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Ghost Recon Online Is Ghost Recon, Online

Free-to-download PC shooter will feature those microtransactions the kids are always raving about.

Those who have been eagerly awaiting an exciting new entry in Ubisoft's Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon series of tactical shooters... well, here's something, at least. The publisher announced today that 2011 will mark the release of Ghost Recon Online, a free-to-download PC shooter in development at Ubisoft Singapore.

Which precise iteration of Ghost Recon this game might be rooted in is currently unknown, though based on the first-released screenshots (which you can find in gallery format at the bottom of this story), the game seems to work within the same kind of near-future warfare that recent Advanced Warfighter versions operated within. Or maybe I'm just being seduced by the futuristic neon blue of that one guy's helmet, and it just takes place in Afghanistan or something. Again, we don't really know yet.

The online part is like a browser button. Get it?
The online part is like a browser button. Get it?

What we do know is that the game will, like other "freemium" titles out there--yes, that's a thing--feature a microtransaction-oriented pay structure. Players will be able to download and play the game for free, and purchase a host of upgrades and premium items that will, at least theoretically, improve their in-game abilities and help customize the experience.

The title is scheduled to release in the second half of this year, with an online beta going live this summer. You can go to the Ghost Recon Online website to get additional details on the beta, or just sit here and kvetch in the comments about how this totally isn't Ghost Recon: Future Soldier, and how much it sucks that you have to wait until next year for that game to come out. Either is a completely acceptable strategy.

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36 Comments

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gizmo88

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Edited By gizmo88
@craigbo180:    
No Caption Provided
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Th3_James

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Edited By Th3_James

From GRAW to GROL

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craigbo180

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Edited By craigbo180
@gizmo88 said:
@craigbo180 said:
Never really been a fan of the Ghost Recon series myself.
Incredibly insightful. 
Astute observation.
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gizmo88

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Edited By gizmo88
@craigbo180 said:
Never really been a fan of the Ghost Recon series myself.
Incredibly insightful. 
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Bismarck

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Edited By Bismarck

Meh they are jumping on the free shooters like Battlefield4Free, and Battlefield Heroes. Also from the trailer it looks like a mix between old Ghost recon and the Newer ones. I applied for the beta, but i dont have huge expectations. I will be waiting for Future Soldier. t

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Creigz

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Edited By Creigz

I lost interest in Ghost Recon after number GRAW came out. Ghost Recon 2 wasn't even that good, I also didn't enjoy any Rainbow Six games since 3. Vegas was cool and all, but it wasn't great. It was generic shooter #3475 with X and X for features to "separate" it from the rest....all felt the same. Multiplayer was kinda cool in all of them though.

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Sooty

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Edited By Sooty
@solh0und said:
GRAW will always be the best on the console front. As for PC: The original
No way Ghost Recon & Island Thunder were excellent on the original Xbox for multiplayer. Just sucks they added third person with GR2 and ruined it
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FuzzYLemoN

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Edited By FuzzYLemoN

Free

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WoodenPlatypus

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Edited By WoodenPlatypus

I guess I'll be up for this :) 
The title was conusing I must say.
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Skotina

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Edited By Skotina

a lot of f2p elements are waiting for us... 

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Box3ru13

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Edited By Box3ru13

Aside from Ghost Recon 2, I have really enjoyed all the GR games. The first one and its 3 expansions were awesome. I really liked the island one in particular. I liked GRAW 1 and 2 as well.  
 
I usually avoid these "free" games like the plague but I might just check this one out. 

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teekomeeko

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Edited By teekomeeko

Hmmm, I like free stuff and Iike Ghost Recon, so I'm interested. It does make me want to play the GRAW games again - I loved them quite a bit - but I barely have time to play new stuff.

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steelknight2000

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Edited By steelknight2000

Ghost Recon: Asians Don't Pay for Games So We Made This Free Edition

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jillsandwich

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Edited By jillsandwich

Hmm. Another free-to-play PC FPS based on ads and microtransactions. How about no. 
If they don't honor the people who bought Conviction with that Future Soldier beta, I will flip the fuck out. Actually, at this juncture, they should just give me Future Soldier for half off. 

