When Konami’s eFootball launches in full later this year, the football sim will feature cross-play between PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and mobile devices – but cross-save and cross-progression between these systems won’t be supported. Hopefully, that won't always be the case.
Following IGN’s two-hour hands-on preview of eFootball, Konami confirmed to IGN that “eFootball does not currently support cross-progression or cross-save between different platforms, however we aspire to include this in future.”
Cross-save and cross-progression would mean that you could carry your eFootball profile, saves and associated purchases across various platforms. So before heading out, you could upload your Creative League progress from your PS5, for example, and continue that on eFootball on mobile. Sadly, that's not going to be possible, seemingly for some time.
eFootball won’t include full cross-play at its initial launch on September 30 (although players within console families will be able to match up), but a major update is scheduled for this fall, and will see the feature introduced alongside the addition of Android and iOS versions of the game. Cross-play won’t be totally mandatory, though – Konami says console players can opt out of playing with mobile gamers.
eFootball is Konami’s free-to-play successor to Pro Evolution Soccer, and will launch in limited form on September 30, featuring 9 teams and no microtransactions. Alongside a lack of full cross-play, it will also be missing some key gameplay features, such as ‘sharp kicks’ and haptic feedback. The fall update should add much, much more, including paid content.
While you wait for launch, you can read why Konami's rival FIFA 22 is looking promising, and learn more about the new football game on the scene, UFL, in our developer interview.
Daniel Curtis is a freelance writer, producer and filmmaker. He’s also a long-suffering Chesterfield FC fan. Say hi to him on Twitter @danielpdcurtis.