Far Cry 2 is generating a lot of buzz leading up to its October release on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC, thanks in no small part to its open-ended gameplay on the African Serengeti. Even before that game hits store shelves, however, Ubisoft is already talking about its follow-up.

Speaking at the Games Convention in Leipzig last week, Ubisoft Montreal narrative designer Patrick Redding mentioned that the next Far Cry has entered "preliminary stages," as reported by VideoGaming247. What’s more, Redding noted that Far Cry 2’s follow-up will likely make a return passage to Africa.

"For us, Africa still has a huge amount of promise," Redding told the Web site. "There are still things we want to do with the African setting, and I think it’s safe to say we’ll continue to explore it." A return to Africa isn’t a lock however, as Redding also noted that "we might find something new and compelling about the Antarctic setting that wants us to make the next game there."

While an exact locale has yet to be decided, Redding seems convinced that Far Cry won’t be making a return to the series’ roots on a remote tropical island. "Let’s face it, jungle islands are probably less exciting as they were four years ago," he said. That’s not a mentality shared by Far Cry IP creator Crytek, whose most recent shooter Crysis--as well as its follow-up, Warhead--is set in just such a locale.

By TomM_GScom