Pro Evolution Soccer 2016 finally gets accurate rosters next week

The long-awaited patch bringing Pro Evolution Soccer 2016's offline rosters up to date will arrive on Dec. 3, Konami announced yesterday. Data Pack No. 2 will finally incorporate all the transfers that had taken place in August, two weeks before the game's Sept. 17 launch.

The patch also delivers some extra in-game content, including Brazil's Estadio do Maracana stadium and the newest uniforms for the international teams of Germany, Italy and Spain. A pre-match cinematic involving exterior shots and fans lighting fireworks has also been added to Pro Evolution Soccer 2016's broadcast presentation.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2016, one of the year's best-reviewed sports video games, nonetheless has taken a harsh beating for its handling of the rosters that support the game's offline modes. Pro Evolution Soccer 2016 launched on Sept. 17 without accurate rosters reflecting the summer transfer period in Europe. Konami Digital Entertainment then took until Oct. 29 to roll out its first data pack with updated offline rosters — yet they still didn't include all of the player transfers. Top players such as Manchester United's Anthony Martial have yet to be listed with their proper clubs. (Rosters for online modes have been up-to-date for some time).

Konami recently apologized for the roster inaccuracies and announced that the upcoming UEFA Euro 2016 content it has planned will be offered for free to all owners of the game, as an apology.

Data Pack No. 2 will add another 50 highly detailed player likenesses into the game, including stars such as Aleksander Mitrovic, Kevin de Bruyne, and Julian Draxler. Additional shoe and ball styles will be introduced, as well as entrance sequences specific to the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana tournaments available in the game.

Konami announced yesterday that Pro Evolution Soccer 2016 will get a free-to-play "entry level" version on PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 on Dec. 8. It includes seven licensed teams in an exhibition mode, and the microtransaction-supported myClub mode.