I absolutely freaked this game when i was younger. Teamed up with this guy and i ended up learning Dutch so we could talk freely lol. Were still friends to this day. I would LOVE a SCCT SvM Remake
I will never forget logging into XBOX Live before the original XBOX games went offline, and after thinking no one would be playing this game online anymore, and then somehow getting into a match with 3 other people. When I logged on, they exclaimed - WOW, a new player! - and they tried their best to explain and get me into the game. Unfortunately, I didn't have a headset at the time, but it was a great time and moment of online gaming where a veteran game community did it's best to teach a new player all about a game they loved to play. Splinter Cell Chaos Theory was truly a brilliant game, and the best in the franchise. Truly the height of Ubisoft Montreal's prowess - a shame every game in the franchise since has essentially gone in the exact opposite direction.
This beautiful shit makes me miss Assassins Creed multiplayer tbh. Not the same as Spies vs Mercs, but a fun, stealth cat and mouse game never the less.
There are multiple steam groups to find players for various old ac multiplayer games! Just search around, a bunch of people including me love them to this day.
man this game looks dope. i hate how every multiplayer game now has to appeal to the esports crowd and the fun is always balanced right out of anything asymmetrical
This kind of game could absolutely work as an esport though. It would need to be faster and a tad more confrontational but it definitely can happen. One problem I see is with movement and clunkiness. If the movement is too tight and aiming too precise it won't work. Also the shadows really do have to be pitch black.
Rainbow Six Siege may be asymmetrical, but from my experience and from watching videos of people who are really good at the game, the meta has long since shifted away from that interesting asymmetrical dynamic that was originally selling the game.
Lukra While a lot of games you listes are asymmetrical they do so on a fairly surface level. CSGO for instance is the same basic game for both sides, shoot and kill people, just with marginally different guns. Whereas this is (almost) total asymmetry.
Just so everyone knows, if you like Spies vs. Mercs, go try out Intruder. It's something similar to it in a lot of ways, but with its own twists. It's insanely good.
I tried Intruder. It's absolutely nothing like SpyvMerc. It's more like a cheap knock-off of Rainbow Six Siege if anything. The only redeeming part of Intruder is that awesome corner camera tool.
I would have to disagree with Nick. INTRUDER has it's own play on things, but feels derived from the roots of SvM, or at least what it is now with Blacklist, only a bit different. While the character models of the players remind me of Metal Gear Solid, specifically 2, the overall feel I get from it was mainly Splinter Cell. Yes, both teams are 1st person, but what I'm meaning is that essentially, INTRUDER can be an OK stand-in for SvM. Now that they have modding as well, things can be expected to change. Hopefully.
First online game I ever played. Man, this game had such a huge difficulty curve getting into it, but was so much fun. Every match you would learn something different, you don't get that much in games any more.
Attention old school PS2 veterans: We are still playing SCCT (Splinter Cell Chaos Theory) online! don't have your console anymore? You can also play with a ps2 emulator on pc. join our discord to get setup! discord.gg/2gQgMAg
Same here, loved both sides and played it for maybe a thousand hours. But even so did I just learn that mercs had a natural night vision when standing still !
Explosif.be I think the explanation had something to do with the eyes adjusting to the darkness. He also didn't mention that the Mercs can do a 360 punch and had a tazer. Anywho glad to meet someone from the 'good ol' days :)
I suggest superbunnyhop should be nominated for "game journalist of the year" by geoff keighley. And the award handed to him by Hideo Kojima. I've been a fan since the mgs reviews. They where awesome, and seeing how your reviews have improved with every video You deserve credit for your work. Keep it up
I miss those early days of console multiplayer when player mic chat was actually a tool that the devs could use Now everyone is just in a chatroom completely separate from the game talking only to their friends That's more convenient for people in general, sure, but it completely neuters any room for experiences like this
17:24 I'm in your video. :) Awesome throw back George, this was a mode I played all the time with my buds and was sad to see it changed in future games.
There are so many attempts at making GitS into a game, but this little function of listening to the chatter of the enemy side is the closest any game seems to have come for me.
Hey guys if you like Spies vs Mercs I'd recommend you check out Intruder by Superboss Games. It's an indie game currently in development, but you can purchase it from their site, and the community is active enough that you don't need friends to play. Though the game does feature lethal vs lethal gameplay. Though it has things like eavesdropping, fragile high mobility spies vs low mobility high armor mercs, vent systems, knocking players down, feigning death, and much much more. Just check it out if it sounds interesting to you. they've got a youtube channel showcasing matches of clans from the community. Just search Intruder game in the youtube bar or google, and it should be one of if not the first result.
I'd toss a recommendation of Intruder your way, but it's not quite the same since it's still very combat-focused and almost usually ends in team elimination victories rather than objectives secured.
Attention old school PS2 veterans: We are still playing SCCT (Splinter Cell Chaos Theory) online! don't have your console anymore? have no fear! you can also play via ps2 emulator on pc. join our discord to get setup! discord.gg/2gQgMAg
There was a discussion of "Death of AAA Single-Player games" which went to the discussion of multiplayer modes that are tucked into SP games. But then I reminded people of great MP portions like Enemy Territory, Spies vs. Mercs and the survival MP mode in The Last of Us.
