SC: Conviction demo on Xbox Live

By Robert Purchese Published 18 March, 2010

Echelon time since work began on this.

Tom Clancy has put a Splinter Cell: Conviction demo on Xbox Live.

We knew the demo was coming, but now it's available on the Xbox.com website we can tell you where to click and a bit more about it.

The sampler offers an infiltrate mission where a bunch of expendable lackeys are guarding some kidnapped scientists. You'll get to test Sam's new 'mark and execute' ability and try out the last-known position feature that shows where enemies think you are.

There's no co-op or split-screen or multiplayer on offer here, although there will be in the full game, which is due out 16th April on PC and Xbox 360.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (65) Latest comment 2 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • telboy007 #1 2 years ago

    Yippee! Queued. Sorted.
    Edited by 1 at 18/03/10 @ 12:15

  • DrDamn #2 2 years ago

    Gold only btw.

  • INSOMANiAC #3 2 years ago

    Really disappointed withthis, the interrogation scene is just 3 presses of the B button and the rest of the demo feels like half splinter cell half heavy rain. The 'projected text' thing is so overused that it completely destroys any atmosphere and you just dont feel like your really part of the action, it all seems like every characters is positioned so you can achieve one of the games 'push B' set pieces.

    Bring back the old splinter cell !

  • asphaltcowboy #4 2 years ago

    Really excited to try this... but part of me wants to avoid it so it can be all lovely and fresh when I inevitably pick it up on Day 1!

  • Peew971 #5 2 years ago

    I'm with INSOMANiAC on this one. If you're a die hard Splinter Cell fan, do yourself a favour and try the demo before buying. It might change your mind.

  • Power_n_Glory #6 2 years ago

    Just downloading now.

    I'm still yet to complete SC: Chaos Theory and SC:Conviction. Been playing through Conviction lately and it has great moments but feels too sluggish so I'm looking forwards to this game. Going backwards is not the answer.

  • Rushy #7 2 years ago

    Not as impressed as I was expecting to be. Hmmm.

  • Haloboy #8 2 years ago

    @ Peew971

    I would have tried the demo before buying it, had they bothered to release one for the PC.

  • dsmx #9 2 years ago

    I've said it before and I'll say it here as well games that have protracted development time never live up to the hype that surrounds them.

  • Power_n_Glory #10 2 years ago

    That's right.lol. I've had it for ages but never got around to really starting it. Too many games keep coming out on the 360.

    I'm hoping this one is more flexiable and quick because I hardly ever use gadgets like smoke grenades and flash bangs. The controls are a bit too fiddly. This one looks good but the feedback hasn't been great so far. Maybe it will appeal new fans who haven't played the originals.

  • Haloboy #11 2 years ago

    It could ONLY appeal to those who have not played the originals if you ask me.

  • Vortex808 #12 2 years ago

    Hmm. Was really looking forward to this one. I have it queued up for later on when i get home to try it over the weekend. The earily comments here don't sound so promising thus far though.

  • Vroom #13 2 years ago

    Rushed. ;)

    Seriously though I am not as impressed as I'd hoped.

  • Yodith #14 2 years ago

    Gold Only demo for now is quite infuriating, especially for a predominantly single-player title.

    It's even more ridiculous when the same demo is available to everyone on PSN. Not an issue with this game, obviously, but a few weeks ago the Darksiders demo was freely downloadable on PS3 but not available to Silver XBL members.

  • Power_n_Glory #15 2 years ago

    I've played it for 10 minutes or so and the controls are a lot smoother. But saying that, it feels like a much quicker game and you don't have to think so much about taking out enemies. That's not good. I don't like how you can move from cover to cover by simply pressing the A button like it's Gears of War.

    But, I suppose their going for a new experinece. I'll play more when I get home and see what else you can do. It doesn't seem that bad, it's just a different game but they said to expect that.

  • RobertFoster #16 2 years ago

    @Yodith: That's so us poor saps who pay £30/year feel like we're getting our money's worth. It also allows us to actively mock those with Silver accounts. *gurns*

  • ignatiusjreilly #17 2 years ago

    I've said it before and I'll say it here as well games that have protracted development time never live up to the hype that surrounds them.

