PES 2008 takes a dive for the worse
IGN were lucky enough to get some preview code for Konami’s upcoming football game PES 2008. There’s some interesting new stuff in the preview that is touched on after the jump, but perhaps the most concerning thing is the fact that there will now be the chance to win a free kick by cheating. Yes footy fans, PES 2008 will now feature diving.
It’s true that diving (or simulation) has become a huge part of football. Every week there is a contentious decision where the referee has little chance of getting it right. Some simply accept it as part of the game, others call for video referees to cut it out of the much-loved sport. Either way, every spectator hates it, so football games are always a nice alternative for a fair chance of winning.
Not anymore though. Holding down the shoulder buttons (presumably the triggers for the 360 version) results in your player taking a dive. The decision, just like real life, can go one of two ways: either the diving player gets booked for his attempt at tricking the ref, or awarded a free kick for being “fouled”. The consequences of this are huge; playing online will never be the same again, as it is likely that people will be diving in the penalty box all the time in the hope of getting a penalty. This will prove incredibly frustrating for those that just want a fair game.
Another game to feature this was Sony’s attempt at football: This Is Football (had different titles around the world). That required both shoulder buttons to be pushed down together, and the player theatrically went to the ground. A cutscene would ensue, and if you played the game often enough the cutscene was the indicator for which way the decision would go. It was a needless feature back then and disrupted the flow of what was actually a decent football game.
When questioned, Minanda agreed that the inclusion of diving was a shit idea
Aside from the diving then, there are some new positives from the game. We have touched on some of them before, such as the new playlist option, but what of the commentary? Well, the commentary has finally been revamped; gone is Trevor Brooking and gone is Peter Brackley with their “banter” that we have all heard for the past four or so years. In their place, Mark Lawrenson and Jon Champion head it up with re-recorded comments at long last. About time too!
There are some concerns though. The 360 version is not yet running at 60 frames per second, compared to the PS2 version which is apparently running at a higher rate than the 360’s. This results in no slowdown for the PS2 version at corners or free kicks, with the 360 version showing major signs of a buckling frame rate. Not good news, but there is still a long way to go yet before the game ships in October.
Check out the full preview here.
Are there any positives by including the diving feature? Share your thoughts in the comments section below, and also let us know how you feel about the commentary and slowdown.
Older fifa’s also had diving. Ctrl-Q if i’m right. It must have been Fifa 2002-2004 or something?
Ah, I never knew that when I played those games! Thanks, edited the post.
yup you’re right, sure it was earlier though, I remember having it on the PS1 when diving was featured.
(Comment by the real Glovner and not from my sad little imposter)
Aye, I mind that. There’s no point in coding this in - especially seeing as the computer cheats enough as it is
how can we tell your the real one??
we new you could dive in this game about 6 months ago lol keep up lads! I thought this was the New News that it only offers 1v1 online, not too fussed tho.
Wow the PS2 is running better faster than the 360? Seriously? That isn’t a typo?
As for the diving function, I wonder if Konami had to add it to get Ronaldo to agree to be on the cover.
That’s not a typo, IGN said it themselves if you care to read their preview
Sure, but I imagine the PS2 version uses an engine with graphics that are scaled WAY back comparitively. And this about how long people have been tweaking PS2 code. I would *hope* that an inferior presentation and years of experience would make the PS2 version smoother…as of now.
Indeed, the grass effects in the PS2 version are pretty much non-existant.
PES6 had the same slow-down on corners and goalkicks.
Once again I comment on a football game post before taking it all in.
I used to love doin this on Fifa 99 or what ever one it was. That was when i was a wee kid and seen the fun side to it.
this could be annoying on ranked matches if your dominating then they dive for a pen. should be a laugh playing with your friends though.
I’m sure it was the same one that had the 5 a side game, (which was brilliant might I add, ref turned off, 5 a side in a box and see how many of your mates players you could cripple.)
Fifa98 road to the world cup. Classic.
i would quite hapily whack that in ma ps2 the night for a laugh.
Rangers starting line up - andy goram, ian durrant, paul gascoigne, ally mcoist, marco negri.lol
You’ll be a hun then?
MON THE HIBS!
I expect we’ll be able to turn diving off in the options menu. Hopefully. :-p
Presumably there will be an option to turn diving off, or punishment by yellow or red card for the diver, should the decision not go thier way.
They WILL get yellow cards for diving. This has been touched upon in many previews.
I hope you can turn it off.
It’s called SOCCER, FOOTBALL is a real sport.
dude, get real. People played football since 600 BC. American football exists since when?
Exactly , and American football is a real sport?No … its watered down rugby.In fact , I wouldnt even call it that.The wimps wear padden for fuck sake , rugby players are hard enough to not wear padden.Football is much better and more skillful than american football.
you hit the nail on the head
American “Football” players would not tackle half as hard if they didnt wear the padding.
In rugby, just a couple of shoulder pads and thats it. Just relies on muscle and stamina.
I tell you what… getting hit hard by a second row hurts! I was ut out for a month with that
who deleted my post which for once was relevant
No, I don’t think you can say so. American football is more about strategy than about muscles. Alot of europeans tend to think about it as an agressive sport, but there’s more to it if you dare to look closer
Since I played American Football in High School, i can say it’s Harder then rugby.I don’t think rugby players have to worry about a cornerback coming at them then can run the 100M in 10Sec or better.I rather be tackled by a rugby player then Ray Lewis anyday,lol.
well obviously you don’t know your rugby positions then. The avearge prop weight 18 stone and the average lock weighs 16-17. And about 95% of that is muscle
Imagine if you are a 14 stone winger like myself crashing into those guys week in week out with minimal padding. You would soon eat your words. You will feel it. More than anything.
Like I said. American “football” players only go in hard because of the pads. If they weren’t there, you wouldnt see half of the big lads play as it would be too dangerous.
Saying that, they are two completley different sports. Rugby uses more on the spot thinking and needs great stamina as it’s a flowing game.
Well said.
LOL… 100M in less than 10 secs? They should be competing in the Olympics on the 100M dash in that case instead of dressing fancy on a NFL-pitch.