Why Pro Evolution Soccer 14 is getting a PSP version, but skipping Wii U and next-gen

Konami community manager Adam Bhatti explained today why Pro Evolution Soccer 2014 won't be appearing on next-gen consoles, the Wii U, Vita, or 3DS.

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Although Pro Evolution Soccer 2014 uses Kojima Productions' shiny new Fox Engine, it hasn't been announced for any next-gen consoles. Announced for PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PSP, Konami is ignoring Xbox One, PS4, Wii U, 3DS, and Vita with this year's iteration. What's Konami's rationale?

European community manager Adam Bhatti outlined the reasoning on Twitter (via Eurogamer). He said they've been accused of being "lazy" in the past, and don't want to simply make a game with higher-res textures for the next generation. "It's hardly amazing making the next-gen version prettier," Bhatti wrote. "We shouldn't have that mentality, and you shouldn't expect that. Aim higher." He also pointed out that their biggest markets, in Latin America and Asia, will probably be slower to adopt new consoles than Europe.

He also said there's "no demand" for a Wii U version, and that "no one bought" last year's 3DS version. The Vita version was similarly shrugged off, as Bhatti stated that "The install base isn't great."

So why release a PSP version? "Because there's still demand for it. A very small team work on it. Very small." That means whatever demand remains for a PSP version, Konami considers it bigger than the demand for Wii U, 3DS, and Vita versions. Ouch.

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