Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 (PES 2012, known as World Soccer: Winning Eleven 2012 in Asia) is a video game which is the eleventh edition in the Pro Evolution Soccer series developed and published by Konami. Lionel Messi, who was the cover star for the series since PES 2009, was replaced by PES 2008 cover star Cristiano Ronaldo,[5] while Borussia Dortmund player Shinji Kagawa replaces Messi as the cover star for the Japanese release. The US and Latin American cover features Santos player Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo.[6]
Like previous versions of the game, it was licensed by UEFA to contain the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Super Cup competitions along with a license from CONMEBOL to feature the Copa Santander Libertadores. Referees' governing UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Super Cup matches will wear the official UEFA Champions League uniforms, which is a first for the series.[7] Primeira Liga were included for the first time in series with three licensed teams.
On July 28, 2011, Konami confirmed that PES 2012 was going to be released for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows on October 14, 2011 in Europe and October 6, 2011 in Japan.[8] At Gamescom 2011 it was announced that the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable versions would follow on October 28, 2011 and the Wii on November 4, 2011. The publisher has also confirmed that versions for Nintendo 3DS and iOS formats are also in development, with firm dates to follow. PES 2012 was succeeded by Pro Evolution Soccer 2013.
Online services for the game were shut down on January 28, 2013 due to focusing to newer PES games.