News

SOCCER STAR EDDIE POPE JOINS KONAMI FOR WINNING ELEVEN 8
                                                  
All-Star Defensive Player Signs On To Become Cover Athlete As Konami Brings The World's Best-Selling Soccer Franchise To The Xbox For The First Time
 
REDWOOD CITY, Calif. -- December  7, 2004 - Konami Digital Entertainment - America, a division of Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc, today announced the signing of U.S. National Team defensive star player Eddie Pope as the official cover athlete for Winning Eleven 8(tm). The game will be released this spring on the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, PC DVD-ROM and, for the first time, on the Xbox® video game system.
 
"As one of the greatest defenders in the history of U.S. Soccer, Eddie Pope has redefined his position and is truly the perfect cover athlete for Winning Eleven 8," said Rob Goff, Product Manager at Konami Digital Entertainment - America. "With his help and the many numerous additions to this year's game - including the franchise debut on the Xbox - there is no doubt  Winning Eleven 8 will own the playing field."
 
Pope added, "Being on the cover of a video game is the new standard for any athlete. I've always been a big fan of Winning Eleven and I'm honored to be a part of it because this is the best playing soccer game in the world.  Konami has managed to capture the passion and excitement of the game down to the smallest details. It's an incredibly realistic soccer experience."
 
Developed by Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo, Winning Eleven 8 delivers a wealth of new moves, tricks and more in-depth gameplay. This includes new free kick and penalty kick techniques, an innovative indirect free kick move and a new dribbling system that offers more control as gamers go one-on-one against opposing players. Winning Eleven 8 will also include an on-screen referee - another first in the series.
 
Further adding to the realism of the game, Winning Eleven 8 will feature 136 club teams, 57 national teams (including the Italian, Spanish and Dutch leagues under the official license), and control of up to 4,500 of the world's greatest soccer players. Players are brought to life through photo realistic graphics and authentically modeled features, as well as individual styles of play, movement and ball control. Along with these new features will be more advanced player stats that govern every aspect of their play.
 
Winning Eleven 8 will be available at retailers nationwide in spring 2005 for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, PC DVD-ROM and Xbox® video game system from Microsoft.
 
About Eddie Pope
A member of the 1998 and 2002 World Cup teams and the 1997 Honda U.S. Soccer Player of the Year, "Steady Eddie"  has appeared in more than 60 International matches as he has anchored the National Team defense since 1996. Pope's Major League Soccer career has been no less than extraordinary.  The two-time MLS Defender of the Year has been a member of three MLS Cup Championship squads during his remarkable nine years in professional soccer.
 
About Konami Corporation
Konami Corporation is a leading developer, publisher and manufacturer of electronic entertainment properties, specializing in the home video game market. Konami Corporation's action and adventure titles include the popular franchises Metal Gear Solid®, Silent Hill(tm) and Castlevania®, among other top sellers. The latest information about Konami can be found on the Web at www.konami.com. Konami Corporation is a publicly traded company based in Tokyo, Japan with subsidiary offices, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. in the US and Konami of Europe in Frankfurt, Germany. Konami Corporation, the parent company of Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. is traded in the United States on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KNM. Details of the products published by Konami Digital Entertainment - America can be found at www.konami.com/usa.
 
About SportsNet, LLC
SportsNet, LLC is a California limited liability company with offices in Los Angeles, California, and Bethesda, Maryland. SportsNet was established in 1994 and provides exclusive marketing and management services for elite professional soccer players and coaches, both domestically and internationally. For more information, visit www.sportsnetllc.com.
 
###
 
©1996 JAPAN FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
©2002 JFA.MAX
©2001 Korea Football Association
Special thanks to Fortuna, MUKTA, SEJIN, Denis for Korea National Team data
adidas, the adidas logo and the 3-Stripe trade mark are registered trade marks of the adidas-Salomon group, used with permission. Roteiro is a trade mark of the adidas-Salomon group, used with permission. The use of real player names and likenesses is authorized by FIFPro and its member associations.  Officially licensed by Eredivisie NV.  Gioco ufficialmente concesso in licenza della LEGA NAZIONALE PROFESSIONISTI.  Campeonato Nacional de Liga 04/05 Primera y/o /Segunda Division Producto bajo Licencia Oficial de la LFP.  All other copyrights or trademarks are the property of their respective owners and are used under license.
 
©2004 KONAMI & Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo
"World Soccer Winning Eleven 8 International (TM)" is a trademark of KONAMI CORPORATION
 
"PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Microsoft and Xbox are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries and are used under license from Microsoft