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.

With the recent re-configuration of Splinter Cell: Conviction, Ubisoft needed more time to make things prefect. According to Ubisoft’s Production Manager, they gave it time by using Assassin’s Creed as a way to make money, and to continue with the games development.

“Because actually we felt that the game wasn’t well received [at Ubidays] and some of the critics were actually saying that we were missing the gameplay, when we started having maybe a bit of trouble bringing back the core gameplay, and we saw the success that Assassin’s was going to have, Ubisoft made the decision to say, ‘look guys, take the time you need to do this game, we’ve got someone bringing in the money for the next year so we’re okay, we won’t ship a game that’s not good, so go ahead and take the time to do it’,” said Andréane Meunier to Eurogamer.

“That took the pressure off us and allowed us to rework the core values that we wanted to bring out,” he continued.

Speaking exclusively to Gamesindustry.biz, Ubisoft Game Designer Michael de Plater acknowledges that the festive holiday season is a “brutal” duration to release new IPs and that many good games could fall wayside as a result.

“It’s a bit tough to launch a new IP exactly at Christmas when you’re head-to-head with blockbuster sequels. It’s interesting to see a number of big titles, like Heavy Rain, being targeted at 2010 to avoid the Christmas rush,” he explained. “And Ubisoft’s got Ruse coming out in 2010. Even God of War 3′s in 2010, that’s how brutal it is. I mean, you’ve got Assassins Creed 2, Modern Warfare 2, Mass Effect 2.”

“To me, it’s been a period of enormous change, and the last four years I would say has been the time when games have actually surpassed movies as the premium blockbuster entertainment,” he continues.

Speaking of, the summer is basically an empty season for video games. I don’t know why developers and publishers can’t just space things out because, like I said, the summer season is basically empty for video games.

UbiSoft briefly mentioned in their financial report today that several of their major upcoming titles have been delayed. Yes, including Conviction.

Anyway, Splinter Cell: Conviction and Red Steel 2, both of which were slotted for holiday 09 releases, have now been pushed into early 2010. And, in other news, I Am Alive and Ghost Recon 4 were, unluckily, hit with even bigger delays, pushing them into UbiSoft’s 2010-11 fiscal year, which means a release in April of 2010 at the absolute earliest.

“We are disappointed that we have to postpone the release of several major games but we consider that this choice is the best one in the long-term interests of Ubisoft,” reads the publisher’s latest financial report.

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]

Ubisoft has confirmed the multiplayer mode for the newest version of Splinter Cell: Conviction that was unveiled at this years E3.

“We’re going to have a multiplayer, but I can’t talk about it anymore than that. It’s part of the things we’re going to announce during the summer,” producer Alexandre Parizeau told Joystiq.

Joystiq then went on to ask about the possibility of their being downloadable content within the game’s future.

“DLC? Yes, it’s always part of our strategies. We always want to keep the content fresh, so as soon as the team is done with the game we can move on and continue expanding the experience,” he added.

Multiplayer historically plays an important role in the Splinter Cell series, but Ubisoft has – until now – been cagey about this next instalment, which is exclusive to Xbox 360.

[Multiplayer confirmed for SC: Conviction via EuroGamer]

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.

Rise your hand if your excited, I know I am. When UbiSoft released its full 2009-10 sales report today, it was revealed that they were working on another Ghost Recon title, Ghost Recon 4, which could mean that they’re working on another Advanced Warfighter title or whatever – but we all know it’s going to be good. 

Along with the reveal it was shown that they are also planning to release series games like Assassin’s Creed 2, Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Conviction, Rabbids Go Home, Red Steel 2, and Anno 1404  all before Apirl 10. 

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.