Konami has announced big changes to this year's Pro Evolution Soccer game, with PES 2021 scaled back in favour of dedicating more time to a next-gen title.
In a statement on its website, the company said it is already developing an Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 version of its popular football series, with a shift to Unreal Engine, more realistic player models and animations, enhanced physics and more.
However, the "sheer scale" of this project has compelled the publisher to "pare back... other areas of development."
As a result, this year's game will launch "as a streamlined offering in the form of a season update" to keep fans satisfied until the next-gen version is ready.
The company expects the next full title to be released for Xbox Series X and PS5 in the second-half of 2021.
2020 marks the 25th anniversary of the PES franchise, so Konami has promised the upcoming update will be released as "an affordable anniversary price... with several bonuses."
Interestingly, the statement never refers to PES by its new title eFootball PES, following a surprise rebrand last year.

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