As promised earlier this month, Ubisoft has announced plans to launch a new PC exclusive game in a well known franchise. The game is Tom Clancy"s Ghost Recon Online, a free-to-play online third person tactical shooter title. The game, developed by Ubisoft"s Singapore development studio, has already launched its official web site and it is taking sign ups for its upcoming closed beta test. Ubisoft said the beta test should begin sometime this summer.
Ghost Recon Online will allow players to choose from three different player classes with ways to customize weapons and more. Ubisoft claims that the game will have maps and graphics that "will rival the quality of those traditionally seen only in retail games." Players will be able to play Ghost Recon Online completely for free but the game will give players the option to purchase "premium items" as well. The game will also have "a rich lobby platform for hosting social and persistent progression features." Ubisoft plans to hold regular events online including content updates and "customized content based on community feedback". You can check out a trailer for the game below.
While this is Ubisoft"s first free-to-play shooter title the publisher has dipped its hand in free-to-play games before. It launched a web based free fantasy MMO. Might and Magic Heroes Kingdom, in 2009. Ubisoft is still working on Ghost Recon Future Soldier, a retail first person tactical shooter for the PC, Xbox 360 and PS3 platforms that was officially announced in 2010. Originally announced as due for release in the fall of 2010, Ubisoft has now set a first quarter 2012 release date for that game.