official Watch_Dogs

[HawkMan]

I tried using the home streaming in Steam with this game, and their vieo protocol seems to have some issued with crushing the blacks. The game was nearly completely black, even using the video calibration I couldn't get the logo thing visible. and then you got horrible color fields on everything.

 

it also tended to jerk a bit here and there. So I guess I'll leave the home streaming alone for now and just play it on the computer

[LOC Veteran]

I tried using the home streaming in Steam with this game, and their vieo protocol seems to have some issued with crushing the blacks. The game was nearly completely black, even using the video calibration I couldn't get the logo thing visible. and then you got horrible color fields on everything.

 

it also tended to jerk a bit here and there. So I guess I'll leave the home streaming alone for now and just play it on the computer

 

There is a reason why Chicago in game isn't Chicago 1:1 of course: money

 

http://www.joystiq.com/2014/05/28/why-you-cant-visit-soldier-field-in-watch-dogs/

[+Asmodai MVC]

I bought Watch_Dogs for the PS4 (mostly because of the dual Steam/uPlay requirement on PC).

Before it came out my thoughts on it could be summed up by "So it's GTA with hacking."

I've only played it for about 2 hours so far but I like what I see so far.  I actually like the first two hours better than the first two hours of GTA 5.  This is mainly because I get these "open world" games to play around in and I'm no so concerned with the stories.  GTA in the first 2 hours wanted to push me through a bunch of story events while Watch_Dogs lets me do what I want much more quickly.  The graphics look great to me, especially for what is essentially a PS4 launch title (just delayed) and something that's also available on the previous gen consoles (PS3 & XB360).

 

Again I've only played about two hours but based on the number of different types of icons on the map it looks like there is a good variety of tasks you can perform.  I assume the crime prevention jobs where you profile somebody then prevent a crime are random and thus there are an unlimited number of them.  If that's the case that's great because my one big complaint about infamous: Second Son was that once you cleared the map of icons there wasn't much to do.  This map also looks bigger to me then infamous but again I'm only 2 hours in.  What missions I've done though I have enjoyed.

 

I didn't have uPlay issues because I cancelled at the uPlay login - which still lets you play the game.  I have no intention of creating a uPlay account for this or any other game (not HAVING to again was one of my reasons for getting the PS4 version over PC)

 

At first I thought people's complaint about it not REALLY being Chicago was silly but then I remembered how disappointed I was when Fallout 3 came out and living near D.C. the D.C. Metro has a very distinct architecture in the stations/tunnels.  Fallout 3 did NOT have that which is especially bad since the developer Bethesda is located in Bethesda Maryland right down the street, I'm sure many of them have used the D.C. metro a large number of times.  So to those from Chicago who are disappointed let me just say... I know the feeling.

 

I'd say my only disappointments so far are that the cops are insanely aggressive.  I mean the first time I got caught doing something wrong I just let them get me (lowest alert level) thinking they would just arrest me and take some money and/or items but no they gun you down.  The freaking military isn't as trigger happy as Chicago P.D. apparently.  The other VERY MILD disappointment for me what that you can't really tweak what you wear.  They have a few preset complete outfits you can switch between but you can't mix and match articles of clothing (wear this hat, that jacket, those pants, etc.)  Not a HUGE deal by any means but it would have been nice to outfit yourself differently and ideally also have people react differently based on what you are wearing.

 

Anyway overall I'm liking the game and I'm super happy with the PS4 version.

 

Edit:  Oh, I forgot to mention it does have what I would consider a disappointingly long initial load time every time you start the game.  The first time I played it I thought it wasn't done installing or something but it takes that long EVERY TIME.  Not sure what the deal is or if it's PS4 specific but once you're actually in the game it works great.

[McKay]

I bought Watch_Dogs for the PS4 (mostly because of the dual Steam/uPlay requirement on PC).

Before it came out my thoughts on it could be summed up by "So it's GTA with hacking."

I've only played it for about 2 hours so far but I like what I see so far.  I actually like the first two hours better than the first two hours of GTA 5.  This is mainly because I get these "open world" games to play around in and I'm no so concerned with the stories.  GTA in the first 2 hours wanted to push me through a bunch of story events while Watch_Dogs lets me do what I want much more quickly.  The graphics look great to me, especially for what is essentially a PS4 launch title (just delayed) and something that's also available on the previous gen consoles (PS3 & XB360).