    Half-Life 2, Stalker say hi.
    Edited by 1 at 18/03/10 @ 13:28

  • space_ace #18 2 years ago

    infiltrate mission
    the words we've been waiting to hear for so long

  • danmachine #19 2 years ago

    very dissapointed in this one this isnt splinter cell anymore this is really rushed it features bits and peices of other games that is poorly done the screen goes black and white when your hidden which fucks up everything the ai is stupid you can hardly use any stealth elements such as climbingunless you have to to proceed into the next area this is basicly a stealth gears of war game ...... so dissapointed was going to buy it day one but not now dont beleive theyve ruined the series to dumb it down for the masses

  • sfp_noodle #20 2 years ago

    i never thought they cud ever mess up splinter cell but this demo better be a year old or tht nightmare is about to come true in april...

  • tachometer #21 2 years ago

    As Clancy Wiggum would say; Bake 'em away Toys

  • MiniAmin #22 2 years ago

    Oh my God what on earth have they done this Splinter Cell? This STINKS.

    I was looking forward to this so much. It's absolutely rubbish. What's up with the Gears Of War style cover? Everything about this game is wrong. They've turned Sam Fisher into a sadistic vigilante dickhead as well. He used to be cynical, but light-hearted and sarcastic, now he's a joke. Another angry generic action hero.

    /Angry

  • bad09 #23 2 years ago

    Wow. From the sounds of it no PC demo and stupid DRM has saved me from disappointment. Thanks Ubi! :)

  • AtomicBanana #24 2 years ago

    You guys are actually mad! I'm a huge fan of all the othe Splinter Cell games, played all of them to death, bought each on on release etc. As with many people, I think Chaos Theory was the best one. The setup however was getting a bit stale, and it was time for a shakeup.

    To tackle some of these points. Someone saying 'oh, there's no choice, it's all setup for the push B moments'. Well erm, yes? It is a tutorial of how to play the game largely, as well as a show case of what's possible. Would you rather it just threw you in at the deep end with no idea what to do, so you kept dying and thought it was shit? Would you also prefer it if you didn't see any of the new cool stuff you could do. The demo's for the previous games weren't that different.

    Someone saying 'I don't like the way you just press A to move from cover to cover' Huh? You don't like it to be easy to move around? You'd rather it was akward and clumsy? why?

    As for the AI being thick, AI is always this way in stealth games by design. The difference here compared to many games is that it is very good at letting you know what the AI is doing so you can exploit it. Their reaction times and all the rest don't seem radically different to the other games. Maybe they spend a bit longer looking at your 'ghost' than the others, but this is a mechanic designed for you to exploit it.

    So you can most likely tell I really enjoyed this. I resent people saying that 'true fans' who've been there since the first game can't possibly enjoy it. I loved the old games, I'm loving this demo.. played it through quite a few times to mess with all the options and see what makes the AI tick. The game is very well designed, the feedback to the player is fantastic. I think some people were just expecting the second coming of christ and now feel let down.

  • dickothe1st #25 2 years ago

    well i liked it. it does make u feel like a bit of bad ass. sure it isnt the same game but if double agent was the direction they were heading in im glad theyv changed. we all want chaos theory 2.0 but that isnt going to happen so lets get over it. enjoy it for what it is which is a really cool spy thriller type experience. maybe one day we'll get the splinter cell of old back.

  • FogHeart #26 2 years ago

    Pun of the day award for Mr Purchese!

  • ParanoidZombie #27 2 years ago

    I like the demo a lot. I think it succeeds in solving my two main issues with stealth games (clunky controls and trial n'error gameplay). And I like the presentation, it's slick, cinematic and immersive. IMO, of course.

    ... And before you blame me for not hating the game, I just want to say that I played and cleared a ton of stealth games, from the superb Tenchu 1 to the awful Vampire Rain. And that my favorite stealth game is Thief3, or maybe Hitman blood money.

  • bad09 #28 2 years ago

    / checks Rymar's comments

    Have a word at work, tell 'em their DRM is crap Rymar.

