Every time Namco Bandai announces a new Soul Calibur, people understandably become excited. While most of the anticipation is built up because of the series' phenomenal gameplay, weapon-based combat and the well-endowed Ivy, even more excitement is generated for the special guest characters that have appeared in nearly every game in the series to date.

Soul Calibur 5 appears to be following suit, if a leaked screenshot featuring Assassin's Creed protagonist Ezio Auditore is as legitimate as it does indeed appear.

Joystiq received an image from an individual, whom wanted to remain anonymous, and they claimed to have snapped a picture of the beta version of Soul Cailbur 5 while in attendance at some sort of recent fighting game tournament. The screenshot in question shows off Ezio on the character select screen for Soul Calibur 5, and the picture really does look incredibly authentic. The character art for Soul Calibur's version of Ezio matches with what the other members of the game's roster look like, so if this is hoax then it's been done very well.

Ezio's inclusion in Soul Calibur 5 would make perfect sense — a lot more sense than Darth Vader and Yoda anyway. Assassin's Creed features a lot of people being beaten up/killed with weapons and so does this fighting game! Alright, so maybe that's not sound logic, but there is no denying that Ezio doesn't look out of place up there with the Soul Calibur's other trademark warriors.

Even though this "leaked" photo seems like the real deal, there is no way of telling whether or not Ezio will be a platform-exclusive, or if he's actually even in the game. Ubisoft and Namco Bandai have yet to comment on this rumor, but rest assured that this leak may force their hand a little sooner than anticipated.

Do you think Ezio is a solid character choice to appear in the game? Which character(s) would you like to see occupy the special guest roster spot(s)?

Soul Calibur 5 is currently set to hit, parry, and block its way onto store shelves sometime in 2012.

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Source: Joystiq