As TVG previously predicted back in June, the full name for Sam Fisher’s next title will indeed be Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory.

The game is scheduled for release on Xbox and PC for Christmas 2004, whilst *other* versions will follow in Q1 2005 – including an N-Gage version.

Set in the year 2008, the world is under threat from cyber-terrorism; blackouts are knocking cities offline, the stock exchange is sabotaged and national defence systems hijacked. To prevent these attacks, Sam Fisher must infiltrate deep into hostile territory and aggressively collect critical intelligence, closer then ever to enemy soldiers.

Now that the series is back at Ubisoft Montreal after Pandora Tomorrow was created at Ubisoft’s Bangkok Studio, we’re promised that the talented team will revolutionize what we come to expect from the stealth/action genre.

Among the improvements set to feature within Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory are improved close-range combat such as inverted neck break manoeuvres and deadly knife attacks, a “totally” open level design, enhanced interaction with the environment and vastly superior AI; whilst Ubisoft Montreal are boastful about offering the best graphics seen on this current generation.

Fans will be glad to know that multiplayer will once again feature, although more emphasis will be placed on interactions between players and being able to assist one another.

"We're thrilled to deliver Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Chaos TheoryTM, to both PC and Xbox gamers in time for Christmas! This is the latest, greatest installment of the award winning Splinter Cell franchise which has already been huge hits on all platforms" said Florence Alibert, marketing director for Ubisoft EMEA. "We are very confident that Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Chaos TheoryTM will be one of the most anticipated games of the year thanks to an amazingly innovative single player adventure and a revolutionary cooperative multiplayer mode. No doubt that, with the unbeatable combination of Ubisoft's technological prowess and visionary creativity, it will be the best-looking game on any platform!"

We’ll have more on Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory along with a chat to the team at Ubisoft Montreal soon.