After a brief period of mystery as Sony Computer Entertainment teased the announcement of a new entry to a tried and tested fan-favourite franchise, the publisher has today announced the existence of SOCOM 4, which is set to release in the Fall of this year, exclusive to the PS3.

SOCOM 4, a new tactical squad-based action shooter currently in development at Zipper Interactive, will feature a full singleplayer operation as well as a 32-person multiplayer mode, with an even greater focus on realism and teamwork than ever before.

Richard Yap over on the European PlayStation Blog has the skinny on the story setup of SOCOM 4, which goes a little something like this:

“In South East Asia, a revolutionary army has seized control of a country bordering one of the world’s most vital waterways; threatening to disrupt he global economy.”

Your mission is to step into the well-worn boots of the Ops Com, a NATO Operations Commander of an elite, five-man squad. You must venture deep into inhospitable jungles, city streets and crumbling urban ruins to engage an army of rebel fighters and discover their plans.

“Although you’re vastly outnumbered, you’re armed with the latest weaponry and your men are second to none – but do you possess the stealth, speed and tactical thinking to lead them to victory? Time is not on your side: you have just six days to complete your mission. To emerge victorious, you must lead from the front, maintain control of the situation and fight with sheer intensity.”

Sony promises that support of Zipper Interactive’s other squad-based tactical shooter, MAG, will continue as normal and current players shouldn’t be worried about the future of that title.

Source: European PlayStation Blog