The SOCOM series started off strong right out of the starting gate and continues to be one of the PS2's most popular online games. No surprise then that Sony and Zipper Interactive are currently working on the fourth installment, tentatively entitled "Combined Assault". Please note that this is a working title and may change.

No real official information has surfaced regarding the game aside from a small handful of screenshots but we have heard through the grapevine that the game will feature new weapons, vehicles, maps (duh!) and a four player co-op mode. Expect more "robust crosstalk" between the PS2 version and the upcoming PSP title SOCOM US Navy Seals Fireteam Bravo 2. What this really entails though, we're currently unaware.

Although the screens are early, we're surprised at how basic they look in their current state. We would expect by now that the SOCOM series would have the visual impact of Killzone, but it appears that Zipper is keeping everything graphically on the down low, to keep the framerate from having a seizure online. We understand that Sony has to keep the millions of SOCOM fans and current PS2 owners pleased as punch, so don't expect a real next gen SOCOM for quite awhile.

Stay tuned for more details as we receive them.

By Vaughn Smith
CCC Site Director