Ubisoft's bold new IP, Watch_Dogs, is having a tricky route to release. Originally planned to make a splash in 2013, development progress appeared to slow down — playable demos weren't appearing as we'd expect at gaming events and expos — and the title was pushed back to allow extra development time.
There was concern just recently that the Wii U version, meanwhile, would be canned, with Ubisoft refusing to comment when GameStop dropped pre-orders in U.S. and Italy; despite Ubisoft's odd lack of denial, that turned out to be a false alarm. Yet more controversy surrounded the game when there was a bit of excitement over one trademark being dropped, though that also came to nothing. The pre-release build up has hardly enjoyed a smooth ride, then, but some actual black and white text appears to confirm that, despite panic on the web, Watch_Dogs is still very much planned for Wii U.
As reported by Eurogamer, Ubisoft has issued a schedule of upcoming releases — in all likelihood as preparation for its Q3 financial reports on 10th February — that lists Watch_Dogs for Spring this year in the next financial year, which means after 1st April. Most importantly the Wii U is listed alongside all of the other confirmed platforms.
So that's nice confirmation until the next bout of confusion, at least. It seems highly unlikely that the Wii U project will be dropped this late in the game with such a long-term, high-investment project, but the world of video games can be rather unpredictable.
Are you still excited about playing Watch_Dogs on Wii U?
[source eurogamer.net]
Comments 54
Yay!!
(closes internet browser)
Doesn't include Southpark on Wii U though. (Really annoying because I hate uplay).
Phew! Good to know. It's a day one game for me.
@unrandomsam Stick of Truth on Wii U would be awesome! I hope it happens.
Good news now to show us some footage of it running on the console Ubi.
Yes! Best news I heard today
I still want to see if they're even going to bother doing anything unique for the Wii U version
I remember someone in the development team saying that the GamePad was a natural fit for the game, so it really wouldn't make sense to randomly drop Wii U support.
Criterion said the same about Need for Speed Most Wanted, though...
Yes! If this is as good as it seems it will be day one for me too. I remember some news about gamepad functions being quite basic though. Or maybe I remember wrong. Dunno.
Why people even doubted this is beyond me.
Well, I hope it comes out for Wii U and I hope it does have some great GamePad support, but being honest, I just hope it comes to Wii U at all.
It would be a shame not to support the GamePad in a game like this, but Wii U just needs a couple of these games to keep 3rd Party numbers on life support.
Playing Wind Waker with the GamePad is a dream and every game should use it so effortlessly. I think that has been overlooked a bit in reviews. It also works great if you are playing with a buddy as they can manage the GamePad stuff swapping items, researching the map without interrupting someone on a pro controller for instance. (Pikmin blew it when it came to the map functionality making the whole game lock up whenever you interacted with it — not that it could have stood even just one more day of delay!)
The GamePad is something I will dearly miss on any other console now so I'm always hoping for more Wii U success!
And hate to bring this up, but now that it has settled, I think Ubisoft should have released Rayman on Wii U first and the others later. It could have given a nice boost to Wii U when it needed it badly and I'm betting the sales numbers would have been about equal overall. At the time, it seemed like it wouldn't be enough to be a system seller and that is probably true, BUT it could have been at least one example of something unique and viable to help sustain excitement for the platform in general and it certainly would have been a helpful addition to the library when the next games were released to entice people into a console purchase later.
I'm excited for it. Can't wait!
I knew we had to give it time.
Now I just hope Ubisoft does not make the dumb mistake of putting this close to Mario Kart 8's release.
great because I'm still torn between getting this on Wii U or PS4 yeah the ps4 version will look better but the Wii U version has gamepad features
oh what to do?
"It seems highly unlikely that the Wii U project will be dropped this late in the game". Already forgot about Aliens Colonial Marines did you?
If it releases on Wii U, I will buy it and review it on my talk show. If it gets cancelled on Wii U, it's dead to me for all I care...
Good to know that I can still keep my pre-order.
