POP3, Ghost Recon 3 head Ubi's E3

Ubisoft has become the first major publisher to announce its software line-up for the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles next month, and revealed that two of its titles will be demonstrated on at least one next-generation platform.

Headline titles include Prince of Persia 3, a new Ghost Recon title, a follow-up to Gearbox Software's successful World War II shooter Brothers In Arms, an adaptation of Peter Jackson's King Kong, Myst V, the console version of America's Army, and the Xbox version of Far Cry Instincts.

Of those games, both King Kong and Ghost Recon 3 (working title) will be demonstrated on "next-generation" technology. Although the publisher worded its announcement carefully so it's open to interpretation, both titles are expected to ship before the end of the year, so the assumption must be that they are at least in development for Xbox 360, which is expected to launch before Christmas.

Ubisoft is known to be working on a number of next-generation titles, including Splinter Cell 4 and a new shooter called Killing Day, although neither is mentioned in Ubi's E3 rundown.

It also appears that a number of the games listed will only be demonstrated on selected formats, too. Prince of Persia 3 will be demoed on PS2 and Xbox, for example, but Ubisoft's 2005-2006 line-up also has it down to appear on PC, GameCube and GBA.

Little mention is made of Ubi's PSP and Nintendo DS commitments either, although they are known to be extensive, with Prince of Persia and other titles pencilled in for release on the new handheld formats.

Meanwhile, the new Brothers In Arms title and Myst V: End of Ages will not be on the main stand, but should make an appearance behind closed doors.

Other titles on Ubisoft's stand include Heroes of Might & Magic V for the PC, 187 Ride or Die (formerly known as Notorious: Die to Drive), AND 1 Street Ball, delayed tactical shooter Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Lockdown, and a new World War II title - an aero combat title this time - called Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII.

Ubisoft will be exhibiting on stand #1300 in the event's South Hall. E3 runs from May 18th to 20th.

• 187 Ride or Die (PS2, Xbox)
• America's Army: Rise of a Soldier (PS2, Xbox)
• AND 1 Streetball (PS2)
• Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII - working title (Xbox)
• Brothers In Arms Road to Hill 30: New Chapter - working title (PC, Xbox)
• Far Cry Instincts (Xbox)
• Heroes of Might & Magic V (PC)
• Myst V: End of Ages (PC)
• Peter Jackson's King Kong (PS2, Xbox, next-gen)
• Prince of Persia 3 (PS2, Xbox)
• Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon 3 - working title (next-gen)
• Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Lockdown (PS2, Xbox)