New Rainbow Six targets next spring

Ubisoft and Tom Clancy continued their proliferation today when the company announced the fourth installment of Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six will be available for the PC, Xbox, and PlayStation 2 next spring. The title is being developed simultaneously by Red Storm Entertainment and Ubisoft Montreal.

The yet-to-be-titled antiterrorism game sees the Rainbow squad in unfamiliar (as far as the story goes) territory, as they must rescue subjects they never thought they'd have to--themselves. Personally targeted by a terrorist organization, gamers will now have the option of adopting two personas: team leader Ding Chavez or Dieter Weber, Team Rainbow's ace sniper.

The game will build largely on Rainbow Six 3 and Rainbow Six 3: Black Arrow's formulae by adding enhanced sound and graphics--including an all-new engine for the PS2 version. Added features include: new operatives to command; new online modes, including the PS2-only rivalry mode; the Xbox-only career mode; and new equipment, such as motion trackers and battering rams.

Tom Clancy and Ubisoft have enjoyed a symbiotic relationship since they hooked up earlier this decade, releasing a myriad of successful titles under the Tom Clancy brand on several platforms and in various genres. Tom Clancy's squad-based shooter Ghost Recon 2 for the PS2 was released today, one week after its Xbox cousin. Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory, the latest in the eagerly awaited stealth action series, is expected to ship for multiple platforms in March.

For a closer look at Rainbow Six 4 (working title) check out GameSpot's brand-new impressions of the game.