Actually working on a total conversion mod for the PC game Insurgency that is pretty much Spies vs. Mercs. It's all in first person, with an option for third-person, but features many of the classic gadgets and features, along with new ones I've created. Takes place in dark maps with NVG's vs. Flashlights, and non-lethal vs. super-lethal.
I found that point you making about listening to enemy team radio... Well Arma got this feature) im watching alot of streams where people try to fool an opposite team by giving them false information) this is really fun. Rarely that kind of thing can be found in games)
still one of my favorite experiences. I used to play this mode a lot on the ps2 version of pandora tomorrow and then getting and xbox and playing chaos theory on it. there's always been a void for me without this kind of gameplay.
Attention old school PS2 veterans: We are still playing SCCT (Splinter Cell Chaos Theory) online! don't have your console anymore? don't fret! you can also play via ps2 emulator on pc. join our discord to get setup! discord.gg/dAmbYVA3pj
I was just talking about this mode the other day! I remember reading about it in EGM back in the day and thinking it was the coolest idea for multiplayer I'd ever heard. Unfortunately I never got a chance to properly play it, and I always wondered why we never heard from it after the mid-to-late 2000s. Very very happy you've made this video, it satisfied a curiosity I've had for over a decade. Thanks George :)
Excellent video, it has me giddy with excitement already, so much nostalgia! One thing to note for others who hadn't caught on (like me) is that you don't have to go through the process of getting a copy, setting it up, installing the versus files, etc., etc., (again, like me). It's literally all at the bottom of the Steam guide ready for you to just pop in right away.
Eh, mercs are REALLY strong in Chaos Theory once you understand all the systems (I played it way too much so I know a lot about it). Most spies move too quickly and trigger the sound arrows constantly which with enough map knowledge basically tells you exactly where they are. It's also basically impossible for a spy to grab a merc because of their spin ability. Finding spies because of the debris falling from the ceiling as they run by is always hilarious too. It's a shame that I was never able to figure out how to get this game working on my PC so it's basically just all memories from Pandora Tomorrow and Chaos Theory back on the XBOX. I'm glad by the end of the video you finally 'got' what is fun about the merc. The merc only shines once you actually understand the game and it would have been a shame if you quit before you got to that point.
My buddy and I played on Xbox every night. He was Sloberado99 and I was True Metal. We probably played against you and your partner at some point. Good times.
Agreed. Most of my experience was actually the PS2 version of Chaos theory, which in reality was just a slightly enhanced version of Pandora Tommorrow's multiplayer, and with a few more stripped down maps (compared to Xbox/PC). Imo, the PS2 version was much more balanced, since the Mercs didn't have the spinning melee attack, and the standard melee attack didn't knock out the spies (it only staggered them). Here's an old clip of the PS2 version just as an example (shitty quality) th-cam.com/video/8CIz-YzGkxg/w-d-xo.html When I first bought the PC version of Chaos Theory, I was surprised at out different it was, and how OP the Mercs were.
Idk man I would abuse mercs as a spy. It was all about deception. Greatest game ever. It took some time for me to get good with merc but there was nothing like the feel of walking in the dark as a merc or climbing in vents as a spy...games now suck. RIP Splinter Cell and Socom.
@@EliteKiller07 Attention old school PS2 veterans: We are still playing SCCT (Splinter Cell Chaos Theory) online! don't have your console anymore? have no fear! you can also play via ps2 emulator on pc. join our discord to get setup! discord.gg/2gQgMAg
A few months ago, I tried to find footage of multiplayer matches from Pandora Tomorrow and Double Agent, and couldn't find much at all. Glad you were able to get this up and running
i'm convinced this game mode still uses the Pandora Tomorrow game engine and not the CT engine, which is very odd. Like 2 separate games in one package.
I'm so glad you've finally gone and done it George, you've finally given exposure to one of my favourite games of all time. I never thought people would ever even notice it but you've finally shown people the light. Thank you George from the bottom of my heart for showing them 'Video Game'
Attention old school PS2 veterans: We are still playing SCCT (Splinter Cell Chaos Theory) online! don't have your console anymore? You can also play via ps2 emulator on pc. join our discord to get setup! discord.gg/2gQgMAg
Attention old school PS2 veterans: We are still playing SCCT (Splinter Cell Chaos Theory) online! don't have your console anymore? don't fret! you can also play via ps2 emulator on pc. join our discord to get setup! discord.gg/dAmbYVA3pj
I remember playing this with my brothers quite a bit way back when. I don't really have any friends who'd be willing to play this with me these days, let alone go through all of the fixes and troubleshooting that comes with the territory of old ass games, so I hope this video kickstarts a revitalization through Gameranger of some sort. Would love to play with some randomers.
@@chrisschlake6491 Attention old school PS2 veterans: We are still playing SCCT (Splinter Cell Chaos Theory) online! don't have your console anymore? have no fear! you can also play via ps2 emulator on pc. join our discord to get setup! discord.gg/2gQgMAg
Attention old school PS2 veterans: We are still playing SCCT (Splinter Cell Chaos Theory) online! don't have your console anymore? have no fear! you can also play via ps2 emulator on pc. join our discord to get setup! discord.gg/2gQgMAg
Something that I always thought would be great for this game If Mercs have real guns, and Spy's don't then make damage inflicted by Mercs actually injure the spies. If a spy gets shot, maybe they move more slowly or can't do certain acrobatic maneuvers without hurting themselves more. Maybe they leave trails of blood.
