Splinter Cell
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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
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]
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.
Video: Splinter Cell: Conviction freezing glitch and workaround [update]
Update: Both Xbox Support and an Ubisoft representative have confirmed the issue has been resolved. Happy badassing! Original: If you've played beyond the first mission of Splinter Cell: Conviction while connected to Xbox Live, you've likely run into a freezing glitch. A few minutes into the single-player campaign's second mission, the game just locks up -- but there's hope! Thanks to a pretty comprehensive thread on the Ubisoft Forums, a temporary workaround has been discovered, which requires clearing the system hard drive cache and logging out of Xbox Live. "I assure you everyone is hard at work to resolve the issue," posted an Ubisoft technical support representative, who could not confirm when players can expect an official patch. Check out the glitch and workaround in action above.
Splinter Cell Activity Book sees Sam through rose-colored goggles
As enlightened parents of the 10s, we make an attempt to expose our many children to violence at every opportunity as part of a revolutionary new parenting style we call "Not Paying Very Close Attention." Not all parents are as liberated as us though, so it's nice to know that their children too can enjoy this week's big release Splinter Cell: Conviction with IGN's Splinter Cell Activity Book. We're sure your mild-mannered children will just adore the "Night Vision Crossword Puzzle" and "SpyLibs" -- just warn them not to get so absorbed in them that they accidentally bump into our kids. It's ... it's hard for us to predict how they'll react.
Midnight openings for Splinter Cell: Conviction at GameStop
With Splinter Cell: Conviction set to hit shelves on Tuesday, you might be tempted to do your best Sam Fisher impression and sneak into your favorite retailer early. Before you get arrested for B&E, we suggest you direct your attention to GameStop, where you can just walk right in at midnight on Monday, April 12 (which, yes, is technically 12:00am Tuesday). That's right, GameStop locations across the US will be hosting midnight launch events for the game, saving you the hassle of legal proceedings and a potential prison sentence. You can find out if your local GameStop is participating by visiting this page. If you plan on going, you might as well pre-order and bag yourself a virtual shotgun while you're at it. And, seriously, stop breaking into places. It's not cool.
Splinter Cell: Conviction CE drops $10 in price due to faulty USB drives
click to revenge-size Did you order the collector's edition of Splinter Cell: Conviction yet? A Ubisoft representative informed us late tonight that the official price of the CE will be dropping $10, from $79.99 to $69.99. The reasoning behind the price drop is the possibility of faulty USB drives, included with the package. The publisher recently noticed that some of the USB drives didn't work, and is offering a compensatory price drop before the game's official release on April 13th. None of the other content included in the CE has been affected, such as the comic book, art book, and bonus DLC. However, the bonus content included on the USB drive may be inaccessible in some copies. The bonuses, which include art and a behind the scenes video, will be distributed in a new manner, to be announced on the Ubisoft site after the game's launch. The Ubisoft representative wanted to emphasize that the game is not affected in any way. Good thing, too -- we don't think we could handle yet another delay. Considering most retailers do not require full payment of pre-orders, the new price should go into effect when you pick up your copy. Make sure you contact your retailer before the game's launch if your final price doesn't reflect this $10 discount.
Splinter Cell PC delay attributed to polish, not DRM
The PC version of Splinter Cell: Conviction will arrive on April 27, two weeks after the Xbox 360 version. You might have assumed that the extra time was required to implement Ubisoft's over protective DRM, which requires a constant internet connection to play a game, but according to Ubisoft, that's not the case. "The reason that has been given for the delay is that the extra time was need to polish and debug the game," a Ubisoft rep told Eurogamer. "The slip has not been linked to the DRM." While the DRM isn't the reason you'll be waiting to play the PC version of Splinter Cell: Conviction for most of April, it could very well be the reason you won't be able to play the game once it's been released.
Splinter Cell launch trailer: Sam's gonna cut you down
By now, it should be apparent that Sam Fisher is no one to be trifled with. We've watched him slamming heads against toilets and executing hapless henchmen for some time now, but maybe there are still a few people out there that don't quite get it. Obviously aware of this problem, Ubisoft has released a launch trailer for Splinter Cell: Conviction that should make things perfectly clear. With a little help from Johnny Cash, the trailer pretty much spells it out: Mess with Sam Fisher and, sooner or later, he will cut you down. Watch the trailer. Watch, and wait.
Ubisoft on making Splinter Cell for a broader audience
Speaking to IndustryGamers, Splinter Cell: Conviction creative director Max Beland shared his thoughts on the new direction of the Splinter Cell series. According to Beland, the team at Ubisoft Montreal spent a lot of time looking at previous games in the series to decide what its core values are. Beland said that the series does a good job of providing the "fantasy" of Sam Fisher, but that the difficulty was turning off some players. "What was coming up all the time was, 'Man, that game's hard. I played the first map and I stopped. It was too difficult,'" said Beland. He admitted that sales of the Splinter Cell series declined from the first game to the fourth. Thus, the team decided to focus on the values of Splinter Cell -- stealth, light vs. shadow, etc -- and look at them in a different way. "If you're the best elite agent in the world, if you're Sam Fisher," asked Beland, "why do you have to hang off a ledge and move at one centimeter per minute?" He added that the team wanted Sam Fisher "to be a predator, not a grandmother." This concept led to concepts like the Mark and Execute feature, giving players the feeling that they really are an elite agent. According to Beland, such changes to Splinter Cell are part of the delicate balancing act in which the game industry is currently engaged. "We need to stop making games that are super hardcore," said Beland, "But we're afraid because we don't want to lose the hardcore people!" He added that "it's a real challenge" to make a game that is both accessible to the casual audience but still appealing to the hardcore. The full interview also discusses Beland"s opinions of Natal, the fate of the Splinter Cell movie -- he says it's not in production -- and the maturing of the video game industry.
