{{Short description|2021 video game}} {{lowercase title|italic=yes}} {{about|the eFootball video game|the PES series|Pro Evolution Soccer|the first game to be branded eFootball|eFootball PES 2020}} {{use dmy dates|date=November 2023}} {{Infobox video game | italic title=no | image = eFootball logo.svg | image_size = 220px | caption = Logo used since 2021 | developer = Konami | publisher = Konami{{vgrelease|CN|NetEase|}} | engine = Unreal Engine 4 | platforms = Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch 2 | released = {{ubl|'''''2022 Season'''''|{{small|• ''Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5''}}|30 September 2021|{{small|• ''Android, iOS''}}|2 June 2022|'''''2023 Season'''''|25 August 2022|'''''2024 Season'''''|7 September 2023|'''''2025 Season'''''|12 September 2024| '''''2026 Season'''''|14 August 2025|'''''eFootball Kick Off! (Nintendo Switch 2)'''''|Summer 2026}} | genre = Sports | modes = Single-player, multiplayer }}
'''''eFootball''''' is a 2021 association football video game developed, published, and updated annually by Konami. It is the revamped successor to the popular ''Pro Evolution Soccer'' franchise, known as ''Winning Eleven'' in Japan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/efootball-pes-2022-free-to-play-renamed-release-date|title=PES Has Been Renamed eFootball, and It's Fully Free-to-Play|first=Joe|last=Skrebels|website=IGN|date=21 July 2021|access-date=22 July 2021|archive-date=21 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721081523/https://www.ign.com/articles/efootball-pes-2022-free-to-play-renamed-release-date|url-status=live}}</ref>
Unlike its predecessor, it was designed as a free-to-play digital video game that includes microtransactions and optional additional content,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/konami-efootball-launch-no-microtransactions-demo|title=Konami's eFootball Will Launch With No Microtransactions Demo|date=August 3, 2021|publisher=IGN}}</ref> with the goal of offering more features and online and offline game modes such as Master League,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/konami-will-sell-master-league-and-other-offline-modes-as-efootball-dlc|title=Konami will sell Master League and other offline modes as eFootball DLC|date=July 22, 2021|publisher=Eurogamer}}</ref> as well as enabling cross-platform play.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/efootball-is-adding-crossplay-and-ai-opponents-in-a-major-update-this-week/|title=eFootball is adding crossplay and AI opponents in a 'major update' this week|date=April 16, 2025|publisher=Video Games Chronicle}}</ref> This eliminates the need for annual physical releases and instead provides periodic, free content updates that introduce new seasons. The first season of the video game, titled ''eFootball 2022'', was released on September 30, 2021. It was followed by ''eFootball 2023'' on August 25, 2022; ''eFootball 2024'' on September 7, 2023; ''eFootball 2025'' on September 12, 2024; and ''eFootball 2026'' on August 14, 2025. This video game is part of the International Esports Federation's World Championship, the Northern and Eastern Europe League (NEEC), and the FIFAe World Cup.
It was released for Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5 on September 30, 2021, and for Android and iOS on June 2, 2022. The Chinese version of ''eFootball'' was published by NetEase for Android and iOS in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=《实况足球》官方网站- 实况足球2025 |url=https://pes.163.com |website=NetEase}}</ref> A version of eFootball for Nintendo Switch 2, called '''''eFootball Kick Off!''''', will be published in summer 2026.<ref>{{cite web |last=Scullion |first=Chris |title=Switch 2 is getting an eFootball spin-off this summer called eFootball Kick-Off |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/switch-2-is-getting-an-efootball-spin-off-this-summer-called-efootball-kick-off/ |website=Video Games Chronicle |access-date=7 February 2026 |date=5 February 2026}}</ref>
== Gameplay == In '''eFootball''' there are present two focal forms of gameplay. The first is named “Authentic Team”, which allows users to control virtual real-time soccer teams in offline games (against AI) or locally with friends. There you can also play online user matches: the latter will be playable in events and in friendly matches, where you can challenge another person remotely. The second game mode is called Dream Team, in which you can play online and offline matches with an original team, created by hiring coaches and players. Each formation can be customized with its name, its uniform and its playing style. With this club you can play both offline and online through the Events section.
