Splinter Cell 3 gets new name, Xbox and N-Gage versions

More than two months after Ubisoft trademarked it with the US Patent and Trademark Office, the publisher has confirmed that Splinter Cell 3's final title will be Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Chaos Theory. Though Ubisoft had never denied it had registered the title, there was some uncertainty whether it would be the game's final moniker, given Splinter Cell 2's last-minute subtitle switch from Shadow Strike to Pandora Tomorrow.

Much more exciting is news that the Xbox version of Chaos Theory will ship alongside its PC cousin this holiday season. Both editions of the game are being developed by Ubisoft's Montreal studio, which created the first Splinter Cell. (Pandora Tomorrow was developed by Ubisoft Shanghai.)

"Splinter Cell titles have been huge hits on all platforms," said Ubisoft's vice president of marketing Tony Kee. "Both single- and multiplayer elements of the game enjoyed a stellar reception at E3, and we know that Splinter Cell Chaos Theory will...offer a completely new kind of gaming experience, and...[it] will be the best-looking game on any platform."

Mobile game fans may (or may not) be excited by the day's third Splinter Cell revelation--that a game bearing the Chaos Theory title is being released for the N-Gage. Developed by Gameloft, the studio behind the mobile version of Pandora Tomorrow, the N-Gage version of Chaos Theory will be released simultaneously with the PC and Xbox editions of the game.

When it was first shown at E3, Splinter Cell Chaos Theory won accolades for its cutting-edge graphics. It also drew praise for its newer, edgier portrayal of series' hero Sam Fisher, who will be much freer to use deadly force in the sequel than in previous Splinter Cells. Chaos Theory's merits won it GameSpot's Best of Show E3 2004 Award.

GameSpot will have more information about all versions of Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Chaos Theory as it becomes available.