    EDIT - LOL he deleted it! I think someone at Ubi took offense you don't like the game guys!
    Edited by 1 at 18/03/10 @ 14:43

  • iwantmynameuk #29 2 years ago

    Thinking about Splinter Cell makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside, I`ve even ordered the rip off special edition from game.
    Gonna be playing the demo in acouple of hours.............bit scared after reading all the comments but ( if i remember correctly) the other games got lots of negative reactions too.

  • Shikasama #30 2 years ago

    Oh fuck! AtomicBanana just posted an opinion that goes against the majority of the thread.

    LUN FOR YOU RIVES!

  • Rich72 #31 2 years ago

    quick non topic related question. I have recently switched to an elite but if i queue downloads from xbox.com, it still thinks it is my old machine and won't download. anyone know how to fix this? I searched through my account options and can't find the solution.

  • lavalant #32 2 years ago

    Well I think Ubisoft have run out of talented designers, how long has this been in development and delayed? despite the whole Jack Bauer thing going on it's basically the same splinter cell, sneaking around, using gadgets but now you have the "B" button for hand to hand take downs and Sam has Donkey Kong like climbing abilities.

    I enjoyed it sure but it's bargin bin purchase, compare it to Batman AA's stealth/combat and it's pretty clear.
    Edited by 1 at 18/03/10 @ 14:51

  • muscleblade #33 2 years ago

    @Rich72

    I have the same problem. Annoying for sure.

  • JonFE #34 2 years ago

    @Rich72:

    Ever since MS replaced my RRoD launch model with a newer one I had similar issues, however IIRC a warning pops up which you can circumvent if you insist until it finally caves in and let's you download it.

    I'm sorry if I'm a bit vague about it, but I don't remember the exact words or terms displayed. But I'm sure that it eventually let's you download what is in your queue. Otherwise some paid content of mine (like Fallout 3's DLC I purchased over the Christmas promotion) would not have been downloaded and I would surely be pissed...

    EDIT: As I've also added this demo to my queue from xbox.com and will download it later this evening, I'll take a note if there are any similar problems and will report back...

    EDIT2: teh9182's comment is spot on. That's the exact wording I remember.
    Edited by 2 at 18/03/10 @ 15:02

  • sneetch #35 2 years ago

    @bad09

    I was just thinking the same thing, based on his previous posts. :)

  • darkmorgado #36 2 years ago

    How can people say the game was rushed when it has been in development for god knows how many years???>

  • DeadlyByDesign #37 2 years ago

    Guys, is this nostalgia/rose tinted glasses or is it actually that shit?

  • ronuds #38 2 years ago

    I'm not sure if you so-called SC fans have been following the development of this game, but apparently not if you're surprised about how it plays. This is what we've been shown for the last however-many months now. If this is a surprise then you've been taking a nappy nap.

    I'm looking forward to it. IMO, Splinter Cell has always been sort of a drag for me. Too much trial and error, with a very high focus on the error part of it. I'll be happy to get away from that and more into a free-flowing game.

  • BillyBrush #39 2 years ago

    I like it...the way you can mark a couple of people, let off the EMP thingy (x button), drop down, earn the executes, and peww peww...off to shopto with me.

    it makes you feel like an efficient killing machine imo, much better than double agent

    Am sure this thread will get the fanboys + ing ang minusing like mad, but imo it's definatley worth trying the demo and making your own mind up...definately not like the other splinter cells, but i for one would take this over that any day.

  • Vyggo #40 2 years ago

    Standard stealth games are not my thing, I hated the very first Splinter Cell game and never tried one after that. Sounds like this might be a better fit for me, will try the demo.

  • ronuds #41 2 years ago

    +1 BillyBrush

    +1 Vyggo

    They've clearly changed the template and have been very open about that from the beginning. Why people are suddenly saying, "this isn't like the other SCs!!!!" is far beyond me. Welcome to 2008, though... nice to see you've woken from your slumber! :p

  • Negotiator #42 2 years ago

    To quote GSP I'm not impressed with Sam's performance, half the time its hard to see whats going on and even worse when it goes Black and white. This demo has changed my mind about getting the full game, and I was looking forward to it as well.

