Konami passes first PES 2012 details

While Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer franchise has been playing second fiddle both critically and commercially to EA's FIFA series for several years, the most recent iterations were the closest on both fronts for some time. PES 2011 helped Konami to a significant profit boost earlier this year, and the publisher has just confirmed the first details of the follow-up, PES 2012.

The focus for development on PES 2012 is "the instinctive way the game can be played and on teamwork in particular," according to the publisher. The game's AI engine has received "a major overhaul," it is claimed, which has apparently resulted in improved zonal marking for all players, defenders holding tighter lines, and your own attacking players making more intelligent runs.

Konami has also promised "heavily tweaked animation, more detailed lighting techniques, a wider variety of player styles, improved dead-ball situations, expanded tactics, and a new customizable pass feature." Penciled in for release this autumn, PES 2012 has been confirmed for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, PC, Wii and PSP.

Shingo "Seabass" Takatsuka, the series' creative producer also offered more details in a trailer released alongside today's announcement, which you can see below.