So what! Conviction didn’t actually make its 2009 release schedule, but those who are eagerly awaiting Sam Fisher’s return won’t have to wait much longer. According to IGN, UbiSoft officially “nailed” its release date, basically, setting it up for a February 23rd release in the United States.

For those in Europe, you’ll have to wait a couple of extra days – exactly how many “extra days” is still a mystery. Also, both the Xbox 360 and PC versions will hit store selves at the same time, which is more good news. “The added few months of development time is being used for final polishing and tweaking,” added Ubisoft. More news on the European release date should be revealed soon.

Note: To view the box-art click the link below (after video).

The box art for the highly anticipated title, Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Conviction, was released yesterday, as well as the information that will be located on the back of the retail box.

The back of the box reads:

You are a fugitive, ruthlessly hunted by the very government you used to serve. Your only choice is to improvise to survive. Experience original gameplay based on improvisation in which your environment is your top weapon. Always on your toes, you need to react on the fly to any changing situations and use the environment and the crowds around you to create diversions and deter your enemies.

As a fugitive, quick thinking and adaptation are essential to turn the situation to your advantage. A gameplay experience delivering 100% adrenaline includes close combat and shooting sequences. To survive, build an underground network of allies who will help you obtain high-tech gadgets and stay one step ahead of your pursuers as you struggle to unmask the forces that frame you.

[Box-art and Details via Game-Debate]

Following the recent showcase during the Microsoft keynote, we have just received latest screens for UbiSoft’s upcoming title Splinter Cell: Conviction. As you can see, the game has really “gone back to the drawing borad” changing its perceptive from what it once was.

Coming exclusively to Xbox 360 this fall, unleash the ferocious skills of renegade agent Sam Fisher and uncover a deadly terrorist plot in “Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Conviction.” Completely reinvented and revolutionized, “Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Conviction” ushers in a new breed of action gameplay leaving players fully immersed in the life of the world’s most dangerous spy.

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In an accidental leak discovered by some tipster, unprotected files on its Ubisoft site reveal the newest version Splinter Cell: Conviction, which show what “going back to the drawing board” has done for the title. The video doesn’t feature game play, but what it is, is ten seconds of greatness.

Along with the video, it was also spotted by Gamekyo on the E3 show floor a banner showing the new Sam Fisher.

[Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell : Conviction video from E3 2009 via Gamekyo]

Sam Fisher can’t remain hidden any longer and the time has come for UbiSoft to show us (absolutely nothing of) Splinter Cell: Conviction via one if their “teaser trailers”.

Anyway, there isn’t much point in going into detail about the teaser trailer because there aren’t any, but you do get to hear Sam Fisher talking about the situation he’s landed in Jack Bauer style. However, according the teaser site, you’ll have to wait until the 20th of May, and 28th May for more details and, properly, another trailer.

Ubisoft has announced that one of their featured game, Splinter Cell: Conviction, has been delayed for another time this year. You could have seen this coming from a mile away, after the game wasn’t shown at Ubidays or E3 you start to think that somethings up. This delay means that Sam Fisher will be staying in the shadows for some time, but will be out hopefully sometime between April 1, 2009 and March 30, 2010.

According to a rumor posted on the SarcasticGamer website, the voice of Sam Fisher will not be making his return in latest Splinter Cell installment. Sam Fisher was voiced by Michael Ironside, and it seems that an internal dispute is paving the way for a new voice talent in coming Splinter Cell games. According to inside sources at Ubisoft, Ironside and Ubisoft have been at odds for some time:

"He was getting to way too egotistical about the project and extremely difficult to work with. He was also asking for a sh*t load of money… He pretty much tied his own noose."

No official reply from Ubisoft on this matter, but that’s probably because Conviction remains very much up in the air.

[Voice Of Sam Fisher Leaves Ubisoft? via PSXExtreme]