Eidos Announces... Conflict: Denied Ops is the press release announcing Conflict: Denied Ops is the new title for Crossfire, so Pivotal Games' two-player cooperative first-person shooter will now be part of the Conflict series. The announcement also carries a 2008 release date, representing a delay from the 2007 date offered when the game was first announced (story), and while the perpetually "coming soon" Flash Crossfire Website still says "only on Xbox 360" (along with the PC logo), indicating a console exclusive, the new announcement adds PS3 to the game's target platforms. Some screenshots from the renamed project can be found on FileFront, and here's the announcement: :

Previously announced under the working title of CROSSFIRE, CONFLICT: DENIED OPS is an innovative new two player co-op FPS from award-winning developers, Pivotal Games, and is the fifth game in the best selling Conflict series.

CONFLICT: DENIED OPS is set in today’s volatile political climate, focusing on two covert field operatives, experts in weapons and military tactics. The game allows players to switch seamlessly, at any point, between these two operatives to lay down covering fire, explore diverging paths through the levels, create distractions and pin the enemy under fire.

Making full use of Pivotal’s new Puncture Technology™, the game features a highly destructible environment, allowing players to shoot through walls to create sniping holes or blast through walls to take the enemy by surprise. Taking place in politically sensitive areas across South America, Africa and Russia, CONFLICT: DENIED OPS features an intuitive command system, non-stop action and Hollywood-esque explosive moments throughout.

“This is our first chance to develop a Conflict game for next-gen platforms,” said Alex McLean, Technical Director at Pivotal. “Working on the 360 and PS3 we’ve been able to take the series to new heights, with true next-gen lighting, advanced enemy AI, an explosive environment and unique tactical co-op gameplay. CONFLICT: DENIED OPS marks a new era for the Conflict series.”

When the US government needs intelligence but wants no association with an operation, deniable operatives are dispatched. Responsible for covert paramilitary actions, the Special Activities Division is a division of the Central Intelligence Agency, now the National Clandestine Service. Members of the unit must bear no identity; no objects, papers or clothing that could associate them in any way with their employees. CONFLICT: DENIED OPS draws its inspiration from this group of highly skilled individuals.

CONFLICT: DENIED OPS will be coming to Xbox 360, PS3 and PC in 2008.