Ghost Recon Online Announced, Focuses on Team-Based Play

French video game publisher Ubisoft has announced that it's Singapore-based studio is working on the development of Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Online, a new free-to-play multiplayer-focused shooter that does not currently have a launch date.

Ubisoft said that the game would offer players a chance to choose between three-character classes, would focus on delivering tactical military battles that are based around team dynamics and that it would challenge players to work together to achieve a set of objectives.

The game will be free to play for all those interested in it and Ubisoft will offer a game store that will sell premium items for gamers, although it’s not clear whether these will be purely cosmetic or will directly affect the balance of Ghost Recon Online.

Ubisoft has said that, once the game is out, more content will be delivered in a regular manner, alongside a set of in-game events and “customized content based on community feedback.”

Hugues Ricour, who is a senior producer working on the new project at Ubisoft, has stated, “This game was designed from the start to be a free-to-play experience. Our development teams are dedicated to making Ghost Recon Online a truly unique, top-quality online title.”

Yves Guillemot, who is the chief executive officer of Ubisoft, added, “With Ghost Recon Online, and other major upcoming projects, Ubisoft is creating online experiences that allow our fans to stay connected to their favorite brands and to continually receive new content and gameplay. This direct link with our fans will allow us to create new and ever better experiences for them.”

Ubisoft is probably aiming to replicate the success that Electronic Arts has registered with Battlefield Heroes, which is also free to play and managed to get more than 7 million players.

A beta stage for Ghost Recon Online will be launched during the summer, which suggests that the game might be released late this year or early in 2012.