Ubisoft releases gameplay trailer for Splinter Cell: Blacklist, gives story information

One of the biggest names in the stealth genre is the Splinter Cell series. The game, based heavily on the world created by Tom Clancy – writer of books based on espionage stories – puts you into the shoes of NSA (National Security Agency) operative Sam Fisher. The next game in the series, titled Splinter Cell: Blacklist, was announced earlier this year during E3. Ubisoft has released some information about the story of the game. Along with the information, Ubisoft has released a trailer that shows off some of the gameplay in Blacklist. The game seems to be taking on a more action route, rather than the silent stealth route of the earlier games.

In 1941, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt gave what became known as the “Four Freedoms” speech, laying out the quartet of fundamental liberties that people “everywhere in the world” should hold as a birthright.  Those four, brought forth as the world struggled with unprecedented barbarity, were the freedom of speech and expression, freedom of worship, freedom from want and freedom from fear.

Sam Fisher will be the main character again

But it was recognised that as noble as the ideal of the Four Freedoms might be, there would be times when they would need to be defended: against oppression, against tyrants and against terror. Thus was born the Fifth Freedom, the right and responsibility to do whatever it took to protect the other four. The bearer of the Fifth Freedom has a mandate to go anywhere he need and do anything he must – kill, steal or destroy – in the interest of the greater good. Only the President can authorise the Fifth Freedom, and only the most skilled and trustworthy operatives America has to offer have ever received it.

And until now, no man has ever received it twice.

The iconic night vision goggles

Sam Fisher initially received the Fifth Freedom as the prototype for the new Splinter Cell program. At a time when the scope of information warfare was exploding, Third Echelon needed an agent who could combine cutting-edge technology with old-fashioned tradecraft. Using the Fifth Freedom judiciously, Fisher defended the United States against biological attack, against state-sponsored cyberwarfare and against domestic terrorism – before walking away.

Now, however, the stakes have been raised. Terror has targeted the American heartland and nowhere – and no one – is safe. At a time when the President cannot rely on anyone else to meet the new challenge of the Blacklist, Sam agrees to take up the burden – and the Fifth Freedom – once again.

I see you

Splinter Cell: Blacklist is set to take place six years after the events of Splinter Cell: Conviction. Sam Fisher is now the head of a new organisation that works directly for the President of the United States, Fourth Echelon. The gameplay of Blacklist is set to be similar to Splinter Cell: Conviction, but with more stealthy moves and faster action.

Splinter Cell: Blacklist is set to be released during spring in 2013.