In a remarkable admission, Konami’s long-time Pro Evolution Soccer producer Shingo ‘Seabass’ Takatsuka has admitted that future versions of Pro Evolution Soccer may not be available as a boxed product.

When asked by GamesTM (issue 88) if he’s consider transforming PES into a microtransaction-funded online series, Seabass stated: “Yes, I do think about it.

“But I also think about the fact that 100 per cent of the people aren’t connected to the internet. When that day comes, it’s something we should definitely consider or do.

“However, even if it’s 80 per cent, there’s still 20 per cent who can’t play because they aren’t connected. I have to take those people seriously as well.”

Elsewhere in the interview, Seabass also had plenty of praise for EA’s rival FIFA series. When asked about the threat posed by the critical rise of FIFA, Seabass explained:

“We can’t ignore it, of course, but our top priority is how our users and fans feel about the product we bring out. Those are the most important voices to listen to, but if those voices say ‘in FIFA they have this and we want the same thing in PES’ then that can’t be ignored even more. We really cherish the voices of the users.”