November 18th, 2009 3:00 AM | by Christen da Costa
Remember that supposed Splinter Cell Conviction promo code that was to be included inside the box of Assassin’s Creed 2? According to game site CVG, and an Ubisoft spokesperson “The leaflet included in the Assassin’s Creed 2 boxes in the US does not relate to a Splinter Cell Conviction demo download. The leaflet is a US initiative and will not be available in other territories.” In other words, it’s a promo to get fans of the Splinter Cell series like you and me to download wallpapers to our computer’s desktop and what Ubisoft probably hopes is a conversation going with our best buds to help promote the game.
While it’s a far reach from “Modern Warfare 2 Prestige Edition“, Ubisoft’s “Splinter Cell: Conviction” Collector’s Edition is looking like some good bang for your buck, that is assuming you’re into this kind of crap. Included is a USB flash drive with all sorts of Splinter Cell media, a hard-bound copy of “Fifth Freedom: The Art of Splinter Cell”, two in game items (MP5-SD3 submachine gun and a 3rd Echelon outfit for multiplayer), decals, “Digging in the Ashes” comic book and a metallic steel case.
The CE version of “Splinter Cell: Conviction” will also launch on 2/23 and cost $79.99.
My buddy really holds dear these certain games that he thinks are going to be awesome. And often he is let down (Assassin’s Creed). He became a bit worried when Ubisoft announced that Splinter Cell Conviction was delayed and believes that the game is going to be total crap. I tried to explain to him that the developers were working hard to make the game the best it could be and the delays were merely going to make the game better in the long run.
At the Tokyo Game Show, Splinter Cell Conviction was shown with great conviction to how much better it’s looking these days. Funny enough, while searching for this video I saw other SCC videos dating back to over two years ago. Ugh.
Just missing this year’s holiday gaming extravaganza, Splinter Cell Conviction will see the light of retail shelves on the 23rd of February 2010. I think this game is going to be awesome just like all the others have been. Clock the video below.
At today’s Apple event, Ubisoft announced that Assassin’s Creed 2 will hit the App Store on the same day that the console versions hit the retail shelves. Taking the same route as the first Assassin’s Creed, the game will be a side-scrolling 2-D platformer.
The graphics look to be tighter and more refined, and word has it that you can use photos from your camera roll and place them in the game to appear as wanted posters.
Think about it. The PS2 had a lengthy lifespan that spawned several quality franchises such as: Metal Gear Solid, Splinter Cell, GTA3, Silent Hill, Resident Evil, Brothers in Arms, and more. All these titles are totally still playable beyond a nostalgic standpoint and could have new life breathed into them if bundled together and re-released on the PS3 via Blu-Ray disc.
With the recent news of a God of War collection being re-released on Blu-Ray with a framerate increase, resolution upscaling and trophies, some rumblings have other publishers agreeing to the coolness factor of this idea, but not confirming anything. The storage capacity of a Blu-Ray disc alone could make this a very possible scenario for down the line. Sweet!
I think this is a great idea especially if you are a fan of a particular series and want to catch up on past story lines before you play the current title. Hopefully we’ll here more about this sometime soon.
Tucked away in the dark corners of E3, and apparently my mind since I’m posting this the following week, was a little strategy game called “R.U.S.E” from Ubisoft. What makes it of particular interest is that it is played on Microsoft’s Surface and as you can see in the below video, creates a unique level of interaction and engagement thanks to the Surface’s touchscreen multigesture interface. I’ve long been a skeptic of the Surface, largely due to cost, but games like this surely are fitting and make for a compelling argument in favor of the hardware.
While the video for Microsoft’s Project Natal was actually very cool indeed, it just seems like everyone is in a race to get rid of controllers entirely. I happen to like controllers very much. Wii is cool for parties but I’d never play that type of game by myself and consider solo play as some of my most enjoyable video game experiences. At any rate, Ubisoft has announced a camera based motion capture accessory for their new fitness game “Your Shape” for the Wii. More like Pre-Natal in that it is game and not system specific, the accessory boasts real time feedback and monitors your exercise movements unlike any other fitness game currently for Wii. The game and peripheral will hit shelves this fall but no word yet on price.
I’ve always wished there was a whole channel that ran E’s “The Soup” all day and all night. Joel McHale is the funniest host yet and now he’s got a side gig as Ubisoft’s E3 spokesperson. Ubisoft is having a press conference on June 1st at the Los Angeles Theater where Joel will rattle off all the new game offerings. These should include their holiday 09′ line up as well as games in 2010 which include: Assassin’s Creed 2, Red Steel 2, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon 4 (my guess), Raving Rabbids, and Rabbids Go Home. Here’s the official statement.
UBISOFT® TO REVEAL HOLIDAY LINEUP DURING E3 PRESS CONFERENCE
SAN FRANCISCO – May 7, 2009 – Today Ubisoft® announced that their E3 press conference will be held at the Los Angeles Theatre on June 1, 2009 at 5 pm (doors open at 4 pm). The press conference is by invitation only to Ubisoft partners, investors, retailers and select media. It will also be broadcast online for the public the following morning at: http://www.ubi.com.
During the press conference Ubisoft will unveil its lineup for Holiday 2009 and beyond including a demonstration of the eagerly anticipated new comedy-adventure Rabbids Go Home®, and exclusive reveals of Red Steel® 2 and the massively popular Assassin’s Creed® II, as well as other unannounced titles and special guests that are certain to thrill attendees and web viewers. The event will be hosted by actor and comedian Joel McHale, writer/ producer/ star of E!’s The Soup and star of NBC’s upcoming comedy series “The Community”.
Ubisoft’s website (http://www.ubi.com) will host select information direct from Ubisoft’s booth at E3, giving fans access to exclusive interviews and trailers of Ubisoft games.
About Ubisoft
Ubisoft is a leading producer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment products worldwide and has grown considerably through a strong and diversified line-up of products and partnerships. Ubisoft is present in 28 countries and has sales in more than 55 countries around the globe. It is committed to delivering high-quality, cutting-edge video game titles to consumers. For the 2008-09 fiscal year Ubisoft generated sales of €1.058 billion. To learn more, please visit www.ubisoftgroup.com.
I was just looking at the release schedule for this upcoming holiday season and didn’t see a whole lot besides Modern Warfare 2. Last years was so chalk full of blockbusters that it would be hard to duplicate this coming season. Just today UbiSoft Montreal announced that Assassin’s Creed 2 will launch for the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC sometime during the holiday 09 season, probably in late November. According to the quote below from Game Informer, you no longer play as Altair and that there is “Profound” Character progression involved. There better be!
In a vast open world environment, the game invites players to incarnate Ezio, a privileged young noble in Renaissance Italy who’s been betrayed by the rival ruling families of Italy. Ezio’s subsequent quest for vengeance plunges players into a captivating and epic story that offers more variety in missions, surprising and engaging new gameplay elements, diverse weapons and a profound character progression that will appeal to fans of the original Assassin’s Creed as well as entice players new to the brand.
Far Cry 2 by Ubisoft is the anticipated sequel to the award-winning original that brings players into the beautiful and hostile world of Africa. Far Cry 2 for Xbox 360 features open-ended gameplay that allows you to play the game whichever way you choose, with the choices you make affecting where the game leads you.
Both 
