Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Conviction

Lore & Background

Splinter Cell: Conviction is set three years after the events of Splinter Cell: Double Agent. The main campaign follows Sam Fisher investigating the death of his daughter Sarah, which he learns may not have been an accident. He is aided by former colleague Anna 'Grim' Grímsdóttir, who is working undercover for U.S. President Patricia Caldwell. The story involves private military company Black Arrow, rogue Third Echelon director Tom Reed, and stolen Russian EMP technology. A prologue, playable in co-op mode, follows agents Archer and Kestrel 10 days before the campaign, dealing with rogue Russian military elements and EMP warheads.

Reader's Guide

Splinter Cell: Conviction marks a significant shift in the Splinter Cell series toward more accessible, action-oriented gameplay. Creative director Maxime Béland, previously from Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas, aimed to deliver a dynamic experience akin to Jason Bourne or James Bond, contrasting with the 'very hardcore' nature of earlier entries like Chaos Theory. New features like Mark & Execute and Last Known Position replaced traditional stealth tools such as night/heat vision goggles and the SC-20K rifle. The game's multiplayer includes co-op and Deniable Ops modes, but omits the series' classic Spies Vs Mercenaries mode. Despite criticism for its short campaign and departure from stealth roots, the game sold 1.9 million units by July 2010 and led to a sequel, Blacklist, in 2013.

Did You Know?

• The game introduces the 'Mark & Execute' feature, allowing players to mark targets and shoot them in rapid succession.
• Sam Fisher's hybrid night/heat vision goggles and SC-20K assault rifle were replaced by Sonar Goggles and the SC3000.
• The game's prologue is accessed through multiplayer co-op and features agents Archer and Kestrel.
• A side-scrolling 2D version was released for mobile phones.