Konami has issued an official warning against modding and reverse engineering in eFootball, stating that these activities violate its Terms of Use. Published on October 23, the announcement calls on those involved to stop immediately and warns that confirmed violations could result in account suspensions. The company says it has identified reverse engineering activities and the distribution of modified versions of eFootball. Its restrictions also cover modifying game software or data, decompilation, and developing or distributing related tools, including for personal use, testing, or research.
What This Means for the PES Modding Community
Modding has played a significant role in extending the lifespan of Pro Evolution Soccer games, allowing players to update squads, add kits and stadiums, improve visuals, and maintain older releases long after official support ends. Konami's position is notable because it extends beyond cheating or gaining an unfair advantage in online matches. Its stated restrictions also cover modifications and reverse engineering, activities that can be used to develop unofficial tools and change the gameplay experience.
While publishers can protect their intellectual property, these restrictions raise concerns for a community that has helped keep classic PES titles active for years. Konami's announcement does not distinguish between modifications intended to affect online competition and those designed for offline gameplay.
Are Existing PES Mods at Risk?
Konami has not named specific developers or modding projects, nor has it announced targeted legal action against individual creators in this statement. It also has not confirmed that all existing PES mods or projects such as Football Life are being targeted. The announcement specifically addresses unauthorized modifications and reverse engineering related to eFootball, so its implications should not automatically be extended to every project in the wider PES modding community.
Source: Konami's official statement.
It is disappointing to see a company like Konami take this stance after witnessing how the modding community helped establish PES as a major force on PC. Back in the days of PES 3, when the founders of ModdingWay developed PES TO OEdit, allowing players to edit 3D models, everything changed. PES was no longer just about gameplay; it offered a level of customization that made it an increasingly compelling alternative to FIFA.Back then, Konami raised no such objections.
Today, the company appears determined to restrict a community that helped make its games stand out on PC in the first place, under the banner of protecting its product. The irony is hard to ignore: Konami moved away from what many longtime players valued about PES, leaving its football series struggling to compete with the increasingly sophisticated EA SPORTS FC franchise. Now, it risks alienating the very community that spent years keeping its games relevant long after their official release.