Ubisoft has taken the wraps off the latest installment of its Ghost Recon franchise and it might not be exactly what gamers were expecting. Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Online is a free-to-play third-person-cover-based tactical shooter. It is developed by Ubisoft Singapore and launches in closed beta beginning this summer.
In the game, players can choose between three different classes of Ghost, customize their weapons, deploy cutting-edge military technology, and share intel with their team. And if the free customization options were not enough, players will also be able to purchase premium items to further personalize their experience.
Ghost Recon Online is Ubisoft’s first shooter to be offered in a free-to-play format. Gamers interested in Ghost Recon Online can sign up for the closed beta and find more information on the game at www.GhostReconOnline.com. If you find yourself on the fence about whether this game interests you, perhaps the trailer can help you make up your mind.
The trailer certainly pushes a lot of the right buttons. The graphics look sharp, the shooting looks fun, and the maps look pretty diverse. The real question will be gameplay but that is what the beta is for. It will give Ubisoft time to iron out the kinks and get things streamlined before the game goes public.
With more and more free-to-play games coming out that seem to rival what was possible on consoles just a few years ago it makes you wonder just how long it will be until more of these experiences hit consoles and how they will be handled. Sony does have Free Realms on the PS3, so perhaps that could be a model for others to follow.
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The landscape of gaming is constantly changing and this free-to-play world remains an exciting one. Time will only tell if the model ultimately succeeds.
What are your thoughts? Are you going to sign up for the private beta? Does the free-to-play model interest you? Do you think Ghost Recon Online will deliver the goods? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
