Ubisoft Boss Calls Splinter Cell’s Future ‘a Question of Means’

Splinter Cell has received plenty attention of late. Rumors swirled weeks ahead of E3 2018 that Ubisoft would announce a new entry in the series. Unfortunately, Ubisoft’s conference came and went without so much as a mention of Sam Fisher’s return. According to the publisher’s Chief Creative Officer, Serge Hascoet, the franchise’s dormancy isn’t because Ubisoft is uninterested. Rather, Splinter Cell’s absence is emblematic of a “resource” problem.

During an interview with Game Informer, Hascoet explained why franchises such as Splinter Cell and Prince of Persia are on the sidelines. “I love Splinter Cell,” he told the publication. “I love Prince of Persia. I can’t disclose any information at this time, but I can say we are fighting for resources. It’s not a question of will, it’s a question of means.”

Due to Ubisoft’s having dozens of studios worldwide, the CCO’s concerns regarding resources are puzzling. However, it’s important to remember that many studios often aid in developing one game. For example, while Ubisoft Quebec led the charge on Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, at least half a dozen other teams were also instrumental in its completion.

Ubisoft Toronto, the developer behind 2013’s Splinter Cell: Blacklist, is presently hard at work on Starlink: Battle for Atlas. Splinter Cell: Conviction’s studio, Ubisoft Montreal, just launched Far Cry 5. This doesn’t necessarily rule out the possibility of either returning to Splinter Cell in the future. Yet, the developers best equipped to bring back Sam Fisher do appear to have their hands full for now.

Additionally, Ubisoft’s placing its primary focus on live-service or open world games may not fit within the framework of a Splinter Cell title. However, if such models revitalized Rainbow Six and Ghost Recon, perhaps it won’t be long before Splinter Cell returns with a surprising twist.

The good news is that there may be a future for Sam Fisher outside of his own series. Ubisoft’s desire to see its characters “live in the long-term” could mean Fisher has guest roles in other games, similar to his Ghost Recon: Wildlands appearance.

[Source: Game Informer]