== Seasons == {| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 90%; width: 100%;" |+ Released versions of the game |- ! Title ! First release ! Version number(s)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Info |url=https://www.konami.com/efootball/en/topic/news/list |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=konami.com/efootball |date=July 11, 2024 |language=en-us |archive-date=April 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418082051/https://www.konami.com/efootball/en/topic/news/list |url-status=live }}</ref> ! scope="col" | 8th Gen ! scope="col" | 9th gen ! scope="col" | PC ! scope="col" | Handheld |- | colspan="1" |110px<br>{{small|(2022 Season)}} | September 30, 2021 | v1.1.4 (July 21, 2022) | PS4, Xbox One || PS5, Xbox Series X/S || Windows || Android, iOS, iPadOS |- | colspan="1" |110px<br>{{small|(2023 Season)}} | August 25, 2022 | v2.6.0 (June 8, 2023) | PS4, Xbox One || PS5, Xbox Series X/S || Windows || Android, iOS, iPadOS |- | colspan="1" |110px<br>{{small|(2024 Season)}} | September 7, 2023 | v3.6.2 (July 11, 2024) | PS4, Xbox One || PS5, Xbox Series X/S || Windows || Android, iOS, iPadOS |- | colspan="1" |110px<br>{{small|(2025 Season)}} | September 12, 2024 | v4.4.0(April 17, 2025) | PS4, Xbox One || PS5, Xbox Series X/S || Windows || Android, iOS, iPadOS |- | colspan="1" |110px<br>{{small|(2026 season)}} |August 14, 2025 | {{version|c|v5.4.0}} (April 9th, 2026) |PS4, Xbox One |PS5, Xbox Series X/S |Windows |Android, iOS, iPadOS |- | colspan="8" | {{Version|l|show=111111}} |}
== Development == On July 21, 2021, Konami released a six-minute video revealing the new game.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Good|first=Owen S.|date=July 21, 2021|title=Pro Evolution Soccer is now simply eFootball — and it's free to play|url=https://www.polygon.com/22587429/pes-efootball-release-date-pc-ps5-xbox-series-x-one-ps4-android-ios|access-date=July 22, 2021|website=Polygon|language=en|archive-date=August 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825160855/https://www.polygon.com/22587429/pes-efootball-release-date-pc-ps5-xbox-series-x-one-ps4-android-ios|url-status=live}}</ref> The announcement revealed that the ''Pro Evolution Soccer'' (''Winning Eleven'') brand had been dropped.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Stanton|first=Rich|date=July 21, 2021|title=PES is dead, replaced by the F2P 'football platform' eFootball|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/rip-pro-evolution-soccer-too-good-for-this-cruel-world-long-live-efootball/|access-date=July 22, 2021|magazine=PC Gamer|language=en-US|archive-date=July 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729015941/https://www.pcgamer.com/rip-pro-evolution-soccer-too-good-for-this-cruel-world-long-live-efootball/|url-status=live}}</ref>
The game was released on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on September 30, 2021.<ref>{{cite tweet |author=eFootball |user=play_eFootball |number=1433356286175940611 |date=September 2, 2021 |title=Announcing #eFootball 2022 - the official title for our platform's first season! Launching September 30th on consoles and PC fans can finally experience how we have #SetFootballFree Find out more right here: https://t.co/XGJAKZFGaV https://t.co/HqQRjjHQuv |language=en |access-date=September 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902092036/https://twitter.com/play_eFootball/status/1433356286175940611 |archive-date=September 2, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> It was built using Unreal Engine 4 for the first time in the franchise.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Skrebels |first=Joe |date=July 21, 2021 |title=How Unreal Engine Helped Turn PES Into eFootball |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/efootball-pes-2022-unreal-engine |access-date=August 4, 2021 |website=IGN |archive-date=August 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804091006/https://www.ign.com/articles/efootball-pes-2022-unreal-engine |url-status=live }}</ref>
On October 8, 2021, Konami announced that it would release a new update with fixes for the game's issues on October 28, 2021.<ref name="Update">{{cite web|title=eFootball Update Coming October 28 With Fixes For The Game's Issues|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/efootball-update-coming-october-28-with-fixes-for-the-games-issues/1100-6496909/|website=GameSpot|date=October 9, 2021|first=Eddie|last=Makuch|accessdate=October 9, 2021}}</ref> The update was delayed and the release postponed to November 2021.<ref name="udelay">{{cite web |title=eFootball Update That Includes Big Fixes Delayed To November |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/efootball-update-that-includes-big-fixes-delayed-to-november/1100-6497352/ |website=GameSpot |access-date=October 30, 2021 |archive-date=February 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206204735/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/efootball-update-that-includes-big-fixes-delayed-to-november/1100-6497352/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Konami then launched the update 0.9.1 on November 6,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.konami.com/efootball/en/topic/news/28|title=TOP|access-date=November 25, 2021|archive-date=November 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105073240/https://www.konami.com/efootball/en/topic/news/28|url-status=unfit}}</ref> and announced that the 1.0 update release was delayed until Spring 2022.