The Splinter Cell series has lay dormant since 2013’s Blacklist: Aftermath. However, the original Tom Clancy inspired stealth/action game is now getting the full remake treatment.
The first Splinter Cell was part of the iconic and influential wave of titles that redefined action video games in the early 2000s by adding stealth mechanics to the mix. Alongside the Metal Gear Solid and Hitman series, it ushered in a new paradigm that made classic shooters appear dated and stale in comparison.
Fast-forward to the present day and the series is in need of innovation almost as badly as the genre it helped change previously did. As Matt West, a producer working on the the remake, identified “The gaming public now has an even more refined palate.”
What this means is that if a Splinter Cell remake is to have anything close to the impact of the original then it is going to need to bring more to the table than technological improvements. Thankfully, the team at Ubisoft Toronto appear to know this, and that is exactly why they have gone with a Splinter Cell remake over a less resource intensive remaster.
The assigned studio most recently worked on the open-world shooter Far Cry 6, leading some fans to fear the new game will lose some of the original’s unique tone and feel; the last thing Splinter Cell needs is a ridiculous cock-fighting mini game.
Third Echelon stand by….
A Splinter Cell remake is underway at @UbisoftToronto. Learn more about the project and how you could join the team:https://t.co/XOeGAfS7ac pic.twitter.com/9gqZEJ9OyJ
— Ubisoft (@Ubisoft) December 15, 2021
West assured fans that the team at Ubisoft Toronto are treating the game with the utmost respect, and are looking forward to working on a game with a tighter focus:
“…what I love about a Splinter Cell map is every square inch represents intentionality. Every square inch is part of a choice, or directly offers a choice, or has a direct ramification. That density of gameplay is at the forefront in Splinter Cell, and that’s going to be really, really important for us.”
And if that isn’t reassuring enough for you, perhaps the development team’s unofficial tagline will alleviate some of your anxiety: “respect the goggles“.
There is currently no release date for the Splinter Cell remake.
