New rumors suggest that Ubisoft has greenlit an unnamed Splinter Cell game, the stealth-action franchise based on the Tom Clancy novels of the same name. Although the writer for Splinter Cell: Blacklist, the most recent entry in the series, previously suggested that he was interested in creating a new Splinter Cell game, there has been no indication that such a project was underway until now.
It has been eight years since the release of the last main entry in the Splinter Cell series, the longest gap between games since the franchise started in 2002. In that time, Splinter Cell has been represented in other Ubisoft projects like the short-lived Elite Squad mobile game and a VR game that has yet to be released. Other crossover projects also included series protagonist Sam Fisher, but the mainline Splinter Cell franchise has remained dormant despite its popularity.
According to VGC, the reported new game is not in development for VR or mobile, and will be a main entry in the series. The project is still early in development, and it is unlikely but possible that it could be officially announced next year. It is still unclear which Ubisoft development studio is making the game, but it may not be based in the company's headquarters in Montreal. It is also unknown whether the title will stick to Splinter Cell's roots as a primarily single player experience or follow in the footsteps of recent Tom Clancy titles like XDefiant, a free-to-play live service shooter.
It is likely that the newest Splinter Cell game will differ greatly from its predecessors. Last year, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot hinted at a new Splinter Cell title, but suggested that the series needed to evolve for the modern era. "When you create a game, you have to make sure you will come with something that will be different enough from what you did before," he stated while speaking about the Splinter Cell franchise. What that means for any new entry in the series is still unknown, and at this early stage in development the title will likely remain under wraps for some time.
Like much of the industry, Ubisoft has been trending toward multiplayer games for some time. While Splinter Cell did have popular multiplayer offerings like the beloved Spies vs. Mercs mode, the core of the series was always in the single player campaign. Until Ubisoft officially announces the game, how much of the Splinter Cell formula will be thrown out remains an open question. While this leak is sure to excite fans of the franchise, assuming the claims are accurate, it is also clear that Ubisoft will have to treat the game carefully to avoid disappointing those same fans with the final product.
Source: VGC