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Splinter Cell Preview

Chris Leyton

00/12/0000

Splinter Cell features gun, gadgets and an explosive story FROM Tom Clancy, what more could you ask for???

One of the few highlights from last weeks ECTS was seeing the first demonstration of Splinter Cell running on a PC behind closed doors. Yes the impressive looking Xbox title is heading to the PC, and once again the lead developer from Ubisoft Montreal, Gregoire Gobbi, assured us thatâs itâs also heading to all formats (including GameCube) much to the publishers seemingly surprise.

TVG has covered Splinter Cell considerably in the past, so thereâs no real need to repeat the same information. Those who donât know too much about the game would be advised to check out our previous coverage on the Splinter Cell Index Page.

Running the same one level demo that was running outside on the Xbox, Splinter Cell is looking very impressive and only a few weeks away from the Xbox code, so we should see both versions released before Christmas. The PC version benefited from a higher resolution, and so sported the crisper textures that PC titles are renown for. Built upon the Unreal engine, the games impressive lighting and shadow effects are already in place and looking good. Objects all create shadows, including self-shadowing on all other objects, so as Sam Fisher ran underneath a tree it all created true shadows upon him, whilst birds overhead all created moving shadows on the landscape. It doesnât sound like a major thing until you see it, and realise that shadows play an integral part to the game, itâs all about creating areas of darkness for you to hide in.

Perhaps the biggest revelation was that all of this would be able to run on a GeForce 2. The clever guys at Ubisoft Montreal are performing some very clever software effects to ensure it runs, however youâd be hard pressed to notice the difference between GeForce 2 and GeForce 4 equipped versions.

The control system uses the familiar Max Payne set-up, i.e. First-Person-Shooter controls within a third-person perspective. This allows for a greater movement of the camera, ideal for a game of this nature.

Taking the opportunity to show off the games impressive use of gadgets, Gobbi seemed to have genuine enjoyment switching over to Night Vision and showing us how to use the Sticky-Cam. Firstly Fisherâs headset uses three different visors, each playing a vital use within the game. The Thermal-Vision visor allows you to view heat sources, ideal for scouting out areas before you enter them. The neat touch here is that all objects have a heat value, so youâll see the central heating pipes and colours slowly changing from red to blue on a recently deceased character. Switching over to night vision results in a pixellated greyscale image that gives greater contrast in dark areas, believe me when I say youâre going to need it.

Gobbi then showed us the variety of gadgets used in the game, first up was the infamous Sticky Cam. Shooting this allows you to view the scene from a remote camera position, again ideal for scouting out areas. The camera allowed you limited movement and the ability to zoom in and out to pick out the finer details, whilst you could also attach either of the visors to view the scene in Night Vision of Thermal Vision. A deviation of this gadget allowed you to alert the guards attention by making a noise, when they came up to inspect it the camera shot out a spurt of poisonous gas killing the guard remotely!!!

The Fibre-Optics camera allows you to scope out a room before you go in by sliding it under the door, this showed off the attention to detail that Ubisoft are putting into the game, rather then just being able to move it, it revolved on a point as it would in real life.