New at FileShack this morning is the Splinter Cell: Double Agent 1.02 patch. The patch fixes the unlockables bug in the singleplayer mode, while also taking care of a variety of multiplayer issues.

Ubisoft sends along two seperate Splinter Cell: Double Agent demos, Splinter Cell: Double Agent singleplayer demo and the other Splinter Cell: Double Agent multiplayer demo. The 851mb demo singleplayer demo includes part of the Okhotsk mission, while the 789mb multiplayer demo includes 1 map that you can play in free or rankings modes.

Over at FileShack you can now find a 1.01 patch for Splinter Cell: Double Agent. It fixes online issues, and some minor singleplayer issues.

Over at FileShack you can find a new Splinter Cell: Double Agent movie, offering a minute of cinematic and gameplay footage.

Last night, internet sleuths, including one on the NeoGAF forums, uncovered a massive 2GB+ RAR file on Ubisoft's FTP site containing concept art, logos, and tech demos for a variety of Ubisoft games, some of which have yet to be announced. Much of the material was related to a Far Cry sequel that seems to be entitled simply Far Cry 2. Given that original Far Cry developer Crytek is currently working with EA on Crysis, and given Ubisoft's heavy use of its own Far Cry Instincts spinoff property, it is likely that Far Cry 2 is a successor to the Instincts line rather than the original PC title. It also seems that a PSP version of Far Cry is in the works, referred to only by a working title of Far Cry PSP.

Materials related to the unannounced fifth main game in the Splinter Cell series were also included among the files. The game's logo reveals that the game is entitled Splinter Cell Conviction.

Unsurprisingly, Ubisoft also looks to be adding another game to the Prince of Persia franchise. The leak included concept artwork and a logo for the game, but as of now it appears to have a working title of simply "Prince of Persia." The three previous current-gen Prince of Persia games were collectively referred to as the Sands of Time Trilogy, so it is likely that this new game is starting its own progression of games.

Other unnanounced titles include Surf's Up, a surfing game featuring playable penguins, and a PSP game based on the Rocky films that appears to be entitled "Rocky Balboa: It's not over, until it's over."

Ubisoft has offered an official response to these developments:

We are clearly displeased that confidential information from Ubisoft has been distributed on the internet. The publication of this type of information can only be harmful to the game development process and we will take all steps necessary to prevent this from happening in the future. We are still investigating the events that lead to this information leak and at this time have no further comment.

GameSpot and IGN bot have new Splinter Cell: Double Agent previews, going hands-on with the game's multiplayer. Meanwhile the game itself has suffered another delay, as Ubisoft has announced that instead of September, the game is now due out late October (thanks FiringSquad).

The official Splinter Cell website has been updated, offering this in-house produced interview about the game's music. Lead sound designer Romain His talks about the use of real instruments for the score, the music capturing the feel of the game's different locations, composing a theme, and interactive music.

Computer & Video Games has a new Splinter Cell Q&A, asking Ubisoft producer Mathieu Ferland about the past, present and future of the popular franchise.

New at Computer & Video Games today is this Splinter Cell: Double Agent preview, offering impressions of the early stages of the game where you are in prison and trying to break out.

This Israeli game site has a new Splinter Cell: Double Agent Q&A, talking to Ubisoft associate producer Daniel Roy about the new Sam Fisher game. Questions are about things like the storyline and new features, as well as multi-platform development. Thanks Blues News.

New at GameCloud this morning is this Splinter Cell: Double Agent Q&A. Associate producer Daniel Roy answers questions about the game's storyline, gameplay improvements, multiplayer features, graphical improvements, platform differences and demo plans.

A new Splinter Cell: Double Agent Q&A can be found at Computer & Video Games. Producer Julian Gerighty talks about Sam being in prison, Sam's changed appearance, AI companions, new characters, new environments and platform differences.

As part of their third quarter revenue report, Ubisoft today announced that Splinter Cell: Double Agent has been delayed. Originally scheduled for a spring release, the game has been pushed back until September.