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Cday

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Edited By Cday

Meanwhile no Future Soldier beta even though this was promised almost a year ago to people who bought Conviction.

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buft

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Edited By buft

I still want future soldier to hurry its ass up, just recently replayed graw 1 and 2 and need more 

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drjota

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Edited By drjota

Kinda sad that this game isn't named Ghost Recon:FREEdom Fighter...

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Seppli

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Edited By Seppli

Not having a strong online competitive shooter brand must bug them.
 
Guess going play4free is their only option at this point for them to get a slice of the cake.

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Tactless

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Edited By Tactless
@Funkydupe:  In the book it's John Clark
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RandomInternetUser

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Well, it's free, so I'll definitely check it out.  Could be cool.

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HarrySound

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Edited By HarrySound

I reckon they need some cash for the investors. 
They will probably make it like MW :)

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Solh0und

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Edited By Solh0und

GRAW will always be the best on the console front. As for PC: The original

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Morris

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Edited By Morris
@Oy: I think its a joke about how there really arent many changes with the new game. Its just the same old Ghost Recon, but for free and online.
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lordofultima

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Edited By lordofultima

Bring back Rainbow Six, old school style. Then I'll be on board. FPS, no weapon model, lean around corners, plan single player insertion points and shit. Multiplayer? No respawn, round based.

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BabyChooChoo

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Edited By BabyChooChoo

Nice try Mr Clancy. I'm still waiting for a new Rainbow Six and no amount of Ghost Recon can distract me.

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Svampson

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Edited By Svampson

The only good Ghost Recon is the first one + expansion, the best coop lan party game! 

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Funkydupe

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Edited By Funkydupe

APB is free too now. Just as buggy as it ever was. :)

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muralbat

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Edited By muralbat

Do we need another game like this? we have a more than competent Battlefield Play4Free to cover the free to play shooters.

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Oy

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Edited By Oy

I don't get the title of this article.

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Funkydupe

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Edited By Funkydupe

What is the name of the person with the callsign: Rainbow Six?

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deactivated-6157afb2b3c07

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Interesting....I guess.....I just want another Advanced Warfighter.

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JJOR64

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Edited By JJOR64
@craigbo180 said:
Everyone was in the chat.
Yep.  :P
 
Since this game is free, I'll check it out.
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jimmyn47

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Edited By jimmyn47

Meh. Still waitin' on Future Soldier. 

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craigbo180

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Edited By craigbo180

Never really been a fan of the Ghost Recon series myself.

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Darkecho117

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Edited By Darkecho117

seems cool

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alex

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Edited By alex

Those who have been eagerly awaiting an exciting new entry in Ubisoft'sTom Clancy's Ghost Recon series of tactical shooters... well, here's something, at least. The publisher announced today that 2011 will mark the release of Ghost Recon Online, a free-to-download PC shooter in development at Ubisoft Singapore.

Which precise iteration of Ghost Recon this game might be rooted in is currently unknown, though based on the first-released screenshots (which you can find in gallery format at the bottom of this story), the game seems to work within the same kind of near-future warfare that recent Advanced Warfighter versions operated within. Or maybe I'm just being seduced by the futuristic neon blue of that one guy's helmet, and it just takes place in Afghanistan or something. Again, we don't really know yet.

The online part is like a browser button. Get it?
The online part is like a browser button. Get it?

What we do know is that the game will, like other "freemium" titles out there--yes, that's a thing--feature a microtransaction-oriented pay structure. Players will be able to download and play the game for free, and purchase a host of upgrades and premium items that will, at least theoretically, improve their in-game abilities and help customize the experience.

The title is scheduled to release in the second half of this year, with an online beta going live this summer. You can go to the Ghost Recon Online website to get additional details on the beta, or just sit here and kvetch in the comments about how this totally isn't Ghost Recon: Future Soldier, and how much it sucks that you have to wait until next year for that game to come out. Either is a completely acceptable strategy.