Splinter Cell: Conviction Officially Delayed

[Dr.Finger]

In news that I'm sure will shock and surprise absolutely no one, Ubisoft has officially delayed Splinter Cell: Conviction until fiscal 2009-2010 (April 2009-March 2010).

Conviction - slated for the 360 and PC - had previously been scheduled for release last holiday season, but was delayed to 2008 (http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39972). Rumors abounded that the game was being taken back to the drawing board (http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51619) by developer Ubisoft Montreal, supposedly because it didn't stack up to another U-M effort: Assassin's Creed. Ubisoft denies the story, but Conviction has not been seen publicly at either UbiDays 2008 nor this month's E3 show.

Source - Eurogamer (http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=200721).

You never want to see a game delayed, but I think we can all agree that we'd rather see a game delayed and done right than shoved out the door in a less than polished form.

[civil_dead]

::raises hand::

I'm for shoved games!

[Flatpicker]

Not a problem for me.
Better to have a good game than an early one.

[divinechaos]

Wasn't this game supposed to come out this year? It sounds like they hit a nasty problem.

[Sandman]

I love the Splinter Cell games but I can't say I would be sad to see them go.

[Grey]

Double Agent was horrible, so I appreciate that they thinking the next one seriously over.

[Wyrm]

From what I read about this next one, there was to be an unprecedented amount of interaction with the environment, and it was supposed to play completely differently from past games. Likely it's taking them a lot longer to get that gameplay right, or maybe they've decided to scrap that and go a different route. Either way, it looked interesting from the preview.

I liked Double Agent, though I didn't get into the multiplayer as much as I would have liked. I think I prefer the very first iteration of the MP best, and they haven't quite gotten it back there since.

[Variable Gear]

Since Conviction was supposed to be quite different from past Splinter Cell games, I'm happy that Ubisoft is taking their time with this one. However, I am pissed that we saw footage and previews of it so early. Publishers shouldn't really show games until they are three to six months out, just to prevent hype from killing satisfaction.

[Disgustipated]

Good. Rather a late, great game than an early, shitty one.

[tombofsoldier]

Anyone else think it must have been reeaaally bad to have been delayed for 3 years?

[Flatpicker]

Maybe it has to be retooled because the homeless Sam LSD minigame was causing seizures?

[Kweli]

From what I read about this next one, there was to be an unprecedented amount of interaction with the environment, and it was supposed to play completely differently from past games. Likely it's taking them a lot longer to get that gameplay right, or maybe they've decided to scrap that and go a different route. Either way, it looked interesting from the preview.

Im betting it was exactly like Assasins Creed.... Blend in with the crowd and stuff like that....

Assasins Creed with different textures

[51|RandoM]

Wasn't this game supposed to come out this year? It sounds like they hit a nasty problem.

they pretty much started over from scratch. On the one hand, kudos to Ubisoft for not just pushing it out the door and further damaging the SC franchise. On the other hand, I want some more SC, lol.

[Dr.Finger]

Im betting it was exactly like Assasins Creed.... Blend in with the crowd and stuff like that....

Assasins Creed with different texturesFrom what I understand the problem was that Conviction wasn't enough like Assassin's Creed. You had two teams at the same studio working on essentially the same gameplay mechanic - environmental stealth - but they got two drastically different results. For whatever reason the SC version paled in comparison to the AC version, so they went back to the drawing board. Whether they're trying to rebuild the environmental stealth mechanic or scrapping it completely remains to be seen.

[H.Bogard]

From what I understand the problem was that Conviction wasn't enough like Assassin's Creed. You had two teams at the same studio working on essentially the same gameplay mechanic - environmental stealth - but they got two drastically different results. For whatever reason the SC version paled in comparison to the AC version, so they went back to the drawing board. Whether they're trying to rebuild the environmental stealth mechanic or scrapping it completely remains to be seen.

It must've been extremely shitty if it was worse than Assassin's Creed. :D

[Kweli]

My favourite moment in Assasins Creed...
Blending in with the crowd while they try to find the person that killed 10 of their fellow guards.... They dont know it was me, even though im the only guy in the DAMN CITY with multiple weapons on my body

Still, i had my fun with it....

