Sony, Zipper Announce SOCOM 4

Today Sony Computer Entertainment pulled the veil off the latest entry in its popular tactical military shooter series. The first proper numerical sequel to the franchise in five years, SOCOM 4 returns to the hands of original developer Zipper Interactive, which just shipped its massive multiplayer shooter MAG this past January.

As detailed on the PlayStation Blog, SOCOM 4 follows an elite special forces team trying to restore order to a South American country that has fallen into the hands of a dictator after a bloody revolution. Journeying from the dense jungles to the crowded urban centers, the six-man team of specialists must neutralize the militants in under six days. I guess on the seventh day, they'll rest. No word on why the Defense Department couldn't sent more troops to help out.

In standard shooter fashion, SOCOM 4 also features 32-player multiplayer modes that "boasts more special forces units than ever before."

Zipper Interactive senior community manager Jeremy Dunham also wanted to reassure MAG fans that SOCOM 4 will in no way limit the developer's support of its large-scale shooter. "We’re still fully committed to supporting MAG for a long, long time and the addition of another game in our lineup doesn’t change that," he said.