One of the only mini-revelations of any interest to emanate from last week's damp squib-like Leipzig Games Convention was the news regarding the forthcoming Pro Evolution Soccer 6 for Xbox 360.

There was a time when the seminal soccer sim was rarely to be seen wearing anything other than a PlayStation strip, Sony bobble hat and scarf. But the last couple of seasons have seen the PS2 stripped of exclusivity, with PES Xbox Live! usurping the Sony machine as the PES-kateer's weapon of choice. So it seemed believable enough - if still something of a coup - when we were told that PES 6 would be an Xbox 360 exclusive. Exclusive, that is, for the 12 months following its release.

But it seems this news is something of exaggeration. Enough of an exaggeration to see Konami publish a statement on their Japanese website denying any such deal. Dare we suggest that this distancing was the result of a telephone call from smarting Sony execs?



It is still the case though, that right now, the Xbox 360 is the only one of the new generation of consoles available in the shops. So, the MS mean machine is still bearing down on an open PES goal, while the other players gaze on, helplessly trapped offside.