TECH

eFootball gets update with new significant changes

Konami is preparing to launch the long-awaited eFootball 4.4.0 update on April 17, bringing with it significant changes that promise to reinforce the title's appeal to players across multiple platforms. New features include the introduction of crossplay between PC, PlayStation and Xbox, as well as the inclusion of AI-controlled opponents in the eFootball League.

With the arrival of crossplay, Ranked events and the eFootball League itself will now share a single leaderboard. This measure aims to unify the gaming experience, allowing challenges between users on different platforms to be balanced and competitive.

This feature has been long requested by many who play eFootball regularly, as until now communities were separated depending on the platform used. Now, whether you play on PC, PlayStation or Xbox, you will have the opportunity to compete on equal terms with everyone else.

One of the most notable changes in the new version is the ability to compete against AI opponents in the eFootball League. Until now, this league only allowed matches between real players, which could be intimidating for anyone just taking their first steps in the game.

Junichi Taya, the title's producer, explained that this decision's main objective is to make the game more welcoming for those who don't yet have the confidence to face real opponents. “We know jumping straight into PvP battles can seem daunting, but once you can defeat the AI ​​in Divisions 2 and 3, you’re probably ready to take on some PvP games,” Taya said.

This adjustment is intended to serve as an adaptation phase, allowing new players to gain experience before launching into more demanding confrontations with other users. Furthermore, it also offers an alternative for those who prefer to play in a more relaxed way.

Launched in September 2021 as the successor to Pro Evolution Soccer, eFootball faced a rocky reception at first. The bet on a new free model was initially criticized, mainly due to a series of technical problems and the absence of traditional features of the series.

Despite this, Konami has remained steadfast in its approach and has introduced improvements over time. The strategy appears to be paying off, with over 750 million downloads recorded as of April 2024 — an impressive number that underscores the impact of the transition to free-to-play.

With this new update, eFootball takes another step towards consolidating itself as a reference in free football simulators. Cross-platform integration and greater flexibility for new players point to a more inclusive and challenging experience, tailored to the expectations of an increasingly diverse user base.

It now remains to be seen how these new features will be received by the community and whether they will be able to strengthen eFootball's position in a market where competition continues to tighten.

mundophone