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.

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.

Gallery

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.

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.

Gallery

seems cool

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

Meh. Still waitin' on Future Soldier. 

Everyone was in the chat.

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

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

I don't get the title of this article.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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. 

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

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.

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. 

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

Free

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

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.

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

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

@craigbo180 said:

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

Incredibly insightful. 

From GRAW to GROL