Attention old school PS2 veterans: We are still playing SCCT (Splinter Cell Chaos Theory) online! don't have your console anymore? You can also play via ps2 emulator on pc. join our discord to get setup! discord.gg/2gQgMAg
hey bunnyhop, great vid. i just wanted to give a genuine comment telling you of my appreciation for your work. i find you very sincere, and full of journalistic integrity, and i really enjoy all of your videos. keep up the good work!
I like hearing George talk about multiplayer game design. He always does an amazing job at providing analysis, with anecdotal evidence to back it up afterwards. Also, selfish request, but after the Dead By Daylight mention, I can't stop thinking bout how much I'd love to see him shine a brighter spotlight onto that game.
Attention old school PS2 veterans: We are still playing SCCT (Splinter Cell Chaos Theory) online! don't have your console anymore? You can also play via ps2 emulator on pc. join our discord to get setup! discord.gg/2gQgMAg
Attention old school PS2 veterans: We are still playing SCCT (Splinter Cell Chaos Theory) online! don't have your console anymore? You can also play via ps2 emulator on pc. join our discord to get setup! discord.gg/2gQgMAg
I was so excited to see this posted! Whenever Splinter Cell is fondly brought up as a topic, I've found it rare to hear anyone reminiscing about SvM. I've spent so much time to try and get friends (real and online) into this game - posting tutorials, guides, setting up a Steam community - but, as you've mentioned in the video, the learning curve is so steep (map knowledge and a solid grasp of the inherent clunkiness of the controls are mandatory), so you really can't get a good game going until both teams are at around equal skill. More than a little skew in any direction and it can be a miserable experience. It's at least nice to know that others remember the game as fondly as I do (merc tennis!), but I don't have high hopes that it could make a comeback. Maybe your video may change that? I'm still waiting on that fan-made SvM standalone game to be completed...
Attention old school PS2 veterans: We are still playing SCCT (Splinter Cell Chaos Theory) online! don't have your console anymore? You can also play via ps2 emulator on pc. join our discord to get setup! discord.gg/2gQgMAg
There is a modern remake of CS's multi-player. It's Classic mode in Blacklist. 2v2, no guns for Spies, no OP gadgets for Mercs, and all the modern elements that improve it.
Shameless plug here, but if you miss this kind of gameplay, you're seriously in luck. We've been working on a game called SPECTRE for almost a year now. It is directly, and heavily, inspired by the Chaos Theory version of Spies Vs Mercs. Check out our trailers on our TH-cam page, join our Discord and let's make Spectre just as good, if not better, than the classic Spies Vs Mercs.
Some of my most beloved memories of online gaming was chaos theory on xbox live, so I'm glad that there is a way to play it online again on PC, thank you for this!
Attention old school PS2 veterans: We are still playing SCCT (Splinter Cell Chaos Theory) online! don't have your console anymore? You can also play via ps2 emulator on pc. join our discord to get setup! discord.gg/2gQgMAg
My favorite multiplayer game mode that has faded away was the Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood multiplayer, it was such an incredible experience, blending in with a crowd and having your hunter walk right past you was so satisfying.
Another great episode. You are one of the most eloquent people one youtube (if we ignore "nuclear") and the professionalism is actually above something that people expect from youtube. Keep up the good work.
So wait, you go through all that to relive a 12 year old game? What commitment. I don't really play multiplayer, so not for me. But thats George for showing us what we miss. Man, a modern adaptation of this would be fun.
Amon Tobin's Chaos Theory soundtrack is sooo good. "Theme from Battery" is legitimately one of my favorite pieces of game music of all time and I've never even played a Splinter Cell game.
I remember playing the absolute hell out of the demo for Pandora Tomorrow's Spies vs Mercs back in South Korea. We'd get together at a cybercafe and go at it for hours. I never did get around to playing the MP for Chaos Theory, but I did get to do a full run of its coop. Man, I really do miss those games.
I always wanted to try out this game mode, but actually never had a chance for it. So this video is very entertaining for me. Also, the coop mode would also worth a video to mention it. It was so good.
Holy shit, I just had a conversation with a friend about this mode YESTERDAY. He'd never played anything like it and I suggested we get some guys together and make a legit LAN party out of it for a day, then this video comes out and I'm pretty sure I can sell it now with your help, thanks man. Great video and I hope this gets people interested in CT verses style gameplay.
Attention old school PS2 veterans: We are still playing SCCT (Splinter Cell Chaos Theory) online! don't have your console anymore? You can also play with a ps2 emulator on pc. join our discord to get setup! discord.gg/2gQgMAg
Holy crap. We MADE this, as a board game. Last year, for a university 72 hour game jam. I mean, I'd never played Spies vs. Mercs on any Splinter Cell game and I don't think anyone had, but every single statement that George made translates exactly to our funny little 3v2 nonsense. Guards creating patrol routes between too many objectives for two people to cover, designed to cut off common lines of thief travel. Thieves hiding from real players in plain sight, letting a predictable Paul Blart walk past their position. Guards harassing spies off of objectives since chasing them is impossible, but spies creating distractions with noise and sightings to sneak a friendly through. We even set it up so that thieves are unable to coordinate after they enter the mansion but guards are not allowed to hide their communication, just like the hacked communication in. Like there's some differences because it's a turn-based board game, but the spirit that George is calling for is exactly the same on every count. I've been meaning to export it to Tabletop Simulator to get some friends involved but anyone let me know if you're interested and I'll actually get on it.
