Two demos coming for Konami's PES 2012

With EA’s FIFA 12 arriving in September, Konami is to show off its upcoming PES 2012 to football fans via two game demos.

The demos will both be available for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Windows PC. The first demo will be released on August 24 and be based on a preview build of the game, giving players a chance to check out the game early in its development cycle.

Konami are obviously keen to show off their new Teammate Control and Active AI systems, even if it means releasing code that may otherwise be rough around the edges. This first demo will allow players to pick from Manchester United, AC Milan, FC Porto, S.S.C. Napoli, Santos FC and C.A. Panarol and apparently experience the individuality of the teams whilst playing 10 minute matches. The demo will also show off the game’s training challenges giving players the opportunity to get to grips with the new control system.

The second demo, which will be released mid –September, will offer players something more like the final retail version of the game. Players will be offered the same 10 minute matches but with a different team roster to choose form. This time Tottenham Hotspur, FC Bayern Munich, FC Internazionale Milano, Rangers FC, Club America and Sport Club Internacional will be available to play.

"We have spoken a lot about the new additions to PES 2012, and now we want users to see it for themselves,” explained Jon Murphy, European PES Team Leader. "By releasing a demo for preview purposes, we want people to get in early to try out the Teammate Control elements and to see for themselves how the Active AI works. This will then be followed by a second demo that offers different teams, and a closer approximation of what the final game will play like. We truly value the support and input of our user base – and these demos are so they can see how their help has aided the most ambitious PES to date.”

Pro Evolution Soccer was once upon a time the gold standard for football video game. In recent years the FIFA series has knocked PES into second place. Could this be a return to greatness for Konami’s legendary football series?

PES 2012 will be released for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Windows PC on October 13. The PlayStation 2 and PSP version is out on Oct 28, and the Wii version on Nov 4. Dates for the iOS and Nintendo 3DS versions have yet to be announced.

Check out the PES 2012 Gamescom trailer below.