Can You Still Lace Up Your Boots Online in PES 2021? A Deep Dive

The short answer is a bit bittersweet: Officially, no, you cannot play PES 2021 online through the Konami official servers anymore. Konami pulled the plug on the official servers some time ago, marking the end of an era for online matchmaking and ranked play. However, the beautiful game doesn’t have to end there! Die-hard fans have found creative workarounds to keep the spirit of PES 2021 alive online. Let’s explore the options and see how you can potentially rekindle your online rivalries.

The Official Servers Are Down: What Happened?

Konami’s decision to sunset the PES 2021 servers coincided with the full transition to their new free-to-play title, eFootball. While this move allowed them to focus resources on the new game, it left many PES 2021 enthusiasts feeling nostalgic and longing for the familiar gameplay and features they loved. The official reason was largely centered around consolidating their online infrastructure to support eFootball and its evolving ecosystem. They could no longer justify maintaining servers for an older title when their primary focus shifted to a new, actively developed game.

The Unofficial Road to Online PES 2021: Parsec and Community-Driven Solutions

Fear not, fellow football fanatics! The PES community is known for its ingenuity and dedication. One popular method to play PES 2021 online is through Parsec, a low-latency streaming platform.

Parsec: How It Works

Parsec allows you to stream your local game session to friends over the internet. In essence, one person hosts the game on their PC, and others connect as if they were sitting on the same couch using the “Remote Play Together” function. While this isn’t the same as traditional online matchmaking with dedicated servers, it offers a viable solution for playing with friends.

• Hosting: One player with a decent PC and a strong internet connection hosts the game.
• Connecting: Friends connect to the host’s PC through Parsec.
• Gameplay: The game is streamed to the connected players, who can control their players as if they were playing locally.

Community Discord Servers

The PES community thrives on platforms like Reddit and Discord. Many dedicated groups have sprung up specifically to organize PES 2021 matches via Parsec. These communities are great resources for:

• Finding opponents
• Sharing Parsec setup tips
• Troubleshooting technical issues
• Staying up-to-date on the latest community developments

Potential Drawbacks

While Parsec offers a solution, it’s important to acknowledge the potential drawbacks:

• Latency: Lag can still be an issue, depending on internet connection speeds and geographical locations.
• Setup: Requires a bit more technical setup compared to traditional online play.
• Limited Matchmaking: You’ll need to actively find opponents through communities.

eFootball: The Evolution of PES

It’s impossible to discuss the fate of PES 2021’s online play without mentioning its successor, eFootball. eFootball represents a significant shift for Konami, moving to a free-to-play, digital-only model. While it had a rocky start, Konami has been continuously updating and improving the game. While some fans mourn the loss of PES 2021, eFootball offers a new platform for online football gaming with:

• Regular updates: Konami releases frequent updates with new features, players, and gameplay tweaks.
• Cross-platform play: Depending on the version, you might be able to play against friends on different platforms.
• Dream Team mode: Build your ultimate squad with players from around the world.

GamesLearningSociety.org: Where Gaming Meets Education

Speaking of gaming communities, the Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) explores the intersection of games and education. They investigate how games can be used to enhance learning, creativity, and problem-solving skills. It’s an excellent resource for anyone interested in the educational potential of video games.

Conclusion: Keeping the Spirit of PES 2021 Alive

While the official PES 2021 online servers may be gone, the passion of the community ensures that the game lives on. Through platforms like Parsec and dedicated community groups, you can still find ways to experience the thrill of online matches with friends. And with eFootball continuing to evolve, the future of virtual football gaming remains bright.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 FAQs to address common questions about playing PES 2021 online and related topics:

1. Is it completely impossible to play PES 2021 online through the official Konami servers? Yes, the official Konami servers for PES 2021 are permanently shut down. You cannot play using the game’s built-in online matchmaking system.

2. What is Parsec and how can it help me play PES 2021 online? Parsec is a low-latency game streaming service that allows you to stream your local game session to friends over the internet. It essentially simulates local multiplayer online, allowing you to play PES 2021 with friends even though the official servers are down.

3. Do I need a powerful PC to host a PES 2021 game on Parsec? Yes, the host PC requires a decent processor, graphics card, and a stable, high-speed internet connection to ensure a smooth streaming experience for all players.

4. Are there any communities dedicated to playing PES 2021 online via Parsec? Yes, many Reddit and Discord communities are dedicated to organizing matches, sharing setup tips, and troubleshooting issues related to playing PES 2021 online with Parsec.

5. What are the potential downsides of using Parsec to play PES 2021 online? The main downsides are potential latency (lag), the need for manual setup, and the lack of traditional online matchmaking features.

6. Is eFootball the same as PES 2021? No, eFootball is a completely rebranded and redesigned game that succeeded the Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) series. It’s a free-to-play title with a different gameplay engine and features.

7. Is eFootball free to play online? Yes, eFootball is a free-to-play game, meaning you can download and play it online without purchasing the base game. However, there are optional in-game purchases.

8. Do I need PlayStation Plus (PS Plus) or Xbox Live Gold to play eFootball online? Yes, you will still need an active PS Plus subscription or Xbox Live Gold subscription to play eFootball online on PlayStation and Xbox consoles.

9. Can I play eFootball with friends? Yes, eFootball has friend match modes available. You can invite your friends and play against them with your personalized “Dream Teams”.

10. Is eFootball cross-platform compatible? eFootball supports cross-gen multiplayer between players on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. Full cross-platform compatibility may vary depending on the specific version and updates.

11. What is Dream Team in eFootball? Dream Team is a game mode in eFootball where you can build your ultimate squad by signing players and developing them to create your unique team.

12. Why did Konami stop making PES? Konami rebranded the PES series to eFootball to adopt a free-to-play, digital-only model and to streamline their development efforts. This shift also involved changes in licensing and gameplay mechanics.

13. Does eFootball 2023 have online multiplayer? Yes, eFootball 2023 has online multiplayer modes. The friend match mode allows you to play with friends using your Dream Teams.

14. Is eFootball 2023 completely free? eFootball 2023 is a free-to-play game, but it offers optional “Match Passes” that can be unlocked using in-game currency (eFootball coins) for additional rewards. The regular match pass is available to all users for free.

15. How do I connect with friends on eFootball? You need to add your friends in the game, and then you can invite them to play by going to Match > Local Match mode > Friend List Match and selecting your friend’s username. The host can customize the match settings.