(Though I will probably cancel and refund it anyway so I can buy the game cheaper elsewhere)
Good! After having my faith in Ubi revived somewhat by AC4, I will most likely be getting this game...a few months after it releases for a much cheaper price.
Hey, it's rough being a gamer and paying for college!
Well, nice to finally see something about this game besides rumors and speculation. And to see something about it still being on the Wii U, well I'm even more impressed. Feb 10th is next Monday so hopefully we'll know more then. Good to know that I'm wrong about this coming out on the Wii U, but I'ld still like to see the Gamepad in action. And the always online background multiplayer.
And the Wii U could just really use another 2014 game. Lego Movie, DKCTF, Lego Hobbit, MK8, that's all we have dates for. Though Bayonetta 2 must be soon since Nintendo has it on their websites.
To answer your question: no, I am not excited to play Watch_Dogs, but I am ambivalent enough that if it gets reviews that are at least good, not even necessarily very good or great, then I will take the opportunity to show 3rd parties that some of us buy their games.
I am, however, excited to play Child of Light, and I would love for it to sell better on Wii U than the other consoles.
http://nintendoeverything.com/new-ubisoft-product-schedule-lists-wii-u-version-of-watch-dogs/
Good to know that Dedsec edition is still coming to Wii U as well.
@Zobocop Please don't reminds us about that lol! The only difference is that game was rated bad and the Wii U version was suppose to be the worst of the bunch.
I have high hopes for this game. If it can sell well enough then maybe we will see some 3rd parties but I'm afraid it will be to late. Even if those 3rd parties bring their games over how long will it take a year or two?!
@sinalefa Right.
@aaronsullivan
Good point.
Great, now all those Nintendo fanboys who were whining before can buy the game. All 32 of them.
No Binary, they will probably just troll or insult the fanbase for whatever reason (there's an example of that already) , pretend that they never said anything or just find something else to complain or troll about. On topic though, that's good to hear for the Wii U fans looking forward to this game. Not sure how interested I am in this particular title, but if it pans out well I may just look into it. I do hope that Wii U fans reward Ubisoft for their dedication & efforts though instead of just clamoring for 3rd party support without showing these devs some support themselves. Now the time & a chance to step up to the plate folks!!
Hell yeah I'm still excited to play Watch_Dogs on Wii U! It is my most anticipated game with a confirmed release date for the first half of the year! The slim pickings look tasty again!
@aaronsullivan Agree, even for basic things like a map or item switching the GamePad is amazing and playing these kinds of games just doesn't feel the same without it anymore. I do prefer the Pro Controller for Mario 3D World and Need for Speed Most Wanted, but those games don't really use the GamePad.
@JeffreyG I really like the feel of the Pro controller. It's a bit more solid and manageable, but I wish it had a gyroscope at least. Controlling the aiming with the GamePad as in Wind Waker is a sublime compromise between the wii pointing and using a traditional controller. Still, I only give the feel a slight edge over the GamePad controls which are spread out a bit too far and have the unfortunately placed triggers that easily misfire when placed on a lap.
I've got to think that those with smaller hands would have a hard time. Seems like the GamePad could be more compact with a screen the same size. Could use some more refinement. Still, it's a true advancement in gaming as far as I'm concerned.
@arrmixer
Thanks. Which one?
I pre-ordered this game online on Black Friday for only $36 (40% Off). So, yes, I'm looking forward to it.
@aaronsullivan I have pretty small hands but I honestly don't have a problem with the GamePad. The Pro Controller is just more comfortable and has, like you said, a really nice feel and I love having both analog sticks on top. But when a game makes good use of the GamePad, I don't mind using it.
I have a felling it'll come out near Christmas.
Ok. Now I can relax about this! I need to upgrade my pre-order to the Dedsec version.
Guys, this is news from Monday. GameStop confirmed that it was just an error with their system a few hours after the rumors surfaced.
Since they didn't can the Wii U version, I'll still buy it. You guys are lucky.
Good, looking forward to this one. Been impressed by Ubi's efforts in the past, this should be no different.
