In a rather unusual marketing approach, Ubisoft has produced a live action short film that serves as a prequel to their upcoming game, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands. This film, subtitled War Within the Cartel, introduces us to Santa Blanca cartel leader El Sueño and walks us through the events leading up to the beginning of the game when the Ghosts dispatched. While this prequel is essentially a commercial for Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Wildlands, it is actually a well constructed short film, complete with a nod to Scarface. While this does not seem to be required viewing to enjoy the upcoming game, it is an enjoyable film and an entertaining way for Tom Clancy fans to spend a half hour. Currently it is available exclusively through Amazon Prime Video and can be watched here. A description of the film from Ubisoft is below.

"War Within the Cartel takes viewers inside the inner workings of the Santa Blanca drug cartel, controlled by the revered yet ruthless leader, El Sueño. In the aftermath of an attack on their compound, the organization's senior leadership (Head of Security El Muro, Head of Production El Yayo, Head of Trafficking Nidia Flores and Head of Influence El Cardenal) seeks out a traitor within their midst in order to exact deadly retribution. The action-packed story culminates in the events leading up to the beginning of the game as an elite Special Forces unit, the Ghosts, is called in to dismantle the cartel.

 Ubisoft is also working with T.I. and world-renowned musician DJ Skee on the soundtrack inspired by War Within the Cartel, and with famed illustrator and designer Ken Taylor, who created the album artwork in addition to six Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon^® Wildlands–styled limited-edition posters. T.I.’s remixed title track for the promotional content, entitled “What I learned From The Dope Game,” has been inspired by the game and produced with Grammy Award Winning producer, MyGuyMars of the 1500 or Nothin’ collective to provide the Latin theme that is heard throughout the storyline. This is just one track of four on an EP produced by DJ Skee and MyGuyMars.

 War Within the Cartel is directed by Avi Youabian (The Walking Dead, Tainted Love) from a script by Evan Greene. The project is produced by Steve Ecclesine, Avi Youabian, and Ryan Landels. Executive producers are Roberto Orci (Star Trek,Transformers, The Amazing Spider-Man 2), Orlando Jones (Madiba, American Gods), Noam Dromi (Dolphin Tale) and Jay Williams.

 To see what it takes to be a Ghost and prepare to take down the Santa Blanca cartel, fans can play the open beta from February 23 – 27. The open beta will introduce players to two of the 21 provinces in the game: Itacua and Montuyoc. Itacua is a flourishing and mountainous province where the cartel has a looser grip. Montuyoc is set in the snowy Altiplano and features more challenging bosses. Just like in the full game, the open beta content can be played in four-player co-op or solo."