Ubisoft Montreal recently showcased the multiplayer component for Watch Dogs and immediately one us over with the CtOS mobile matches, co-op elements and player invasions. However, with regards to player invasions, will you be susceptible to constant hacking from players, thus disrupting your game?
Speaking to OXM, Lead Gameplay Designer Danny Belanger explained that, “If you’re in a narrative experience, that’s your narrative experience you’re living in. We try to make sure it’s when you’re available and during your free-roaming and you’re not doing something else that could be disrupted. That’s when we turn it on and allow players to come in and invade you.”
The game will also keep track of your preferences throughout. Not just anyone can come into your game and hack you. “We have a shield. So if someone comes into your game and hacks you, you’re protected. It can’t happen. The less you partake in the multiplayer, the longer the shield.
“If you’re not hacking people and you’re not into that gameplay, the game will recognize and acknowledge that you’re not into that. That’s fine. The shield will slowly become many hours because we’re trying to adapt. There are so many different players and we’re trying to adapt to all of them and make an experience that works for them.”
Need an incentive for multiplayer? It seems that those who earn more Notoriety will be able to unlock new skills quicker. We’ll need to wait and see how this works, since Notoriety is separate from XP, so stay tuned in the coming weeks. Watch Dogs will be out on May 27th for Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS3, PS4 and PC.