I think this will be a great game on the Wii U. I will be picking it up.
Now allow me to offer up a face palm for all the people that overreacted weeks ago.
Not interested in this game but I appreciate Ubisoft's work so I hope this does okay not just on the U but all it's platforms. I can't shake the feeling this is going to flop pretty hard...
Thank god! I really didn't want to buy this on my PC. I just couldn't bring myself to play it on something other than my Wii U, when I was hyped for that version. If Watch Dogs is Ubisoft's last major swansong for the Wii U, I will be pleased. For all of the Wii U's problems, Ubisoft gave it a very good run, unlike EA.
@aaronsullivan Kudos for a sensible post. I agree that gamepad is great and loved the implementation in games like BatmanAC and even ME3. Watch Dogs is the perfect game for gamepad integration but it bothers me that Ubi has been so dodgey in talking or showing anything. I think we will see it and likely have minimal unique features for gamepad....like AC4. Very happy we are still getting the eShop only Child of Light game. In the end WiiU will have a great library and a number of good 3rd party games. I just love it when 3rd party game is well developed on a Nintendo platform. Honestly for 3rd party WiiU has gotten good support since launch but like you, I am worried for 2014 and beyond so I think its up to Nintendo, Indies, and the occasional japanese colaboration to carry the system as western devs are likely going to bail. Its sad because I would love to play every game on WiiU as I love both two screen gaming and offTV gaming.
Watch_Dogs looks quite fun. I'm interested in the gamepad features. Definitely a buy for me, maybe wait on a cheaper price. Probably depends on reviews.
not sure if I'd call it bold.
maybe ambitious, simply because of its scope, but it doesn't seem at all bold to me.
I'm surprised Watch_Dogs is on any console's release list at this point. The delay, the complete lack of news since the delay, being pulled from various retailers pre-order list, then being added again, the trademark debacle. Don't really know what's going on with this game and frankly I'm losing confidence that it will be worth a damn.
I applaud Ubisoft for starting new franchises at all. With some clever new ideas, as well. You could hear all this pessimism about Assassin's Creed back in the day as well, but fact is that franchise has resulted in some excellent games (playing AC II right now).
I'm looking forward to playing this game. Just having the Wii U gamepad touch screen right there seems perfect for this type of game. Also looking forward to challenging myself to kill no one (or as close to it as the game allows). Looks really fun Hope I can steal from the rich & give to the poor too
@Maskeraid I'm actually hoping for April Fools day that Ubisoft "cancel" Watch_Dogs on all platforms but then on April 2nd say it was a joke. The internet would probably explode with laughter, anger & more
april 2 i am dare
Other than Smash Bros, this is the only Wii U game I've been looking forward to.
UBI Soft if your reading this, I will be showing my support for this game on day one.
And yes, I will be getting the Wii U version
YES!!! Day One purchase on principle alone.
Yeeeeesssss, I was so scared. I'm not saying that Watchdogs is the only game I'm getting this year, but as far as I'm concerned 2014 is Watch dogs. Thank you lord!!!!!!
We, as Wii U owners, need to really start buying Assassin's Creed 4, Blacklist, Watch Dogs, and any other games that Ubisoft gives us. They have stuck by us longer than virtually anyone and we need to show them that the core gamer is on the Wii U too...before they think that we're not and stop supporting us.
@aaronsullivan I agree with everything you said. The problem though is that Microsoft has a licensing agreement that forbids publishers from releasing a game on their console if it has previously been released on other consoles. This means that if it had come out on Wii U as planned Ubisoft could have released it on PS3 in September, but not the 360. They wanted the extra sales opportunities on the 360, so we all had to wait. If anything, blame Microsoft for their stupid policy.
To everyone speculating on the GamePad specific features: there was an article/interview done with the development team (pre-delay) that noted the only thing supported would be Off-TV play and a map screen.
Now, this was before they delayed it half a year so maybe they found more time to work in some additional features.
Show Comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...