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Limited free-to-play version of Pro Evolution Soccer 2018 now available
For a third straight year Konami is offering a free slimmed down version of Pro Evolution Soccer on consoles. Past F2P editions have included a few teams for exhibition matches, training mode, and either MyClub team building mode or PES League the online competitive mode.
PES 2018 Lite can now be downloaded on PlayStation 4 and will be out on Xbox One later today. Available in this version of the game is both MyClub and PES League, 12 teams for exhibition matches and a training mode.
Create your very own dream team with myClub, where current and historic superstars can be signed. World renowned legendary players like Beckham and Maradona feature, as well as partner club legends Liverpool’s Gerrard, Owen, McManaman, and Inter’s Zanetti, Stanković, and Toldo. More Legend players will appear in-game throughout the year in myClub!
Aim to be the best PES player in the world by competing in this season’s PES LEAGUE. Users will be able to qualify for global events by participating in the CO-OP (3v3) ONLINE Championship, time limited tournaments, or the newly introduced PES LEAGUE myClub – either in 1v1 or CO-OP competitions.
Teams included in the F2P version: Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, Liverpool, Inter Milan, Corinthians, Flamengo, Boca Juniors, River Plate, Colo Colo.
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Big update to PES 2018 adds more faces, stadiums, Xbox One X enhancements
The second content update for Pro Evolution Soccer 2018 is scheduled to go out today on Xbox One and PlayStation 4. Included in the patch are over 40 updates to player faces, two new stadiums, a new national team, and enhancements to be taken advantage of by the Xbox One X. Additionally gameplay improvements have been made. Read more
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Madden NFL 18 gets a digital Holiday Edition
One tactic EA Sports has tried for driving additional sales of Madden as the season progresses (and to bring new consumers into Ultimate Team) has been to release special digital editions of the game. For three straight years that has included a “Super Bowl Edition” featuring a discounted price and bonus Ultimate Team content. Back in 2014 however there was also the “Holiday Edition” which sold for full price with some extra Ultimate Team content included.
For Madden NFL 18 the Holiday Edition returns and its available now on Xbox One and PlayStation 4. Not only is this one full price but it matches the G.O.A.T. Edition’s original $80, which makes it a ridiculously hard sell particularly given Black Friday and its $25 prices on Madden NFL 18 is now only just over a week away.
Stack your Madden Ultimate Team roster with your choice of one of three Elite G.O.A.T. legends: WR Calvin Johnson, DE Michael Strahan or RB Franco Harris. In addition, have your choice of one Elite player from your favorite NFL team along with five Squad Packs in Madden NFL 18 Ultimate Team.
The smarter route to take for anyone who anticipates spending time in Ultimate Team would be to pick up Madden 18 at a Black Friday price and put some of the considerable savings towards opening high value packs. Then, using any Coins made from selling cards, purchase the most desired players individually from the Auction House and build out a far more formidable roster.
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EA Sports UFC 3 video spotlights new animation and movement technology
With the completed initial reveal of features and the soon-to-begin beta for EA Sports UFC 3 there’s going to be little downtime for news and media in the weeks ahead. A new video that features highlight footage captured from the game focuses on improvements seen with the Real Player Motion Tech. The advancements being detailed (for now at least) are primarily for fighting while on the feet, with mention of new animations, locomotion, striking responsiveness, the changed damage system and more.
Powered by Real Player Motion Tech, EA SPORTS UFC 3 features cutting-edge animation technology that makes every move, every strike, and every combination more realistic, responsive, and rewarding. Footwork is now at the forefront of tactical fighting in EA SPORTS UFC 3. New animations brought to life through RPM Tech replicate uninterrupted fighter movement. UFC fighters now move across the mat, close gaps, and manage distances with seamless fluidity.
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The Line Drive for November 12
The Line Drive is a weekly collection of news, links, deal alerts, and updates that didn’t necessarily warrant their own postings.
♦Don’t miss the video showing difference in loading time with Xbox One X.
♦Make sure to sign up for the upcoming beta for EA Sports UFC 3.
♦FIFA 18 was the top downloaded game on PlayStation platforms in October.
♦EA is already thinking about a subscription-based future for sports games.
♦FIFA 18, NHL 18, NBA Live 18 have received some free new Star Wars items.
♦Details on the new patch and Batman goal explosion for Rocket League.
♦Rocket League is set to release on Tuesday for the Nintendo Switch.
♦Eleague will have its Rocket League cup air on Twitch and also TBS.
♦Aaron Judge has powered his way onto the cover of MLB The Show 18.
♦Details on the latest Diamond Dynasty content out in MLB The Show 17.
♦Marcus Stroman is the cover athlete in Canada for MLB The Show 18.
♦Details on specific patch fix for Xbox One only that went out for FIFA 18.
♦The Xbox One X enhanced patch for NHL 18 has still not gone out.
♦Video goes into work done on gameplay for the upcoming Ashes Cricket.
♦Blu-ray releases this week headlined by Atomic Blonde and Wind River. -
Madden NFL 18 roster update details following week nine of the season
The roster update reflecting performances through the ninth week of the season is now available to download in Madden NFL 18. There is some movement near the top of the scale in the update with Zack Martin (+1 to 97) and Bobby Wagner (+1 to 96) at or near the highest rated at their respective positions and continuing to rise further.
Other players of note on the move include Travis Kelce (+1 to 95), Brandon Graham (+1 to 95), Aqib Talib (-1 to 93), Fletcher Cox (+2 to 91), Gerald McCoy (-1 to 91), Darius Slay (+1 to 90), Landon Collins (-3 to 89), DeMarcus Lawrence (+2 to 88), Jurrell Casey (+2 to 87), Marshon Lattimore (+2 to 87), Carson Wentz (+2 to 87), Kevin Byard (+2 to 85), Keanu Neal (+3 to 83), Lawrence Timmons (-3 to 81), and Willie Snead (-4 to 76).
Check out full details on current ratings and any changes in this week’s update through the form on the official Madden NFL 18 website.
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Press Row Podcast: Xbox One X and Sports Games
What can more powerful hardware do to improve some already very good sports video games? We got the answer this week with the release of the Xbox One X and in this episode of the Press Row Podcast the benefits of the pricey new console are examined.
The likes of Madden NFL 18, FIFA 18, NBA 2K18, and Forza can now be played in native 4K with HDR (true also of the PS4 Pro) but the improvements go beyond the visuals on Xbox One X. Framerates can be better and loading times are significantly shortened – and Madden is the game that seems to have benefited the most.
Other topics discussed include the first news on EA Sports UFC 3 and the release strategy for MLB The Show 18.
Check out the podcast through iTunes for iOS, on Android with the Stitcher app, or with Pocket Casts on iOS, Android, and Windows. The show can also now be found on the recently launched Google Play Music for podcasts. Subscribe and review to help support the show! You can also listen with the streaming player below.
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Madden NFL 18 showing itself to be biggest beneficiary of Xbox One X upgrade
Games that have been updated by developers to take advantage of the new Xbox One X can display in native 4K with HDR on capable TVs. They may also have more consistently high framerates and improved textures, and all games will see improved load times.
What does that really mean though for the current crop of sports games? And does any of that matter enough to justify the high $500 price? Read more
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