Konami is hoping to become the leader in esports on a global stage as it continues to gain a bigger audience.

In an interview with GamesIndustry.Biz, Konami Europe president Masami Saso discussed the company's move into esports.

Saso believes esports will play a pivotal role in the future of sports in general.

"Sport has always been changing -- starting from physical sports such as running, throwing, kicking, to field sports like soccer and baseball," said Saso.

"With the industrial revolution came motorsports, and now with greater technology comes esports."

The company built an esports studio into its new headquarters in Tokyo, hoping to improve Japan’s competitive gaming stance.

On top of this, it's also rebranded this year's Pro Evolution Soccer. It is now known as eFootball PES 2020, due to the company's focus on esports and pro-gaming.

Konami has edged into esports having live-streamed major esports events such as the Yu-Gi-Oh World Championship in Europe this year and the PES League World Finals.

"Like any other sport, I believe the goal for esports in this industry is to have audiences, millions of fans, and become a huge source of entertainment, even larger than just video games.

"But for now, as a game publisher, we see it as a new field of interacting with and enjoying games. Before we go for the big goal, we are focusing on how to expand the fun in playing, participating and watching esports.

"In 2020, all eyes will be on sports and Tokyo, thanks to the upcoming Olympics, and Konami intends to be the leader for esports on a global stage."