I was drinking a glass of vodka during 12:27, tried to contain my laughter, started choking, couldn't swallow the vodka, mouth started burning, thanks George.
So nostalgic :) I remember playing this mode with my brother on LAN connection. I was good at stealth and he was good at shooters. It was fun as hell. We really need a decent modern version of this mode!
I miss the classic Splinter Cell games, you know the ones actually focused on single player and were stealth games. Not wanna be Jason Bourne or action games. Ubisoft today is bad, very bad...
I spent SO many evenings playing this online with my 2v2 partner. We played every iteration before and after Chaos Theory's SvM, but in my opinion this was when it was at its peak. None of the others matched the feeling of cat and mouse so ideally, and no other non-Splinter Cell game even comes close to the feeling you get of playing a spy in some classic SvM.
spies vs mercs was sooooofun. I remember the days I'd go to school and think about playing oh man I miss this game. Seeing polar base made me remember all the glitches you could do. Good fun.
The idea of hacking into enemy mics is brilliant. I want to go on the internet one day and see an esports team creating code phrases the enemy has to decipher
If you guys like these kinds of games, check out Intruder by Superbossgames, also Super Bunnyhop, I would really enjoy to watch you play Intruder, its a ton of fun and the community is great!
I remember that Blacklist had a 'classic' spies vs mercs mode that locked the loadouts for both teams, meaning spies didn't have guns. It was actually kinda good (or at least i remember it being good).
I vividly remember downloading the Double Agent demo off the xbox arcade like a decade after the game launched and there still being people on the demo multiplayer servers.
Come check out our modern take on the SVM type of gameplay. We're directly and heavily inspired by Chaos Theory's version of SVM. Watch our teaser trailers on our TH-cam page... join our Discord and play in our beta. SVM lives on!
"Do you hate yourself but _LOVE_ video games?"
... Yes.
my life wrapped up in a tidy bow and sentence
...but who has the time???
I have no shame - I would wear it
You just described all of TH-cam
He got me at "Do you"
Let's petition to bring back "Batmans vs. Paul Blarts"
"Batmen"
Batmen
@@o00nemesis00o t. The rThe r yet. R.
I absolutely freaked this game when i was younger. Teamed up with this guy and i ended up learning Dutch so we could talk freely lol. Were still friends to this day. I would LOVE a SCCT SvM Remake
There was going to be a fan-made Spies vs. Mercs inspired game but it got cancelled.
We can never have good things.
That's so cool! I hope there's a remake.
Hallo daar
This made my day.
@@youn00ber it’s coming out
"Do you hate yourself but love playing video games?"
Seems like a sales pitch for Elite Dangerous....
Or any 1980's pc game
Elite player here... (Crying) you are Right... Iol
I don't think ED classifies as a video game.
I don't think it classifies as fun.
It's space trucker simulator. May as well ignore the combat, since any ship has a turning radius 1 degree every 3.5 YEARS
Eagle and Vulture seemed pretty agile to me, although Eagle is made of paper and the Vulture has bad viewing angles.
Oh hey it's 2005 again for 18 minutes and 28 seconds.
SWBFII. SWEAW.
"We've got a problem at Video Games"
I will never forget logging into XBOX Live before the original XBOX games went offline, and after thinking no one would be playing this game online anymore, and then somehow getting into a match with 3 other people. When I logged on, they exclaimed - WOW, a new player! - and they tried their best to explain and get me into the game. Unfortunately, I didn't have a headset at the time, but it was a great time and moment of online gaming where a veteran game community did it's best to teach a new player all about a game they loved to play.
Splinter Cell Chaos Theory was truly a brilliant game, and the best in the franchise. Truly the height of Ubisoft Montreal's prowess - a shame every game in the franchise since has essentially gone in the exact opposite direction.
This beautiful shit makes me miss Assassins Creed multiplayer tbh. Not the same as Spies vs Mercs, but a fun, stealth cat and mouse game never the less.
There are multiple steam groups to find players for various old ac multiplayer games! Just search around, a bunch of people including me love them to this day.
Assassins Creed multiplayer just made me miss "The Ship". Amazing cat and mouse game.
Have you heard of Bloody Good Time?
I can't believe games released in 2005 are now considered "retro"
That Chaos Theory soundtrack playing in the background is so good. Praise Amon Tobin!
I just looked him up today - he did a light show on the Sydney Opera House? Sick.
Now I have a sudden desire to go listen to battery for the next hour.
So good
man this game looks dope. i hate how every multiplayer game now has to appeal to the esports crowd and the fun is always balanced right out of anything asymmetrical
This kind of game could absolutely work as an esport though. It would need to be faster and a tad more confrontational but it definitely can happen. One problem I see is with movement and clunkiness. If the movement is too tight and aiming too precise it won't work. Also the shadows really do have to be pitch black.
yeah but its to dark to see the cosmetics you got from a loot box.
Rainbow Six Siege is asymmetrical.
Rainbow Six Siege may be asymmetrical, but from my experience and from watching videos of people who are really good at the game, the meta has long since shifted away from that interesting asymmetrical dynamic that was originally selling the game.
Lukra While a lot of games you listes are asymmetrical they do so on a fairly surface level. CSGO for instance is the same basic game for both sides, shoot and kill people, just with marginally different guns. Whereas this is (almost) total asymmetry.
