Rainbow Six 3 goes gold

A month after it took top honors at X03, Rainbow Six 3 has been sent to manufacturing. The first Xbox version of Ubisoft's best-selling, Tom Clancy-based, tactical-combat series has had a relatively trouble-free ride to production, and should make its October 28 release date without any problem.

Unlike Splinter Cell, Ubisoft's other Tom-Clancy-inspired Xbox action game, Rainbow Six doesn't follow the exploits of a single stealthy commando. It follows four stealthy commandos, who can be equipped with a vast arsenal of real-life assault weapons and high-tech devices.

The game also features a complex order system to dispatch players' squad mates, including "zulu" commands that will be executed on your signal. However, the game is not a port of the previous PC Rainbow Six titles, and features a new plot and gameplay specifically designed for the Xbox.

Gamers who prefer multiplayer action can create 4-man teams with friends and play co-op mission or head-to-head tournaments via Xbox Live. The limited edition of the game comes with a custom headset for use with the Microsoft service.

Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six 3 will begin hitting store shelves October 28, 2003. It's been rated “M” (Mature) by the ESRB and has an MSRP of $49.99.