Topic: Splinter Cell: Conviction

[Xessive]

This is what we all feared when the "Horse Armor" incident came around. It was a precursor to this sort of behaviour. Suddenly games are incomplete and you have to buy the bits at an added cost to make it whole again. Mission/expansion packs are going out of style in favour of petty DLC.

[MysterD]

Their justification is that the extra money they make from the CE is what allows them to have the resources to create the extra mode.

Obviously that's bullshit.

I hate all this nickel and dime b.s. that gaming has turned to.

Pug, if this shit keeps up, it's almost gotten to the point where I am thinking about just NOT buying a new game upon release anymore. I'll just possibly wait a year or so for them to say they're done w/ the DLC for this game and I'll likely buy the inevitable GOTY Edition that packages Original Game (all patched-up in a much better state) + ALL DLC in the box.

[iPPi]

Apparently, it is literally set in stone to be released on April 13, 2010

[MysterD]

Delayed again.
Pushed back to April.

[iPPi]

You're a month late on that info D.

[Xessive]

Haha that's odd of MyD

The relevance of the recent article is that explains why they had to delay to 13 April.

[W7RE]

Splinter Cell is getting a 250G Xbox Elite bundle too.

Same deal as MW2 and FFXIII: 250GB Xbox 360 Elite, 2 wireless controllers, standard edition of the game - $399.

[iPPi]

So apparently the campaign is pretty short... 5-7 hours long.

But, it appears there are a lot of extra game modes that are playable both alone and with another, including co-op story, co-op/solo terrorist hunt, co-op/solo horde/defend mode, competitive 1v1 with AI enemies on map, and Infiltration (which isn't explained).

[W7RE]

Some of the most fun I've ever had in multiplayer gaming was the terrorist hunt mode in Rainbow Six 3 for the Xbox. No objectives or story to clog shit down, just a bunch of bad guys to kill with a few friends. Also unlike horde modes, it didn't have that sense of panic and urgency, it was just a casual and fun gametype.

[iPPi]

Yea it should be really good.  Unfortunately it's only for 360, and I'm not sure I can justify a Gold subscription for one game.  We'll have to see.

[MysterD]

PC Requirements unveiled.
Yep, it will require The U-Play UbiSoft Online Only DRM.

Recommended specs:
Supported OS: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7
Processor: 1.8 GHz Intel Core2 Duo or 2.4 GHz AMD Athlon X2 64
RAM: 1.5 GB Windows XP / 2 GB Windows Vista, Windows 7
Video Card: 256 MB DirectX 9.0c–compliant video card (512 MB recommended) (see supported list*)
Sound Card: DirectX 9.0c–compliant sound card
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c
DVD-ROM: DVD-ROM drive
Hard Drive Space: 10 GB
Peripherals Supported: Mouse, keyboard, headset, 12-button gamepads with analog sticks
Internet Connection: Broadband Internet connection

*Supported Video Cards at Time of Release:
NVIDIA GeForce 7800 / 7900 / 8 / 9 / GTX series
ATI RADEON X1800 / X1900 / HD 2000 / HD 3000 / HD 4000 / HD 5000 series
Laptop versions of these cards may work but are NOT supported. These chipsets are the only ones that will run this game.

Note: A permanent high speed internet connection and creation of a Ubisoft account are required to play this video game at all times and to unlock exclusive content. Such content may only be unlocked one single time with a unique key. You must be at least 13 to create a Ubisoft account.

[W7RE]

I'm guessing U-Play is only required for the PC version? It was in Assassin's Creed 2, but it was just something you could just access from the menu system so you could spend your points.

[Cobra951]

I have decided I will no longer buy Ubisoft games new, on any platform.  I do want to play AC2 on the 360, so I will track down a used copy when the game gets cheaper.  I will try to make sure before buying that no proceeds from the used sale go to Ubisoft.

Needless to say, I will never buy the PC version of this Splinter Cell game, or any other Ubi release, even if I had a decent gaming PC.

[MysterD]

I'm guessing U-Play is only required for the PC version? It was in Assassin's Creed 2, but it was just something you could just access from the menu system so you could spend your points.

U-Play is a requirement and handles the DRM for the PC version, in which you must be online to play period.

