Brian Upton

Lore & Background

In April 2008, Russia is taken over by ultranationalists led by Dmitri Arbatov, who annex Ukraine, Belarus, and Kazakhstan to form the Russian Democratic Union (RDU). The Ghosts, a fictional squad of U.S. Special Operations Forces, battle South Ossetian separatists in Georgia, then face the RDU invasion of Georgia and later the Baltic states. The RDU eventually detonates a nuclear weapon, leading to its collapse into civil war.

In Their Own Story

The plot of Ghost Recon begins in April 2008, when Russia is taken over by ultranationalists led by Dmitri Arbatov, who annex Ukraine, Belarus, and Kazakhstan to form the Russian Democratic Union (RDU). The Ghosts first battle South Ossetian separatists in Georgia, then face the Russian Armed Forces as they invade Georgia. After the RDU captures Tbilisi and annexes Georgia, the Ghosts withdraw. The RDU then invades the Baltic states three days ahead of NATO intelligence estimates. NATO forces defeat the Russians in Latvia and Lithuania, and the Ghosts deploy into RDU territory to rescue prisoners. The RDU government places Arbatov under house arrest and eventually executes him in a coup. The RDU detonates a nuclear weapon during a battle north of Moscow, prompting international condemnation and a civil war. NATO forces enter Russia, and the Ghosts launch a final assault on the Kremlin, capturing it on November 10, 2008, forcing the ultranationalists to surrender.

Reader's Guide

The player controls Ghosts organized into three fireteams (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie) with up to six soldiers per mission. There are four classes: Rifleman, Support, Demolitions, and Sniper. Soldiers earn Combat Points to upgrade Weapon, Stealth, Endurance, and Leadership skills. Specialists from NATO or allied countries can be unlocked. The game is played from first-person perspective. Enemies include rebel militia and Russian soldiers, with armored threats like tanks requiring the M136 AT4. Bullets do not penetrate most objects. Wounded soldiers who survive a mission remain wounded unless replaced.

Did You Know?

• Ghost Recon is not based on any of Tom Clancy's books; instead, Clancy wrote the game himself.
• Ports for N-Gage and Game Boy Advance were planned but later canceled.
• Up to 36 players are supported in the PC version's multiplayer.
• Two specialists are armed with the Objective Individual Combat Weapon as part of the Land Warrior program.