Konami's eFootball Surpasses One Billion Downloads Worldwide
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Konami's free to play football game eFootball has officially surpassed one billion downloads worldwide, marking a massive turnaround from its notoriously rough 2021 launch.
Konami is celebrating a massive milestone for its live service football title, eFootball. According to the publisher, the successor to the long running Pro Evolution Soccer series has officially crossed one billion downloads globally. This achievement is a dramatic turnaround for a game that faced severe criticism and a disastrous launch back in 2021, when its initial release became one of the lowest rated titles on Steam. Despite that rocky beginning, the free to play model across mobile, PC, and consoles has clearly found a massive and sustainable audience.
To mark the occasion, Konami has kicked off an inoperative in game campaign running through April 16. Players who log in will receive virtual currency and a shot at securing high tier players like Ronaldinho Gaucho alongside the debut of the Master League Sprint mode. Konami is also leaning heavily into anime and manga culture for the celebration, announcing a tie in manga titled That Time I got Reincarnated in PES. Penned by Detroit Metal City creator Kiminori Wakasugi and published on K Manga, the story will follow a protagonist experiencing the classic Master League firsthand alongside legendary virtual footballers like Castolo and Minanda.
This massive player count positions Konami as a serious contender in the digital sports gaming space, especially as traditional market structures shift following EA dropping the FIFA branding for EA Sports FC. While sports titles often command massive player bases, hitting the billion download mark highlights the power of cross platform availability, particularly in mobile dominant regions. For players who stuck with the platform through its early rough patches, the milestone proves that Konami is committed to supporting and expanding the ecosystem for the long haul. Original reporting comes via Eurogamer.
Tags: eFootball, Konami, Mobile Gaming, Sports Games, PC Gaming
Original article: Eurogamer