Ubisoft explains lack of Spies vs. Mercenaries mode in Splinter Cell: Conviction

Ubisoft is throwing in a lot of new gameplay elements in Splinter Cell: Conviction, but one thing that’s noticeably absent is the Spies vs. Mercenaries online multiplayer mode. Patrick Redding, Conviction‘s co-op game director, explains why.

Ubisoft is throwing in a lot of new gameplay elements in Splinter Cell: Conviction, but one thing that’s noticeably absent is the Spies vs. Mercenaries online multiplayer mode. Patrick Redding, Conviction‘s co-op game director, explains why.

In the most recent Major Nelson podcast, Redding pointed towards Conviction‘s new gameplay elements themselves as the chief reason for the absence of the Spies vs. Mercenaries mode.

Redding explained that most of these new mechanics are designed to work with computer AI and are not as effective on human players. For example, “Last Known Position” can help players orchestrate ambushes on AI-controlled players but won’t be as effective when playing against a human opponent.

Even with the lack of Spies vs. Mercenaries,Conviction still has a competetive multiplayer mode called Face-Off, where two players try to take each other down while dealing with hostile AI at the same time. There’s also a whole co-op campaign that serves as the main story’s prequel.

Splinter Cell: Conviction is slated for a February 2010 release. A demo is also schduled to come in January. The game will be available for Xbox 360 and PC.

Via [Examiner]