The rescheduling to September 2006 of the launch of Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Double Agent is meant to release the title on all platforms simultaneously, including the Microsoft Xbox 360 that should have a much larger installed base by that time. This will also enable to maintain the highest quality for which Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell is recognized. This rescheduling will ensure the best return from the coming release as well as from future sequels of this brand over time.

Not too long ago Ubisoft officially announced Double Agent, the fourth installment of the immensely popular Splinter Cell series. The company promised a re-imaging of the franchise, with new gameplay elements and Sam Fisher acting as a double-agent. Sam even finds himself in jail! Of course, we had to know more. David had the opportunity to talk to Ubisoft producers Daniel Roy and Arnaud Carrette about the game, which is due out soon on PC, Xbox, Xbox 360, PS2 and GameCube.

Shack: In jail, Sam obviously won't have access to his night vision goggles, weaponry, or other gadgets. What game play mechanics were created for use in the prison stage, and perhaps others?

Daniel Roy: Removing the goggles from Sam in some missions was a big decision for us, but it turned out to be a very liberating one. In the case of the Jail level, removing the goggles means we have to step away from the 'traditional' Splinter Cell environment: darkness and silence. Instead, Sam has to rely a lot more on distractions to proceed. Good thing is, he has the mother of all distractions at his disposal, with a full riot breaking out across the jail. The use of environmental distractions is a game mechanic we have reused a couple of time throughout Double Agent, in drastically different ways.

Over at Computer & Video Games you can find a new Splinter Cell: Double Agent Q&A, asking Ubisoft producer Julien Gerighty about the game. Topics include the game quickly following up Chaos Theory, Sam starting in jail, the John Brown Army, new gameplay features, locations and environments and the Splinter Cell movie.

More Splinter Cell: Double Agent Q&As can be found at EuroGamer, IGN and 1UP, talking to various Ubisoft folks about the upcoming stealth action game sequel.

Wasting no time at all, GameSpot has posted a Splinter Cell: Double Agent Q&A. Most of the Q&A is actually about the previous Splinter Cell games, but SC4 questions are about the next-gen visuals, storyline, and gameplay.

Ubisoft today announced that Splinter Cell 4 is now titled Splinter Cell: Double Agent, and will be released this spring on PC, Xbox, Xbox 360, PS2 and GameCube. According to Ubi, the game "will completely revolutionise and reinvent the spy action genre by introducing an unprecedented double agent concept and an entirely new breed of game play that adds an exciting new dimension to the gaming experience". Key features include

- Dual objectives to fulfil: NSA government agents and terrorists will each want you to accomplish opposing tasks at the same time.
- Discover the tension of being a double agent: Use actual tactics employed by today's real-life double agents to sabotage the terrorists' plans.
- Explore a branching storyline with multiple endings: Your choices have an impact on how the story and game play unfolds.
- A world of international espionage: Missions from all over the world, from Asia to Africa to the heart of the US. Experience extreme situations: underwater or in a sandstorm, hiding behind the dust or smoke - and even skydiving.
- New authentic gadgets: Master the latest weapons and gadgets used by NSA government agents in addition to black-market terrorist weapons.
- Innovative online play: The critically acclaimed multiplayer action of Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell is back with entirely new innovations for each platform.

Over at FileShack you can find a teaser trailer, though if you're expecting in-game footage you'll be disappointed.

It's hardly a surprise considering the franchise is so popular; Ubisoft has announced that a fourth Splinter Cell game is in the works for current and next generation consoles as well as the PC. Splinter Cell 4 will be released Spring 2006, and will "thrust players into a new breed of game play that promises to innovate and revolutionize the Splinter Cell franchise. Ubisoft is taking the saga of Sam Fisher into entirely new territory, expanding the story and depth of his character". A teaser site is up at bewaresamfisher.com.

Ubisoft sends along word that they'll be releasing three new maps for Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory soon. There will be one Versus map called Squat, and two co-op missions called Nuclear Plant and UN HQ. The maps will be free of charge, and available for download on Xbox and PC. Expect the Versus map at the end of May and the co-op maps shortly after that. Here are two shots from Squat.