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Assassin's Creed 2 ships close to 9 million, Conviction sales reach 1.8 million
Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot was fairly pleased to report during today's investor's briefing that two of the company's biggest games of the past year have been flying both onto and off of store shelves at breakneck speeds. According to Guillemot, Assassin's Creed 2 has shipped nearly 9 million units during the fiscal year, while Splinter Cell: Conviction, which only just launched April 13, has hit 1.8 million in sales. Guillemot is banking on the continued sales of the latter title to increase Q1 revenues 75 percent year-over-year. We doubt the company will have any problem with that. Games which task the player with discreetly dispatching enemies are apparently in no danger of going out of style.
Splinter Cell: Conviction 'Insurgency Pack' coming May 27 for $10
Ubisoft took the first Splinter Cell: Conviction paid DLC, dubbed the "Insurgency Pack," out of hiding this morning, sticking it with a May 27 release date and a $10 (800) price tag for Xbox 360 and PC. Aside from 250 new Gamerscore points for you 'Cheevo seekers, the content includes four new maps playable across all of the Deniable Ops game modes. The DLC announcement says that the Insurgency Pack will span four unique new settings: "from the docks of San Francisco to a New Orleans cemetery, a prison in Portland to a hidden research complex in Salt Lake City." Presumably, this paid content won't disturb Ubisoft's plans to release free weekly content. Right, Ubi? %Gallery-93163%
Snag the Splinter Cell Xbox 360 Elite bundle for $325
We know how it is. You've had your eyes on the Splinter Cell Conviction Xbox 360 Elite bundle for weeks now. "I want it!," you say, "But it's so expensive." You're in luck, because it looks like Sam Fisher did some 'negotiating' with Dell and got the company to knock a full $75 off the price, making it a cool $324.99. It's worth noting that Dell seems to have the bundle details incorrect. The bundle includes two wireless controllers, not one, and a 250GB hard drive as opposed to a 120GB model. It also does not include an HDMI cable, an accessory Microsoft stopped bundling with Elites some time ago. If $325 is still a bit too steep, you can also grab the Xbox 360 Elite Spring bundle, which includes Halo 3: ODST, Forza Motorsport 3, one wireless controller and a 120GB hard drive for just $269 ($30 off the usual price). Act now and you'll still have time to get in on the Halo: Reach beta. Lest you haven't heard, it has jetpacks. [Via Destructoid]
April NPD: Sam Fisher's grim month
Apparently everybody was paying taxes last month instead of buying games, because despite analysts' expectations, sales for April were way down. As you can see below, sales dropped out on every single console that NPD tracked during April, with the Wii taking the biggest hit, down 50 percent from March. Hardware sales overall fell by 37 percent. Software sales didn't do any better -- Splinter Cell Conviction was a bright spot and Super Street Fighter IV just barely made the list (which you can find after the break), but otherwise it was all leftovers from March and previous months. NPD reports that last month's 11 percent industry drop-off was the "worst year-over-year decline...since July '09, and the fourth largest year-over-year percentage decline ever." The industry got rained on -- here's hoping April showers bring some May flowers. -DS: 441K260K (-37%) -Wii: 277K 281K (-50%) -360: 185K 153K (-45%) -PS3: 181K 133K (-42%) -PSP: 66K 54K (-44%) -PS2 sales are no longer being tracked by NPD -- goodbye, old friend. See the top 10 games after the break. (Note: Sales figures for the games ranked six through ten were withheld by NPD for unstated reasons.)
Alpha Protocol trailer demonstrates Michael Thorton's sweet karate skills
When we last saw Alpha Protocol, protagonist Michael Thorton was being formally introduced. Now, just two days later, he's pulverizing and/or murdering everything in his sight. The latest trailer, as you might have guessed, features Thorton in a variety of combat scenarios, showing off some Splinter Cell: Conviction-esque pistol takedowns and American Ninja-esque karate moves. Immediately after watching the clip, we felt inclined to alert Mr. Thorton to one very important protip when engaging in hand-to-hand combat: leaping through the air at someone only to introduce your knee to their face is not the most effective way to start a fight. Just a thought! At very least, you kids shouldn't try pulling that off at home. Maybe in Alpha Protocol when it releases on June 1, but not physically in your home.