Splinter Cell: Conviction goes gold, new trailer sneaks into view
It's offical: Splinter Cell: Conviction is complete. Accompanying Ubisoft's long-awaited announcement is the above video, which adds to the Badass: The Game hype train and gives us another look at the aesthetics and design of Sam Fisher's return. We'll be able to gauge how successful the game's projected, environmentally depicted mission objectives and flashbacks are when the game releases on April 13. (Remember: the PC version comes out two weeks after that).
Splinter Cell: Conviction only $46.99 at Amazon ... with the right code
Here's a deal that Sam Fisher would come out of hiding for: Amazon is offering pre-orders of Splinter Cell: Conviction for Xbox 360 at the low price of $46.99 for the standard edition. All you need to do in order to get the discount is enter the code SPLINTER at checkout and $5 will be deducted from your total (the retailer is selling the game at an already-discounted $51.99 to begin with). Additionally, the coupon code also works on the PC version, if that's how you like to roll. If you liked the recently-released demo and are looking to get your hands dirty with the full-version, it's the best deal we've seen yet. Yes, it might seem a little too easy, but we have Third Echelon's assurance that this isn't some sort of elaborate trap. (The "security device" enclosed? Totally not a tracking beacon.) [Via Gamerdeals]
Splinter Cell: Conviction PC sneaks out two weeks after 360 version
It would appear that the rock Ubisoft sent out to press may have been a little short on the specifics for all versions of Splinter Cell: Conviction, considering the publisher today confirmed a two-week delay for the PC version. BigDownload spotted an Amazon listing and followed up with Ubi, who confirmed the new release date of April 27. As seen above, both versions of the game were previously confirmed for release on April 13. We might normally say, "Hey, at least you PC gamers can enjoy the demo in the meantime!" but it appears that a PC demo won't be coming. So, um, maybe you should pick up a good book? And hey, how about that local sports team? Did you read that book about the local sports team?
Splinter Cell: Conviction event at several GameStops on April 1
Splinter Cell: Conviction is having a little premiere on April 1 at ten GameStops across the US -- no, this is not an April Fool's joke; we made sure. Before the game hits stores (and the head ... and heads) on April 13, a premiere event will take place in Los Angeles on the high holy joking day. GameStop will concurrently host "first-to-play co-op demo events" at select stores. The LA event will take place at the Les Deux Nightclub in Hollywood. First-to-play sessions will occur between 2-6PM, prior to the "celebrity red carpet premiere" at 8PM. The event will feature the "Search for Sam Fisher" live interactive game, in which 15 attendees (21+) who attend the co-op event earlier in the day will be invited to participate. Grand prize is an "Xbox 360 Splinter Cell Conviction Special Edition Bundle and a library of Ubisoft Xbox 360 games." The non-LA co-op demo events will be held from 9PM until midnight in Boston, Orlando, New York City (two locations), Denver, Chicago, San Francisco, San Jose, Dallas and New Jersey. Specific locations will be listed on GameStop's website or at SplinterCell.com. The first 100 attendees at each location receive a "free Splinter Cell Conviction beanie." Honestly, we have no idea what to say to that.
Dissecting the Splinter Cell: Conviction demo
Now that the Xbox 360-exclusive demo for Splinter Cell: Conviction is available, we thought it appropriate to walk readers through the experience in a lengthy video packed with essential Sam Fisher intel. If you're wondering how Conviction ties to other games in the series or have an interest in hearing the changes made to portions of the demo from our previous hands-on experiences, this is the video to watch. Also, if you're stuck at work and can't play the demo for yourself, watching this video walkthrough might help fill that void and pass the time until you can go on your own gunslingin' adventures with America's most wanted secret agent. Shortcut: Queue-up the Splinter Cell Conviction Demo (Xbox 360)
Splinter Cell Conviction demo drops March 18
Last week, we brought you the incredibly exciting news that a Splinter Cell: Conviction demo was confirmed for release on Xbox Live. That thrilling news just got too awesome to bear: the demo will be out this week. March 18, in fact, according to a new Inside Xbox video. If you're not worried about spoiling the demo for yourself (which, we suppose, would lead to spoiling a very tiny portion of the game by extension), you can see some of the gameplay the demo covers in the video. Or you can wait until you get to put yourself into Sam's goggles for yourself. Oh, did we say Sam's in it? And that there would be goggles? Whoops, spoilers! [Thanks, Daniel!]