[W7RE]

U-Play is a requirement and handles the DRM for the PC version, in which you must be online to play period.

Right but my question was, do I need to maintain an online connection to play the Xbox version? Probably not, but I was just curious.


Also, SC:C demo is out on Xbox Live. Probably Gold members only. They confirmed no demo will happen for PC.

When you melee someone down and gain the Mark and Execute "charges", you hear a panther sound and see scratch marks. It's a bit more stylized than that sounds, but you do hear a sound and see 3 lines over by the UI element that shows if you have the "charges".

[MysterD]

Right but my question was, do I need to maintain an online connection to play the Xbox version? Probably not, but I was just curious.

Don't quote me on this - but, I don't think so.

Also, SC:C demo is out on Xbox Live. Probably Gold members only. They confirmed no demo will happen for PC.

Bleh.

[W7RE]

Panther claw here, at 4:13. Sort of cheesy, not sure why they went with that. (YouTube link)

Demo seemed pretty decent, but I'm not without complaints. The first time I killed someone, I tried to pick up the body. Either you can't, or I just didn't find the right button. And guards do notice dead bodies. The enemies seem to be setup for Mark & Execute. You'll have one enemy off to the side that you can melee down unnoticed, then 2 or 3 you need M&E to take care of. It makes the game feel specifically setup for that mechanic. Also I noticed at one point I passed a checkpoint and all the guards were alerted. I was not in the open, there were no living guards anywhere near me, the game just alerted them because that's what's supposed to happen at that part of the game. Though I was able to sneak around the alerted guys, it was still annoying that I did everything right, and they still found me out. If I'm going after a specific target, I'd like to be able to get to him/her and kill them without anyone else knowing I'm even there.

Anyway, it's got some cool stuff, and it'll be nice to jump back into the SC series with some fresh ideas and graphics. I'm gonna play around with the demo more when I get the chance and see just what you can and cannot do.

[iPPi]

I took a look at the collector's edition of the game and I'm kind of tempted to preorder it.  The Future Shop here also some more exclusive goodies if you preorder it there too -- a headlamp, a case, an illuminated coaster, and a code for the SC3000 gun in game.  That goes along with the CE that has the custom USB card, 2 in game items, steelcase, comic, and art book.  Plus, there's another $5 preorder incentive too.  So it comes down to $75. 

Somewhat tempting but I've been spending quite a bit on games lately so I think I might not get this just yet.  We'll have to see.

[Pugnate]

haha for some reason I was expecting to hear a panther growl or something. That wasn't so bad.

[Xessive]

God, this is going to be a challenge for me. I crave Splinter Cell stealth action but I abhor Ubi's new DRM.

That's like God offering me my ideal woman then adding "... but she's HIV positive." FAAACCK!!!

[Cobra951]

Doing the right thing is often more difficult.  Stand up and be counted!

[Pugnate]

F it, I am buying this.

[MysterD]

F it, I am buying this.

PC or 360?

[Pugnate]

PC baby.

[MysterD]

PC baby.

Even w/ the annoying online-only DRM?
You're a trooper, Pug....

[Pugnate]

[iPPi]

Played the demo for a bit today.  It's very, very different than the traditional Splinter Cell games.  I'm also not completely sold on a couple of the game's core concepts.  The mark and execute is a cool feature and to prevent its use on a regular basis you have to 'recharge' the ability by taking someone down using hand to hand combat.  It just seems a little overpowered and makes the game easier.  To compensate it seems that you get lots more enemies around.

Another thing I don't like too much is the black and white feature that indicates you're in the dark.  Drowning out all the color just makes it harder to see shit.

It's also lacking some polish -- the game doesn't look particularly great and some animations are kind of awkward.

I don't know if I'll be getting it at launch... will have to play the demo a couple more times to decide.  It's also the first time I've played a Splinter Cell game on a console.  I've played the last four on the PC and it just seems the controls are fairly complicated this time around.  The controls feel quite clunky on the console and will take some time to get used to them. 

[Pugnate]

Is it true that you don't/can't hide bodies anymore? I found that shocking.

[W7RE]

Is it true that you don't/can't hide bodies anymore? I found that shocking.

