740°

Ubisoft warns of "false" Watch_Dogs reviews

Ubisoft: "Hackers have attempted to infiltrate our system and post false reviews of Watch Dogs. All valid reviews will emerge at release on May 27_"

Alexious3622d ago

That website seemed a bit fishy.

PraxxtorCruel3622d ago

Something tells me they're hiding something...

Revolver_X_3622d ago

Got your tinfoil hat I see. Good for you.

iamnsuperman3622d ago

I think they mean the ones who are doing the review on their new Nexus :P

badboy7763622d ago

I didn't take it serious when I saw that it was the Xbox One Review Build.

rodiabloalmeida3622d ago (Edited 3622d ago )

It seems people can be this dumb to not see the obvious irony on the message in the tweet. "Hackers have attempted to infiltrate our system and post false reviews". Geez... *facepalm

And to not know wccftech.com shows how dumb and alienated you people are, because it's one of the biggest sites about (mainly PC) hardware on the web.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3622d ago
lelo3622d ago (Edited 3622d ago )

Reviews only allowed on release day. That's not a good sign.
Most of the times it means the game is not as good as gamers expect it to be.

seanpitt233622d ago

Yeah naughtydog with TLOU sent early copies way in advance because they knew how good there game was. Devs who send review copies out late and take embargoes off on release day are hiding something and it's usually not for the good.

ginganinja3622d ago

Nowadays, with online taking up such a sizeable portion of games, a lot of outlets will hold off reviewing games fully until they can test that part out anyway.
Game sites are becoming wary of giving a game a great score and then it turns out the online portion is broken and they're made to look like fools.

Perjoss3621d ago

I stopped pre ordering games a while back. Review scores or gtfo.

SonyPS3603622d ago

So does holding back reviews until after people have bought the game.

DAS6923622d ago

Ohhhhh the irony!!! D: lol

ITPython3622d ago (Edited 3622d ago )

With all the negative press WD has gotten over the past 6 months or so (worst I have seen in a long time for a hyped up AAA game), I am not surprised they are lifting the embargo on the 27th.

I think we all have our suspicions that the majority of big-time reviewers (Like IGN) are going to rip this game to shreds. And Ubi obviously knows this as well and are limiting the damage done as much as possible by keeping reviewers mouths shut until the launch day (after many have already gotten the game from pre-ordering etc).

While I am certainly not expecting a GOTY experience, I hope whatever flaws the game has that it is still really fun. But realistically, it is probably one of those games best waited on until it drops to around $40 or so.

ikkokucrisis3621d ago

Not a good sign if all reviews are coming out on release day.

Usually all good games get early reviews on big name websites like IGN, Gamespot, etc

Just sayin...

callahan093621d ago

Wasn't GTAV a release-day embargo for the reviews, too? And that is one of the highest reviewed games of all time. So the release-day embargo doesn't always mean the developer thinks the reviews are going to be less than desired.

frostypants3621d ago (Edited 3621d ago )

Yet GTA V kind of sucked. It's like they paid for their reviews AND embargoed. Maybe they weren't positive that the payola would work out for them.

callahan093621d ago

I'm not really a big GTA guy, so I haven't actually played GTAV, but it's kinda hard to argue with those reviews, I think. Payola, I dunno... That's an awful lot of corruption, pretty much universally, every publication across the board. I have a hard time believing that's the only reason it scored so well.

Kidmyst3621d ago

A game about hacking and there are "supposedly hackers" trying to release bad reviews? I smell a marketing ploy

+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 3621d ago
Alex_Boro3622d ago

Release day embargo? This doesn't sound good.

Angels37853622d ago (Edited 3622d ago )

A lot of games do this...

Doesn't mean anything really...

Sometimes it's used to hide bad scores on a game they know is bad and other times the game turns out great!.

