Ubisoft announces Silent Hunter 5, saying the next installment in the submarine combat game is in development at Ubisoft Romania to be released exclusively for the PC early next year. The Official Silent Hunter 5 Website is online, and the announcement is accompanied by a batch of Silent Hunter 5 screenshots. Here's their list of "key features" in the sequel:

• VIEW AS A CAPTAIN: Walk through highly detailed submarines in the new first-person view and access every part of your U-boat.

• BECOME A REAL LEADER: Interact with your crew, watch them perform their daily jobs and experience the tension and fear inside the U-boat through the new advanced order system.

• WAR STRATEGIES: Choose your own strategy and select your targets with a new objective-driven, dynamic campaign.

• ENEMY REACTIONS: Open new locations, upgrades and resupply possibilities, while the Allied ships adjust dynamically to your approach. Your actions will directly impact the evolution of the campaign.

• NEW USER INTERFACE: Prowl the waters with a brand-new user interface. Now, every beginner can successfully command a sub while remaining free of confusion. In expert mode, experienced players will be provided all the necessary information and controls to command the sub completely on their own.

• CINEMATIC EXPERIENCE: Experience the most realistic and immersive Silent Hunter ever created. Improved environment graphics create a powerful level of immersion as you operate authentic, highly detailed U-boats and fight against surface ships.