“We had to find a martial art that fits the character and the situations he would find himself in. We needed something very quick, efficient and brutal - something without any rules,” says Animation Director Gilles Monteil in this latest developer diary for Ubisoft’s Splinter Cell: Conviction. “That’s why we chose Krav Maga.”

The official self defense system of the Israeli Defense Forces, Krav Maga has no sporting federation, no official uniforms and most importantly, no rules. It’s all about fast and fluid attacks, crippling your opponent with a blinding barrage of speed before they have a chance to even think threatening thoughts in your general direction. In other words, it’s the perfect martial art for Conviction’s renegade protagonist. Having parted ways with Third Echelon, the new Sam Fisher doesn’t have any laws to obey, any orders to follow. Oh, and he’s hella pissed. Combine that with some Kosher-approved close quarters combat training, and you’ve got 2010’s biggest badass.

“Krav Maga is not a big, flashy martial art,” explains Lead Game Designer Steve Masters. “He’s not going to be doing spinning back kicks or anything like that. What he is doing is he’s being extremely efficient in taking people down in a fast and effective manner.” Like I said, badass.