The last of us and gta V had review embargos

Alex_Boro3622d ago

Yeah it does. Usually games with release day embargos get bad or reviews that are lower than gamers expectations. Thats why you see games like Mario kart 8 or the last of us get embargoes weeks before release

Angels37853622d ago

The point is that that stigma you have is not universal...

In fact it's split pretty evenly.

Rockefellow3622d ago

A lot of games may do it, but you're avoiding his well-founded suspicion. A lot of publishers push out their review copies weeks early and allow for reviews to be posted far ahead of launch, in order to promote buzz and excitement ahead of launch. AAA games are particularly well-known for this-- look at Mario Kart 8. It proves that the devs and pubs are confident in their project.

The fact that Ubisoft has faced nigh-endless scrutiny as of late over Watch_Dogs for various reasons, combined with their launch date embargo, means that some of that criticism could be well-founded.

I'm still keeping my preorder reagardless because I'm confident that it will live up to my expectations, even if it doesn't meet the lofty expectations Ubisoft set for themselves with boisterous statements and trailers from two years ago outstripping footage from today. I'm buying it to have fun, which is pretty much certain-- but if they're afraid of a Metacritic score below 85 or whatever arbitrary number, then they're just being careful here. Launch week sales are the most important for many third-party games.

This is tough for people waiting on reviews because it could potentially mean a less than stellar experience, but for all of us who don't have inflated expectations, this should still be a good enough game to kill some time with in between releases.

Patrick_pk443622d ago

Nope. Usually reviews held to the day of release or after receive bad reviews. It seems that something had to be wrong, or they don't want bad publicity and want more sales. TLOU never did this because it was truly an amazing game.

Sly-Lupin3622d ago

By itself, no, it doesn't mean anything these days.

But issuing a declaration that the opinions expressed in every review that breaks the embargo are invalid DOES indicate something.

Something bad.

Of course, no one should have had any expectations for WatchDogs, given it's an UbiSoft title being rushed out to fill the game-vacuum on the new consoles. These kinds of games are never all that good.

Baccra173622d ago

I'd agree with you if Ubi wasn't warning of "false" reviews. When you are already doing damage control something is wrong.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 3622d ago
DFogz3622d ago

Just about every single big release lately has had a release day embargo. It doesn't mean anything.
It's the new big thing...all the games are doing it.

Alex_Boro3622d ago

It does mean something. It shows Ubisoft isnt fully confident of their game.

Revolver_X_3622d ago

GTAV had a release day embargo. Its a sales strategy. Watch Dogs is looking like a niche title to begin with. Its not for everyone, I've personally never seen a AAA new Ip get so much hate. I think ppl just genuinely dont like WHAT it is.

Sly-Lupin3622d ago

@Revolve_X_

Review embargoes are NOT a sales strategy.
They exist to make sure reviewers have the time to adequately review each game, because otherwise they'd be rushing through titles--or not playing them at all, as is still often the case with Musou games--in order to get their reviews published "first."

Games media is all about hits--and the first reviews for a game generate more traffic than the ones that come days or weeks later.

(And it should be noted that this review has "backfired" by may sites using review scores to generate false controversy--by either validating or invalidating hype--and generate hits thusly).

Release-day embargoes still chiefly exist for that reason, but also for two other, lesser reasons:

1) To prevent reviewers from spoiling key aspects of the game (IE Assassins Creed's dual temporality).

2) To prevent/minimize any potential damage to pre-order sales.

You could argue that this last reason makes release-day embargoes fishy, and you'd kind of be right, but the real problem it indicates is not the embargo, but the fact of big publishers focusing on release-week sales at the expense of all the sales after and its effect on the development process.

NukaCola3622d ago

It's not about the review as much as it's from the info leaking out and ruining it for everyone. Look at INFAMOUS SS. They gave out specific footage of the game to allow early release of the reviews without revealing anything spoilery. Maybe Ubi doesn't want the whole game on the internet tomorrow so they blanket a no show policy.