<ref name="bigdelay">{{cite web|title=eFootball 2022 hit with worst delay yet – next update not out till spring|url=https://metro.co.uk/2021/11/05/efootball-2022-hit-with-worst-delay-yet-update-not-out-till-spring-15547936/|website=Metro|date=November 5, 2021|access-date=November 5, 2021|archive-date=August 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828071002/https://metro.co.uk/2021/11/05/efootball-2022-hit-with-worst-delay-yet-update-not-out-till-spring-15547936/|url-status=live}}</ref> Version 1.0.0 of ''eFootball 2022'' was finally announced on April 6, 2022, with release date on April 14, 2022.<ref name="announcement">{{cite web|title=Announcements 14/04/2022 v1.0.0 Release Confirmed|url=https://www.konami.com/efootball/en/page/update_announcement_20220406|website=konami|date=April 6, 2022|access-date=April 6, 2022|archive-date=July 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240719073931/https://www.konami.com/efootball/en/page/update_announcement_20220406|url-status=live}}</ref>
On May 31, 2022, Konami announced their roadmap for the rest of 2022 up until 2023 for features such as Master League and the number of teams that can be used in offline mode which will all be released as paid content.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dinsdale |first=Ryan |date=2022-05-31 |title=eFootball Will Not Get Master League Mode Until 2023, Will Be Paid DLC |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/efootball-will-not-get-master-league-mode-until-2023-will-be-paid-dlc |access-date=2022-07-10 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=April 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240415060941/https://www.ign.com/articles/efootball-will-not-get-master-league-mode-until-2023-will-be-paid-dlc |url-status=live }}</ref> However, as of September 2024 of eFootball's latest series release, features such as Master League and Edit Mode have not been released on PC or consoles, and no further announcements have been made by Konami.
== Reception == [[File:EFootball_2022_graphics_example.jpg|thumb|left|This screenshot of then Manchester United players (L-R) Paul Pogba, Cristiano Ronaldo and Scott McTominay was widely shared, according to ''Polygon'', as "the most notorious example" of the game's poor graphics.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Good|first=Owen S.|date=October 1, 2021|title=Konami's eFootball is a disaster at launch and Steam's worst-rated game ever|url=https://www.polygon.com/22704246/konami-efootball-pes-launch-glitches-steam|access-date=October 1, 2021|website=Polygon|language=en-US|archive-date=October 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001194220/https://www.polygon.com/22704246/konami-efootball-pes-launch-glitches-steam|url-status=live}}</ref>]] {{Video game reviews | MC = (PC) 25/100<ref name="MCPC">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/efootball-2022/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|title=eFootball 2022 reviews for PC|work=Metacritic|access-date=5 October 2021|archive-date=October 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211011114402/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/efootball-2022|url-status=live}}</ref><br/>(PS5) 34/100<ref name="MCPS5">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/efootball-2022/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5|title=eFootball 2022 reviews for PlayStation 5|work=Metacritic|access-date=21 October 2021|archive-date=October 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211002191408/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-5/efootball-2022|url-status=live}}</ref> | GRadar = 1.5/5<ref>{{Cite web|last=Wilson|first=Ben|date=October 4, 2021|title=eFootball 2022 review: A disastrous start to the post-PES era|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/efootball-2022-review/|access-date=October 4, 2021|website=GamesRadar+|language=en-US|archive-date=October 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009232442/https://www.gamesradar.com/efootball-2022-review/|url-status=live}}</ref> | PCGUS = 30/100<ref>{{Cite web|last=Iwaniuk|first=Phil|date=October 13, 2021|title=eFootball 2022 review: The pitch is ours—but where's the rest?|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/efootball-2022-review/|access-date=October 13, 2021|website=PC Gamer|language=en-US|archive-date=August 3, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240803133119/https://www.pcgamer.com/efootball-2022-review/|url-status=live}}</ref> | IGN = 4/10<ref name=":1"/> }}
