It's been a while since Sam Fisher appeared in a new Splinter Cell game. Even though fans have wanted a new entry for some time, Ubisoft hasn't made a new mainline game since 2013. Although it may not be the Splinter Cell game fans wanted, Sam Fisher is coming to another big Ubisoft IP: Rainbow Six Siege. Here's how the character is making the transition.
The first Splinter Cell arrived in 2002, and the series soon became one of the hottest Ubisoft titles. The series protagonist, Sam Fisher, is an operative and commander within a secret NSA branch known as the Fourth Echelon. Since his first appearance, Sam Fisher has starred in seven other Splinter Cell games and a series of spin-off novels. Now, after a long absence, the Tom Clancy character is coming to Rainbow Six Siege as well.
Since its release in 2015, Rainbow Six Siege has become an extremely successful property for Ubisoft. The online tactical shooter is still getting new updates and was announced for next-gen consoles with a free upgrade. It makes sense that Ubisoft would want to take a popular character like Splinter Cell's Sam Fisher and combine it with one of their biggest franchises, and it could be reminding players of Sam Fisher's existence (and past library) ahead of a new announcement of a next-gen Splinter Cell title, although that is just speculation.
How Sam Fisher Plays In Rainbow Six Siege
Even though it's been a while since a new Splinter Cell released, the series remains incredibly popular. There's even an animated Splinter Cell Netflix show in the works. Now, series protagonist Sam Fisher is coming to Rainbow Six Siege as a new operator, under the codename Zero. The character will use a two-way drill called the Argus Launcher. The Argus Launcher can pierce windows and walls, and it can stick to any surface in the game. Fisher can use the Argue Launcher to spy distant terrain, and its camera comes with a single laser to cause damage. It's an interesting piece of tech that's perfect for Splinter Cell's stealthy spy.
Developers at Ubisoft have already said Sam Fisher will play differently in Rainbow Six Siege than in Splinter Cell, but the character will stay true to his intel roots. However, the character shouldn't be used for Splinter Cell-like covert missions in Rainbow Six Siege, since Ubisoft has assured players it won't gel well with Siege's gameplay. Still, introducing Sam Fisher into the game is a great way to entice more players as well as keeping current ones. It's a smart move from Ubisoft, and it will surely pay off.
It's great to see an iconic character like Sam Fisher appearing in another game, even if it isn't the new Splinter Cell title a lot of fans want. The character will be a new operator as part of the upcoming new season of Rainbow Six Siege, titled Operation Shadow Legacy.
Rainbow Six Siege is available on PlayStation 4, PC, and Xbox One.