Ever since Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory, the stealth franchise has been known for stellar multiplayer. There have been a few missteps in subsequent entries, but the latest entry in the franchise looks to bring some fresh ideas to multiplayer.

In a new trailer released by IGN today, Ubisoft revealed Spies vs. Mercs to be a returning multiplayer mode in Splinter Cell: Blacklist. As the name implies, the new mode will have players taking on the role of spies trying to steal data while those playing as the mercenaries attempt to take them down. It looks similar to Sneaking Mission, a mode of play in Metal Gear Online, that pit one player as Snake against 12 soldiers.

It will be interesting to see how this multiplayer mode works in the Wii U version of Blacklist. Ubisoft has already revealed that it will have unique Gamepad integration, and a gameplay mode like this could make for rather interesting gameplay when combined with the Gamepad.

Splinter Cell: Blacklist launches August 20 for PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U and PC.