We now know the release date for Watch_Dogs (or “Watch Dogs” for those who don’t like fancy naming conventions), as well as its development status for the “Xbox 720.” The game’s availability for the PlayStation 4 (PS4) was already known, as the game made its debut at Sony’s PS4 unveiling event. Watch_Dogs will be available in North America on November 19 for Xbox 360, PS3, Wii U and PC. Ubisoft didn’t specify a specific date for its PS4 launch, just that it would be available “at the launch of the PlayStation 4.” The company did confirm, tough, that “the game is also planned for other next generation consoles.”
There is only one other next-generation console planned — the Xbox 720, or Durango, or whatever Microsoft ends up calling the Xbox 360’s successor. Valve is working on the Steambox, but if that not likely considered a “next-gen console” since it’s an entirely new platform.
Players who pre-order Watch_Dogs at GameStop will receive an exclusive poster designed by comic-book artist Alex Ross. The poster’s design is the inspiration behind the game’s box art and captures the essence of Aiden Pearce, a modern-day vigilante who must rely as much on brains as brawn to take down threats in our increasingly connected world.
In the game, players will assume the role of Aiden, a new type of vigilante who, with the help of his smartphone, will use his ability to hack into Chicago’s central operating system (ctOS) and control almost every element of the city. Aiden will be able to tap into the city’s omnipresent security cameras, download personal information to locate a target, control systems such as traffic lights or public transportation to stop a chase, and more. According to Ubisoft, “the city of Chicago is now the ultimate weapon.”
We will have more about Watch_Dogs and Ubisoft’s other next-gen games from E3 in June. Of course, we’ll bring you other news as it surfaces before the show.