 

Again I've only played about two hours but based on the number of different types of icons on the map it looks like there is a good variety of tasks you can perform.  I assume the crime prevention jobs where you profile somebody then prevent a crime are random and thus there are an unlimited number of them.  If that's the case that's great because my one big complaint about infamous: Second Son was that once you cleared the map of icons there wasn't much to do.  This map also looks bigger to me then infamous but again I'm only 2 hours in.  What missions I've done though I have enjoyed.

 

I didn't have uPlay issues because I cancelled at the uPlay login - which still lets you play the game.  I have no intention of creating a uPlay account for this or any other game (not HAVING to again was one of my reasons for getting the PS4 version over PC)

 

At first I thought people's complaint about it not REALLY being Chicago was silly but then I remembered how disappointed I was when Fallout 3 came out and living near D.C. the D.C. Metro has a very distinct architecture in the stations/tunnels.  Fallout 3 did NOT have that which is especially bad since the developer Bethesda is located in Bethesda Maryland right down the street, I'm sure many of them have used the D.C. metro a large number of times.  So to those from Chicago who are disappointed let me just say... I know the feeling.

 

I'd say my only disappointments so far are that the cops are insanely aggressive.  I mean the first time I got caught doing something wrong I just let them get me (lowest alert level) thinking they would just arrest me and take some money and/or items but no they gun you down.  The freaking military isn't as trigger happy as Chicago P.D. apparently.  The other VERY MILD disappointment for me what that you can't really tweak what you wear.  They have a few preset complete outfits you can switch between but you can't mix and match articles of clothing (wear this hat, that jacket, those pants, etc.)  Not a HUGE deal by any means but it would have been nice to outfit yourself differently and ideally also have people react differently based on what you are wearing.

 

Anyway overall I'm liking the game and I'm super happy with the PS4 version.

 

It's like if GTA 4 and Splinter Cell had a baby that got dropped on its head a little bit. It's mostly there, with a few odd quirks, but you love it anyway

 

 

[HawkMan]

I wish I had the game on a next gen console, and i wish i had a Xbox one as well, but there you go :)

This game while it's a good game, suffers from all that things you hate about PC games. Performance is hard to get right, you should be able to have better graphics than the game allows you to since, it's also very CPU bound and don't seem to handle multiple cores very well.

I have a 6 core AMD and the game usually uses at least 40% power a lot of times up to 50, so it obviously does multithread. However when it gets to 50% and as far beyond that as it can get(52-53%) you get audio problems, typical dcp latency problems where the sounds either get varbly or more usually you get that cutoff poff as the sound lags and drops.

Games so often have audio problems on PC, very often it's these dcp latency like poffs and drops.

[spaceelf]

Games so often have audio problems on PC, very often it's these dcp latency like poffs and drops.

Depends on the motherboard.  Sadly there's rarely a good way to know what that will be like before you buy the board.

 

I haven't had audio problems on PC for most of my gaming life.

[HawkMan]

This would be completely irrelevant to the motherboard anyway ;)

[neoadorable]

This map is stupid.  Its barely Chicago.  I was hoping it'd be like True Crime LA where I could go explore attractions, NOPE!

 

And wtfffffff happened to the bean!  Has it not been buffed in a while?

 

Finally someone who gets it! Thank you. This is not Chicago at all, they also mention the DMV...that would be the Seccy, or Sec of State. Very few people say DMV in Illinois. But that's overly picky - the big issues are that this doesn't really feel like Chicago at all, and i don't believe Ubi when they say it's money. OK so you couldn't license protected names (more like didn't want to pay for them). But you can use neighborhoods properly, and put some of those wacky infinite street reflections on Cloudgate, as Kalint mentioned. And make sure there are no craggy hills anywhere. I suspect nobody from Ubi Montreal even bothered, they need to learn from Remedy, who camped out in Wash State for like a year before even beginning Alan Wake development.

 

I wish I had the game on a next gen console, and i wish i had a Xbox one as well, but there you go :)

This game while it's a good game, suffers from all that things you hate about PC games. Performance is hard to get right, you should be able to have better graphics than the game allows you to since, it's also very CPU bound and don't seem to handle multiple cores very well.

I have a 6 core AMD and the game usually uses at least 40% power a lot of times up to 50, so it obviously does multithread. However when it gets to 50% and as far beyond that as it can get(52-53%) you get audio problems, typical dcp latency problems where the sounds either get varbly or more usually you get that cutoff poff as the sound lags and drops.