This week's free Splinter Cell DLC is the FAMAS G2
It's Thursday, meaning your Splinter Cell: Conviction gun cabinet has magically produced a new something. Last week it was the Proximity Mine, and today it's the FAMAS G2, a new assault rifle designed to engage far-off targets (that you're too lazy to sneak up and around on). If you're behind on the "Project Trend Buck" initiative (read: free weekly Splinter Cell DLC), you'll need to head to the game's "Extras" menu to get the new items. Have fun shooting dudes in the face!
Xbox Live Top 20: Modern Warfare 2, After Burner Climax reign supreme
Microsoft's Major Nelson has released his weekly report of Xbox Live activity today, featuring Infinity Ward's Modern Warfare 2 and Sega's After Burner Climax in the top spot. With one last activity update to be released before the Halo: Reach beta, we anticipate an upcoming fight in Xbox Live list's top three. Bungie's 2010 release Halo 3 secured second place for the sixteenth week in a row with EA's Battlefield: Bad Company 2 closing out this week's three-hole. On the Xbox Live Arcade list, the collective biomass of classic arcade titles solidified Game Room in second place for a second week in a row while Capcom's Final Fight: Double Impact closing out the top three. Other notable highlights include Ubisoft's Splinter Cell: Conviction jumping from ninth spot to sixth and EA Sports' FIFA 10 overtaking Call of Duty: World at War for fourth spot. The full breakdown can be found at Major Nelson's blog.
Ubisoft holds top UK sales spot with Conviction
Despite sales for Splinter Cell: Conviction and Just Dance slipping 46 and 31 percent, respectively, the two Ubisoft titles maintained their dominant positions on the UK all-formats chart for a second week in a row. The top three didn't shift at all, as the PS3 and PC release of Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City last week helped to keep it in third. Wii Fit Plus stepped up a spot to work out at fourth, while Monster Hunter Tri was stuffed and mounted in fifth place. According to Chart-Track, Tri is the most successful launch the franchise has seen on the isles. The only other new title on the chart last week was Dead to Rights: Retribution, which broke and entered at No. 22. Check out the complete UK top 10 after the break. Source – Ubisoft are No1 and No2 for second week [GFK Chart-Track] Source – Latest UK Software Charts [GFK Chart-Track]
Final Fantasy XIII and Splinter Cell 360 Elite bundles $40 off at Amazon
Amazon has a pair of sweet deals for those in the market for an Xbox 360 console. Both the Final Fantasy XIII Elite bundle and Splinter Cell: Conviction Elite bundle are $40 off, down to a much more palatable $359.99. That's almost like getting the bundled game for free -- not to mention the value of a bigger, beefier 250gb hard drive and an extra controller. [Via Cheap College Gamers] Source - Splinter Cell bundle Source - Final Fantasy XIII bundle
Ubisoft 'always on' DRM hated, hacked - circle of life continues
Ah, the circle of life. Here's how it works: Game developers claim they've created some sort of unbreakable DRM that will lock pirates out, and then the pirates break their way in, leading to even more repressive forms of DRM. The snake has eaten its own tail once again, as Ubisoft's "Online Services Network" – also known as the obnoxious "always on" DRM that's already caused problems for paying customers – has reportedly been hacked. The hack, by a group named Skid Row allows users to circumvent the DRM entirely and play the affected games without connecting to Ubisoft's authentication servers. In a statement attached to the crack's release, Skid Row proclaims that their crack "can't be compared" to other ways of hacking the games (which include having the software check in with an unofficial server), and that Ubisoft should "next time focus on the game and not on the DRM. It was probably horrible for all legit users. We just make their lifes [sic] easier." This crack is specifically for Assassin's Creed II but if the method works, it could theoretically be tweaked to include all of the games protected in this manner, including the upcoming Splinter Cell: Conviction. And thus, the circle, the circle of life continues on.