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3622d ago
Crazay3622d ago

Not at all a big deal or something to read into about. I've had many games that were on Release Day embargos. Just sit back, relax and enjoy the show while we wait for the real posts to hit.

pompombrum3622d ago (Edited 3622d ago )

With the way gamers can be and the internet, if they tried to pull a Ryse, it would almost certainly effect their reputation with future releases. Regardless, I still think the game is going to score well and even if it doesn't, I'm sure I'll get my money's worth.

monkey483622d ago (Edited 3622d ago )

Embargos depend on the company. Ubisoft has release day embargo on their games. Last game was child of light and how did that turn out? One of the best games this year, same thing with The South Park game, it had release day embargo and it was critically acclaimed. So release day embargo doesn't necessarily mean the game is going to be bad.

KnownAsEpic3622d ago

South Park did this. and it was an awesome game

paidadvertiser3622d ago

Is this really considered the equivalent of prohibiting reviews entirely? I don't understand how the mechanisms in your mind work and I don't want to but don't you suppose there would need to first be a logical goal in delaying something that's inevitable for it to mean anything bad for them? If you pre-ordered the game that means you don't care about reviews, if you didn't pre-order that means you're waiting 'til you can read reviews, don't want to buy it right away, or aren't planning to purchase at all (that being the weird one since you're following news about it.) I can't think of any benefit or victim of the scheme they have, in your mind, of only having people find out what journalists thought, later in the month instead of sooner. If money for video games means so much to you, then it's your job to look after it, not the companies you give it to.

moomoo3193622d ago

Are people still on this??? Almost every major game has a release day embargo it has nothing to do with quality.

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 3622d ago
NYC_Gamer3622d ago

"All valid reviews will emerge at release on May 27"

I wonder why reviews are held back until launch day?

Angels37853622d ago (Edited 3622d ago )

Why is everyone acting like this never happens????

I'm not like a watchdogs fanboy or anything but games good and bad have had review embargoes...

Last of us and gta v just to name a few

DarkLord10033622d ago

That's true - and good ones usually lift 3-5 days before the Release. Bad the day the game itself is released..

Angels37853622d ago

Well no... That's just the stigma...

Arkham origins had an embargo AFTER release and gta V reviews were also day of release

Sevir3622d ago

People on here think Every game big gets the reviews days before, but Most publishers have review embargos down to the day of release. Titan Fall, Infamous Second Son, Thief and even GTAV had release day embargoes.

Killzone SF and a few other PS4 exclusive had embargoes that went 2 days before the launch. It's a publishers choice, not a cover up because they aren't confident, some release reviews as a marketing ploy.

I honestly can't believe the hate and controversy fanboys have for this game, and they are just the vocal minority. A tear drop in an ocean.

Clown_Syndr0me3622d ago (Edited 3622d ago )

Always happens now. This and lack of playable demos makes me very wary about all new games.

Its almost like they think the reviews and demos will hurt their sales so they don't bother. If all games had demos and early reviews it would push the devs to make the games better.

Jack_Reacher3621d ago

Yeah were the hell are all the game demos.use to look forward to trying something out. Personally dont think there is a better way to build the hype.

Think it stinks nowadays. Bring back the demos.

Hk85karlsson3622d ago

Thats not a good sign. Why would you hold back on good PR? Maybe if the PR is going to scream = DOWNGRADE!?

Martinineter3622d ago

Gameplay is more important than graphics, downgrade or not, it is still a good game. Everybody is making a big deal of it, before they even played it themselves. If you like to play it on a 1080p and 60fps and everything on its best settings, buy a kickass gaming PC and stop bitching. Ubisoft dragged as much performance out of the consoles as possible, better gameplay instead of just some eyecandy in a faur tradeoff they made. You may disagree, but this is my opinion.

Sam Fisher3622d ago

Or ubi held back for wd2 and 3 to look better than wd1, why give us everything in one shot

Hk85karlsson3622d ago

I´m not sure why I can´t respond to: Martinineter?

