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Splinter Cell: Blacklist is the sixth installment of the popular game series, but this is the first that is wholly produced by the young Ubisoft Toronto studio. With three years of hard work behind them and already very solid reviews of the game, the Toronto team had a lot to celebrate. And celebrate they did, and we were fortunate enough to be part of it.

We were greeted at the door by the hostess and immediately handed very cool USB key dog tags to commemorate the launch. What’s the USB key for you ask? Well it’s to store your pictures with the one and only Sam Fisher, the main character in the game! There was an area set up where you can pose with a real, live actor playing Sam Fisher, using props such as night vision goggles, an assault rifle, and a knife. You were encouraged to be as creative or action-oriented as you can be. A photographer then took your photo, which were then transferred to your USB key dog tags. What an awesomely unique and personalized souvenir!

The venue itself, Metropolis Factory, was a dimly-lit, multi-level warehouse that only served to immerse you in an almost game-like environment. From the second floor the game’s producer, Jade Raymond, made a rousing speech to the cheers and applause from the team below. It was clear that the Toronto team was proud of its accomplishments, which was made even more evident after talking to some of the editors, animators, engineers, and others who contributed to the game. Food was aplenty and drinks were flowing all night long.

Several Xbox 360 stations and gamer couches were available for everyone to try out the game ahead of its launch. With control innovations using Xbox 360’s Kinect motion sensor and Wii U’s controller touchscreen, the reintroduction of the popular “Spies vs Mercs” multiplayer mode, and most importantly the return to the series’ stealth roots, gamers have a lot to look forward to. Splinter Cell: Blacklist will be released on August 20th on Xbox 360, PS3, Wii U, and PC.

Watch for more exciting projects to come out from Ubisoft Toronto!

Words by John Tan. Photos by Nick Lee
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Jade Raymond, Managing Director, Ubisoft Toronto

Jade Raymond, Managing Director, Ubisoft Toronto

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Here’s a great video by Ubisoft Toronto of the launch party

Ubisoft’s trailer for Splinter Cell: Blacklist

About Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Blacklist
In Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Blacklist, players take on the role of lethal operative Sam Fisher who must stop an international terrorist group behind The Blacklist, a series of escalating attacks on US assets. Operating under the newly formed Fourth Echelon unit, Sam Fisher and his team will use any means necessary to prevent the next deadly assault.

Delivering a gripping modern-day storyline, the game brings back core elements of the franchise and incorporates a new level of technical innovation and design to create the biggest Splinter Cell to date. Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Blacklist will push the series to even greater heights by offering a complete package where single-player, co-op and multiplayer are tied to a universal economy system supporting a wide variety of play styles. Ghost players want to remain undetected; they analyze and plan the best way to go unseen. Panther players look for lethality in the most efficient and silent way. Assault players rely on instincts and are about open fire.

For more information on the game, please visit: splintercell.com and follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/splintercell

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John Tan

John is an avid traveller, but equally loves being a tourist in his own city. With camera in hand, he enjoys discovering the sights, sounds, tastes, and everything else that Toronto has to offer. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram (@iam_johntan) to see what he's been up to lately.