Wow, this is something else: Watch Dogs 2's multiplayer is unlikely to work properly on launch day. There have been reports all weekend that the game's seamless encounters and random co-op missions don't function as intended, but we'd waved it all aside as a pre-release blip. However, it turns out that Ubisoft has only just submitted a patch to Sony (and Microsoft, before you trolls take to the comments), meaning that online play may remain broken on launch day.
It usually takes a little while for patches to go through platform holder certification, but we've got our fingers crossed that the Japanese giant will fast-track this one given the importance of the game. Either way, it's a sorry state of affairs for Ubisoft to be submitting a fix for something as fundamental as this so late in the day. Here's what it's had to say:
During the pre-launch phase of Watch Dogs 2, we discovered an issue tied to the seamless multiplayer feature that caused the game to lag and crash periodically. In order to eliminate that issue at launch and for players to enjoy a smooth game play experience, we have decided to wait to launch the seamless multiplayer feature until the patch that fixes this issue is deployed. The patch is currently in certification by Sony and Xbox.
In the meantime, players can still play the full single-player experience without any concerns and play co-op by inviting friends through the game menu. But that does mean that the Bounty-Hunter mode and other activities that would occur with other outside players who enter your game will be unavailable until the patch is deployed on each platform.
We don't have review code at this time – Ubisoft hasn't been responding to our requests – so we're unable to test the multiplayer for ourselves, but according to a Eurogamer.net report – and as outlined above – you can only play co-op if you send a direct request to a friend. The random encounters, meanwhile – a hallmark of the Watch Dogs experience – don't operate at all.
[source eurogamer.net]
Comments 24
Hmph...
Can we do away with multiplayer on all games that should just be a single-player experience? I haven't played the first game but doesn't look like the kinda game that even needs multiplayer.
@Splat In some ways it's kind of the point. The original was built upon the idea of your game being "hacked" by other players.
@Splat I'd agree with that, the MP in WD1 was boring anyway. I would also like to see MP game's do away with uneeded SP campaign's as well we have the internet now, Bf1, TF2 etc shouldn't have a SP campaign in it at all, it should purely be MP action.
Remember when games used to work outta the box.. those were good days, I miss those days
Don't see it as an issue, mainly a single player game. I know cod/bf fanboys jump on multiplayer straight away skipping the single player
Ubisoft strikes again! How many more poor releases are they seriously going to do.
I hope one day all games will have multiplayer as DLC. I don't wanna spend my money and waste hard disk space on a feature I don't care for.
@Kyroki Normally I agree but TF and Battlefront came for criticism for lacking a SP campaign.
@xmeadx Because Publishers are always pushing to deadlines. Their damned if they do and damned if they do not.
Another broken game to add to the list for 2016.
Honestly my least favorite part of the game, looking for some ass sitting in a bush for 4 minutes is boring, never mind when it interrupts me on the way to a mission.
GTA 5 ring a bell, and 3 months i will add.
To everybody who complains and rages when a game gets delayed...
This is the alternative.
Ouch for Ubisoft. This is a competetive time of year and people will be more inclined to wait post launch to purchase.
Personally this type of MP annoys me so wouldn't actually bother me.
Good thing I'm not that interested in the multiplayer
So long as the single player works with no problem I'll be happy.But yeah,another broken game on release is not good...is the norm now though.
@gmxs Alex kidd on master system could only be completed if you knew hold onto magic flying staff for last section & if you died after you were stuffed.
A sign of the times. And by that, I don't mean broken things being released, I mean a time when the amount of code it takes to make a game (and all other software) is so huge, that major bugs at release are now a fact of life (in many other areas, they have been for a long time - ask your sysop why they're waiting for SP1 or even SP2 of the latest MS product!).
"But test it!" you say. You know what? They did. And didn't pick it up. It happens. "But test it more!" you say. Yeah, they did that too. And didn't pick it up. It happens. No one purposefully releases bad code, no matter what the conspiracy theorists might say. It's just not good for business.
The key difference is, this time Ubisoft are telling people about the issue before purchase. And they'll patch it, and it'll then work. No drama. Good on them. If Multi Player is your be all and end all, cancel your pre-order now folks. Or don't, and wait for the patch. Either way works.
By the way, I don't work for or have any particular love for Ubisoft. I don't even have the game on pre-order. I do occasionally write code though. So I have an inkling of the process and a heathly respect for the guys that do it full time. And I know they really don't deserve all the crap they get every time this happens.
The multiplayer in the first game was annoying and boring so it can stay broken for me.
Release now, patch later. One of the reasons I'm never buying a PS4 or Xbox One.
@johncalmc I don't know why I even said that because I'm blates not going to buy the game.
Typical Ubi, so it isn't really a surprise.
@get2sammyb That sounds horrible and anoying.
@Kyroki That is simple the insane amounts of cash it costs to make a game now.
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