August 17 – Konami Digital Entertainment has signed a deal with Liverpool for the video game maker’s Pro Evolution Soccer 2017 that will see the club’s players digitally reproduced in its newest game to be released September 13/14.
The three-year deal with Liverpool follows on from an agreement the company has just reached with Barcelona. Konami said that it is committed to working with the world’s biggest clubs.
Video games makers have been active in the club market in recent weeks with EA Sports having signed major deals with the Premier League (reckoned to be more than $23 million per year) and Manchester United starting with its FIFA17 release.
Konami will become an ‘Official Partner of Liverpool F.C.’ As well as using player images it will also have a series of elements based on the club’s Anfield stadium and its soon-to-be-opened new Main Stand.
Billy Hogan, chief commercial officer at Liverpool FC, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Konami, whose attention to detail will make sure that Liverpool FC is well represented and will help us to continue to engage with our fans in new and exciting ways.
Konami said that a free update to PES17 “will see the introduction of all the players, the team’s famed ‘Gegenpressing’ playing style will be recreated, and Liverpool’s stirring ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ anthem will also be featured within the in-game chants and pre-match build-up.”
Konami said it will run special promotions within its myClub mode that will allow players to add Liverpool legends to their home-grown squads.
The company said that it has enhanced the new game’s control elements as well as its visual realism. “The industry-leading Fox Engine is again central to elevating the series to new heights, focusing on first touch, the making and receiving of passes, and adaptive AI to elevate the game’s acclaimed realism,” said Konami.
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