Just so everyone knows, if you like Spies vs. Mercs, go try out Intruder. It's something similar to it in a lot of ways, but with its own twists. It's insanely good.
It's such a GOOD game. I'm having a real blast playing that
Oh hey there
I tried Intruder. It's absolutely nothing like SpyvMerc. It's more like a cheap knock-off of Rainbow Six Siege if anything.
The only redeeming part of Intruder is that awesome corner camera tool.
I would have to disagree with Nick. INTRUDER has it's own play on things, but feels derived from the roots of SvM, or at least what it is now with Blacklist, only a bit different.
While the character models of the players remind me of Metal Gear Solid, specifically 2, the overall feel I get from it was mainly Splinter Cell. Yes, both teams are 1st person, but what I'm meaning is that essentially, INTRUDER can be an OK stand-in for SvM. Now that they have modding as well, things can be expected to change. Hopefully.
First online game I ever played. Man, this game had such a huge difficulty curve getting into it, but was so much fun. Every match you would learn something different, you don't get that much in games any more.
Huh? I never wanted to play as spies. I always wanted to be a merc.
Attention old school PS2 veterans: We are still playing SCCT (Splinter Cell Chaos Theory) online! don't have your console anymore? You can also play with a ps2 emulator on pc. join our discord to get setup! discord.gg/2gQgMAg
Yeah me too, probably because it wasn't how Splinter Cell was meant to be played and looked like a very fun and niche way to play it.
Sold, now where can I pre-order this and how many micro transaction should I be expecting? Is there a season pass?
Hired Sword you have to buy things if you want to be with the better players :D
no no, none of that, just lootboxes
doggydude98 That's alright I know where mommy and daddy keep their credit cards.
@@hiredsword The microtransactions give you a real sense of pride and accomplishment in this game.
Finally a Splinter Cell video. I played nothing But this and Coop once upon a time, some of the best online experience ever.
Same here, loved both sides and played it for maybe a thousand hours. But even so did I just learn that mercs had a natural night vision when standing still !
Explosif.be I think the explanation had something to do with the eyes adjusting to the darkness. He also didn't mention that the Mercs can do a 360 punch and had a tazer. Anywho glad to meet someone from the 'good ol' days :)
I suggest superbunnyhop should be nominated for "game journalist of the year" by geoff keighley. And the award handed to him by Hideo Kojima. I've been a fan since the mgs reviews. They where awesome, and seeing how your reviews have improved with every video You deserve credit for your work. Keep it up
I miss those early days of console multiplayer when player mic chat was actually a tool that the devs could use
Now everyone is just in a chatroom completely separate from the game talking only to their friends
That's more convenient for people in general, sure, but it completely neuters any room for experiences like this
17:24 I'm in your video. :)
Awesome throw back George, this was a mode I played all the time with my buds and was sad to see it changed in future games.
Haha, I see what you did there. Love your videos btw.
Make a video about this. More viability means more chance indi designers will make it
There are so many attempts at making GitS into a game, but this little function of listening to the chatter of the enemy side is the closest any game seems to have come for me.
Too bad that's impossible now what with everyone being in xbox live party chats or on some discord server
Ever tried Neotokyo ?
check out Intruder, really neat tactics based shooter type thing with mechanics like this
Hey guys if you like Spies vs Mercs I'd recommend you check out Intruder by Superboss Games. It's an indie game currently in development, but you can purchase it from their site, and the community is active enough that you don't need friends to play. Though the game does feature lethal vs lethal gameplay. Though it has things like eavesdropping, fragile high mobility spies vs low mobility high armor mercs, vent systems, knocking players down, feigning death, and much much more. Just check it out if it sounds interesting to you. they've got a youtube channel showcasing matches of clans from the community. Just search Intruder game in the youtube bar or google, and it should be one of if not the first result.
"This game has aged as gracefully as cable television"
*SAVAGE* 😂
Wow that sounds like a great concept. I agree I'd love to see something like that in this current market.
I'd toss a recommendation of Intruder your way, but it's not quite the same since it's still very combat-focused and almost usually ends in team elimination victories rather than objectives secured.
This is the greatest multiplayer experience I've ever had. Thank you so much for creating this video!
Attention old school PS2 veterans: We are still playing SCCT (Splinter Cell Chaos Theory) online! don't have your console anymore? have no fear! you can also play via ps2 emulator on pc. join our discord to get setup! discord.gg/2gQgMAg
There was a discussion of "Death of AAA Single-Player games" which went to the discussion of multiplayer modes that are tucked into SP games.
But then I reminded people of great MP portions like Enemy Territory, Spies vs. Mercs and the survival MP mode in The Last of Us.
Actually working on a total conversion mod for the PC game Insurgency that is pretty much Spies vs. Mercs. It's all in first person, with an option for third-person, but features many of the classic gadgets and features, along with new ones I've created. Takes place in dark maps with NVG's vs. Flashlights, and non-lethal vs. super-lethal.
So how is the progress on that conversion mod 5 years later?
It's been done for 5 years. Swords vs. Spies on the workshop.
Man i remember playing this on the OG Xbox, I loved it so much even with randoms, I met some good friends on it.