  • doulema #43 2 years ago

    I loved the demo. This made me consider getting the SKU thats 250BG + 2 wireless + black headset + SC:Conviction etc since i have my xbox from day one and ive been thinking of getting another one with bigger HDD. For those complaining about the wall guides etc.. This is a damn tutorial more or less. Ubisoft ( and me as well ) I guess expected for people to understand why the extended ammountof crap around. As for the easy marking etc mechanics, you can avoid using it so much if you dont want to. Neither you can all the time. Just stop complaining about things that are not valid and don't buy it or play if you actually find it that bad.

    I'll go finish God of War III for now :)
    Edited by 1 at 18/03/10 @ 16:37

  • Power_n_Glory #44 2 years ago

    @AtomicBanana - Agree with the comments and I would say people generally hate change, hence the comments. But I'm hoping Fisher isn't overpowered where you don't have to think about your movement like you had to in the old ones. I liked the stealth elements of the old games. I'm all for fluidity and easy movement but it seemed too easy to sneak up on foes moving from cover to cover.

  • midget2k8 #45 2 years ago

    i liked the demo, it was cool, y do u keep saying its not splinter cell, it bloody well is, ubisoft has been honest from the start, saying that its going in a new direction, but to me its still the old splinter cell.

  • SylarsStubble #46 2 years ago

    The really important thing to keep in mind is whether or not the multiplayer will be any good. The demo reveals nothing more than some of the controls and part of what you can expect to do.

    I don't think the demo really gives away enough to judge the full game.

  • Haloboy #47 2 years ago

    @ midget2k8

    So the new Splinter Cell is actually the old Splinter Cell but in a new direction? Right.
    Edited by 1 at 18/03/10 @ 18:09

  • midget2k8 #48 2 years ago

    @ haloboy
    wat i meant is they said its in a different direction but to me it doesnt feel different at all
    Edited by 1 at 18/03/10 @ 18:14

  • Haloboy #49 2 years ago

    No need to justify yourself dear boy, I was just being an arse. ;)

  • orpheus #50 2 years ago

    Don't give the slightest toss if it's 'less hardcore' than the previous games. I've never played the previous games, the last 'stealth' game I played sucked a lot of ass - way too hard, too clunky to be enjoyable. Having played it, this feels a lot more smooth, a bit more free form than I expected (not just one way to be successful; trial and error until you find it). Only downside for me is that I expected the graphics to be just a little bit better - it's not shabby by any standard, but feels a little unpolished. Could just be the early code though, I suppose.

    Big thumbs up from me, no matter what the rabid traditionalist camp says.
    Edited by 1 at 18/03/10 @ 18:26

  • midget2k8 #51 2 years ago

    well this will be a day 1 (hopefully if i have money) purchase for me though. im 17 and ive played the others except double agent which was crap but conviction is going to be good

  • The-Bodybuilder #52 2 years ago

    Gamers are a funny bunch.
    They whine if a game doesn't move from it's formula, yet cry if a game dares to change.

  • Machiavellian #53 2 years ago

    I believe what most people fail to realize is that most demos are very easy. So if the demo is easy, thats because the developer wants everyone to experience the game.

    The retail game probably will be much tougher. You will really have to earn your (B)Mark and execute since you can only get them by hand to hand take down. There will probably be areas where you have to plan out how you can get that guard over to your position to take him down so you can do your (b) move when there is more than 6 enemies on the screen.

    There probably be levels of difficulty where Sam can only take one shot so you have to be very careful about your engagements and really execute your (B) moves or be dead.

    Instead of trying to judge the entire game based on the demo, try to understand the mechanics and see if you like them. Try to picture more difficult scenarios things of that sort.

  • Power_n_Glory #54 2 years ago

    Having played through the whole level now, I think this is a winner. It's badass. I thought the stealth would be too easy but that was before I made it into the warehouse. You can have fun with this game and it does feel a lot like Batman AA with that peak a boo gameplay style, hiding in the shadows and waiting to take an enemy down.

    I liked the old Splinter Cells but the controls were too clumbsy. Now, I'm able to sneak up on a foe, grab him and use him as a shield and take out two enemies with my pistol before an alert.

  • TRUTH #55 2 years ago

    Enjoyed the more I played...I suggest to play it on Realistic setting as you have to use stealth more,and get killed in 1-2 shots. Slightly disappointed with the graphics though!...though this is an early demo of the game.

