TOM CLANCY’S GHOST RECON® 2: UBISOFT DEVELOPING TWO COMPLETELY DIFFERENT GAMES FOR Xbox™ AND PLAYSTATION®2
London, UK 31st Aug 2004 - Ubisoft, one of the world's largest videogame publishers, today announced that it will release two different versions of Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon® 2 for Holiday 2004 - one for the XboxTM video game system from Microsoft and one for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. The PC version is now scheduled to launch in early 2005 in order to once again deliver ground-breaking innovation to the PC audience; more exciting details will follow. One of the most successful game franchises to date, Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon® titles have sold more than 4.5 million copies worldwide, and the first Ghost Recon® remains one of the most successful Xbox LiveTM games of all time.
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon® 2 for PlayStation® 2 will be a completely different game from the XboxTM version, and the first title in the Tom Clancy franchise built exclusively from the ground up for PlayStation® 2. Ubisoft's Shanghai studio (creators of Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell® for PlayStation® 2) is developing the PlayStation® 2 game, while its Red Storm Entertainment development studio continues to focus on the XboxTM and PC versions. Ghost Recon® 2 for PlayStation® 2 occurs four years before - and acts as a prequel to - the XboxTM version. The game will be built on the Unreal engine (as opposed to the proprietary Ghost Recon® engine used by Red Storm Entertainment) and will also use Havok physics, a rarity in PlayStation® 2 games. Ghost Recon® 2 for PlayStation® 2 will also feature completely unique special effects, cinematic sequences, supporting characters, and online modes.
"Ghost Recon® benefits from some of the most committed fans in the industry. We're grateful for that and we're showing them some love by developing two different games for XboxTM and PlayStation® 2 this holiday season," said Florence Alibert, marketing director for Ubisoft EMEA. "Whatever the platform, Ghost Recon® 2 will immerse gamer in the chaos of modern war, whether in single player or in multiplayer. Where the original Ghost Recon®'s featured award-winning multiplayer levels, its sequel will be second to none."
About Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon® 2 for Next-Generation Consoles
Both console versions of Ghost Recon® 2 are set in North Korea - the PlayStation® 2 version in the year 2007, and the XboxTM version in the year 2011 - and will offer gamers an insider's view of the way large-scale conflicts will be fought in the near future. Ghost Recon® 2 will continue the tradition of intensity and realism associated with Ubisoft's Tom Clancy brand, with an emotionally charged storyline, a completely redesigned graphics engine and the most intuitive gameplay to date, to fully immerse gamers into the chaos of a high tech war. The game will offer white-knuckle tension and explosive action as it puts players in command of an elite squad of U.S. Special Forces. In addition, the top-notch multiplayer action that gamers expect from Ubisoft will once again place Ghost Recon® 2 at the top of online console and PC gaming and will make Ghost Recon® 2 a must-have for all online gaming fans.
® 2004 Red Storm Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. Ghost Recon, the Soldier Icon, Ubisoft, and the Ubisoft logo are trademarks of Ubisoft Entertainment in the U.S. and/or other countries. Red Storm and the Red Storm logo are trademarks of Red Storm Entertainment in the U.S. and/or other countries. Red Storm Entertainment, Inc. is a Ubisoft Entertainment company. "PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Online play requires internet connection, Network Adaptor (for PlayStation 2) and Memory Card (8MB) (for PlayStation 2) (each sold separately). The Online icon is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox Live, the Live logo, and the Xbox Logos are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or in other countries and are used under license from Microsoft.
About Ubisoft:
Ubisoft is an international producer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment products. A leading company in the multimedia industry, Ubisoft's strong and diversified lineup has grown considerably, as has Ubisoft itself. As well as steadfastly continuing to partner with several high-profile companies, Ubisoft has also confirmed its presence on the global market by developing its own exceptional properties. Founded in 1986 in France, Ubisoft is now present on every continent, both through offices in 21 different countries including the United States, Morocco, Germany and China and through sales of products in over 50 countries. The group is dedicated to delivering high-quality, cutting-edge video game titles to consumers around the world. Ubisoft generated a turnover of 508 million euros for the 2003/2004 fiscal year, up 22.5% at constant exchange rate over the previous fiscal year. To learn more, visit www.ubi.com.
About Tom Clancy
With over 80 million books sold, Tom Clancy is arguably the world's most recognized author. His works include fiction such as The Hunt for Red October, Clear and Present Danger, The Sum of All Fears, Rainbow Six, and the recently released The Teeth of the Tiger. Clancy also writes nonfiction works about weapons and various military units. Four of his books have already been adapted into highly successful feature films.
About Xbox
Xbox (http://www.xbox.com) is the video game system from Microsoft that brings people together for the most exhilarating game and entertainment experiences. Xbox delivers an expansive collection of breakthrough games, powerful hardware and the unified Xbox Live online service. The new tagline, "it's good to play together," captures the spirit of Xbox as the social hub of the new digital entertainment lifestyle. Xbox is now available in North America, Asia, Europe and Australia.
About Xbox Live
Xbox Live is the first comprehensive, online game arena fully dedicated to fast-action broadband gaming experiences. Xbox Live will allow gamers to play multiplayer Xbox games with other gamers everywhere via a high-speed Internet connection. With a built-in hard drive and Ethernet port, the Xbox console was built from the ground up to be an online gaming system.
Xbox Live will enable all gamers to find and play with their friends easily, talk to other players during gameplay through the Xbox Communicator headset, and download current statistics, new levels, and characters to their Xbox hard drive.