Key Highlights:
- Steam Achievements now supported in Splinter Cell: Blacklist after nearly 12 years.
- Retroactive unlocks included, with removed online-only trophies for full 100% completion.
- Signals Ubisoft’s continued interest in the Splinter Cell franchise amid remake development.
Nearly 12 years since its original release, Splinter Cell: Blacklist has received a surprise update on Steam, this time bringing long-requested support for Steam Achievements.
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Originally released in 2013, Blacklist marked the most recent mainline entry in Ubisoft’s iconic stealth-action series.
While players have been eager for a full sequel, this new quality-of-life update is a significant step toward modernising the game’s experience on PC.
Steam Achievements Arrive
Ubisoft officially confirmed the update via its social media channels, announcing that players who boot up Blacklist will now find Steam Achievements enabled.
Even more importantly, the achievements are retroactive.
If you’ve already completed the requirements via Ubisoft Connect or in-game progression, simply launching the game will sync them and unlock the respective achievements on Steam.
To make completion possible, Ubisoft has removed 19 multiplayer achievements tied to the now-defunct online mode.
This makes 100% achievement completion possible for the first time since servers began degrading, a move that fans have widely praised.
Previously locked content is now fully accessible, ensuring that completionists aren’t punished for Ubisoft’s online infrastructure changes over the years.
While this update improves progression tracking, not all issues have been addressed.
Many users have reported ongoing performance issues with the current PC build, including crashes and stuttering.
Despite the overall rating for the game remaining “Mostly Positive,” recent reviews have skewed Mixed due to these technical problems.
Fans are now hoping that Ubisoft follows up with a performance patch, especially as they’ve recently updated several legacy titles across Steam and consoles.
Signals for the Franchise’s Future?
Ubisoft’s decision to support Blacklist so many years post-launch is part of a wider trend.
Titles like Far Cry 4, Assassin’s Creed Origins, and The Crew have all seen surprise updates or maintenance in the last two years. The former having had an update just this week that implemented 60 FPS to the Xbox Series and PS5 versions .
In the case of Splinter Cell, this renewed attention may signal a soft push to re-engage the fanbase ahead of the franchise’s full-scale revival.
Development of the Splinter Cell Remake, built using Ubisoft’s Snowdrop engine, is still underway.
First announced in 2021, updates have been minimal, but statements from the creative team suggest a faithful rebuild that re-examines both narrative and mechanical design with a modern lens.
Creative Director Chris Auty confirmed that while the remake will stay true to its stealth roots, it also presents an opportunity to refine story elements that haven’t aged well.
Splinter Cell: Blacklist was developed by Ubisoft Toronto and originally released in August 2013.
It featured a more agile and aggressive Sam Fisher, combining classic stealth gameplay with action-oriented mechanics.
Despite critical acclaim, it would go on to be the last mainline entry in the franchise to date.
With Steam Achievements now implemented and interest slowly rekindling, Blacklist has re-emerged not just as a nostalgic gem, but as a relevant part of Ubisoft’s ongoing catalogue.
While fans wait for the remake, this update is a welcome reminder, Sam Fisher hasn’t been forgotten.