I found that point you making about listening to enemy team radio... Well Arma got this feature) im watching alot of streams where people try to fool an opposite team by giving them false information) this is really fun. Rarely that kind of thing can be found in games)
People do that in rising storm 2 sometimes
still one of my favorite experiences. I used to play this mode a lot on the ps2 version of pandora tomorrow and then getting and xbox and playing chaos theory on it. there's always been a void for me without this kind of gameplay.
Attention old school PS2 veterans: We are still playing SCCT (Splinter Cell Chaos Theory) online! don't have your console anymore? don't fret! you can also play via ps2 emulator on pc. join our discord to get setup!
discord.gg/dAmbYVA3pj
For anyone looking to play today it's SO MUCH easier to get into and won't require as many steps before playing.
Agree on that. Just started 3 weeks ago
How does one access this new forbidden knowledge to play this
Please tell me how ):
Looking at the thumbnail, I totally thought this was Tier Zoo. This is good too!
Me too - and was about to comment about it as well.
Elephant is the merc class wha-? Oh that font. Yeah it's George
Jeremy Plumb literally the same
I was just talking about this mode the other day! I remember reading about it in EGM back in the day and thinking it was the coolest idea for multiplayer I'd ever heard. Unfortunately I never got a chance to properly play it, and I always wondered why we never heard from it after the mid-to-late 2000s. Very very happy you've made this video, it satisfied a curiosity I've had for over a decade. Thanks George :)
holy shit, i wanted to play this soo much back then
Excellent video, it has me giddy with excitement already, so much nostalgia!
One thing to note for others who hadn't caught on (like me) is that you don't have to go through the process of getting a copy, setting it up, installing the versus files, etc., etc., (again, like me). It's literally all at the bottom of the Steam guide ready for you to just pop in right away.
Insightful commentary about the most esoteric esoterica. That's what I subbed for
Eh, mercs are REALLY strong in Chaos Theory once you understand all the systems (I played it way too much so I know a lot about it). Most spies move too quickly and trigger the sound arrows constantly which with enough map knowledge basically tells you exactly where they are. It's also basically impossible for a spy to grab a merc because of their spin ability. Finding spies because of the debris falling from the ceiling as they run by is always hilarious too. It's a shame that I was never able to figure out how to get this game working on my PC so it's basically just all memories from Pandora Tomorrow and Chaos Theory back on the XBOX.
I'm glad by the end of the video you finally 'got' what is fun about the merc. The merc only shines once you actually understand the game and it would have been a shame if you quit before you got to that point.
My buddy and I played on Xbox every night. He was Sloberado99 and I was True Metal. We probably played against you and your partner at some point. Good times.
Agreed. Most of my experience was actually the PS2 version of Chaos theory, which in reality was just a slightly enhanced version of Pandora Tommorrow's multiplayer, and with a few more stripped down maps (compared to Xbox/PC). Imo, the PS2 version was much more balanced, since the Mercs didn't have the spinning melee attack, and the standard melee attack didn't knock out the spies (it only staggered them). Here's an old clip of the PS2 version just as an example (shitty quality) th-cam.com/video/8CIz-YzGkxg/w-d-xo.html
When I first bought the PC version of Chaos Theory, I was surprised at out different it was, and how OP the Mercs were.
LOL! You're not supposed to be grabbing mercs. You're supposed to be doing the objectives. Jesus. These comments on the balance are so asinine.
Idk man I would abuse mercs as a spy. It was all about deception. Greatest game ever. It took some time for me to get good with merc but there was nothing like the feel of walking in the dark as a merc or climbing in vents as a spy...games now suck. RIP Splinter Cell and Socom.
@@EliteKiller07 Attention old school PS2 veterans: We are still playing SCCT (Splinter Cell Chaos Theory) online! don't have your console anymore? have no fear! you can also play via ps2 emulator on pc. join our discord to get setup! discord.gg/2gQgMAg
A few months ago, I tried to find footage of multiplayer matches from Pandora Tomorrow and Double Agent, and couldn't find much at all. Glad you were able to get this up and running
i'm convinced this game mode still uses the Pandora Tomorrow game engine and not the CT engine, which is very odd. Like 2 separate games in one package.
I'm so glad you've finally gone and done it George, you've finally given exposure to one of my favourite games of all time. I never thought people would ever even notice it but you've finally shown people the light. Thank you George from the bottom of my heart for showing them 'Video Game'
Attention old school PS2 veterans: We are still playing SCCT (Splinter Cell Chaos Theory) online! don't have your console anymore? You can also play via ps2 emulator on pc. join our discord to get setup! discord.gg/2gQgMAg
Attention old school PS2 veterans: We are still playing SCCT (Splinter Cell Chaos Theory) online! don't have your console anymore? don't fret! you can also play via ps2 emulator on pc. join our discord to get setup!
discord.gg/dAmbYVA3pj
I remember playing this with my brothers quite a bit way back when. I don't really have any friends who'd be willing to play this with me these days, let alone go through all of the fixes and troubleshooting that comes with the territory of old ass games, so I hope this video kickstarts a revitalization through Gameranger of some sort. Would love to play with some randomers.
Upfade My friend and I play regularly. We are actually looking for others to play
@@chrisschlake6491 Attention old school PS2 veterans: We are still playing SCCT (Splinter Cell Chaos Theory) online! don't have your console anymore? have no fear! you can also play via ps2 emulator on pc. join our discord to get setup! discord.gg/2gQgMAg
Attention old school PS2 veterans: We are still playing SCCT (Splinter Cell Chaos Theory) online! don't have your console anymore? have no fear! you can also play via ps2 emulator on pc. join our discord to get setup! discord.gg/2gQgMAg
Something that I always thought would be great for this game
If Mercs have real guns, and Spy's don't then make damage inflicted by Mercs actually injure the spies.