Games so often have audio problems on PC, very often it's these dcp latency like poffs and drops.

 

You will get your consoles when you feel like it and can, and besides, you have the PC version, and when that's fully stabilized it'll be the best version - so don't complain :laugh:

[neoadorable]

 

 

At first I thought people's complaint about it not REALLY being Chicago was silly but then I remembered how disappointed I was when Fallout 3 came out and living near D.C. the D.C. Metro has a very distinct architecture in the stations/tunnels.  Fallout 3 did NOT have that which is especially bad since the developer Bethesda is located in Bethesda Maryland right down the street, I'm sure many of them have used the D.C. metro a large number of times.  So to those from Chicago who are disappointed let me just say... I know the feeling.

 

 

 

 

Thanks, Fallout 3 was indeed worse since it's BETHESDA, like as in the place...they live there, they ought to know. I realize technically it's hard to capture the feel and look 100%, but at least the names...and some of the feel. Watch Dogs Chicago may as well be any other city, i really don't know why they picked Chicago, but i don't mind so much. I am still going for a 100% pacifist run, if that is possible. There is no way i am shooting cops in this game.  

 

 

It's like if GTA 4 and Splinter Cell had a baby that got dropped on its head a little bit. It's mostly there, with a few odd quirks, but you love it anyway

 

 

 

 

GTA for sure but i don't get the Splinter Cell comparisons...this game is GTA, True Crime/Sleeping Dogs, and Hitman. Plus the obvious towers from AC and the recent FC titles...

[McKay]

GTA for sure but i don't get the Splinter Cell comparisons...this game is GTA, True Crime/Sleeping Dogs, and Hitman. Plus the obvious towers from AC and the recent FC titles...

 

All the Gadgets you have access to gave off a Splinter Cell vibe to me. Especially causing a blackout, creeping around with a silenced pistol in the dark, learning guards patrol routes before you run in, guards coming to investigate bodies etc. 

 

I tackle most missions how I tackled levels in Splinter Cell, recon the area with cameras, learn the routes the guards take to patrol, move in and knock them all out unseen, or use the silenced pistol if I cant get close enough to knock them out, and the heavy reliance on gadgetry. But thats just me.

[spaceelf]

This would be completely irrelevant to the motherboard anyway ;)

And yet you just mentioned DPC latency, which can vary wildly from mobo to mobo and is a prime suspect in audio glitching issues.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/6989/intel-z87-motherboard-review-with-haswell-gigabyte-msi-asrock-and-asus-at-200/19

Z77 and Z87 motherboards with the max DPC latency going anywhere from 60 to 314

[neoadorable]

All the Gadgets you have access to gave off a Splinter Cell vibe to me. Especially causing a blackout, creeping around with a silenced pistol in the dark, learning guards patrol routes before you run in, guards coming to investigate bodies etc. 

 

I tackle most missions how I tackled levels in Splinter Cell, recon the area with cameras, learn the routes the guards take to patrol, move in and knock them all out unseen, or use the silenced pistol if I cant get close enough to knock them out, and the heavy reliance on gadgetry. But thats just me.

 

Interesting, given your style of play i can definitely understand the comparison!

[SharpGreen]

So I got my activation key issues sorted out, and have been playing for good couple of hrs now. It's way too much fun messing wth the guards, by remote hacking things. I probably shouldn't be laughing everytime I remote hack explosives and blow up said guards.

 

All and all this game is amusing and fun all at the same time.

 

Also having this weird issue where after a little while of playing the ground and player character become transpearent.

[neoadorable]

So I got my activation key issues sorted out, and have been playing for good couple of hrs now. It's way too much fun messing wth the guards, by remote hacking things. I probably shouldn't be laughing everytime I remote hack explosives and blow up said guards.

 

All and all this game is amusing and fun all at the same time.

 

Also having this weird issue where after a little while of playing the ground and player character become transpearent.

 

Glad you got it taken care of...did they give you a new copy?

 

But stop detonating Chicagoans! You're supposed to resist the temptation, the whole point is to teach you responsible power! :wacko:

[spaceelf]

Glad you got it taken care of...did they give you a new copy?

 

But stop detonating Chicagoans! You're supposed to resist the temptation, the whole point is to teach you responsible power! :wacko:

Pffff they give you a sandbox and expect to TEACH you things?  Ha.

