STACK March 2017 Issue 149

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T om Clancy’s Ghost Recon
series has been a favourite of
shooter, tactical and stealth
fans since the series began back in
2001. A step away from traditional Tom
Clancy novels, the Ghost games have
always had a tendency to go rogue and
craft alternate “what if?” timelines of their
own; Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Wildlands is
no different.
In Ghost Recon: Wildlands (GRW), a vicious
drug cartel has taken over the coca production
in Bolivia, headed by the nefarious Santa
Blanca. With the country becoming a virtual
narco-state, the United States government
is forced to step in when Blanca’s deadly
influence reaches its shores. The Ghosts are
mobilised and sent in.
Eschewing the far-future setting associated
with recent entries in the Ghost canon, senior
producer on the game, Nouredine Abboud, told
STACK the studio decided to shape the story
with a more contemporary timeline.
“While previously Ghost Recon games may
have stepped further into the future to give
players more option when it comes
to warfare, Wildlands is returning
to the roots of the series, throwing
players into battle only a few years
into the future.
“Fans will find the elements that
make the Ghost unit so unique are
there, with references only some of the most
hardcore fans will be able to pick-up.”
Abboud reveals that the studio worked
closely with Special Forces and Special
Operations experts in order to ensure the
weaponry and equipment used in the game
by players are as accurate as possible. This
doesn’t just extend to aesthetics; weapons had
to sound the part and handle realistically, too.
“One of our points of focus was to make
sure we got the bullet ballistics (such as bullet
drop or spread) right in the game, as
the open environments and the
draw distance allow you to shoot
from very, very far.”
Ghost Recon: Wildlands will
offer a new experience for all
types of players
52 MARCH 2017
visit GAMES FEATURE
Senior producer Nouredine Abboud talks Ghost Recon:
Wildlands with STACK. Words Paul Jones
Nouredine
Abboud
This eye for detail also extends to the
narrative, with the studio consulting experts on
drug cartels. The story had to be plausible.
“The credibility of the game’s story, world
and characters was vitally important, and
we worked with numerous experts on the
different topics we address in the game,”
Abboud explains. “For instance, we are very
proud to have worked with Don Winslow, the
famous author of The Cartel , The Power of the
Dog and Savages, and one of the American
authorities on the War on Drugs and drug
cartels.
“With his writing partner Shane Salerno, he
is bringing his research and the intensity of his
works to the game.”
GRW is Ubisoft’s most ambitious
open world title to date, with expansive
environments allowing for complete freedom
of play. In order to keep players focused in the
game, the world is divided into 20 regions,
each containing a set amount of missions to
complete, and a boss to take down before
progression can be made. Side missions
will unlock new weapons and resources to
upgrade equipment. Players can even recruit
local rebels to fight the Santa Blanca cartel
alongside them.
Of course, there’s every chance you’ll want
to fight your way through GRW with a bunch
of buddies in tow, and Ubisoft have made this
possible with co-op from start to finish.
“Being able to play GRW from beginning to
end in solo or in four player co-op has always
been an objective for the team, right from the
beginning of the development," says Abboud.
"This raised some very particular challenges,
such as how can we make sure that
progress can be shared between solo
and co-op play, or how can we make
sure the transition between the two is as
seamless as possible?
“Thanks to the hot-join system that
allows you to join or be joined by another
player without interruption, and the fact that
your progression is always saved even if you
switch between solo or co-op, we are proud
of the result and think Ghost Recon: Wildlands
will offer a new experience for all types of
players.”
• Ghost Recon:
Wildlands
is out March 7
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