SOCOM 4 set for 2011

Next year could be a big one for PlayStation 3-exclusive shooters. Killzone 3 was already set for a February debut, rumors persist of a 2011 launch for the still-unconfirmed Resistance 3, and developer Zipper Interactive today confirmed the tactical shooter SOCOM 4 won't be deploying until next year.

In a post on the game's official blog, SOCOM community manager Jeremy Dunham posted a note confirming the release window. The reason given for the wait is that the team wants "to deliver the best and most immersive SOCOM game we possibly can and we're going to use our extra time to do just that."

SOCOM 4 will be set in Southeast Asia after a revolution endangers a vital shipping lane similar to the Strait of Malacca. Players assume the role of the commander of a five-man squad of NATO commandos dispatched to prevent international trade from being disrupted. Their mission will only last six days, a time limit that Sony says will add urgency into the campaign.

As is a staple for the series, SOCOM 4 will have an extensive multiplayer component, allowing for teams of players to shoot it out in 32-player matches. Terrain types will include a hostile jungle and half-ruined cities.

For more on SOCOM 4, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.