Before I get to all of the launch party hoopla, I just want to let everyone know that the demo of the game is only a taste of how good this game is.  Okay, now on to the hoopla.

The Event

So, it was my first time going to a launch party for a game. I went with low expectations, but now I love the idea of launch parties. The event’s purpose was to promote Splinter Cell: Conviction, and allow the general public to play the cooperative mode. I was patiently waiting for my turn for an hour and forty minutes. I finally put a stop to that, and politely asked the two guys who were hogging the game if I could have a turn soon. The most awesome thing about the event is that not too many people showed up for the 2-6pm gaming session, so I got to play coop with my friend for two hours and twenty minutes! I guess people were too busy with work, but Splinter Cell is definitely worth a sick day.

The real-life Coop heroes of SC:Conviction

Games, Girls, Alcohol…what more could one ask for?

For the latter part of the event, after 9pm, the club was super packed, and I got to play coop with a girl who had no idea what she was doing; so that was awesome. I also got taken outside to be interviewed on the red carpet. I’m not sure what they’ll use that footage for, but it may end up on Xbox Live.

The place was packed!

One of the highlights, aside from playing the game, was meeting Maxime Béland, the Creative Director of Splinter Cell: Conviction.  Aside from getting his regular PR push on the game on video (below), I got to chat with him, and he’s a very down-to-earth guy who is just fun to be around.

Maxime Béland talking about Splinter Cell

“Fragdoll” Anne-marie Wilson aka “Spectra” talking about Splinter Cell

Maxime Béland and “Agt Pendergast” hangin’ out

Splinter Cell: Conviction Coop gameplay details/impressions

Okay, now let’s get to the reason for this launch party existing in the first place – the game.  I know that nagging feeling gamers get, because I’m one too; I know you’re thinking to yourself, “but is Splinter Cell: Conviction worth $60?”.  Yes, yes it definitely is.  The game has Single Player, a Coop campaign, Coop Hunter mode (you versus npcs), and a one-on-one versus mode (Spy vs Spy).  I only got to play the Coop Hunter mode, but if that’s any indication of the quality of the other modes, this game is fantastic.  There appear to be 6 “Hunter” levels, and one of them took us about one hour and thirty minutes to complete.  We kept going on to different areas, and I thought that I had played several levels, when in fact I was still on the same one!  In addition to being lengthy, the enemy positions change each time you start a level, or re-start from a checkpoint (after you die).  The levels are also very large, with many paths, allowing for various strategies.  You can play this game stealthily, or just go around shooting everyone (extra enemies come after you if you’re caught), and either way, you’re going to have a blast.  There is so much replayability packed into the coop alone, and I’m very excited to play the final full version of the game.  Scrape up that $60, because this one looks like it’s worth every penny.

Splinter Cell: Conviction will be available April 13th

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