I've been a fan of PES since its ISS beginnings but have become disillusioned with the franchise since around PES3 or so. I do not wish to even comment on the shortcomings of this years update (particularly as I have done so repeatedly in the past) but instead will limit my remarks to speculate the possible causes of Konami's repeated disapointing releases.
Granted, its only a demo at this stage, but frankly anyone pinning their hopes on the final version being anything more than a 10% improvement is likely deceiving themselves. This version of PES would perhaps be more aptly named PES3 patch update 1.5.
I harbour two schools of thought on Konami's continued stance of implementing minimal changes in a series that has now stagnated almost beyond recognition. Konami are either greedy in a the extreme or devoid of all touch points in reality.
1. The "Konami is very greedy" school of thought
The continuous "we've made revolutionary changes this time, just you wait" mantra that spouts out of the Konami marketing dept (sorry propaganda machine) each year is a complete deception to milk profits from die hard consumers. Making little changes to gameplay results in fewer development costs paid to Seabass and his merry little band of software engineers. The time involved in making this years changes could well have been realised within a month and if they deem that sales are fairly inelastic in relation to gaming changes, then whats the point of spending money for the remaining 11 months of the year.
2. The "Konami view their customer's needs from an ivory tower" school of thought
I have long believed it would take something of a rocket up Konami's backside to force the changes that many have been crying out for. But you know, as I write this I find myself asking "would it really?". If Konami really are this detached from reality, it could mean that if sales fell to the point of really hurting, they may just shrug their shoulders and walk away from PES altogether. "We tried" they would say, "but the gaming consumers are too picky." The other possibility is something is repeatedly getting lost in the translation from the marketing/research dept to CEO to the software engineers. This happens all too often in my organisation and at times, with significant consequences.
Regardless of the category into which Konami falls, its fast becoming apparent that getting the right message through to them is a lost cause. And particularly so when they clearly do not listen, despite claiming to.
I fully support the stance of some in boycotting PES for the immediate future. And no, I wont be buying or recommending FIFA instead, which still is second rate (IMHO) compared to what PES could have and should been.
Its like the genius school kid who could have been a NASA scientist but never applied himself properly, never listened to advice, and now is languishing as a road sweeper.
Konami does this analogy resonate at all with you?
Probably not, which makes it all the more tragic.
btw: I do have some experience in game writing / development (e.g. www.cold-dawn.com) and hence the points made above reflect some of the considerations I have faced in the past, that would also be relevant to konami.
Granted, its only a demo at this stage, but frankly anyone pinning their hopes on the final version being anything more than a 10% improvement is likely deceiving themselves. This version of PES would perhaps be more aptly named PES3 patch update 1.5.
I harbour two schools of thought on Konami's continued stance of implementing minimal changes in a series that has now stagnated almost beyond recognition. Konami are either greedy in a the extreme or devoid of all touch points in reality.
1. The "Konami is very greedy" school of thought
The continuous "we've made revolutionary changes this time, just you wait" mantra that spouts out of the Konami marketing dept (sorry propaganda machine) each year is a complete deception to milk profits from die hard consumers. Making little changes to gameplay results in fewer development costs paid to Seabass and his merry little band of software engineers. The time involved in making this years changes could well have been realised within a month and if they deem that sales are fairly inelastic in relation to gaming changes, then whats the point of spending money for the remaining 11 months of the year.
2. The "Konami view their customer's needs from an ivory tower" school of thought
I have long believed it would take something of a rocket up Konami's backside to force the changes that many have been crying out for. But you know, as I write this I find myself asking "would it really?". If Konami really are this detached from reality, it could mean that if sales fell to the point of really hurting, they may just shrug their shoulders and walk away from PES altogether. "We tried" they would say, "but the gaming consumers are too picky." The other possibility is something is repeatedly getting lost in the translation from the marketing/research dept to CEO to the software engineers. This happens all too often in my organisation and at times, with significant consequences.
Regardless of the category into which Konami falls, its fast becoming apparent that getting the right message through to them is a lost cause. And particularly so when they clearly do not listen, despite claiming to.
I fully support the stance of some in boycotting PES for the immediate future. And no, I wont be buying or recommending FIFA instead, which still is second rate (IMHO) compared to what PES could have and should been.
Its like the genius school kid who could have been a NASA scientist but never applied himself properly, never listened to advice, and now is languishing as a road sweeper.
Konami does this analogy resonate at all with you?
Probably not, which makes it all the more tragic.
btw: I do have some experience in game writing / development (e.g. www.cold-dawn.com) and hence the points made above reflect some of the considerations I have faced in the past, that would also be relevant to konami.
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