PES 2019 will be vastly different to last year’s game, according to the series’ European Community Leader Adam Bhatti.

Since Bhatti was appointed to the role in 2013, Konami’s flagship football game has seen somewhat of a critical revival – with scores often trumping EA Sports’ FIFA.

Sadly, though, PES is still lagging some way behind EA’s in the sales department.

As a result, the Japanese publisher will be ringing in the changes to ensure PES 2019 is a real contender against FIFA 19.

Bhatti has even moved over to Tokyo to offer his counsel first hand.

3 PES 2019 will be powered by Fox Engine – which also powered Metal Gear Solid V

Speaking to Gamesradar, Bhatti said: “The reason I’m going is because it marks a very important stage for the PES series.

“There will be significant changes made to the way we produce the game, and what we offer as a package.

“It’s the biggest change to the product in years, something that we began integrating with PES 2018.

“As mentioned earlier this year, we want to shock football fans each year for the next few years, with certain changes that simply wouldn’t be expected from a yearly title.”

3 PES 2018 includes dynamic weather that drastically affects gameplay

PES games have always been close to the fans – who are integral in shaping the game year on year.

PES 2019 promises to empower fans even more to develop an ‘industry leading’ experience.

“We want to create a game that always puts the fans first, while at the same time giving non-PES players a way into the series,” Bhatti explained.

“To do this we need some big changes, not only in how the game plays.

“I’m extremely proud of how the game is playing, I believe it’s the best football playing experience we’ve ever created.

“But we need to offer the same high standard in all other areas, we want to be industry leading across the board.

3 PES 2018 was a better game than FIFA 18 but didn’t sell nearly as many

“It’s an easy thing to say, but we’re always very aware of what it will take to get there.

“There will be sacrifices we need to make for the greater good, but all of which will make sense once the game is announced. It’s an extremely exciting time.”

PES 2019 will be released in September, likely a week or two before FIFA 19.

EA Sports are no doubt going to be watching developments in Tokyo very closely.