It is arguably the most intelligent of video game franchises. Now into its fifth release with Conviction coming this April 13th, the Splinter Cell series is a bold one willing to explore the American military and its foreign activities in uncertain terms, to express them visually with artistry over conformity, and to always give players several non-lethal options. Most game designers tell me that their job can be simplified as one where they give players interesting targets to shoot at. UbiSoft Montreal has focused instead on giving players interesting ways around their targets, so much so that you can play one of their games from start to finish and leave behind a trail of untouched ammunition clips instead of bodies. I myself finished Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory with just one kill (one moment where there wasn't a non-lethal option) and still found the 30+ hours riveting and compelling. 

While the games will always be fun to play, it's the continued presence of Toronto-born actor Michael Ironside as the voice of lead character Sam Fisher that inspires a great affection from fans. Michael my not realize it, but he's a pioneer in the industry. Most celebrity actors record their lines, collect their paychecks, and then instruct their publicists to hide their involvement as if they had just recorded a commercial for Suntory Whiskey in Japan. From the very beginning Michael has always been open about his role as Sam Fisher, willing to do interviews and even, quite famously, willing to rip up that paycheck unless the character is portrayed responsibly. He doesn't play video games himself, but doesn't look down on them as so many in a similar position do. For him Sam Fisher is no different an acting role than any other in film or television and must be explored with the same serious questions. Here he discusses some of those aspects which lead him to a fifth Splinter Cell, aptly subtitled "Conviction".