, there is no need for gamers to worry if it doesn't come out just yet.
UE4 still brings in enhanced graphics of "metahumans" which would take the likeness of the players on PES to the next level.
Plus, Unreal Engine 5 will also be rolled out on PS4 and Xbox One - suggesting the new engine won't be the be-all and end-all of top-quality visuals.
We won't really know the difference between PS4/Xbox One and PS5/Xbox Series X capabilities until release.
Option File
This will be the core area for Xbox players - as if Series X offers the use of an Option File then fans would be very excited.
That said, so far - judging on compatibility with PES 2021 - it does not look like Option Files will be possible for Xbox players.
click to enlargeSo, unless Konami can secure a load of new licences for PES 2022, it's unlikely Series X owners will be picking up the new game.
Konami does try to win Xbox players later in the year however, with PES 2020 and 2021 appearing on Game Pass in the last two years.