Ubisoft getting greener by ditching paper manuals
Ubisoft will cease including paper instruction manuals inside its Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 boxed games, starting with this holiday's Shaun White Skateboarding (as revealed in an announcement that quietly confirms the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of Shaun White Skateboarding). In place of a paper manual, a digital manual will be provided and accessible in-game. Digital manuals are often more convenient than paper ones (except if you're trying to read one on your way back from the store) and are already becoming commonplace with the proliferation of downloadable games. Plus, we're not exactly going to lament the loss of the no-frills, black-and-white manuals most games include nowadays. But how does Shaun White feel about it? "It's pretty cool that Ubisoft is making a conscious effort to go green with its new video game packaging," White said in a canned statement. "I'm excited for my new skateboarding game to come out and stoked that it will be the very first Ubisoft game to be part of their green packaging initiatives." In addition to saving money for Ubisoft, scaling back on paper manuals -- no plans to extend the initiative to Wii, DS or PSP games were announced -- is part of an environmentally-conscious program from the publisher that also introduces a new recycled "ecoTech" case for PC games packaging. Splinter Cell: Conviction will be the publisher's first PC game to sport the new box when it arrives at retailers next week.
New Zealand police respond to Splinter Cell stunt involving 'gun'
A Splinter Cell: Conviction marketing stunt went a bit too far in Auckland, New Zealand. According to the New Zealand Herald, a man with bandages on his hands pointed a fake gun at the patrons of a bar, who responded by diving under tables and calling the police. The money quote comes from Senior Sergeant Ben Offner, who said, "We consider these types of stunts to be very ill-advised and have real concerns a similar one may one day end in tragedy." Er, "ill-advised" would be putting it lightly. The company responsible for the stunt, The Monaco Corporation, claims it hired another marketing company to organize the promotion and didn't know a gun would be used. It apologized for the stunt, with a spokesperson stating it was "marketing gone wrong." So wrong, in fact, that the report refers to the game as "Splinter Cell: Evolution." The situation sounds a lot worse than it apparently was, as police only "cautioned" two men at the scene. [Via Kotaku]
Splinter Cell takes top UK sales spot with 'Conviction'
Just Dance will just have to wait for its turn back at the top of the UK all-formats sales chart, as Splinter Cell: Conviction has debonairly cut in this week. Although it may appear that the two Ubisoft published titles are in a sashay for supremacy, history has taught us that Just Dance will keep gyrating high above the charts long after Sam Fisher's latest adventure holds the bargain bin hostage. The PS3 and PC release of the faaaaa-bulous and leather-heavy Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City sent the title motoring up the charts to third. Battlefield: Bad Company 2 lost an M-COM station and slipped two spots to fourth, while Wii Fit Plus found the power to jump up one spot to round out the top five. Check out the complete UK top 10 after the break. Source – Ubisoft shows Conviction [GFK Chart-Track] Source – Latest UK Software Charts [GFK Chart-Track]
Splinter Cell dev defends Ubisoft's 'always on' DRM
Though public opinion is almost unanimously against Ubisoft's current DRM solution, which forces players to have a constant internet connection in order to play the PC versions of the company's games, Splinter Cell: Conviction creative director Max Béland recently voiced his support for the anti-piracy protocols. "We consider that protecting our PC games is vital to our business and will allow us to continue investing in the development of creative and innovative games on the PC platform," Béland explained in an interview with VG247. To Béland's credit, Ubisoft's new DRM scheme -- which Conviction will implement when its PC iteration hits store shelves April 27 -- has proven very effective at "protecting" the company's PC games. Seriously, we hear they're hard to get into. Like, really hard. Really, really hard. [Via Big Download]
Splinter Cell: Conviction's digital bonuses available for download
Ubisoft's chosen method for distributing the bonus materials in the Splinter Cell: Conviction collector's edition, didn't work out due to defective USB drives. Therefore, rather than hiding the bonuses inside a stealthy card-shaped disk, Ubisoft is taking the direct approach, allowing you to just download them yourself. Which means that those of you who bought the more expensive version saved $10 for the trouble of having to wait just a few days. Best of all, you don't even have to have the collector's edition to take part in this offer! Just click here. Now you're downloading screenshots, concept art, making-of video, and more! You're a collector! [Thanks, MLC!]