If a spy gets shot, maybe they move more slowly or can't do certain acrobatic maneuvers without hurting themselves more. Maybe they leave trails of blood.
I may not expect a new Super Bunnyhop video my body is ALWAYS ready for it
A game that includes stairstabs is worth playing. Anyway, a game like this would stream like gold
Yes! Thank you George, always looking for more people to play Spies Vs Mercs
Attention old school PS2 veterans: We are still playing SCCT (Splinter Cell Chaos Theory) online! don't have your console anymore? You can also play via ps2 emulator on pc. join our discord to get setup! discord.gg/2gQgMAg
@Ionas hm?
Going into scope mode as Mercs and holding your breath to counter gas was top tier
Another fantastic video George. I'm fascinated by asymmetric video games and this one was completely under my radar.
hey bunnyhop, great vid. i just wanted to give a genuine comment telling you of my appreciation for your work. i find you very sincere, and full of journalistic integrity, and i really enjoy all of your videos. keep up the good work!
You dive into the most interesting stuff, George. I never even heard of the multiplayer mode for this game and it looks brilliant
I like hearing George talk about multiplayer game design. He always does an amazing job at providing analysis, with anecdotal evidence to back it up afterwards.
Also, selfish request, but after the Dead By Daylight mention, I can't stop thinking bout how much I'd love to see him shine a brighter spotlight onto that game.
I played Spies vs. Mercs alot during 2011. You just filled my day with nostalgia.
Attention old school PS2 veterans: We are still playing SCCT (Splinter Cell Chaos Theory) online! don't have your console anymore? You can also play via ps2 emulator on pc. join our discord to get setup! discord.gg/2gQgMAg
One of my favorite multiplayer games of all time.
Attention old school PS2 veterans: We are still playing SCCT (Splinter Cell Chaos Theory) online! don't have your console anymore? You can also play via ps2 emulator on pc. join our discord to get setup! discord.gg/2gQgMAg
I was so excited to see this posted! Whenever Splinter Cell is fondly brought up as a topic, I've found it rare to hear anyone reminiscing about SvM.
I've spent so much time to try and get friends (real and online) into this game - posting tutorials, guides, setting up a Steam community - but, as you've mentioned in the video, the learning curve is so steep (map knowledge and a solid grasp of the inherent clunkiness of the controls are mandatory), so you really can't get a good game going until both teams are at around equal skill. More than a little skew in any direction and it can be a miserable experience.
It's at least nice to know that others remember the game as fondly as I do (merc tennis!), but I don't have high hopes that it could make a comeback. Maybe your video may change that? I'm still waiting on that fan-made SvM standalone game to be completed...
Attention old school PS2 veterans: We are still playing SCCT (Splinter Cell Chaos Theory) online! don't have your console anymore? You can also play via ps2 emulator on pc. join our discord to get setup! discord.gg/2gQgMAg
There is a modern remake of CS's multi-player. It's Classic mode in Blacklist. 2v2, no guns for Spies, no OP gadgets for Mercs, and all the modern elements that improve it.
Are you fucking kidding me? Blacklist sucks ass. Buggy game and engine
I've played at least 150 hours of SvM on Blacklist. Had a blast. Sorry you don't like it.
Super Pochaco I was in GC I made blacklist videos with 1st clan also
Love what you do. This game is such a wonderful memory of my childhood. Thank you for the video.
there is a neat top down game that does stealth very similarly, but they give the spies automatic weapons so it turns into a death match
George, you're the one guy capable of making me nostalgic about a game I never played
Shameless plug here, but if you miss this kind of gameplay, you're seriously in luck.
We've been working on a game called SPECTRE for almost a year now. It is directly, and heavily, inspired by the Chaos Theory version of Spies Vs Mercs. Check out our trailers on our TH-cam page, join our Discord and let's make Spectre just as good, if not better, than the classic Spies Vs Mercs.
What if the Double Agent version was my favourite?
Finallly!! A new episode
But where's *MGS 4 analysis* ???
Ultracrepidarian Come back in December.
Come back in ten years
Some of my most beloved memories of online gaming was chaos theory on xbox live, so I'm glad that there is a way to play it online again on PC, thank you for this!
Attention old school PS2 veterans: We are still playing SCCT (Splinter Cell Chaos Theory) online! don't have your console anymore? You can also play via ps2 emulator on pc. join our discord to get setup! discord.gg/2gQgMAg
This looks amazing. Thanks for shedding light on it.
That sounds actually pretty awesome
My favorite multiplayer game mode that has faded away was the Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood multiplayer, it was such an incredible experience, blending in with a crowd and having your hunter walk right past you was so satisfying.
17:07
Video Games : neutralized
Good job, George.
I love all your excavations of old pc games that feel remarkably fresh!
George you are the ultimate gamer homeboy. Siege, MGS, and goddamn Spies vs. Mercs. God bless you.
I can't wait for the Kickstarter for Bats vs. Blarts.
Now you have me pining for a Thief vs ARMA game.
There were several fantastic LBP2 levels based on this gamemode. They did a good job of recreating that mischievous gameplay.
