Is Pro Evolution Soccer 6 Console Specific Game or Not?

First, Microsoft says Konami‘s Pro Evolution Soccer 6 is an Xbox 360 next-gen exclusive (along with EA’s FIFA 2007) for the next 12 months. Then Konami denies that PES 6 will be next-gen exclusive to the Xbox 360. Then Microsoft maintains that PES 6 and FIFA ’07 will be 360 exclusives for the next 12 months. Then… Can somebody please make up their minds?

On one hand, we have the Winning Eleven series creator and producer Shingo Takatsuka denying the exclusivity reports in an interview with 1UP (PES is the European version of the Japanese-oriented Winning Eleven series). Particularly because the PS3 version of PES 6 is also under development, still being worked on, and is planned for an early 2007 release. Setting the record straight, he says that if PES6 would be next-gen exclusive to the 360, it would be only for the remainder of this year, and that’s only because they’re still working on the PS3 version.

If there’s anything sure about PES 6‘s next-gen appearances, it’s that the PS3 version will not appear before January 1, 2007. But that’s the Japanese PS3 version of PES 6. Maybe Microsoft has a point. Unless Konami decides to release the Euro PS3 version before summer 2007, or even as a simultaneous release – which would still prove Microsoft’s original announcement wrong.

On the other hand, we have a Microsoft rep telling GamesIndustry.biz that PES 6 (along with FIFA ’07) are indeed next-gen 360 exclusives “in Europe” for the next twelve months. Our eyes fall on “in Europe.” Yes, we’ve highlighted the words “in Europe.” A late addition to downplay the furor of Konami’s rebuttal, or was this the deal all along and someone forgot to mention “in Europe” back in the GC conference? But if – and we say IF – it really is next-gen exclusive for the next 12 months in Europe, does this mean that the PS3 PES 6 cannot be sold in the Continent for that long, even after it’s been released elsewhere?

Was there even an exclusivity deal in the first place? Or was all of this simply marketing hype and miscommunication between Microsoft and Konami? If it was the latter, the moral of the story would seem to be: make sure you always get the memo before you talk to reporters.

On a side note, an EA spokesperson told GI.biz that FIFA ’07 would be a 12-month long Xbox 360 next-gen exclusive, and adds “This would be a global agreement.” If that’s true, then PS3s everywhere won’t be seeing FIFA ’07 in their drives until late next summer.

First, Microsoft says Konami‘s Pro Evolution Soccer 6 is an Xbox 360 next-gen exclusive (along with EA’s FIFA 2007) for the next 12 months. Then Konami denies that PES 6 will be next-gen exclusive to the Xbox 360. Then Microsoft maintains that PES 6 and FIFA ’07 will be 360 exclusives for the next 12 months. Then… Can somebody please make up their minds?

On one hand, we have the Winning Eleven series creator and producer Shingo Takatsuka denying the exclusivity reports in an interview with 1UP (PES is the European version of the Japanese-oriented Winning Eleven series). Particularly because the PS3 version of PES 6 is also under development, still being worked on, and is planned for an early 2007 release. Setting the record straight, he says that if PES6 would be next-gen exclusive to the 360, it would be only for the remainder of this year, and that’s only because they’re still working on the PS3 version.

If there’s anything sure about PES 6‘s next-gen appearances, it’s that the PS3 version will not appear before January 1, 2007. But that’s the Japanese PS3 version of PES 6. Maybe Microsoft has a point. Unless Konami decides to release the Euro PS3 version before summer 2007, or even as a simultaneous release – which would still prove Microsoft’s original announcement wrong.

On the other hand, we have a Microsoft rep telling GamesIndustry.biz that PES 6 (along with FIFA ’07) are indeed next-gen 360 exclusives “in Europe” for the next twelve months. Our eyes fall on “in Europe.” Yes, we’ve highlighted the words “in Europe.” A late addition to downplay the furor of Konami’s rebuttal, or was this the deal all along and someone forgot to mention “in Europe” back in the GC conference? But if – and we say IF – it really is next-gen exclusive for the next 12 months in Europe, does this mean that the PS3 PES 6 cannot be sold in the Continent for that long, even after it’s been released elsewhere?

Was there even an exclusivity deal in the first place? Or was all of this simply marketing hype and miscommunication between Microsoft and Konami? If it was the latter, the moral of the story would seem to be: make sure you always get the memo before you talk to reporters.

On a side note, an EA spokesperson told GI.biz that FIFA ’07 would be a 12-month long Xbox 360 next-gen exclusive, and adds “This would be a global agreement.” If that’s true, then PS3s everywhere won’t be seeing FIFA ’07 in their drives until late next summer.