Konami kicks off Japanese rental program with Pro Evolution Soccer

by Candace Savino { Jun 21st 2008 at 2:00PM }

Being able to rent games is something that most of us take for granted -- in Japan, it doesn't happen because of publisher blackballing. Konami has decided to give the whole rental thing a try, though, starting with the popular soccer game, Winning Eleven: Play Maker 2008 (aka Pro Evolution Soccer 2008).

Even so, Japanese gamers won't be able to test out the title in full. Instead, trial versions of the Wii game will be offered for free at Tsutaya stores. It's kind of like downloading a demo, only you have to go and pick it up instead.

We're interested to see if this has any impact on Japan's gaming industry, and if Konami will expand their "rental" service in the future.

Gallery: Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution Soccer 2008

[Via Game|Life]

Tags: demo, japan, konami, pes, play-maker-2008, pro-evolution-soccer, pro-evolution-soccer-2008, rent, rental, soccer, sports, trail, tsutaya, winning-eleven

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Nigeria @ Jun 21st 2008 2:47PM

I should really try this game out. I feel it's my duty as an ex-Pro Evolution addict.

Also: lol, Portugal.

ramuji @ Jun 21st 2008 3:23PM

I live in Japan, and have mixed feelings about this. If it's only a demo version, I'd much rather be able to download it (partly because there is no Tsutaya nearby). However, if this turns out to be the first (successful) step in finally making game renals here possible, then I'm all for it.

Danny @ Jun 21st 2008 8:06PM

Portugal owns nigeria

Lord Bowser @ Jun 22nd 2008 6:41AM

Lol.

Tamyu @ Jun 21st 2008 10:24PM

There was a rental program for a while, through various game stores.

It failed because very few people wanted the hassle of renting a game. It`s much easier to buy the game and if you don`t want it, sell it almost immediately. People are used to doing this.