Sports-based games are among the most popular titles currently on the videogaming market, as they offer great opportunities for players to lead their favorite athletes or teams to victory, glory and success. We are flooded with games based on a variety of sports, from American football to baseball or basketball, but without a doubt European soccer is one of the most popular choices for gamers.

Even though Electronic Arts' EA Sports division dominates the market with its FIFA franchise, the Japanese company Konami is giving it a run for its money with the PES (Pro Evolution Soccer) series, which has become quite popular with a lot of players.

These players will be very happy to know that Konami has just announced the first details on the upcoming PES 2010 iteration of the soccer simulator. The game promises, as always, to bring the most realistic and detailed soccer experience by implementing a wide variety of new features into the fresh game engine. The AI of both adversaries and referees has been tweaked in order to give gamers a bigger challenge and to keep the game balanced at all times.

Visual-wise, the game has been completely revamped, with new life-like animations added to the players of the teams and also to the venues where the matches will take place. The reactions of fans have been tweaked in order to really live the events unfolding on the pitch, alongside the commentary that will deliver a much more concise overview of the game.

The Master League mode has received yet another update, with more and more features added to it, aimed at providing one of the most complete team managerial experiences found in any sports game on the market. The individual play characteristics will have a major role, as adversaries and teammates will have different reactions depending on which player has the ball in their possession.

Also, the team at Konami has successfully secured the Europa League License (the former UEFA Cup competition), adding it to the license for the UEFA Champions League competition. More details about these features will be announced soon by the development team at the Japanese company. Look forward to the game in autumn on the PC, the PlayStation 3, the PlayStation 2, the Xbox 360, the PSP and mobile phones.