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GameSpyDaily has the exclusive scoop on Ubi Soft's plans to release a brand new set of mod tools which will be bundled in with the upcoming Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Desert Siege Mission Pack. The Toolkit will also be available from the official Ghost Recon site shortly after the commercial release as well. Here's the skinny on the tools:

The Editing Toolkit includes:

• 3dStudio MAX editor plugins - For MAX version 3.x. Used to tag and export geometry for objects/maps as well as a plugin to be able to read RSB textures in MAX
  
• RSB Editor - Stand alone application used to give textures attributes used by the game
  
• Lighting Tool - Stand alone application used to light levels
  
• Over 50+ pages of documentation on how to use the tools.
  
• Sample source files

News source: GameSpyDaily

"This program gives Compaq Global Services the ability to expand significantly the depth of expertise we bring to our clients," said Rick Fricchione, vice president, Enterprise Ready Microsoft, Compaq Global Services. "We will be able to provide quicker time to resolution for our support and systems integration services, as well as improve our capabilities globally to offer a better experience and satisfaction for implementing Windows-based technology mission-critical solutions."

Ashish Kumar, chief technology officer of Avande, a systems integrator that specializes in delivering Microsoft enterprise solutions to Global 2,000 customers, added, "With this increased access, our Windows-based solutions will be stronger and more secure, and our ability to integrate those solutions into existing systems means we can most readily provide customers with a truly connected, cohesive computing environment."

Microsoft said it will initially make the SISLP available to about 150 systems integrators in more than 30 countries at no additional fee. Gold Support Services Certified Partners, or systems integrators with more than 1,500 seats of Windows with a Microsoft Premier Support Agreement (level A or B) are eligible for the program. Microsoft said it expects participants will eventually include a mix of traditional systems integrators that deliver Windows-based solutions and companies that are providing ongoing Windows support services.

"Empowering systems integrators with better knowledge of, and access to, Windows source code will enable them to deliver higher-valued services to our customers," said Craig Mundie, senior vice president, chief technical offer of advanced strategies and policy at Microsoft. "By sharing our source code responsibly with our partners, we are committing our most valuable intellectual property to the belief that a vibrant and integrated software ecosystem is critical to the future of our global economy and IT performance."