Smarter Footie in Pro Evo 2008

Find out more about Teamvision, the brutal AI that's gunning for you. First images.

Your days of thrashing the AI-controlled players in Pro Evolution Soccer may be over as Konami has revealed the technology at the hearts of its new instalment, due later this year.

The name you'll be cursing is Teamvision, Konami's new artificial intelligence brought in place for Pro Evolution Soccer 2008. It's built to learn from you as you play so that it can better defend against your attacks and blind-side your defence.

Teamvision will learn from its mistakes, noting where you overcome it, and it will use that information to make it that much harder for you to make any headway. Defenders will see the empty spaces you take advantage down and shut them down.

The ball is not just an appendage on your character. Just like in previous updates, it will behave independently, allowing you to time passes and goal shots to your liking.

According to series creator Shingo "Seabass" Takatsuka, the AI will help push the series even closer to its ultimate goal.

"With the new Teamvision AI system, we truly believe that we have elevated the game to a new level. The movement of players off the ball, coupled with the total control given to the player, creates the closest simulation of real football to date," says Takatsuka.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 will be out for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC this autumn. There are also versions coming to PlayStation 2, PSP and DS.

Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo