Tom Clancy's Series

Tom Clancy franchise – what is it about?

The Tom Clancy franchise is a collection of tactical shooters, stealth action titles, and strategy-focused experiences inspired by the political thrillers of the late author. Developed and published by Ubisoft, the brand includes distinct subseries like Splinter Cell, Rainbow Six, Ghost Recon, The Division, and EndWar, each with its own mechanics, tone, and narrative focus.

Whether you’re sneaking through shadows as Sam Fisher, commanding elite squads in counter-terrorism operations, or surviving the collapse of society, the series brings a high-stakes, military-infused world to life through a shared thematic universe.

When did the Tom Clancy’s franchise begin?

The brand launched in 1998 with the original Rainbow Six, a groundbreaking tactical shooter focused on planning and precision. Over time, more titles were added under the Tom Clancy’s umbrella, growing the brand into a multi-genre powerhouse. Despite differences in gameplay style, the titles share a dedication to realism, strategy, and geopolitics.

How many Tom Clancy games are there?

There are over 30 games spread across several subseries. Below is a complete series listed by release date.

Here is the list of Tom Clancy games in order:

1. Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six (1998)
2. Tom Clancy's Rogue Spear (1999)
3. Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Take-Down - Missions in Korea ( 2001)
4. Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon (2001)
5. Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell (2002)
6. Tom Clancy's The Sum of Fears (2002)
7. Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield (2003)
8. Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow (2004)
9. Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon 2 (2004)
10. Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory (2005)
11. Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Lockdown (2005)
12. Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter (2006)
13. Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Critical Hour (2006)
14. Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Essentials (2006)
15. Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Double Agent (2006)
16. Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas (2006)
17. Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 (2007)
18. Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 (2008)
19. Tom Clancy's EndWar (2008)
20. Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X (2009)
21. Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Conviction (2010)
22. Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X 2 (2010)
23. Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Predator (2010)
24. Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon (2010) (reebot)
25. Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars (2011)
26. Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Future Soldier (2012)
27. Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Blacklist (2013)
28. Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Phantoms (2014)
29. Tom Clancy's EndWar Online (2014)
30. Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege (2015)
31. Tom Clancy's The Division (2016)
32. Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Wildlands (2017)
33. Tom Clancy's The Division 2 (2019)
34. Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Breakpoint (2019)
35. Tom Clancy's Elite Squad (2020)
36. Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Extraction (2022)
37. Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow (2025)

What is the chronological Tom Clancy timeline?

Due to the diversity of sub-franchises, the Tom Clancy timeline isn’t entirely unified. However, each subseries contains its internal chronology:

1. Splinter Cell follows Sam Fisher’s journey as a Third Echelon operative, with the narrative building from Splinter Cell (2002) to Blacklist (2013).
2. Rainbow Six games loosely follow a progression of global counter-terrorist operations, evolving from tactical realism to the competitive style of Siege.
3. Ghost Recon progresses through near-future conflicts and drone warfare, with Breakpoint serving as the most recent chapter.
4. The Division titles share a connected post-pandemic world, with The Division 2 continuing the events of the original.

For fans interested in story continuity, each subseries should be played in order based on its release or narrative arc.

The best way to experience the Tom Clancy’s series

Because the franchise spans different genres, the best entry point depends on your preferred playstyle:

• For stealth fans: Start with Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory or Blacklist.
• For tactical shooters: Rainbow Six Siege offers competitive team-based gameplay with ongoing updates.
• For open-world military action: Try Ghost Recon Wildlands for co-op fun, or Future Soldier for linear storytelling.
• For looter-shooter RPGs: The Division 2 delivers strong post-apocalyptic storytelling with deep progression.

Each title or sub-franchise can be enjoyed independently, but playing within the intended series order gives the most rewarding narrative experience.

Most iconic Tom Clancy characters and factions in the franchise

Across the brand, a few standout names and organizations help define the tone and depth of the world:

• Sam Fisher (Splinter Cell) – The face of stealth action and one of Ubisoft’s most iconic characters.
• Team Rainbow (Rainbow Six) – An elite multinational counter-terrorism unit.
• Ghosts (Ghost Recon) – Highly trained soldiers operating behind enemy lines.
• SHD Agents (The Division) – Sleeper operatives activated to rebuild society after collapse.

Third Echelon, Fourth Echelon, and The Black Tusk – Recurring factions with global influence.
These elements often crossover, making the franchise feel loosely connected, even across different playstyles.

What’s the next Tom Clancy game?

As of March 2025, Ubisoft has several projects in development under the Tom Clancy brand. These include:

1. A Splinter Cell remake, currently being rebuilt from the ground up in modern engines.
2. The Division 3 a continuation of the looter shooter series beloved by many.
3. Ongoing support for Rainbow Six Siege, including new operators, maps, and events.
4. Rumors of a Ghost Recon reboot, following Breakpoint’s mixed reception.

As the gaming landscape evolves, the franchise continues to adapt, offering tactical depth, realistic combat, and a gripping military story. If you want to stay up to date on all future announcements check out our gaming news section.