The gameplay trailer for Tom Clancy's The Division has finally been published for all to see.
Considering how the leaked version – courtesy of GameStop Italy – beat the official one to the punch, it could have made a bigger entrance.
A YouTuber first spotted the prematurely launched video and shared the YouTube link and a mirror for backup on NeoGAF, stirring up eager fans of the game. Soon after, it was taken down for obvious reasons, but now it has been brought back up.
Late last year, Ubisoft also released a live-action trailer of the online shooter. Featuring a rendition of "Silent Night" with modified lyrics tailored to the warfare, it definitely had an eerie and thrilling feel to it. Nevertheless, it left quite a lot to the imagination.
This time around, the footage showcases what the game has in store for players, including snippets of story scenes, combat gameplay and new areas. It starts out with a vertical panning shot of the city, eventually transitioning to a shootout with what seems to be heavily armed gangsters. Then, it shows a glimpse of how weapons can be collected and upgraded.
As for the areas, the trailer reveals the game's recognizable snow-filled streets along with an underground metro and a wrecked train station. What's more, it gives a clear view of the safe zones – locations where players can communicate with NPC, form teams with other players, replenish and load up on items or simply take a break.
The Division takes multiplayer gameplay up a notch. Even the narrator of the trailer dropped a hint of how significant teamwork is in the game, saying, "You will die alone . . . if we don't stand together." Players can make groups to head out on a mission together and they might even run into another team that consists of other real players.
The full game is scheduled to roll out on March 8, 2016, which the developers finally set as a solid date after numerous setbacks. Preorders give access to the closed beta, along with an exclusive gear set. Interested players will have to sign up for it and follow the game's social media pages for beta keys.
"Our goal is to create the best game possible, together with you. With this in mind, we want to provide an opportunity to get your hands on The Division, to test and experience the latest version of the game before it launches," the team behind The Division said.
On that note, there's still no solid beta release date for the Xbox One, PS4 and PC. The game developer only said that it'll be up in "early 2016."
Interestingly, Ubisoft opened an alpha version for the Xbox One from Dec. 9 to 12. Despite signing a non-disclosure agreement, a participant leaked 20 minutes' worth of gameplay online, and the footage spread like wildfire in no time.
Creative director of The Division Julian Gerighty disclosed some nitty-gritty details about the game in an interview with IGN.
"Ever-increasing difficulty in encounters and missions are central to the experience but the centerpiece is the Dark Zone where you will be competing at the highest level for the best equipment in the game, not only against the factions but also against other players," he said, responding to the question about how end-game content will turn out.
The game bears some similarities with Destiny. For those who don't know, both games have RPG aspects: players can customize their characters, gain experience and take on various roles.
One sure difference between the two online shooters is that The Division will have a conclusion to the "compelling story," something Destiny doesn't have.
Aside from the leaks and delays, Ubisoft appears to be molding Tom Clancy's The Division into one awesome shooter. Hopefully, the developers will dish out more details about the beta soon, so that everyone will have a date to mark on their calendars.
Hit up the official trailer below and check out the action and features.