[Kalint]

Finally someone who gets it! Thank you. This is not Chicago at all, they also mention the DMV...that would be the Seccy, or Sec of State. Very few people say DMV in Illinois. But that's overly picky - the big issues are that this doesn't really feel like Chicago at all, and i don't believe Ubi when they say it's money. OK so you couldn't license protected names (more like didn't want to pay for them). But you can use neighborhoods properly, and put some of those wacky infinite street reflections on Cloudgate, as Kalint mentioned. And make sure there are no craggy hills anywhere. I suspect nobody from Ubi Montreal even bothered, they need to learn from Remedy, who camped out in Wash State for like a year before even beginning Alan Wake development.

 

 

You will get your consoles when you feel like it and can, and besides, you have the PC version, and when that's fully stabilized it'll be the best version - so don't complain :laugh:

This is what happened, let me drop some knowledge on you.

 

First: Ubisoft never went to Chicago, they opened Google Maps.  Then they did Streetview so they can say they were "there" many times.  This is why there's no CTA underground or Grant Park Parking, they never came across the entrances.  They assumed almost 1 million people move a day on the L train.  The other reason is because the floor of the entire map is water, I know because I fell through the map.

 

Then they found it.  They looked, they saw, the spouting... WILLIS TOWER!   Thats right, they called it the Willis Tower.  For the remainder of development they will continually mispronounce the tower's true name.

 

Now onto the real issue, the map.  They looked at just the loop and noticed that downtown Chicago is REALLY big.  "Screw that!"  yelled one dev, "If we made just the loop, we'd have to program each intersection with Aiden's l33t hold down to hack ability".  Finally, they looked at each other and, "aha... HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"  "Hell No!"

 

So then they started looking at ways to tear up the city.  They scrolled up and saw Lincoln Park.  They noticed all the sidewalks in the park and mistaken it for a mountain range.  "Wow I never knew Chicago was so hilly!"  Then they saw Navy Pier and were like, "Navy... Pier?  Hm... I'm sure nothing happens there!  Lets just make it really bland.  Navy Pier... nobody would go there except the navy anyways!"

 

Finally, they scrolled down some more and looked at soldier field.  "Like we have time to model all these columns!  PS4 and Xbone couldn't handle this amount of detail anyways, even with the cloud!  And we're just gonna make a ###### port to PC so lets cut that annnnnd put a bridge that goes to a random suburbs.  Infact lets surround the loop... heeheehee we're so Chicagoian right now!  I just said Loop!  And Willis Tower!  Aha.. ha... anyways lets surround the loop *smirks* with the suburbs, um... cut out the John Hancock because why the hell not...  Let's completely ignore Wrigleyville and Wrigley Field and make our own field and have them winning keekekekeekee.  Okay off to work!"

[SharpGreen]

Glad you got it taken care of...did they give you a new copy?

 

But stop detonating Chicagoans! You're supposed to resist the temptation, the whole point is to teach you responsible power! :wacko:

Yea they just gave me a new one, after asking what was wrong with the one I had.

 

As far as the guards, it's me or them. I'm sure you can guess who I always pick :p Though I did go through one mission almost completely violence free. I say almost because I accidently made a crane drop its load on a guy. Also spoilers.

[neoadorable]

This is what happened, let me drop some knowledge on you.

 

First: Ubisoft never went to Chicago, they opened Google Maps.  Then they did Streetview so they can say they were "there" many times.  This is why there's no CTA underground or Grant Park Parking, they never came across the entrances.  They assumed almost 1 million people move a day on the L train.  The other reason is because the floor of the entire map is water, I know because I fell through the map.

 

Then they found it.  They looked, they saw, the spouting... WILLIS TOWER!   Thats right, they called it the Willis Tower.  For the remainder of development they will continually mispronounce the tower's true name.

 

Now onto the real issue, the map.  They looked at just the loop and noticed that downtown Chicago is REALLY big.  "Screw that!"  yelled one dev, "If we made just the loop, we'd have to program each intersection with Aiden's l33t hold down to hack ability".  Finally, they looked at each other and, "aha... HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"  "Hell No!"

 

So then they started looking at ways to tear up the city.  They scrolled up and saw Lincoln Park.  They noticed all the sidewalks in the park and mistaken it for a mountain range.  "Wow I never knew Chicago was so hilly!"  Then they saw Navy Pier and were like, "Navy... Pier?  Hm... I'm sure nothing happens there!  Lets just make it really bland.  Navy Pier... nobody would go there except the navy anyways!"

