Konami has managed to secure the rights to Serie A side Atalanta, which means the team can’t appear in the FIFA football game without a name change. Now, we’re used to this happening the other way round but this time the underdog has found the net. So, could it come from behind to score a magnificent win this season?
Pro Evolution Soccer doesn’t get the one-up on FIFA that often. But with Konami securing the rights to Serie A side Atalanta, that seems to be the case today. And given that a few other teams have also made the jump, EA will have a number of name changes on its hands by the time FIFA 22 launches later this year.
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This news comes after AS Roma, Juventus, Lazio, and Napoli also made their allegiances known – becoming La Spezia, Crotone, Piemonte Calcio and Roma FC in FIFA as a result. But now they will have to think up another name for the side that has taken the Champions League by storm in recent times. Not to mention a new generic kit, as well.
That’s because Konami owns the rights to kit design and badges, even if player likeness and names persist, which is something we’re used to in Pro Evolution Soccer. So, it is certainly strange to see the same thing migrating across to FIFA. But it’s still an issue that is affecting the latter a lot less than the former.
Despite that, it comes as no surprise to read of Konami’s delight, with the studio’s president (Naoki Morita) saying:
“As we prepare to unveil the future of the eFootball PES series, I am delighted to announce this exclusive partnership with Atalanta B.C., a truly formidable club with an exciting future at the highest levels of European football. Working side by side with our Partner Clubs is an important element of our strategy to deliver industry-leading video games to football fans all over the world.”
And, similarly, the team itself was quite pleased with the announcement too – stating:
“We are extremely delighted to announce the partnership with KONAMI. KONAMI is an international brand that needs no introduction. It represents another important moment of growth for Atalanta.”
But will this mark a resurgence for the game, or has it still got a large goal deficit to make up? Unfortunately, I think there is still a way to go before we have an even playing field – even if the game mechanics in Pro Evolution Soccer are far more realistic that FIFA.
Source: PES Official
