Lionel Messi, who had been the cover star for Pro Evo Soccer games for some time now, will not be gracing PES12’s cover. It will be Real Madrid star midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo who will feature on the boxart of the game on all versions. The image on the boxart, Konami says, represents “total control both on and off the ball,”, some new feature’s in this year’s game.

Konami explains: “PES 2012 gives the user more control than any other football title, with all-new AI elements and off-the-ball control creating a game where the user can move players into dangerous areas during set pieces, or control second player to create space or make runs using the new Teammate Control system.

“Similarly, at the heart of PES 2012 is the Active AI system where players will drop into space, draw defenders out of position, and make diagonal runs as in real matches.

“This creates a game that flows and moves just like a top-level game, and also create the defence-splitting passes and glorious attacks that has elevated Cristiano Ronaldo to the top of his game.”

Ronaldo himself is very pleased to know that he will be the boxstar of PES 12. He says: “I am flattered that Konami has chosen me to be the face of PES 2012, and by their reasoning behind the cover image.

“PES 2012 to me is the perfect recreation of football, and truly highlights the way teams work together to create attacks, make space and break down defences.

“I think anyone that plays it will get a better understanding of the mechanics of football and how players work together. It is never about one player, it is about the team – and PES 2012 demonstrates that better than any other game.”

Game releases next month. Have a look at the Xbox 360 cover art of the game below (click on the image to see it in full size):

In our recent interview with EA Sports, Aaron McHardy, gameplay director of FIFA 12, said that the development team was not concerned about the new features announced for their competitor, Pro Evolution Soccer 2012, saying that FIFA 12 does the same things (if not to the same extent) and more.

“I don’t think they’ve concerned us,” he said. “I think we have forms of those things but not to the same extent or the same way that Konami have done them. But we really wanted you to be expressive and be creative on the pitch and do what you like to do with the ball. And we wanted to build features that would allow that expression, and that level of control. That’s kind of where we’re taking it.”

“I know that [Konami are] taking it in a different direction, and being more specific about things like player runs and all that,” he continued. “But I think what we’re doing is better for our game, so we’re not concerned about the features they’re doing, but I’m sure they’ll fit perfectly with their game. “

In the same interview, McHardy also said that the FIFA development team feels it’s good to have Konami around, since both competing games push each other to become better.

Our UK correspondent George Reith recently had the opportunity to conduct a telephonic interview with EA Sports. We were able to ask them several questions about FIFA 12. Gameplay director Aaron McHardy said, when asked what they felt about Konami’s competing series Pro Evolution Soccer, that “it’s good to have the Konami guys around” and that they both push each other to make better football games.

“I think it’s a good think to have big competitors like ourselves and Konami in the same space,” he said. “We’re always pushing each other, and we’ve always got one eye on what they do. They’ve been making fantastic games for years.”

“And, you know, we’re watching what they do and they like to watch what we do,” he continued. “I guess the two big games in the same market really push each other to really not relax and keep pushing the boundaries of what can be done in a football game.

“So it’s good to have the Konami guys around. And I’m sure, like I said, they’re watching us and we’re watching them and we’re pretty conscious of each other.”

Stay tuned to GamingBolt for the massive full interview. Till then, we’ll keep you hitting with more updates.