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| Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Double Agent Multiplayer Preview | // article |
| Towards the end of June 2006 we intercepted a communication via our complex computer system alerting us to an Ubisoft covert operation taking place London. On the 5th July 2006 we kitted ourselves out with the latest espionage gear, jumped on the tube and met up with Ubisoft. As usual hordes of games journalists were in attendance to get the latest intel on the game. Ubisoft representatives outlined the day's activities and mentioned that there would be a Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Double Agent tournament taking place later on in the day. Thomas Leroux-Hugon from the Ubisoft development team based in France started to outline the enhancements made by his team on the multiplayer aspect of Splinter Cell Double Agent. The enhancements include new levels, new Spy/ Merc technology, escape routes and improved night vision. The developers wanted to remain true to the previous Splinter Cell titles and gained as much feedback from the franchise's fans as possible before developing the multiplayer element. SCDA multiplayer features 3 vs. 3 online play via Xbox Live and in addition to this Ubisoft have redefined one of the game modes which is essentially capture the flag with a twist. In this mode you will need to work as a team to secure the objectives and in the mission shown to us the objective was to hack four computer terminals and escape with the information intact. As a spy, you're kitted out with the very latest espionage gadgets and you're now armed with a unified arm-based computer system which is able to hack computer terminals from afar and interfere with lights among many other neat features. Once you've located the objective on the map, make your way there by avoiding the mercenaries by stealthily using the level to your advantage, for example jumping through windows, climbing up pipes or swinging down drop-lines. When you've spotted the objective you can begin hacking it with your computer. Now depending on how far you are away from the computer terminal will depend on how long it will take to hack, and this is a godsend as it makes it a lot harder for the mercenaries to find you. However the mercenaries also have improved spy catcher technology such as remote control drones that can hover and get to places that the mercenaries cannot. In defense,.if you spot a spy with the drone you can set it to self-destruct ending the spy's hacking spree! Graphically Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Double Agent looks as stunning and realistic as we've come expect. Visually everything within the build we played was extremely detailed and you can tell that the developers have paid close attention to not only creating a great game but building yet another distinct world in the Splinter Cell universe. As I mentioned at the beginning of this preview, I took part in a tournament and I teamed up with Gareth Williams (Pro-G.co.uk) and believe it or not we actually won the tournament, which was a nice surprise. Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Double Agent is due for release on the Xbox 360, Xbox, PS2, GameCube and the PC in October 2006... Stay tuned for further updates on Sam Fishers outings! | |
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