One of the world’s largest videogame publishers, today announced that it will release two different versions of Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon™ 2 for Holiday 2004 – one for the Xbox® video game system from Microsoft and one for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. The PC version is now scheduled to launch in early 2005 in order to once again deliver ground-breaking innovation to the PC audience; more exciting details will follow. One of the most successful game franchises to date, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon titles have sold more than 4.5 million copies worldwide, and the first Ghost Recon remains one of the most successful Xbox Live™ games of all time.

Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon 2 for PlayStation 2 will be a completely different game from the Xbox version, and the first title in the Tom Clancy franchise built exclusively from the ground up for PlayStation 2. Ubisoft’s Shanghai studio (creators of Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell® for PlayStation 2) is developing the PlayStation 2 game, while its Red Storm Entertainment development studio continues to focus on the Xbox and PC versions. Ghost Recon 2 for PlayStation 2 occurs four years before – and acts as a prequel to – the Xbox version. The game will be built on the Unreal engine (as opposed to the proprietary Ghost Recon engine used by Red Storm Entertainment) and will also use Havok physics, a rarity in PlayStation 2 games. Ghost Recon 2 for PlayStation 2 will also feature completely unique special effects, cinematic sequences, supporting characters, and online modes.

“Ghost Recon enjoys some of the most dedicated fans in the industry, and we’re showing them some love – and challenging ourselves – by developing two totally different games for Xbox and PlayStation 2 this year,” said Tony Kee, vice president of marketing for Ubisoft’s North American division. “Whatever the platform, Ghost Recon 2’s single-player missions will immerse players in the war of tomorrow, and, like the original Ghost Recon’s award-winning multiplayer levels, the online portion will be second to none. PlayStation 2 gamers have extra cause to celebrate, as Ghost Recon 2 will be the only big military shooter for PlayStation 2 this year.”