official Watch_Dogs

[Nagisan]

Not a software engineer and this is all my conjecture, but whatever the name may be, i'm pretty sure it's a very related and nearly identical engine. All Ubi games have been using the same core engine since Far Cry 2/Avatar, the Dunia engine. It's still one of the prettiest around, I think. The Avatar game is from 2009 and still gives current games a run for their money, and AC3 on PC looked very nice in ultra.

Actually you are quite off on that statement.

 

The Far Cry series (from 2 up) and Avatar used the Dunia engine, Assassin's Creed series used the Anvil engine (which borrowed the vegetation system from Dunia, but is otherwise a new engine), and Watch_Dogs uses their newest engine, the Disrupt engine. The Disrupt engine borrows some components from the Dunia and Anvil engines, but is more new engine than old (borrows the open world management from Anvil and vegetation + AI mechanics from Dunia).

 

So yes, the engines are related, but each one has its own rendering engine, meaning the overall looks of the games is different due to different engines being used.

[neoadorable]

Actually you are quite off on that statement.

 

The Far Cry series (from 2 up) and Avatar used the Dunia engine, Assassin's Creed series used the Anvil engine (which borrowed the vegetation system from Dunia, but is otherwise a new engine), and Watch_Dogs uses their newest engine, the Disrupt engine. The Disrupt engine borrows some components from the Dunia and Anvil engines, but is more new engine than old (borrows the open world management from Anvil and vegetation + AI mechanics from Dunia).

 

So yes, the engines are related, but each one has its own rendering engine, meaning the overall looks of the games is different due to different engines being used.

 

Thanks for explaining that, and as i said, not an engineer. But the engines are very related, i'm sure - you can tell. Looking at videos and images of Watch Dogs i totally see AC3, both in the trees/water and in the nighttime city scape - very reminiscent of the short modern scenes from AC3. Of course that could be more due to the same artists working on these projects than actual engine code. Anyway, to me they are similar and i am not expecting a technological breaktrhough - just a great experience.

[spaceelf]

Thanks for explaining that, and as i said, not an engineer. But the engines are very related, i'm sure - you can tell. Looking at videos and images of Watch Dogs i totally see AC3, both in the trees/water and in the nighttime city scape - very reminiscent of the short modern scenes from AC3. Of course that could be more due to the same artists working on these projects than actual engine code. Anyway, to me they are similar and i am not expecting a technological breaktrhough - just a great experience.

A lot of engines lately have pretty much the same graphical tech.  Not always equally efficient or doing the same things, but looking pretty similar.

 

I don't expect to see much change until DX12.

[neoadorable]

A lot of engines lately have pretty much the same graphical tech.  Not always equally efficient or doing the same things, but looking pretty similar.

 

I don't expect to see much change until DX12.

 

That makes sense, as they target the basic same set of performance profiles. There's always a lot of technology sharing in any given field, whether willing or otherwise...But yes, it's already clear rain-slicked surfaces and lots of particles drifting on gentle breezes will be a hallmark of the PS4/X1 era :rofl:

[spaceelf]

Wish Watch Dogs supported Mantle though, I'd think if it was going to we'd have heard about it already.

[neoadorable]

Wish Watch Dogs supported Mantle though, I'd think if it was going to we'd have heard about it already.

 

Unlikely, but who knows. For PC it seems Ubi have struck some kind of exclusivity deal with NVIDIA.

[spaceelf]

Considering how long it took Ubi to get anything but the Assassins Creed series to DX11 probably not (though I wouldn't call it exclusivity, anyway.)

[neoadorable]

Yes, not really an exclusive, they have to support AMD clearly. But surely preferential - look at the giveaway with GeForce cards, and all the GeForce-exclusive features they've been touting. Should not make much of a difference beyond marketing.

[Lingwo]

Going to pick this game up tomorrow at lunch.

Then I have to wait the rest of the day to play it :laugh:

 

I decided to go for the XB1 version. It was a choice between a ?40 game or ?800+ to upgrade my PC.

Looking forward to it.

[Victor Rambo]

Confirmed: New Drivers From AMD & Nvidia Coming Tomorrow, Optimized For Watch Dogs

[soniqstylz]

Likely true, seems Ubi is definitely preferring Sony this time. Especially with Watch Dogs having so much extra content on PS4. But then again i don't think you can really pre-order any game via X1 right now, but i didn't check each one obviously!

 

AC games have had similar content preferences for Playstation as well.

[LittleNeutrino Veteran]

I am surprised at how many posts I have seen online from people that are asking ubisoft for help on the pirated PC copies of the game. Apparently it has a lot of graphical problems. Assuming there will be a launch day patch lol.

