Check them out at the games Official Page.

Watch all the footage at the Official Konami PES2012 page.

Konami confirmed today at PES2012′s Gamescom showing that it would indeed be none other than Cristiano Ronaldo who be the new face of PES. Does this temper the loss of Messi? Well, if you can’t have the worlds best why not get the universally recognised second best player in the world.

It is sure to divide opinion but you can’t argue with the marketing logic behind the decision.

Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH will use gamescom to announce that the world’s most expensive player, Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, is to be the face of PES 2012. The Galactico midfielder will appear on all packaging and marketing materials, with KONAMI also confirming release dates for the forthcoming PSP® (PlayStation®Portable), PlayStation®2 and Wii™ versions of the game.

PES 2012 is released for PlayStation®3, Xbox 360 and Windows PC on October 14th, and KONAMI today announced that the PSP® and PlayStation®2 versions will follow on October 28th with the Wii™ game to follow on November 4th. The publisher has also confirmed that versions for Nintendo 3DS and iOS formats are also in development, with firm dates to follow.

The announcement that Cristiano Ronaldo will be the face of PES 2012 comes as anticipation for the football title hits new heights. Press acclaim for the game has been universally positive, with the key additions of Teammate Control – wherein players can prompt runs or control two players at once – and the Active AI system that ensures teammates work to create space and make key attacking and defensive runs winning wide-ranging plaudits from the media.

“Cristiano Ronaldo embodies everything we are trying to achieve with PES 2012,” commented Jon Murphy, European PES Team Leader. “He is quick, skilful, with an eye for a pass, and devastating in attack. His movement and energy brighten any game, and we are delighted that he has agreed to work with us in the pivotal title in the PES series.”

“I have long admired the PES series, but what KONAMI has achieved this year is remarkable,” Ronaldo enthused. “Football is all about teams working together and making assists and runs that create attacking opportunities. KONAMI has recreated this perfectly, and PES 2012 is a brilliant simulation of a real match. If you know football, you are going to want to spend some time with this amazing game.”

PES 2012 will feature prominently for KONAMI at gamescom, and the publishers has produced a bespoke demo version for players to experience. The demo will allow users to try out a wide range of the game’s licensed clubs, with a strong mix of club and national teams faithfully recreated. KONAMI is keen to show the individuality each team offers in PES 2012, hence the full list of clubs playable at gamescom is as follows:

National: England, Italy, Spain, France, Netherlands, Portugal, Germany

Clubs: Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus, Napoli, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Valencia, Villareal, Lille, FC Sochaux-Montbéliard, FC Girondins de Bordeaux, Stade Rennais FC, Ajax, FC Twente, PSV, AZ, FC Porto, Benfica, Sporting, Bayern Munich, Leverkusen, Santos, Peñarol, Club Atlético Vélez, Club Cerro Porteño.

Gamescom will also introduce visitors to key new modes within PES 2012. Football Life showcases the different career paths in the sport, and allows users to experience a career as a player, manager or owner. It is an umbrella title spanning the popular Master League and Become a Legend modes, both of which have been enhanced for the new game, but also the all-new unlockable Club Boss mode, where you steer a club fiscally.

The Training Challenges will also be on show, allowing users to refine their set-piece skills and to get to grips with the possibilities afforded by the new Teammate Control system. KONAMI will also use the show to outline key advances in PES 2012’s online elements, with the welcome return of Master League Online, plus a series of exciting community elements designed to play up the competitive natures of the series. The new personal data system which allows players to save preferred option lists, control elements and an avatar will also be shown.

“PES 2012 is the most completed football game to date and gamescom will give us a chance to show the many advances to everyone attending the show,” commented Murphy. “We look forward to seeing people get to grips with all it offers and will be watching closely to see how the many new elements are received.”

I bit gutted here, I must admit. Messi has been the cover star for PES since PES 2009, and over the years has been regarded as the best player in the world.

So it’s a bit of a shock to read in the press release that he’s no longer going to be the face of PES:

“This is the start of a major new era for PES,” added Murphy. “In the coming weeks we will detail more on how the ever-popular Master League has evolved, and will be unveiling the new face of the series. With PES moving ever upwards, it is time for an equally high profile and skilled cover star. The new player has all the attributes of the new game, in that he is a strong all-rounder, skillful, fast, and capable of making magic happen on-field. We have had a wonderful three years working so closely with Lionel Messi and thank him for his efforts and support. He has been key in the evolution of the series, and we wish him all the best.”

So long Lionel, it’s been great. *sheds tear*

Below is the first image showing the French cover of PES 2010. As previously announced, the stars in France are Messi and Gourcuff.

We’ll have a higher resolution pic once we get our hands on it.

It is expected that a winner will be announced later today. Stay tuned!

Del Piero has today been confirmed as the cover star for PES 2010 in Italy, starring alongside Messi. For the full press release hit the jump! (rough translation)

Juve star to be Italian Cover Star

Juventus’ talisman Alessandro Del Piero will join Messi as cover star for the Italian version of the game.

To define Alessandro Del Piero (Conegliano, 9 November 1974) there are no more adjectives.

Pure class striker that can play both with beautiful feet, with a vision of the game, willing to sacrifice, ruthless put, Alex is a World Champion (2006), a monument of Italian and international football.

Juventus in the team since 1993, where the role of captain, holding the absolute record of marks (262 goals) and the primacy of appearances in official matches (603).

