Fans have been campaigning to see the return of Sam Fisher and theSplinter Cellfranchise for years, though it has largely fallen on deaf ears. While Sam Fisher has made appearances in other Ubisoft titles since the release of 2013’sSplinter Cell: Blacklist, many have been frustrated that the character has not appeared in his own title in over eight years.
Thankfully, news broke earlier this week that indicated Ubisoft hasgreenlit a brand-newTom Clancy’s Splinter Cellgame, which could be a true return to form for Sam Fisher. However it comes during a particularly tumultuous time for Ubisoft, both due to ongoing concerns with harassment at the company and because some fans are growing tired of the studio’s repetitive output. If Ubisoft truly hopes to win back longtime fans with this newSplinter Celltitle, it needs to change its direction moving forward.
RELATED:It Has Been Nearly 3000 Days Since the Last Splinter Cell Game Released
The Ubisoft Formula
WhenTom Clancy’s Splinter Celldebuted in 2002, Ubisoft was very different from the publisher fans know today. TheTom Clancy’s Ghost ReconandRainbow Sixfranchises were the publisher’s first major successes in the United States after they acquired the rights to the IP by purchasing developer Red Storm Entertainment. This was also a time where Ubisoft’s titles were more niche and relied less on continued support from players, such asBeyond Good and EvilandPrince of Persia: The Sands of Time.
All of this is to say theSplinter Cellseries is noteworthy for coming during a particularly creative time for Ubisoft. Before the publisher set its sights on chasing trends, it was managing to release titles that resonated with audiences due to their uniqueness among other AAA game releases. This is a major element of Ubisoft’s development that has seemingly taken a back seat. In the past two years the publisher released titles likeGhost Recon: BreakpointandHyper Scape, and it is working onthe highly controversialTom Clancy’s X-Defiant. All of these titles were met with negative feedback from fans and critics for their trend-chasing natures.
A major fear fans have regarding this rumored newSplinter Cellgame is that it will beanother victim of Ubisoft’s games-as-a-service model. Even largely single-player games likeAssassin’s Creed: ValhallaandFar Cry 6have been criticized for advertising DLC long before they were available, leading some to speculate that the publisher goes out of its way to withhold content for later paid DLC. Given it’s something fans have wanted for years,Splinter Celldeserves better, and Ubisoft should avoid pulling any of these practices with the next game in the series.
RELATED:10 Dead Game Franchises That Should Come Back
The Legacy of Splinter Cell
Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cellis one of Ubisoft’s most iconic franchises, and the publisher clearly recognizes this given Sam Fisher’s many appearances in titles such asRainbow Six: Seige,Ghost Recon: Breakpoint, and the mobile titleElite Squad. On top of this, the franchise is set to receive an animated series on Netflix and a VR spin-off in the near future. Given it’s clear that Ubisoft acknowledges the demand for a newSplinter Cell, the publisher needs to deliver on givingfans the next true adventure for Sam Fisher.
Splinter Cell: Blacklistwas a somewhat divisive title given longtime Sam Fisher voice actor Michael Ironside was unable to return, but after recovering from a battle with cancer he returned inGhost Recon: Wildlands. Given he also returned to portraythe older Sam Fisher seen inRainbow Six: Seigelast year, one can assume Ironside will return to portray Sam in a new title. However, if this isn’t the case, the game still has an oppertunity to deliver a memorable experience. Ironside’s portrayal of Fisher is iconic and he is irreplaceable, but perhaps the next game could be framed as an older Sam’s final mission alaUncharted 4: A Thief’s End.
Regardless, there is a ton of potential in the nextSplinter Celltitle, and Ubisoft should understand fans' demands giventhe continued relevance of Sam Fisher and the series. Here’s hoping the publisher comes through with a true return that respects the series' best qualities.
