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Ubisoft on Splinter Cell: Blacklist - no offline co-op, DLC confirmed, Off-TV support and GamePad ideas
A portion of a Nintendo Life interview with Ubisoft's Liu Jun...
NL: On Wii U, is offline co-operative play supported? If so, which controllers can be used?
LJ: In order to ship at the same time as the other consoles, we unfortunately weren’t able to delve into this feature. But we think Nintendo gamers will be really excited to get the game at the same time as other consoles.
NL: We’ve seen details of various Wii U-specific features utilising the GamePad, can you outline the key examples for us?
LJ: The GamePad screen is your version of Sam’s arm computer or OPSAT (OPerational SATellite uplink). Sam uses his OPSAT a lot throughout the game to access and control his gadgets and to communicate with his team. The Wii U is the only version of the game where you really get to experience first-hand how OPSAT works for Sam and how it feels to actually operate it: you can see through Sam’s eyes and it’s a very powerful feeling to choose how to use this gadget to make decisions as the leader of 4th Echelon.
NL: Is Off-TV play supported?
LJ: Yes, Off TV play is fully supported for everything, except offline coop play.
NL: How would you summarise the impact that the Wii U GamePad has on the game?
LJ: In Splinter Cell Blacklist players are going to be constantly making a lot of important tactical choices on the fly – whether to go lethal or non-lethal, or choosing which weapons and gadgets to use in tricky situations.
The GamePad helps the player make tactical choices on the fly, without breaking the flow of the game or the tension of the story. At any moment and by simple touch, you can pick any of your weapons or gadgets, mark enemies & execute them, or switch from lethal to non-lethal takedowns.
NL: Is the GamePad microphone supported for online co-op and multiplayer?
LJ: Yes, the game makes use of the GamePad microphone for online co-op and multiplayer chat.
NL: What are your thoughts on dual-screen control mechanics, via the GamePad or alternatives on other systems, and their role in modern gaming experiences?
LJ: For Splinter Cell Blacklist the dual screen control mechanics are definitely a plus. For Splinter Cell Wii U, keep in mind we really didn’t have to create and “force” new gameplay to support the hardware, with the OPSAT, the gadgets, the mark & execute. The GamePad feels like a natural extension to the Splinter Cell experience.
NL: Will the Wii U receive full DLC support for Blacklist?
LJ: There will be no difference in treatment with other versions.
Full interview here
NL: On Wii U, is offline co-operative play supported? If so, which controllers can be used?
LJ: In order to ship at the same time as the other consoles, we unfortunately weren’t able to delve into this feature. But we think Nintendo gamers will be really excited to get the game at the same time as other consoles.
NL: We’ve seen details of various Wii U-specific features utilising the GamePad, can you outline the key examples for us?
LJ: The GamePad screen is your version of Sam’s arm computer or OPSAT (OPerational SATellite uplink). Sam uses his OPSAT a lot throughout the game to access and control his gadgets and to communicate with his team. The Wii U is the only version of the game where you really get to experience first-hand how OPSAT works for Sam and how it feels to actually operate it: you can see through Sam’s eyes and it’s a very powerful feeling to choose how to use this gadget to make decisions as the leader of 4th Echelon.
NL: Is Off-TV play supported?
LJ: Yes, Off TV play is fully supported for everything, except offline coop play.
NL: How would you summarise the impact that the Wii U GamePad has on the game?
LJ: In Splinter Cell Blacklist players are going to be constantly making a lot of important tactical choices on the fly – whether to go lethal or non-lethal, or choosing which weapons and gadgets to use in tricky situations.
The GamePad helps the player make tactical choices on the fly, without breaking the flow of the game or the tension of the story. At any moment and by simple touch, you can pick any of your weapons or gadgets, mark enemies & execute them, or switch from lethal to non-lethal takedowns.
NL: Is the GamePad microphone supported for online co-op and multiplayer?
LJ: Yes, the game makes use of the GamePad microphone for online co-op and multiplayer chat.
NL: What are your thoughts on dual-screen control mechanics, via the GamePad or alternatives on other systems, and their role in modern gaming experiences?
LJ: For Splinter Cell Blacklist the dual screen control mechanics are definitely a plus. For Splinter Cell Wii U, keep in mind we really didn’t have to create and “force” new gameplay to support the hardware, with the OPSAT, the gadgets, the mark & execute. The GamePad feels like a natural extension to the Splinter Cell experience.
NL: Will the Wii U receive full DLC support for Blacklist?
LJ: There will be no difference in treatment with other versions.