[spaceelf]

I am surprised at how many posts I have seen online from people that are asking ubisoft for help on the pirated PC copies of the game. Apparently it has a lot of graphical problems. Assuming there will be a launch day patch lol.

I assume they left it broke on purpose heh.

[Pupik]

I am surprised at how many posts I have seen online from people that are asking ubisoft for help on the pirated PC copies of the game. Apparently it has a lot of graphical problems. Assuming there will be a launch day patch lol.

You do know that you could unlock the game on Steam a few good hours ago using an Australian VPN (you still can unlock it that way by the way), don't you?

[LittleNeutrino Veteran]

You do know that you could unlock the game on Steam a few good hours ago using an Australian VPN (you still can unlock it that way by the way), don't you?

 

people have been posting about it since last Thursday.

[soniqstylz]

"Pre-ordered" this morning from Target.com, got another year of PS+ for $25 for it.

[neoadorable]

AC games have had similar content preferences for Playstation as well.

 

Yes, like Freedom Cry not even bothering with X1 as a standalone, just PS4 (although it is out on 360). As for Watch Dogs, was expecting reviews right about now but guess they are sticking to a very strict embargo, like on the dot literally. Ditto for buying it on X1, it's nowhere in sight at the store.

[LOC Veteran]

I am surprised at how many posts I have seen online from people that are asking ubisoft for help on the pirated PC copies of the game. Apparently it has a lot of graphical problems. Assuming there will be a launch day patch lol.

I'm quite happy so far. I'm not exactly on a high end PC anymore, but the game runs pretty good so far (some stuttering here and there but nothing like Wolfenstein has) with most things on medium or high (except for shadows, on low, and AA which is on the 3rd lowest setting).

 

Looks pretty good, but I wouldn't call it "next-gen" looking by any stretch of the imagination. Still, lighting is great, textures look sharp so far and as I said performance is pretty good.

[neoadorable]

I'm quite happy so far. I'm not exactly on a high end PC anymore, but the game runs pretty good so far (some stuttering here and there but nothing like Wolfenstein has) with most things on medium or high (except for shadows, on low, and AA which is on the 3rd lowest setting).

 

Looks pretty good, but I wouldn't call it "next-gen" looking by any stretch of the imagination. Still, lighting is great, textures look sharp so far and as I said performance is pretty good.

 

When did you get it LOC? Not home now so can't check, but Steam still says pre-order, and Xbox.com doesn't have a download link or price. However, Gamestop does have a download link and price and says available now. I don't like this type of hijinx....someone's really looking out for Gamestop i'd say.

 

Also, where are the reviews? Maybe CToS and the templars censored them :rofl:

 

EDIT: i think i got it LOC, it's all good

[DrunknMunky Veteran]

Most reviews are coming out at 8am GMT from what I read.

 

Some people used VPN to unlock it early on PC too.

[LOC Veteran]

I didn't use a VPN, I used a uh, clock? It began unlocking about 11:59 PM my time. It's 2:38 AM now :) It's your equivalent of 12AM I'm guessing on Steam.

[Elliot B.]

Waiting for GameHolds to send me my key :)

[neoadorable]

Most reviews are coming out at 8am GMT from what I read.

 

Some people used VPN to unlock it early on PC too.

 

Why is it GMT/UTC, it should be US Central time, seeing as WHERE THE GAME IS SET :D

[DrunknMunky Veteran]

Why is it GMT/UTC, it should be US Central time, seeing as WHERE THE GAME IS SET :D

 

We set the clocks. Technically you guys can't even eat breakfast until we say so ;) :p

 

Edit:

 

Reviews are up

 

Joystiq ? 4/5

CVG ? 9/10

Gamespot ? 8/10

Polygon ? 8/10

Eurogamer ? 7/10

GameInformer ? 8.5/10

PC Gamer ? 87/100

Destructoid ? 8/10

Escapist ? 4.5/5

Gamereactor ? 8/10

GameSpot ? 8/10

GameTrailers ? 8.9/10

IGN ? 8.4/10

Metro ? 7/10

USGamer ? 5/5

[neoadorable]

We set the clocks. Technically you guys can't even eat breakfast until we say so ;) :p

 

Edit:

 

Reviews are up

 

Joystiq ? 4/5

CVG ? 9/10

Gamespot ? 8/10

Polygon ? 8/10

Eurogamer ? 7/10

GameInformer ? 8.5/10

PC Gamer ? 87/100

 

So true, you have a monopoly on time. And being worldly :rofl:

 

And thanks for posting the review scores, i think that's what we expected overall!

 

EDIT: IGN gave it 8.4 i just noticed