Ghost Recon beta hits this month, Elite-like service coming

Ghost Recon: Future Soldier beta hits April 19th.

Ghost Recon is getting it's own version of Call of Duty's free Elite service, a stat-tracking, customization network that can be accessed by phone, tablet or computer. Ubisoft announced today.

The publisher also detailed the roll out for the Ghost Recon: Future Soldier beta, which will run from April 19th until May 2nd on the PS3 and Xbox 360.

The Ghost Recon Network will support not just the upcoming release of Ghost Recon: Future Soldier but upcoming Ghost Recon games as well, Ubisoft said in their press release. The site and the iOS and Android apps will launch with Ghost Recon: Future Soldier on May 22nd, though beta testers will be able to play around with early versions of the Android app and website during the beta.

The network will include the ability to use a mobile version of GunSmith, which will still support 3D parts, and publish those weapons to the GunSmith Gallery. Players will also be able to browse other gamer's weapons.

The network will also include player stat tracking and friend's in-game status updates. So, of instance, players will be able to compare stats on leader boards and receive challenges, friend activity reports an community updates via the network.

The service will also allow players to check out heat maps of past battles, build and manage squads, add recruits and search for competing squads. Ubisoft official say that downloading the free app will also unlock additional attachment credits in the game and allow players to earn weapons and weapon skins.

The game's upcoming beta, which also includes early access to the network's website and Android app, gives players a chance to check out three classes Rifleman, Engineer and Scout, and play in two modes.

Conflict has players battling to complete objectives and earn points in single 15 minute rounds.

Saboteur, which starts on April 26th, has teams competing to retrieve a bomb that spawns in a central location on the map. The first team to bring it to an opposing team's base and detonate it within the ten minute limit wins.

Both modes will be playable on two maps: Pipeline and Mill.

There are three ways to access the beta:

Splinter Cell Conviction Xbox 360 owners can access the beta directly through the game

Pre-order Ghost Recon: Future Solder on Xbox 360 from GameStop and receive a Xbox 360 beta key.

PlayStation Plus subscribers receive a PS3 beta key.