So what´s you´re answer to MGS GZ? That game looks amazing. Ya´ll talk about gameplay/citys density,
But still, I haven´t seen any density apart from a couple of cars or a couple of people in that city.

Metal Gear Solid "The Phantom Pain" will be 1080p 30FPS with all the shading tech, lighting tech (last iteration was of the hook).

Why can´t Ubisoft make it happen?

Summons753622d ago

To reduce spoiler fests some reviews tend to be...

For major games I'd rather have day one embargos, in the case of Mario Kart....well that really doesn't have a story, kinda hard to spoil a racing game. This is like Rockstar not allowing let's plays or streams of their newest games so then it can reduce spoilers for those who want the surprise then after a month or two they don't care.

SaturdayNightBeaver3622d ago (Edited 3622d ago )

Valid as "paid" maybe? Whats wrong with reviews if some people got their game few days earlier and stated their honest opinions online? NO , Ubi says , they are fake and wrong. You are to listen to IGN and no one else. Only thing FAKE here is Ubisoft response. They are scared for their profit, seems even they don't believe the game is that good.

Baccra173622d ago

I'd like "valid review" to be defined so we know exactly what it means, cause something tells me anyone not in the pocket of Ubi, meaning any reviewer that doesn't work for some gaming site but is instead a common person, opinion and views are invalid and void as far as Ubi is concerned.

admiralvic3622d ago

I am pretty sure valid simply means that Ubisoft believes no review posted before May 27th will be based off the full game and thus irrelevant. It's a fair point, since games don't always get leaked / sold before release dates and even if a site gets a copy early, odds are they will be under an embargo and can't post it anyway.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 3621d ago
Activemessiah3622d ago

What about the false trailer you showed us at E3 2012, Ubisoft?

Kenshin_BATT0USAI3622d ago

I wouldn't say it's 'false' I mean, you can get that quality on pc. So yeah, unless they said that it was the ps4/x1 versions. Which they didn't.

DarkLord10033622d ago

It's weird - developers and publishers who are believe in their game usually lift the embargo 3-5 days before the Release.. I don't think that is a good sign tbh

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70°

The entire WatchDogs series is 87% off and it's not even Black Friday

If you are looking for a bargain, check out the huge discounts across the entire WatchDogs series on Steam.

Read Full Story >>
videogamer.com
200°

Watch Dogs Deserves A Remake, More Than Ever

With the world of information and technology, privacy and security growing every day, Watch Dogs deserves another chance in the spotlight, now more than ever.

RaidenBlack994d ago

The only Ubi title that deserves a faithful remake right now is Splinter Cell 1.
All 2014+ Ubi titles are just underwhelming. Especially ones from 2016+ are just cancer.

LucasRuinedChildhood994d ago (Edited 994d ago )

Seriously, are we so far removed from Ubisoft actually making good games that people now praise Watch_Dogs in retrospect?

"Watch_Dogs has remained one of my favourite games of the last ten years." Jesus Christ.

HankHill994d ago

I remember being so disappointed in Watch Dogs when I played it at release. It was alright, but I think I fell for the hype and I needed a game to play on my new PS4.

obidanshinobi994d ago

This is what happens when mediocrity gets praised as good.
Standards are slipping across the whole entertainment industry.
What was once considering rubbish is now considered as OK, what once was OK is now being praised as good etc etc.

LamerTamer993d ago

Everyone has their own likes. I liked it a lot myself. I played through it twice and liked the car chases and the open world with fairly decent environments and missions. It suffered from the whole downgrade thing where they showed graphics that weren't actually there. No game will appeal to everyone but it was still ambitious for it's time.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 993d ago
gantarat994d ago

assassin's creed 1 should get a remake.

ExBee994d ago

For certain! AC1 was brilliant at the time but with new graphics and gameplay it would be amazing! Do you prefer old combat or new though?

RaidenBlack994d ago

I'd say a reimagining of AC1.
I direct AC1 remake would be a bad idea. It'll need better story pacing and significant better world building.

