LAS VEGAS--Ubisoft's newest game studio, located in Quebec City, is focusing solely on PSP games. First out of the gate from the new development house is an original Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas game, which blends some of the unique gameplay features found in the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 title of the same name, but introduces new characters and settings.

A team of 50 has been working on this PSP game for over a year. Ubisoft is the first developer to use Epic Games' Unreal Engine 3 for a PSP game. It makes sense, since the game will feature the same first-person shooter action as the next generation version. By utilizing Epic's technology, which brings swift and solid gameplay and detailed environments to the forefront, the Quebec City team was able to unlock the online multiplayer aspects of the PSP.

Rainbow Six: Vegas is the first Ubisoft PSP game that will support online gameplay for up to six players. The technology that the studio developed for this game will be shared with other development teams working on PSP titles. Ubisoft had several ad hoc multiplayer games running at its Las Vegas press event, and the game ran smoothly and offered solid FPS action. Two of the six classic multiplayer maps from Raven Shield were playable - the Presidio and the private airport and tower. Online gameplay includes survival and team survival modes.

While Ubisoft borrowed from Raven Shield for multiplayer, the single-player adventure was built from scratch using the Unreal Engine 3. The game's levels were constructed around the observe, plan and attack gameplay that the next generation games feature. Ubisoft created rough levels with the engine and tested the enemy AI to ensure that players would be able to employ the various devices introduced in the new game.

Like the next generation games, players will be able to use a snake cam to see behind doors. They'll also be able to take and fire from cover. The game switches to a third-person perspective just like its next gen counterpart. Players will be able to tag enemies while in the snake cam mode and then plan their attacks.

Multiplayer feels very familiar, but the story is new, as are the Rainbow team members. To accommodate the smaller device, gameplay revolves around a two-man team. New team members Brian Armstrong and Shawn River are sent to a Vegas airport to rescue some Rainbow members. When they arrive at the airport, the missing members are not there. What ensues is a serpentine tale that also takes Hollywood TV cues from hit shows like "24" to create a thrilling story. The terrorist pulling the strings behind this game's action is Lucas Picares.

The locales in the PSP game are on the outskirts of Las Vegas. Unlike the next generation games, this game does not take players into the casinos or onto the strip. Instead, the gameplay occurs in environments like a water filtration plant, a tower, a private airport, and a dam.

Rainbow Six: Vegas PSP features 15 weapons and 10 gadgets. The game allows players to equip themselves appropriately before heading into action. Mission briefings are given before each encounter like in the old Rainbow Six games. Johanna Tores serves as the team's eye-in-the-sky. She's the only crossover character between the PSP and next generation games. Gameplay will focus on Brian Armstrong, field operative and assault expert, but from time to time players will assume the role of Shawn Rivers, who is good with a sniper rifle.

The game rewards players for logging time offline. Players can build up stats to unlock exclusive Rainbow Six Vegas content, including concept art and the feverish Terrorist Hunt mode. This exclusive mode allows you to jump into specific points of single-player maps and frag the spawning terrorists. The Quebec City team was able to pack a lot of options into this portable game, which looks and plays great on the PSP's widescreen display. While first-person shooters have been difficult to translate to PSP's control scheme, Ubisoft has managed to create a solid shooter that opens up the experience with new features that make this strategic shooter a potential portable hit.