  • alan_stealth #56 2 years ago

    this is exactly what it says on the tin, gone are the stealth days as of such, he is Jack Baeur, I liked the old splinter cell's but the way this game flows (according to the demo) it makes you feel like ur in an action movie, its quick paced and slick.
    The fun for me lay in replaying the demo a few times till everyone was killed without ever detecting me.
    Really looking forward to this, anybody who watches 24 and wants to be "that kind of action hero" is in for a treat.

  • SomaticSense #57 2 years ago

    @ The Bodybuilder - "Gamers are a funny bunch.
    They whine if a game doesn't move from it's formula, yet cry if a game dares to change.     "

    I wouldn't be so quick to judge all gamers as one and the same. I hated the demo, and not because it was 'different' to the SC franchise or 'a new direction', but because it was shit. I wanted it to be good, and I felt that the SC series did indeed need to be taken in a new direction (for want of a better phrase), but this is terrible.

    The 'Mark and Execute' does exactly what you shouldn't do in a game - which is take the gamer out of the action and show him(/her) what they can't do themselves, the graphics are appalling for a game of this apparant standard and budget, and taking out the enemies is a simple case of 'run up and press B, and then press the OWN button to take out the next couple of guys, then run up and press B... and on and on'.

    For series that prides itself on immersion and realism (the two things you'd think they'd keep consistent in the series), the demo really does seem to scream "GAME, GAME, I'M A GAME!" a lot. There's such obvious and cheap game design at work. It's like it's the first game they'd ever made, which is just not true.
    Edited by 1 at 19/03/10 @ 03:09

  • Seabeast #58 2 years ago

    Sorry Somatic, but I think you're some PS3 fanboi after reading the drivel you have decided to grace us with.

    The graphics on the game are very good and as for the whole marking system, it's not like you have to use it is it? Ubi said many times they want players to play this how they want to, so if you want to sneak, take people out without being seen then go for it....If you want to go Rambo or Bourne on them, then you can do that also. I have played through the demo 4 times and you can actually play it like any of the previous SC games, so whats the problem?

    They opened up the game for different types of gamers whilst providing the same experience for the old SC fans if they wish to play it that way.

    To call this demo ' shit ' and ' terrible ' is quit extreme and stinks of troll/ps3 fanboi posting.
    Edited by 1 at 19/03/10 @ 04:00

  • BettySwallocks #59 2 years ago

    +1Seabeast

    I don't think it's as bad as some comments make out. At the end of the day the mark and execute feature is there if you want to use it. Try playing without using it and you get some more of the old SC back.

    To be honest I'm thinking more Bourne than Bower when you do get into a spot of bother - more flowing combat and dynamic combat if you use CQC and the execute feature.

    Edited by 1 at 19/03/10 @ 10:06

  • Power_n_Glory #60 2 years ago

    Some gamers won't have the imagination or creativity to enjoy this type of game. In the past, the series has been about realism and immersion, but this one is more about creating great action set pieces like people have seen in films like Taken, 24 and the Bourne series. Your supposed to be a lethal predator who thinks quickly about his environment and can execute foes within seconds.

    If you play this like a straightforward shooter then your missing the point and lack imagination. Take Just Cause 2 for example. You can play that game like a straighforward shooter if you wanted but you'll be missing the point of the game.

  • asphaltcowboy #61 2 years ago

    Loved the demo. And for the record, I'm a long-time SC fan.

  • Vortex808 #62 2 years ago

    After giving the demo a go it's quite fun so I'm still looking forward to it. Bit short though, but then my last demo downloaded was Just Cause 2 and that gave 30 mins of messing about, so it was unlikely to measure up to that!

  • DAN.E.B #63 2 years ago

    dont forget theres still the co op mode to play (hoping its like CT but doubting it!)
    im just relived they didnt release that shoddy looking bum fights game from a couple of years ago.

  • DAN.E.B #64 2 years ago

    just played the demo................. oh dear.

  • Marshall2008 #65 2 years ago

    Gave the demo a whirl. WTF is with the shitty screen tearing it looked fucking terrible. I run my 360 at 1080p so this may be exagerating it but I haven't had a chance to try it at 720p yet. It's as bad as resi 5.