BlaqMagiq1994d ago

Old. Let it play like how it did with AC2-Syndicate style gameplay but refine the setting and story.

Profchaos994d ago

It would need a lot changed for it to be enjoyable again as even back in 2007 on launch we were all complaining about it's repetitive gameplay go here perform one of three side quests repeat then assassination now do it over and over until a big battle with a unforgiving checkpoint system.

BlaqMagiq1994d ago

Absolutely. It needs it. The only AC I truly didn't enjoy.

chicken_in_the_corn993d ago

I'd prefer it didn't. Ubisoft would make it so bloated, it wouldn't be anywhere near the original

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 993d ago
smolinsk994d ago (Edited 994d ago )

Absolutely, this watch dogs legion was terrible boring.

Profchaos994d ago (Edited 994d ago )

As a fan of the franchise legion was garbage and I regretted my purchase for the first time in the franchise the entire thing felt like an experiment in NPC behaviour and released without the writers input on what makes a good story.

I don't think I'm alone in that feeling though as wrench and Aiden are brought back and the campaign was rewritten to fit them.

I am tempted to buy the season pass to play it again with Aiden but fool me twice shame on me I'm waiting for a deep sale

camel_toad994d ago

Agreed. Despite the annoying hipness of the characters in part 2 I thought it was a really fun game. I was extremely disappointed and surprised at how many steps back they took with Legion. You'd think it was made by an entirely different team. Or was it?

It was just so devoid of fun.

LamerTamer993d ago

Honestly one of my biggest annoyances with Legion is that they took out the camera views for the driving. I mean the behind the car view that they stuck us with is near unplayable. I always used a first person driving view. After two releases why did they take OUT features? I don't get it.

TheSinsibleOne994d ago

The fist watchdog game was the best by far
After that they weren't weird and annoying with that hipster stuff. Aiden was a badass.

LamerTamer993d ago

I thought so at first too. I got used to it and it ended up being good after some play time. I just had to give it a chance.

TheEnigma313994d ago

Remake the PoP series from xbox/ps2/gc era

RaidenBlack994d ago

They are remaking Sands of Time.

TheEnigma313994d ago

That's good news. Hopefully it's done right.

Show all comments (45)
290°

Inside the Driver game that died so that Watch Dogs could live

From VG247: "When cars slide, they leave tyre marks. In a game like Driver, they’re an aesthetic touch, part of the inherent cool of a handbrake turn. But those dark shadows in the road also tell a story. From tyre marks, you can determine the speed of a vehicle, when it started to skid, and its ultimate direction of travel – long after the car itself has vanished into the distance."

vallencer1059d ago

Different spellings in different parts of the world friend. Tyre is a correct way to spell it.

Pridefall1058d ago

Dunno why you got downvpted when tyre is correct in Australia.

mikefizzled11058d ago

The mystery that is En Fore Gee

neutralgamer19921059d ago

Give us driver San Francisco remastered

IGiveHugs2NakedWomen1059d ago

Why did they stop making some of the best games ever? Driver was one of them.

Gameseeker_Frampt1058d ago

Assassins Creed 2 showed Ubisoft how to make money and Far Cry 2 showed them that gamers don't like complex ideas. Now Ubisoft just turns out games that are just variations of the same thing.

WeAreLegion1059d ago

Best driving mechanics ever made. Nothing has come close.

Gardenia1059d ago

A story driven game with pure driving gameplay. I'd love to see a new Driver game or a remake of the first one.

ApocalypseShadow1059d ago

Yes. This one. A definite remake of the first without adding any ridiculous fluff. The first game had great physics and sound for its time. The start of the car in the beginning cinema I watched constantly. My father and uncles were big muscle and classic car freaks. Only thing crazy about the game was the relentless cops in the last level. Insane the way those police cars were and launched at you.

Bleemcast made it look better just like PC emulators. But would definitely take a remake.

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