1. Peer-to-peer (P2P) Method

Opponents connect to one another directly. Through this method, users can compete against each other with relative ease, even in regions far from game servers. However, gameplay will be affected by each user's connection quality (lag, stability, etc.).

2. Client-Server Method

Users connect to a game server and data is sent and received so that matches can be played. Each user's network connection is not affected by the quality of another user's connection (lag, stability, etc.) or device performance. Since the game server manages the connection and match progress, it is effective in preventing cheating and determining the winner when someone disconnects.

The game mode will determine which of the above methods is used to play eFootball™. Modes in which match results are particularly important use the client-server method to ensure a stable connection and prevent cheating. Please refer to the following list to see the connection method used for each mode.

Modes Using the P2P Method

• Quick Match
• Friend Match (1 vs 1 Match Room only)
• Challenge Event (Penalty Shootout only)

Modes Using the Client-Server Method

• eFootball™ League
• Challenge Event
• Ranking Event
• Themed Event
• Friend Match (Co-op Match Room)
• Strike Arena

In the most recent update, we added an antenna icon that will appear during online PvP matches in modes using the client-server method.

This antenna shows the quality of your connection to the game server in real time. As a result, the antenna level displayed on each opponent's screen may differ.After the match, a network graph will appear. This will show how the connection quality changed during the match in graph form based on the following data.

• x-axis: Time elapsed during the match

• y-axis: Change in connection quality

The higher the y-axis values, the greater the stability, meaning the match was played with good connection quality.

If you receive a graph like the ones shown below, the connection quality is not stable. Refer to "Tips for Improving Connection Quality", and carry out the appropriate countermeasures.

Tips for Improving Connection Quality

Try the following countermeasures if the connection quality is not stable. Please note, however, that various factors affect the quality, and these measures are not guaranteed to be effective.

• ・Close apps operating in the background
• ・Refrain from using a microwave or other devices that emit radio waves
• ・Refrain from transmitting or receiving large amounts of data over the same Wi-Fi network
• ・If playing on mobile, stay as close as possible to the Wi-Fi access point without moving away
• ・If playing on a console, connect to the Internet via wired LAN

When using the client-server method, the servers that opponents connect to are known as game servers. They are installed in various cities at data centers managed by global companies KONAMI has partnered with.

Relationship Between Game Server and Connection Quality

Generally speaking, the closer you are to a data center, the better connection quality you can expect during online PvP.

However, the geographical distance is not the only factor that determines connection quality. Depending on the network infrastructure, a game server that is farther away could have a higher-quality connection in some cases. eFootball™ selects optimal game servers after considering factors such as opponents' locations and infrastructure-related conditions.

The number of servers is also an important factor. When more servers are added, users become more dispersed after connecting online, it takes longer to find a suitable opponent, and it becomes harder to set up matches. For these reasons, we carefully consider the balance between server numbers and placement before making server-related decisions.

We continuously monitor online PvP data and then install game servers at our partners' data centers in locations deemed capable of providing the best user experience. Please refer to the following list to see the cities where servers are installed.

Cities Where Game Servers are Installed