Another great episode. You are one of the most eloquent people one youtube (if we ignore "nuclear") and the professionalism is actually above something that people expect from youtube. Keep up the good work.
"Hello, and welcome to..." :(
Interesting writeup on a mode I knew nothing about.
Amon Tobin is a god, and this soundtrack is one of the best ever made.
So wait, you go through all that to relive a 12 year old game? What commitment. I don't really play multiplayer, so not for me. But thats George for showing us what we miss. Man, a modern adaptation of this would be fun.
chaos theory co-op and spies v mercs were the best times i had in multiplayer videogames outside of halo 2&3 matchmaking
I love your videos, I love your scripts, this extends to everyone who may or may not help you produce these :-)
Amon Tobin's Chaos Theory soundtrack is sooo good. "Theme from Battery" is legitimately one of my favorite pieces of game music of all time and I've never even played a Splinter Cell game.
I love that the "spaghetti" metaphor is now part of the SBH analysis therminology.
I remember playing the absolute hell out of the demo for Pandora Tomorrow's Spies vs Mercs back in South Korea. We'd get together at a cybercafe and go at it for hours. I never did get around to playing the MP for Chaos Theory, but I did get to do a full run of its coop. Man, I really do miss those games.
Oh man I remember playing this in Double Agent with my friends, I was terrified of playing the mercs back then aha.
I always wanted to try out this game mode, but actually never had a chance for it. So this video is very entertaining for me. Also, the coop mode would also worth a video to mention it. It was so good.
Holy shit, I just had a conversation with a friend about this mode YESTERDAY. He'd never played anything like it and I suggested we get some guys together and make a legit LAN party out of it for a day, then this video comes out and I'm pretty sure I can sell it now with your help, thanks man. Great video and I hope this gets people interested in CT verses style gameplay.
Attention old school PS2 veterans: We are still playing SCCT (Splinter Cell Chaos Theory) online! don't have your console anymore? You can also play with a ps2 emulator on pc. join our discord to get setup! discord.gg/2gQgMAg
Holy crap. We MADE this, as a board game. Last year, for a university 72 hour game jam. I mean, I'd never played Spies vs. Mercs on any Splinter Cell game and I don't think anyone had, but every single statement that George made translates exactly to our funny little 3v2 nonsense. Guards creating patrol routes between too many objectives for two people to cover, designed to cut off common lines of thief travel. Thieves hiding from real players in plain sight, letting a predictable Paul Blart walk past their position. Guards harassing spies off of objectives since chasing them is impossible, but spies creating distractions with noise and sightings to sneak a friendly through. We even set it up so that thieves are unable to coordinate after they enter the mansion but guards are not allowed to hide their communication, just like the hacked communication in. Like there's some differences because it's a turn-based board game, but the spirit that George is calling for is exactly the same on every count. I've been meaning to export it to Tabletop Simulator to get some friends involved but anyone let me know if you're interested and I'll actually get on it.
I am so glad he finally got around to this one.
I was drinking a glass of vodka during 12:27, tried to contain my laughter, started choking, couldn't swallow the vodka, mouth started burning, thanks George.
So nostalgic :)
I remember playing this mode with my brother on LAN connection. I was good at stealth and he was good at shooters. It was fun as hell. We really need a decent modern version of this mode!
Oh shit. He's back.
Back again.
I miss the classic Splinter Cell games, you know the ones actually focused on single player and were stealth games. Not wanna be Jason Bourne or action games. Ubisoft today is bad, very bad...
Man I'm so peeved that the in game countdown timer doesn't sync up with the snake eater countdown music.
I spent SO many evenings playing this online with my 2v2 partner. We played every iteration before and after Chaos Theory's SvM, but in my opinion this was when it was at its peak. None of the others matched the feeling of cat and mouse so ideally, and no other non-Splinter Cell game even comes close to the feeling you get of playing a spy in some classic SvM.
spies vs mercs was sooooofun. I remember the days I'd go to school and think about playing oh man I miss this game. Seeing polar base made me remember all the glitches you could do. Good fun.
The idea of hacking into enemy mics is brilliant. I want to go on the internet one day and see an esports team creating code phrases the enemy has to decipher
Nice video. in retrospect, I loved the asylum and warehouse map. Those two maps were always my fav when I used to play this game on xbox live.
That mode was the most fun I had as a kid. I used to play it on Xbox and some of the craziest stuff would happen.
And if you don't like the multiplayer, don't worry! Chaos Theory's single player is some top notch stealth fun!
If you guys like these kinds of games, check out Intruder by Superbossgames, also Super Bunnyhop, I would really enjoy to watch you play Intruder, its a ton of fun and the community is great!
I remember that Blacklist had a 'classic' spies vs mercs mode that locked the loadouts for both teams, meaning spies didn't have guns. It was actually kinda good (or at least i remember it being good).
I vividly remember downloading the Double Agent demo off the xbox arcade like a decade after the game launched and there still being people on the demo multiplayer servers.
Love this type of your vids!!!
Great video, Mr. Weidman! Wouldn't mind more retrospectives like this :D
Greatest game I ever played. Great job on the video also. Probably the best review I have seen. Pretty much nailed everything about it.
Come check out our modern take on the SVM type of gameplay. We're directly and heavily inspired by Chaos Theory's version of SVM.
Watch our teaser trailers on our TH-cam page... join our Discord and play in our beta. SVM lives on!