Pro Evolution Soccer 4 - The Most Detail Available Online Right Now, Only Here!

Konami Japan has slated August 5 of this year for the release of Winning Eleven Eight, the latest incarnation of the beloved football title from Konami Tokyo.

Incredibly enough, the game will be a totally offline affair for the Sony incarnation, news that has shocked the PlayStation 2 community into something of a dumbfounded silence. Indeed, Konami had hinted to various members of the press that full online play was something of a given for this version - an amazing withdrawal indeed.

And as ever when there's some kind of online/offline scandal, the considerably large shadow of the Xbox looms. Announced in March of this year, the Xbox version will, we're sure, come with full online play - that is the whole point of releasing the SKU. It is a fair assumption that Microsoft has signed an online exclusive agreement with Konami for the series - a coup and a half and a massive development, if true.

We have also uncovered the following information about WE8:

• There will be more than double the amount of Master League teams with the count rising from 64 teams to 138.



• More licenses are promised, with Konami signing rights to top teams in Spain, Italy, England, Germany, France, and Holland.



• This version will feature more than 200 teams in total - both club and national.



• The development/retirement process of master league players has been greatly improved, following negative feedback from users.



• Free kicks have been greatly re-worked, with players now able to select several players for intricate set pieces - indirect and dummies will be allowed.



• Konami has stated that a greater variety of combo crosses, through balls and passes will be included, aimed at expanding players' options.



• There will be new 'on the ball' dummies and the 'Zidane Roll' will be complemented by other players' signature skills and tricks, using the right analogue stick.



• The menu systems will be reworked, again following criticism from fans.



• Brilliantly, the referees will now be seen on pitch during the game. As to whether you can mash them up a la Football Champ is yet to be announced.



• Environmental effects will be seen on players' kits. So if it's raining and the penalty area is a mudbath, the teams will become caked in dirt.

Expect full updates on everything Pro Evo on the countdown to its release, expected before Christmas of this year across Europe.