 

Finally, they scrolled down some more and looked at soldier field.  "Like we have time to model all these columns!  PS4 and Xbone couldn't handle this amount of detail anyways, even with the cloud!  And we're just gonna make a ###### port to PC so lets cut that annnnnd put a bridge that goes to a random suburbs.  Infact lets surround the loop... heeheehee we're so Chicagoian right now!  I just said Loop!  And Willis Tower!  Aha.. ha... anyways lets surround the loop *smirks* with the suburbs, um... cut out the John Hancock because why the hell not...  Let's completely ignore Wrigleyville and Wrigley Field and make our own field and have them winning keekekekeekee.  Okay off to work!"

 

Epic post my man, love it. Basically that was the development process. Willis Tower - what blasphemy. And where the heck is Pawnee? Kansas? Or is that supposed to be Kankakee? And you're right, the Hancock isn't there, the Amoco isn't there, and the transit isn't even called CTA i think. I really don't know what they were thinking, if they called it The City, or Parker City or something it would have been better. But Google Streetview LOL good one!

[patseguin Global Moderator]

I am only a small way into the game. I'm in the basement of the stadium and just met my side kick who I left to clean up two bodies. The game tells me to get out of the basement. The only corridor I could find is guarded by 2 cops. I snuck around and picked up a health kit, some cash, and something else. There is a batting machine that is glowing so as spoon as a guard turns away I go to use it and it appears to do something but then nothing changes. My gun is empty and if I try to sneak up behind the cop, I just get discovered and the mission fails. This happened about 6 time before I gave up and watched TV lol. What am I missing at thus early point in the game?

[saltysaltybk]

GTA spoiled me.  

 

Watch_Dogs seems to be like the little brother who tries desperately to emulate his bigger sibling -but fails.

[HawkMan]

Glad you got it taken care of...did they give you a new copy?

But stop detonating Chicagoans! You're supposed to resist the temptation, the whole point is to teach you responsible power! :wacko:

I may not have shot cops yet(to hard to get away from) but guards get a shot in the head.

Besides you can't play as a pacifist, all the cars handle at all speeds like they're driving 150kmh or faster, even at 30, you're going to kill pedestrians. And roadblocks you pretty much have to.

Besides that, I back everyone, I don't care if they're poor and have leukemia and children with heart disease. Their money is mine.

[neoadorable]

I am only a small way into the game. I'm in the basement of the stadium and just met my side kick who I left to clean up two bodies. The game tells me to get out of the basement. The only corridor I could find is guarded by 2 cops. I snuck around and picked up a health kit, some cash, and something else. There is a batting machine that is glowing so as spoon as a guard turns away I go to use it and it appears to do something but then nothing changes. My gun is empty and if I try to sneak up behind the cop, I just get discovered and the mission fails. This happened about 6 time before I gave up and watched TV lol. What am I missing at thus early point in the game?

 

You're supposed to just distract them or get behind them...i was totally drunk while playing this part and it was easy, just don't get close to anyone.

 

I may not have shot cops yet(to hard to get away from) but guards get a shot in the head.

Besides you can't play as a pacifist, all the cars handle at all speeds like they're driving 150kmh or faster, even at 30, you're going to kill pedestrians. And roadblocks you pretty much have to.

Besides that, I back everyone, I don't care if they're poor and have leukemia and children with heart disease. Their money is mine.

 

What a monster you've become! Games have ruined your morality. All that aside, i refuse to hurt anyone if i can help it. Figured driving will be the problem, always end up running pedestrians over in open world games...but will do my best! Keep in mind i've only clocked an hour...and that was the intro mission and the first tower near Niko's first apartment, i mean Aiden's first hideout. Except i can't change channels on the TV with RB/LB for some odd reason. Rockstar getting lazy. Oh sorry!

[patseguin Global Moderator]

Am i intended to just walk by that guard somehow? What is the batting machine for?

[DirtyLarry Veteran]

Have yet to even play the game yet as I was waiting to beat Wolfenstein, which I did yesterday.

Now however I will have Mario Kart 8 when I get home, which totally trumps everything else.

I am just glad that after these 3 releases it is very slow as far as other releases, so plan on checking this out very soon. With that said I have no feeling of "I have to check out Watch Dogs," it is just there right now as an option. So perhaps I will be pleasantly surprised with it as I am not expecting anything at all one way or the other.

[MillionVoltss]

Am i intended to just walk by that guard somehow? What is the batting machine for?

Use batting machine, Sneak Left up Ramp.