Pro Evolution Soccer 2010
Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 (PES 2010; known in Asia as World Soccer: Winning Eleven 2010) is a football simulation video game developed by PES Productions and published by Konami.[1] Released in late 2009 for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, and Wii, with an iOS port following in June 2010,[2][3] it represents the ninth installment in the Pro Evolution Soccer series. The game emphasizes realistic gameplay, featuring licensed teams from major leagues and modes such as the UEFA Champions League.[4] PES 2010 introduced significant improvements to its core mechanics, including a new 360-degree analog control scheme for more fluid player movement and intuitive zonal defending that requires strategic positioning.[4] Enhanced visuals brought greater realism to player likenesses, animations, and on-pitch conditions, with details like sweat and dynamic expressions adding immersion.[5] A revamped tactics system offers over 100 levels of customization for attacking and defensive strategies, allowing mid-match adjustments to adapt to opponents.[4] Other updates include a side-on penalty view and seamless transitions in dribbling and shooting animations.[4] The game received generally favorable reviews, earning a Metascore of 78 out of 100 based on 42 critic reviews, praised for its challenging AI and authentic simulation feel despite some licensing limitations.[2] IGN awarded it an 8.1 out of 10, highlighting the exhaustive new features that refined every aspect of the series.[6] User scores averaged 7.0, reflecting appreciation for the gameplay depth but noting areas like menu polish that lagged behind competitors.[2] Overall, PES 2010 was seen as a return to the series' strengths in tactical football simulation.[6]Development
Announcement and production
Konami announced Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 on April 8, 2009, positioning it as the ninth installment in the long-running Pro Evolution Soccer series. The reveal emphasized a significant evolution in gameplay and presentation, with the publisher highlighting it as featuring "the most exhaustive raft of new features in the series' history." Development was primarily led by Konami's PES Productions team, based in Tokyo, Japan, which focused on advancing next-generation enhancements building directly on the foundation of Pro Evolution Soccer 2009. The studio prioritized refinements to the game's core engine, including superior player animations, more realistic physics simulations for ball movement and collisions, and overall visual fidelity to create a more immersive experience on platforms like PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. A key production emphasis was the integration of Teamvision 2.0, an upgraded AI system designed to improve team coordination, such as zonal defending where midfielders and defenders dynamically cover spaces and adapt to attacking patterns.[7] To generate early feedback and build anticipation, Konami released a playable demo on September 17, 2009, available for download on PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. The demo included exhibition matches featuring select licensed teams, such as FC Barcelona and Liverpool FC, alongside national squads from France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, allowing players to test core mechanics like passing and shooting in a limited five-minute format. In terms of scope, the production aimed to close the gap with rival FIFA 10 by prioritizing heightened realism in player movements and match dynamics, though Konami did not disclose specific budget details for the project. This focus on technical upgrades addressed feedback from prior entries, seeking to deliver a more strategic and visually compelling soccer simulation without overhauling the series' established formula.[8]Cover athletes and promotion
Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona and Argentina served as the primary cover athlete for the global edition of Pro Evolution Soccer 2010, prominently featured in artwork and marketing visuals to emphasize the game's focus on elite player representation.[9] Fernando Torres of Liverpool FC and Spain joined Messi on the alternate European cover, appearing alongside him in promotional imagery to appeal to regional audiences and highlight star-powered authenticity.[10][11] Konami unveiled the first trailer for Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 at E3 2009 in Los Angeles from June 2 to 4, showcasing enhanced graphics, animations, and Messi's involvement in the opening sequence to generate early buzz among gamers.[12] The event highlighted upcoming features like improved player movements, positioning the game as a leap forward in football simulation realism.[13] A key element of promotion involved Konami's expanded partnership with UEFA, which secured exclusive licenses for the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League, enabling teasers of official tournament modes and team likenesses to build anticipation for authentic European competition content.[14][15] Marketing efforts centered on campaigns targeting football enthusiasts, including television advertisements featuring Messi, Torres, and Juventus' Alessandro Del Piero demonstrating in-game skills and team dynamics.[16] These ads, produced by Frontroom, aired alongside an online extension allowing users to view gameplay clips, emphasizing the game's refined controls and visual fidelity.[16] A downloadable demo was also promoted via platforms like Xbox Live, offering matches with licensed teams such as Barcelona and Liverpool to let fans preview core mechanics ahead of launch.[17][18] Player endorsements extended to production involvement, with real athletes participating in motion capture sessions to ensure lifelike animations and movements.[19] Messi underwent specialized motion capture by Audiomotion, contributing to accurate depictions of his signature dribbling and playstyle for greater immersion.[19]Release
Platforms
Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 was released across multiple platforms, including Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Xbox 360, Wii, iOS, and Java mobile versions for feature phones, including Nokia devices.[6][20][21] The Java mobile version was released in late 2009 for compatible feature phones.[22] The next-generation versions for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC offered enhanced features such as 360-degree player pod control and full licensing for the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League, providing authentic tournament modes and team representations.[23][24] In contrast, the legacy console versions for PlayStation 2 and Wii featured downgraded graphics and reduced visual fidelity to accommodate hardware limitations, though they retained core gameplay modes like exhibition matches and Master League.[25] The PlayStation Portable edition was optimized for handheld play, emphasizing ad-hoc multiplayer and portable-friendly controls derived from the analog nub.[25] On PC, players could adjust graphics settings including resolution, texture quality, and anti-aliasing to balance performance with visual detail on varying hardware configurations.[26] The iOS port, released in June 2010, served as a simplified adaptation with touch-based controls and accelerometer support for intuitive passing and shooting, utilizing 3D visuals scaled for mobile screens while incorporating AI assistance for accessibility.[27][28][29] Notably, there was no initial release for the Nintendo DS, limiting handheld options to the PSP and later iOS versions. The Wii edition faced a delay in some regions to incorporate motion control adaptations using the Wii Remote and Nunchuk for actions like shooting and passing, though traditional button inputs remained primary.[30][31]Regional release dates
Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 was first released in Europe on October 23, 2009, for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 platforms, with select territories such as the Netherlands receiving it a day earlier on October 22.[32] The PlayStation 2 and PSP versions followed in Europe on November 6, 2009, while the Wii edition arrived later on November 20 due to additional development time required for the motion-controlled variant.[33][34] In North America, the game launched on November 3, 2009, for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, with the PlayStation 2 version delayed to November 10 and the Wii edition also on November 10.[32][35][34] Japan received the title under its regional name, World Soccer: Winning Eleven 2010, on November 5, 2009, initially for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, topping sales charts in the region during its debut week.[36] The Wii version for Japan was released later on December 10, 2009, reflecting minor delays in porting to the platform.[34] Other regions saw staggered releases for additional platforms; for instance, PlayStation 2 and PSP versions in Asia were available in early 2010, often bundled with exclusive content like regional team packs in select markets. A mobile version for iOS devices launched globally in June 2010, adapted from the PSP edition and priced at $6.99.[27][37]| Region | Platform(s) | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| Europe (select) | PC, PS3, Xbox 360 | October 22, 2009 |
| Europe | PC, PS3, Xbox 360 | October 23, 2009 |
| Europe | PS2, PSP | November 6, 2009 |
| Europe | Wii | November 20, 2009 |
| North America | PS3, Xbox 360 | November 3, 2009 |
| North America | PS2, Wii | November 10, 2009 |
| Japan | PS3, Xbox 360 | November 5, 2009 |
| Japan | Wii | December 10, 2009 |
| Asia (select) | PS2, PSP | Early 2010 |
| Global | iOS | June 2010 |