[Scaryfaced]

I seem to be one of the few who actually loves the original Splinter Cell game mechanics. Well, honestly I just loved slitting throats as the guards walked by in the dark. It seems like Ubisoft is trying to take the series in an entirely new direction and frankly I think it's a stupid idea. This crowd blending mechanic was hardly interesting in AC and you could still climb up the walls like an acrobat. How much fun would that be when your stuck as a homeless guy walkin around like every other doofus. Double Agent was already a big leap in an entirely wrong direction for the series, this game seemed to be no different.

Here's hoping that they learned their lesson about crowd gameplay from AC and are taking the time to bring Splinter Cell back to its roots. If it has to have crowd blending, fine. Make it work. Just give him some friggin equipment. It's not a Splinter Cell game without the goggles.

[Food Nipple]

As someone who purchased an original xbox and live subscription for SC's multiplayer, I'm sad to see the new one get delayed, especially since the multiplayer in Double Agent was so atrocious.

[Wellscha]

Anyone else think it must have been reeaaally bad to have been delayed for 3 years?

When a game gets delayed multiple times 3 games come to mind. Heart of darkness, Prey and Too human.

while all Three aren't necessarily bad games. They're absolutely not impressive either considering their long development cycle.


Keep delaying and we may witness the next "battle cruiser" or maybe worse *gasps* DNF!

(Ubisoft would NEVER do that the splinter cell franchise)

[boneyardweller89]

This pisses me off. Splinter Cell is like my favorite game series. Can't we have like a prequel or something to tide us over until Conviction eventually comes out?

[Schnoogs]

Although I wanted to play this sooner than later if this results in an even better gaming experience it's fine by me. I'd rather get a great game after a delay then a POS that came out on time.

[H.Bogard]

This pisses me off. Splinter Cell is like my favorite game series. Can't we have like a prequel or something to tide us over until Conviction eventually comes out?

Yeah, they can cook up a prequel in a jippy. :rolleyes:

[Crowe]

Just make it better than Double Agent. Chaos Theory was so god damn excellent, one of my favorite games.

[mister_slim]

Sounds like the Splinter Cell team is a little adrift with Clint Hocking busy on Far Cry 2.

[Freak705]

I seem to be one of the few who actually loves the original Splinter Cell game mechanics. Well, honestly I just loved slitting throats as the guards walked by in the dark. It seems like Ubisoft is trying to take the series in an entirely new direction and frankly I think it's a stupid idea. This crowd blending mechanic was hardly interesting in AC and you could still climb up the walls like an acrobat. How much fun would that be when your stuck as a homeless guy walkin around like every other doofus. Double Agent was already a big leap in an entirely wrong direction for the series, this game seemed to be no different.

Here's hoping that they learned their lesson about crowd gameplay from AC and are taking the time to bring Splinter Cell back to its roots. If it has to have crowd blending, fine. Make it work. Just give him some friggin equipment. It's not a Splinter Cell game without the goggles.I agree 100%. They don't need to reinvent the gameplay. I would be perfectly happy withh some new, very polished fun and exciting levels. I thought Chaos Theory was perfect, except for the fact that it was a little too easy at some times.

[Nachokoolaid]

The series certainly peaked at Chaos Theory, in my opinion. But I always look forward to Splinter Cell games, because they are usually well made, do stealth better than most, and have some of the best voice acting.

[Variable Gear]

The series certainly peaked at Chaos Theory, in my opinion.
Agreed.

Is it worth it for me to go back and play Double Agent in the meantime?

[Freak705]

Double Agent for the original Xbox was done by the team that made Chaos Theory, so I heard it was miles ahead of the 360 version and that it was very enjoyable.

[Deadend]

I think the game was delayed this time after seeing all the shit MGS4 is doing.

Now homeless Sam will be wandering the streets talking about The War Economy, The Patriots, Nanomachines, PMCs, and shitting himself.

[Grey]

Agreed.

Is it worth it for me to go back and play Double Agent in the meantime?

You can chose between accurate graphics (PC, 360) or good gameplay (PS2/Xbox).

I wouldn't chose and just play SCCT where you got both ;)