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Oct 1, 2021 - Technology

Konami's "eFootball 2022" flops in bid to compete with EA

headshot
Screenshot of a scene from the video game eFootball 22, which shows one soccer playing in a blue uniform dribbling the ball as an opponent in grey approaches

Image: Konami

Japanese games publisher Konami has issued a lengthy apology for the state of its new soccer/football game, which has been thrashed with negative reviews since its launch yesterday.

Why it matters: The company’s free-to-play “eFootball 2022” was supposed to revive Konami’s competition against rival EA, which launched its latest annual “FIFA” title today. Not this year, it seems.

  • “We would also like to acknowledge that there have been reports of problems users have experienced with cut-scenes, facial expressions, movements of players and the behaviour of the ball,” reps for the game tweeted today.
  • The company vowed to make improvements through downloadable updates.

The big picture: The timing is awkward for Konami. Its mobile gaming sector has been lucrative, keeping the company profitable, but there have also been signs of Konami trying to revive the rest of its recently neglected gaming franchises.

  • It recently released a “Castlevania” game to Apple Arcade and issued a collection of older games in the series to consoles.
  • Today, well-sourced gaming site VGC reported that Konami is planning to revive its “Castlevania” and “Metal Gear” franchises, with Eurogamer echoing the detail of a possible remake to the celebrated “Metal Gear Solid 3.”

What they’re saying: Not much. Konami is among gaming’s most secretive companies and skipped this weekend’s annual Tokyo Game Show.

  • When asked just last month by Axios about whether his company would get back to making sequels to its classic franchises, Konami’s Yota Tsutsumizaki said: “As far as I know, the creators at Konami love games and create games which users can enjoy. Please keep your eyes on Konami’s works in the future.”
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