Well, I pressed a bunch of random buttons and couldn't figure out a way to do it. I also checked the control mapping in the settings menu and saw nothing about picking up bodies. I also specifically noticed guards reacting to bodies, so wether or not you can hide bodies definitely has at least some impact on gameplay. I'm not sure if a guard would go alert though, since the guard I was watching was already looking for me. He saw the body, said "oh shit", and kept looking in that area. What would he have done if the guy had just been missing?

[MysterD]

C'mon, Ubisoft - get your shit together, will ya?

Splinter Cell: Conviction Limited Edition Shipping with Defective USB Drives
Price lowered to alleviate frustration, replacement program may be coming.
By Frank Cifaldi, 04/09/2010

Some Splinter Cell: Conviction Special Edition packages may ship with a faulty USB flash drive, according to Ubisoft.

Speaking to 1UP today, an Ubisoft representative relayed that some of the drives shipping next week are "likely" to be defective, and that the company is working on a solution for customers who may receive the faulty units.

To help alleviate frustration, Ubisoft also confirmed an immediate price drop of the Special Edition, from a suggested retail price of $79.99 to $69.99.

The publisher plans to post a notice at the official Splinter Cell site with information for those who receive a faulty drive. At press time this was all the information available to us.

[iPPi]

IGN gives it a 9.3 with a pretty glowing review

Given the game's short length though, I'm still quite undecided on picking it up at launch, especially since I've got a whole bunch of games that I need to finish up first.  I think I will wait.

[MysterD]

IGN gives it a 9.3 with a pretty glowing review

Given the game's short length though, I'm still quite undecided on picking it up at launch, especially since I've got a whole bunch of games that I need to finish up first.  I think I will wait.

IGN Video review says SP is around 5 hours.

[Cobra951]

Which means I won't even consider a used copy of this game.  (Ubisoft, remember?)

[Pugnate]

5 hours? Screw that. Sorry that's just too fucking short. Inexcusable. I bet it is because they had to scrap everything and restart development.

[Xessive]

Supposedly the co-op compensates for the meager SP campaign.

Still, for a 5-hr SP I'd expect the starting to be no more than $50, with a drop to $30 after the launch grace period.

[MysterD]

Supposedly the co-op compensates for the meager SP campaign.

Still, for a 5-hr SP I'd expect the starting to be no more than $50, with a drop to $30 after the launch grace period.

According to IGN's Hillary whatever-his-name-is - the Co-Op Campaign can be played without a player or with a player...

So, is the Co-Op a totally different story/campaign?

EDIT:
Actually, Page 2 of Hillary Goldstien's review talks about Co-Op.
Co-Op is a separate story entirely AND a prequel to Conviction's Main SP Campaign.
There's 4 environments to get through, in that prequel.
Who knows how long or short those environments are.

[iPPi]

I think the co-op campaign is about 3 hours in length.  Then there's terrorist hunt, horde mode, and competitive MP.

Everything is basically very short, but there are a lot of options.  That said, I cannot justify paying full price for a game that is lacking so much SP content.

[Pugnate]

It is sad that this seems like the first Splinter Cell I'll be going for on the console.

The coop may be quite nice, but really, will they have it on PC? (I mean split-screen... it doesn't count on LAN if it means buying multiple copies).

[MysterD]

It is sad that this seems like the first Splinter Cell I'll be going for on the console.

The coop may be quite nice, but really, will they have it on PC? (I mean split-screen... it doesn't count on LAN if it means buying multiple copies).

They better put Co-Op Portion in on the PC version - even if at the very worst, we can ONLY play it Solo with AI (which console versions do support). That's better than just not having it at all.
 
Though, they really should add at least some support for Co-Op Portion Online through their servers and/or LAN.

About having two controllers and/or two KB/mouse set-ups for ONE PC - I'd be cool w/ that. Hell, allow us to run Split Screen OR the option to run TWO monitors (instead of Split Screen) - that'd be awesome.

[MysterD]

GameSpot Review
8.0 for X360.
Kevin Van Ord reviewed it.

Kevin's complaints:
short single-player (6-7 hours); the game's much easier now; stripped-down stealth elements (no body hiding/dragging; no lockpicking).

Video Review - Hi Def.
Video Review - Standard Def.
Written Review.