Considered among the best talents of Italian football, has now, the world convened for three and four Europeans. In 2004 it was included in the list of 125 greatest living players.

PES has always been synonymous with football and virtual really are excited to appear on the pack PES 2010!” Said Ale Del Piero. “I’ve been playing PES and always tie my name to the most popular football simulation of Italy can only make me happy.” Konami really able to capture on-screen magic that only those who love football can understand and are anxious to see how the virtual Del Piero!

“Del Piero’s persona so perfect all the skills that a sample should have” said Jon Murphy PES European Team Leader. ‘It is universally recognized as an outstanding and represents the ideal testimonial for PES 2010

Fernando Torres signs for PES 2010

Liverpool and Spain striker joins Lionel Messi as the face of PES 2010, as Konami lifts lid on even more gameplay advances

Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH has announced that Liverpool FC and Spanish international striker Fernando Torres is to join Lionel Messi as the cover stars of PES 2010.

Torres, 25, has enjoyed an incredibly successful season both at club and international level, and will now join UEFA Champions League winner Messi on the front of PES 2010’s packaging and marketing materials. Fernando Torres was born in Madrid in 1984, and gained acclaim by helping Spain win the Under 16 UEFA European Championships in 2001 scoring the only goal in the final against France. His pace and prowess in front of goal saw him signed by Atlético de Madrid as an 11-year-old, making his mark in the first team from the age of 17 and scoring 82 goals in 214 league appearances for the club. This form took him to Liverpool for a £26m fee in 2007, where his prolific strike rate has continued and has seen him cement his place in the senior Spanish national squad. Torres was a pivotal figure in Spain’s successful EURO 2008 campaign where he again scored the only goal in the final against Germany.

“Everyone knows that when it comes to football simulation, Konami’s PES series is by far the most realistic title available,” commented Torres. “The new game looks absolutely stunning, and I look forward to seeing myself in action in PES 2010.” “Fernando Torres has established himself as one of the most exciting strikers in the game,” added Jon Murphy, PES European Team Leader. “He encapsulates everything that is good about the modern game, showcasing both pace, skill and vision – three elements that play a major part in PES 2010 as a football simulation.”

In addition to the announcement of Torres’ involvement, Konami has also unveiled key new additions to PES 2010’s content:

• Enhanced Realism: PES 2010 delivers a pace of game in tune with football played at the highest level. Triangulation of passes and use of off-the-ball runs are key to breaking down the opposition, forcing the player to use the strengths of their team mates to create scoring opportunities. Gone are ‘soft’ goals that can be used to break the deadlock; instead, only working the channels and the precision play expected of great players will make a difference.

• Player Characteristics: Key skills of the many players have now been attributed names, allowing users to incorporate them into their play strategy. Cover star Torres, for instance, is renowned for his ability to receive a pass in the penalty area, and to drop the ball to a teammate in a good position for a goal-scoring opportunity. As such, he is labeled a ‘Fox in the Box’ and Goal Poacher’, in line with his prowess in both scoring and setting up goals. Player characteristics are more vividly reproduced by these names.

• Instant Tactical Switching: Konami has already unveiled its new tactical bar system related to PES 2010’s attacking and defensive elements, but can now reveal additional information. Each team has unique settings matching their real-life playing styles. Torres at Liverpool, for instance, will recreate the Merseyside club’s sophisticated play and high numbers in attack, their pressing from midfield, strong defensive line, and width across the pitch. For the offense, the default settings support wide attacks and the aim to move in the back of the opponent’s defense line. The user can summon the bar instantly during a match to adjust team tactics to enhance their defence or strengthen attacks.

• Master League: The Master League now incorporates both the Champions League and Europa Leagues in its content, offering a complete season for players to enjoy. Success in the Master League will see players streamed into these competitions. The lure of European football can also be used to attract stronger players to your side, with transfer dealings and contracts now significantly more realistic in their use.

• Commentary: PES 2010 reunites Jon Champion and Mark Lawrenson in the game’s virtual commentary box, but in a more effective way than before. The commentary is now more tied to the action, with comments detailing player ability, significant match history and analysis, within a more concise and detailed delivery designed to mimic the presentation of games.

Click To Enlarge (1920 x 1080)

The incredibly detailed pic is an actual in-game image, and shows graphical detail beyond anything Konami has reached in the past. It also comes with an accompanying press release:

Messi brought to vivid life in PES 2010

Konami showcases massively enhanced graphics engine as

PES revamp continues apace

Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH has released the first in-game image of its forthcoming PES 2010 title, demonstrating the stunning new level of detail and graphical refinement the new game enjoys.

The work in progress image shows cover star Lionel Messi in action in the new game, and showcase a massive advance in aesthetic detail. Crucial to the new game’s look are all-new dynamic lighting effects, where the position of the sun or the illumination from the floodlights is reflected in real time within the shadows cast both on the pitch, stadium, the ball and players.

The newly-expanded Tokyo-based PES Productions team has also worked hard to create the most vivid player recreations to date. Player expressions are now fully implemented, while the level of detail has been extended to individual skin textures and different weaves for the various kits to mimic the breathable material so many manufacturers now use.

Further details will be released in the coming weeks.

We’ll have further insight throughout the day. For now just sit back and admire the view ;)

We here at WENB also want to say thank you to Konami UK for giving the site the opportunity to be the first to launch the news. Their commitment to the community is paramount, and choosing us to launch the news is clear indication of that. With that, we want to say thanks to all the fans for their continued support. Long may the exclusives continue!