Splinter Cell: Blacklist QUESTIONS

Just a few quick questions:

- Steam:  does anyone know if Blacklist is a Steamworks game?  As in if I buy retail do I need Steam?

- Co-op:  I've played all the Splinter Cells (SP Campaigns) but never had a reliable internet connection till now for Co-op.  I have a friend who is getting it too and we are planning on doing the co-op missions.  Now, are these misssions an extension to the SP Campaign or just random?   Should I play the SP Campaign first?

- Chat:  since we are going to play together, my friend and I need something to chat with.  I don't want to use Skype because it uses too much bandwidth (constant on).  What's the best gaming chat program out there?

- Story:  Does Blacklist happen AFTER Conviciton?  I'm confused because Sam looks younger.  And if so, why is he back working since he had become a fugitive in Conviction?

Thanks

It is not Steamworks, not sure about the other questions. nutcrackr

Since its an Ubisoft title, I'm sure it'll require UPlay, not Steam.

It's not Steamworks if you get it at retail. You'll have to use uPlay (which you probably would have to use even with the Steam version.)

Co-op is separate from the main story in all Splinter Cell games I think. I would go through the campaign first though to avoid any possible spoilers and to get used to the game.

Dolby Axon is completely free and you don't have to worry about servers. Instead you have groups which I think are P2P based. You do have to get an account but it's pretty amazing. It's what I use with all my friends now. Recommend turning the audio from surround to mono though, or else you'll get some random issues with it. Blacklist might have built-in chat as well.

Just a few quick questions:

- Steam:  does anyone know if Blacklist is a Steamworks game?  As in if I buy retail do I need Steam?

- Co-op:  I've played all the Splinter Cells (SP Campaigns) but never had a reliable internet connection till now for Co-op.  I have a friend who is getting it too and we are planning on doing the co-op missions.  Now, are these misssions an extension to the SP Campaign or just random?   Should I play the SP Campaign first?

- Chat:  since we are going to play together, my friend and I need something to chat with.  I don't want to use Skype because it uses too much bandwidth (constant on).  What's the best gaming chat program out there?

- Story:  Does Blacklist happen AFTER Conviciton?  I'm confused because Sam looks younger.  And if so, why is he back working since he had become a fugitive in Conviction?

Thanks

FelipeInside

-The game uses Uplay, it does not use steamworks.

-The game will have a hub which will allow you to access campaign and side missions through different characters. A lot of the side missions can be played with a partner. There is also co-op exclusive missions that are given by one of the characters

-Can't help you there

-The game takes place after Conviction. They got a younger voice actor and motion capture artist for blacklist. The result was a younger looking Sam to make the voice and movements a bit more consistent. Third Echelon is disbanded in Blacklist, Sam creates Forth Echelon and travels around the globe in a paladin aircraft answering personally to the President. 

Just a few quick questions:

- Steam:  does anyone know if Blacklist is a Steamworks game?  As in if I buy retail do I need Steam?

- Co-op:  I've played all the Splinter Cells (SP Campaigns) but never had a reliable internet connection till now for Co-op.  I have a friend who is getting it too and we are planning on doing the co-op missions.  Now, are these misssions an extension to the SP Campaign or just random?   Should I play the SP Campaign first?

- Chat:  since we are going to play together, my friend and I need something to chat with.  I don't want to use Skype because it uses too much bandwidth (constant on).  What's the best gaming chat program out there?

- Story:  Does Blacklist happen AFTER Conviciton?  I'm confused because Sam looks younger.  And if so, why is he back working since he had become a fugitive in Conviction?

Thanks

FelipeInside

The whole younger thing is a little bit weird. The story happens after Conviction, but it's still kind of a reboot, hence the new voice actor and motion capture. Maverick6585