At launch, ''eFootball 2022'' was panned by critics and players, who criticized the "atrocious" graphics, lack of content, laggy engine and finicky controls.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Winslow|first=Jeremy|title=Konami's eFootball Is Steam's Most-Hated Game Right Now|url=https://kotaku.com/konamis-efootball-is-steams-most-hated-game-right-now-1847777988|url-status=live|access-date=September 30, 2021|website=Kotaku|date=September 30, 2021 |language=en-us|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930211648/https://kotaku.com/konamis-efootball-is-steams-most-hated-game-right-now-1847777988 |archive-date=September 30, 2021 }}</ref> With 92% negative reviews, it became the worst-rated game on Steam a day after launch,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Smith|first=Graham|date=September 30, 2021|title=eFootball 2022 is now the worst rated game on Steam|language=en|work=Rock, Paper, Shotgun|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/efootball-2022-is-now-the-worst-rated-game-on-steam|access-date=30 September 2021|archive-date=October 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211013014908/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/efootball-2022-is-now-the-worst-rated-game-on-steam|url-status=live}}</ref> and the lowest-rated game of 2021 on the review aggregator Metacritic.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/pictures/worst-video-games-of-2021/10 |title=Metacritic: "The 10 Worst Video Games of 2021" |website=Metacritic |access-date=December 22, 2021 |archive-date=June 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604214959/https://www.metacritic.com/pictures/worst-video-games-of-2021/10 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Konami later apologised for the game's many issues and said they would work on improving it.<ref name="Apologize">{{cite web|title=Konami Apologizes For eFootball 2022's Many Issues, Including Wonky Face Scans And PS1-Era NPCs|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/konami-apologizes-for-efootball-2022s-many-issues-including-wonky-face-scans-and-ps1-era-npcs/1100-6496742/|website=GameSpot|date=1 October 2021|first=Eddie|last=Makuch|accessdate=October 9, 2021|archive-date=November 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120042957/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/konami-apologizes-for-efootball-2022s-many-issues-including-wonky-face-scans-and-ps1-era-npcs/1100-6496742/|url-status=live}}</ref> A major "1.0" update, that aimed to address many of these issues, was released April 14, 2022 on PC and consoles.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Even Konami Agrees With The Criticism About eFootball's Quality |url=https://kotaku.com/efootball-pes-konami-quality-bugs-glitches-major-update-1848761712 |access-date=2022-04-07 |website=Kotaku |date=April 7, 2022 |language=en-us |archive-date=November 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231122083601/https://kotaku.com/efootball-pes-konami-quality-bugs-glitches-major-update-1848761712 |url-status=live }}</ref>
A 2022 review by Simon Cardy of ''IGN'' after the 1.0 update gave it a 4/10, writing that "In truth, it's still hard to recommend playing ''eFootball'', even if it is completely free to do so" and that it's "disappointing in so many areas that it's hard to see a quick fix forthcoming". Cardy also criticized the skill moves and gameplay, writing that it's inconsistent and that its AI is dense and dull. Other things he criticized were the pay to win model, the lack of game modes, the atmosphere in games, the commentary in games, and the user interface. However, he praised the presentation of the pitch along with the player and stadium models.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Cardy |first=Simon |date=2022-04-27 |title=eFootball 2022 Update 1.0 Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/efootball-2022-review |access-date=2026-01-27 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref>
{{clear}}
== See also == * List of association football video games * List of video games notable for negative reception
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == {{Commons category|eFootball}} <!-- per WP:ELMINOFFICIAL, choose one official website only --> * {{Official website}} * {{IMDb title|id=tt15526222|title=eFootball 2022}} * {{Metacritic video game|id=efootball-2022|title=eFootball 2022}}
{{International Superstar Soccer/Pro Evolution Soccer}} {{Konami franchises}}{{Captain Tsubasa}}{{Yu-Gi-Oh!}}{{Naruto}}{{Portal bar|2020s|Video games|Association football|Japan}}
Category:2021 video games Category:Android (operating system) games Category:Association football video games Category:Free-to-play video games Category:IOS games Category:Konami games Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games Category:PlayStation 4 games Category:PlayStation 5 games 2022 Category:Unreal Engine 4 games Category:Video games developed in Japan Category:Video games with cross-platform play Category:Windows games Category:Xbox One games Category:Xbox Series X and Series S games Category:Nintendo Switch 2 games