It’s no surprise, but confirmation has to be had: Sam Fisher is double-ing it on the PS3 early next year. Ubisoft has confirmed that Splinter Cell: Double Agent will be released for the aforementioned console, and will make use of the console’s motion-sensitive Sixaxis controller in some way; it will also feature additional multiplayer content as well.

Already available for the PS2, Gamecube, Wii, PC, Xbox and Xbox 360, Double Agent will be available on PS3 in March 2007.

Having already announced that it will release seven games for the Wii at the console’s launch, Ubisoft has announced that Splinter Cell: Double Agent will also be available for the launch of the console, increasing the total to eight. However, the game won’t be available strictly at launch; it will be released this Christmas season. Here’s a bit:

Veteran agent Sam Fisher is back. But he’s never faced an enemy like this before. To stop a devastating terrorist attack, he must infiltrate a vicious terrorist group and destroy it from within. For the first time ever, experience the relentless tension and gut-wrenching dilemmas of life as a double agent. As you infiltrate a terrorist organisation in its American headquarters, you must carefully weigh the consequences of your actions. Kill too many criminals and you’ll blow your cover. Hesitate too long and millions will die. Do whatever it takes to complete your mission, but get out alive.

• Dual objectives to fulfill: NSA government agents and terrorists will each want you to accomplish opposing tasks at the same time.
  
• Discover the tension of being a double agent: Use actual tactics employed by today’s real-life double agents to sabotage the terrorists’ plans.
  
• Explore a branching storyline with multiple endings: Your choices have an impact on how the story and gameplay unfolds.
  
• A world of international espionage: Missions from all over the world, from Asia to Africa to the heart of the U.S. Experience extreme situations: underwater or in a sandstorm, hiding behind the dust or smoke - and even skydiving.
  
• New authentic gadgets: Master the latest weapons and gadgets used by NSA government agents in addition to black-market terrorist weapons.

Ubisoft sent out word that composers Sascha Dikiciyan and Cris Velasco have been hired to do the official main theme for Splinter Cell 4: Double Agent. The two have also scored all of the cinematics for the game.

“We created a gritty electronica feel with cinematic orchestra to push the emotional side of the game to a new level,” said Sascha Dikiciyan, adding that the compositions match the narrative in the game.

Both Dikiciyan and Velasco have garnered critical acclaim for their “elegant string arrangement, dramatic orchestral score, hard-hitting rock tracks, or raw electronic beats.” In addition to Splinter Cell 4, the two have worked on such titles as Dark Messiah, Spy Hunter: Nowhere to Run and Hellgate: London. Beyond gaming, they have worked in advertising and feature films.

This forum thread on the Ubisoft forums states that Splinter Cell: Double Agent will hit PC and Xbox 360 on October 19. It also offers word that there will be a Xbox 360 multiplayer demo and that the PC will get a demo containing both single and multiplayer modes. No official release dates for the demos were given, but the author did comment that these public trials “won’t be showing up sooner than a month before launch.”

Ubisoft has pushed back the release of three of its big titles: Splinter Cell: Double Agent, Dark Messiah of Might & Magic and the PC edition of Resident Evil 4. The publisher revealed this through its financial statements, stating that Sam Fisher’s next adventure, previously scheduled for September, can be experienced by gamers late October.

Those looking for the action title in the M&M universe will also have to wait till October; as for Resident Evil 4, no release date was provided and an official representative couldn’t say why the game is in limbo.

Some next-gen screenshots from Splinter Cell: Double Agent: