Ubisoft surprised the gaming world during Microsoft’s E3 2012 press conference with the announcement of Splinter Cell: Blacklist, the next entry to the long-running, fan-favourite series of stealth action games starring the green-goggled Sam Fisher.

In Blacklist, Fisher is back (sans the Michael Ironside voice) and this time sees him take on the leadership role of the clandestine ‘4th Echelon’ reaction and investigation unit – a unit that answers only to the President of the United States.

During the events of Splinter Cell: Blacklist, Fisher and his team at 4th Echelon will be tasked with hunting down terrorists and stopping something known as the ‘Blacklist,’ a worldwide countdown to escalating terrorist attacks initiated by 12 individuals who wish to break from the United States’ powerful military presence.

One of the key features of Splinter Cell: Blacklist demoed during the Microsoft conference is ‘Killing in Motion,’ a gameplay mechanic that will allow you to mark and execute enemy targets with one seamless action. ‘Active Sprint,’ on the other hand, lets you effortlessly vault over walls and barriers to more easily and fluidly traverse the environment.

You’ll also have access to a range of cutting edge gadgets in Splinter Cell: Blacklist as well as reinvented, classic weapons that series fans will certainly enjoy.

“Infiltrate terrorist cells by using new gadgets such as the upgraded snake cam and micro-trirotor drone which allows Sam to scout ahead,” writes Ubisoft, “mark targets remotely, distract enemies, or explode with frag grenade force.” The ‘sticky shocker’ is back for close quarters encounters, while the ‘Karambit knife’ also makes a return.

Watch the debut trailer for Splinter Cell: Blacklist below, followed by the game’s very first in-engine gameplay demo:

Splinter Cell: Blacklist – World Premiere Trailer

Splinter Cell: Blacklist – First Gameplay Demo

Want some more Splinter Cell: Blacklist features? Here you go:

Operate without Restrictions

Sam is back in his tactical suit and goggles, and he’s more deadly than ever. He is the only secret operative with the power to act above the law, and uses ruthless methods to interrogate enemies in order to extract crucial information that will prevent the next Blacklist attack.

Pursuing the terrorists to the far reaches of the world, Sam flies from exotic locales to U.S. cities as he races against the clock to find out who’s behind the Blacklist. Thrilling gameplay is enhanced by full motion performance capture, creating a highly cinematic experience.

Build a New Echelon:

With a mandate directly from the President, Sam is building a whole new Echelon unit; his team, his way. Anna “Grim” Grimsdottir is his technical operations manager, CIA operative Isaac Briggs brings additional firepower, and resident hacker Charlie Cole rounds out his support crew.

4th Echelon is a fully mobile ops unit with unlimited resources and cutting edge technology aboard the repurposed stealth airliner, the Paladin.

Enjoy a Fully Integrated Experience:

Sam and his team are aware of terrorist attacks in real time thanks to the Strategic Mission Interface (SMI). The SMI allows the team to receive data about mission objectives while on the move. Players can earn money for completing missions and objectives and buy upgraded weapons and items from the SMI hub aboard the Paladin.

Tags: e32012, screenshots, splintercellblacklist, trailer, ubisoft