New Ghost Recon dubbed Predator?

Source: The Australian Classification Board, which rates game software Down Under in advance of its full release.

What we heard: Much has been made of Splinter Cell: Conviction's MIA status, but Ubisoft's Ghost Recon franchise has been off the reservation for what's quickly becoming just as long. With 2007's acclaimed Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 being the most recent installment in the franchise, Ubisoft said in January that a new Ghost Recon would arrive by the end of March 2010. However, it didn't take long before the publisher pushed that game to its next fiscal year, which ends March 31, 2011.

However, it now looks as if Ghost Recon's delay may not follow the long and winding road of its Tom Clancy cousin. Yesterday, a listing for "Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Predator" on multiple platforms appeared in the Australian Classification Board's online database.

Ghost Recon Predator received an MA 15+ rating from the Australian board, the strictest rating allowable before classification is refused and the game is banned. Australian's software rating board has developed a reputation for being notoriously strict with its ratings guidelines, having denied classification to a number of high-profile titles upon initial submission, including Left 4 Dead 2, Fallout 3, and F.E.A.R. 2. (Only films can reach the board's maximum R18+ rating.)

Beyond the subtitle, the Australian classification offers few clues as to the nature of Ubisoft's latest Ghost Recon effort. Thus far, the publisher has been mum on what gamers can expect from the new first-person shooter, saying only that it would not be a continuation of the Advanced Warfighter arc. The rating also did not specify which platforms Ghost Recon Predator would appear on.

Ubisoft had not responded to requests for comment on the Australian classification as of press time.

The official story: Ubisoft had not responded to requests for comment as of press time.

Bogus or not bogus?: Looking not bogus, unless of course Ubisoft has a second new multiplatform Ghost Recon installment lurking somewhere in the shadows.