The leading man of II journeys to Rome in the spin-off plans to release before the next instalment to the main series.

Ezio Auditore will take the hidden blades to Renaissance-era Roma in the next game in the franchise for and 360. Ubisoft CEO announced the game's setting during a conference call with investors regarding its third quarter 2010 fiscal year results.

"This time, [he] will strike directly against the templar's order in Rome," proclaimed Guillemot.

No details were provide about how the game will be structured, though the multiplayer component was heavily emphasised. It's not evident if the game will feature competitive or cooperative gameplay.

Ubisoft did clarify, though, the game's release date: sometime before April 2011.

By Tracy Erickson