Splinter Cell and Forza gear on Avatar Marketplace
Getting tired of looking at the same old, boring Avatar? Of course you are, so why not dress him or her up in some fancy new duds? You're in luck, because two new batches of Avatar goodies have landed on Xbox Live Marketplace. First up, there's a new Splinter Cell: Conviction collection and yes, before you ask, Sam's trademark goggles are up for grabs. On the other side of the proverbial track is a new collection of Forza Motorsport 3 goodies. While there are plenty of items for sale, the only one you really need to know about is the RC car. Browse each collection via the links below. Source - Splinter Cell: Conviction Avatar apparel on Xbox.com Source - Forza Motorsport 3 Avatar apparel on Xbox.com
Metareview: Splinter Cell: Conviction
You've read our even-tempered, thought-provoking analysis of Sam Fisher's latest, slightly less stealthy exploits in Splinter Cell: Conviction, but say -- hypothetically -- you want to know what some of our game-adjudicating peers thought about the game. Overlooking your blatant infidelity, we'd be happy to provide you with a wide smattering of opinions. Let's just not make a habit of this, okay? GamePro (5/5): "While it might not be the back-to-basics game fans were expecting, Conviction is an outstanding title from top to bottom." IGN (93/100): "Despite a few questionable level design choices, Splinter Cell: Conviction is a great addition to the series. There's no way I could go back to a stealth game as it used to be; I've been converted." OXM (85/100): "Ultimately, of course, Conviction shouldn't be judged on what it isn't, but rather what it is - and whether that game is worth your $60. Quite frankly, we like classic Splinter Cell better, but this doesn't make Conviction a bad game." GiantBomb (4/5): "Splinter Cell: Conviction is the most accessible Splinter Cell game yet. It gives you the firepower to shoot your way out of your mistakes, but also makes the stealth side of things fun, rewarding, and significantly easier than just attempting to run around and shoot. Its only serious issue is that it doesn't feel especially substantial or replayable."
Splinter Cell: Conviction for $42 on eBay
Sam Fisher is a frugal guy. He doesn't like to waste anything. Why waste two whole bullets to execute a hapless goon when you only need one, right? In that same spirit, tipsters have informed us that Buy.com's eBay store has for Splinter Cell: Conviction priced to move at only $41.99. Oh, and that includes free shipping. That, ladies and gentlemen, is a deal worthy of Sam "Mr. Frugal" Fisher any day of the week. [Thanks, Pat and Sergey]
Joyswag: Splinter Cell: Conviction and assorted goodies
[Update: A winner has been chosen! Go check your email, maybe it's you!] Well, well, well, look who just snuck into Joystiq HQ's West Virginia Sub-Station. It's Sam Fisher with the Splinter Cell: Conviction Starter Kit, including the Xbox 360 game, the novelization and some related paraphernalia. Check out the video above to see me dissect the whole thing's innards. Now, want a chance to win it all? Sure, no problem. Just follow the simple rules for entry below and you could be Krav Maga-ing fools in no time. Leave a comment naming your favorite Splinter Cell gadget -- real or imagined. You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec). Limit 1 entry per person. This entry period ends at 3:00PM ET on Thursday, April 15. At that time, we'll randomly select 1 grand prize winner to receive the "Splinter Cell: Conviction Starter Kit" (ARV $70); check your emails! For a list of complete rules, click here. What is Joyswag? Since we don't keep the games and merchandise we receive for review or promotional purposes, it becomes "Joyswag," which is passed along to our readers. Please note that Joyswag may be in "used" condition. For more info on our policy, click here.
Free Splinter Cell: Conviction DLC weekly
Ubisoft has announced an ongoing DLC strategy for Splinter Cell: Conviction. Through an initiative we've dubbed "Project Trend Buck," starting now and following on a weekly basis, a new downloadable item will be released via Conviction's "Extras" menu for free each week for an unspecified time period. This week, it's the MP7A1 Machine Pistol (pictured above). Future content will include more weapons, character skins and even a new Deniable Ops multiplayer map. Additionally, through the built-in Uplay service, players can unlock tokens to spend on more free content for use in the game. Okay, Ubisoft, we forgive you now.
