E3 2019: Ubisoft gives us feisty grannies in «Watch Dogs Legion» and the streaming service Uplay+
Ubisoft is relying on safe bets at this year's E3. The highlight was the new «Watch Dogs Legion». Aside from that, there was a skating game, an announced «The Division» movie and their very own streaming service.
Ubisoft's press conference at E3 in Los Angeles was a mix of colourful circus performances with dance interludes and overly motivated presenters. Most of whom were only cheered by the Ubisoft employees sitting in the front row. Nevertheless, the event was entertaining, even if new games were hard to come by.
«Watch Dogs Legion»
As info on the new «Watch Dogs», specifically it being set in London, had already leaked before E3, the surprise wasn't as powerful as hoped. Still, that didn't detract from the quality of the presentation. The latest instalment in the hackstravaganza looks to be another spectacular action thriller.
The new gimmick involves you not playing just one character, but having access to multiple. According to Ubisoft, you can recruit and control every single NPC in the game. Among other people, they showed a mean granny ready to kick some teeth in. She hides a spider drone in her handbag. And if that's not enough, she always has her fists. Since the last game, the series isn't known for taking itself very seriously. Even the gaudy neon style seems to have been retained. «Watch Dogs Legion» will be released on 6/3/2020.
«Ghost Recon Breakpoint»
The co-op game will focus more on survival and story than its predecessor «Wildlands». The closed beta opens on September 5th. There will also be a crossover with the Terminator. How and when isn't yet clear.
«Rainbow Six Quarantine»
Unlike «Rainbow Six Siege», «Quarantine» focuses on PVE. Your team fights AI opponents, never more than three players a squad. Some disease of the week is spreading and you need to get to the bottom of it. Releases in early 2020.
«Roller Champions»
«Roller Champions» is a multiplayer roller-skating game in which the aim is to sink a ball into the opponent's basket. Kind of like «Rocket League», but free-to-play. The demo is now playable through June 14th.
A new mode from the «For Honor» event
«Shadows of the Hitokiri» is a temporary event. It will take place from 10/6 through 27/6 and will include the new «Soul Rush» game mode, which is all about stealing souls from the opposing team – by killing them.
«The Division 2 Year 1»
The first big update «Episode 1» gives us new areas to loot, shoot and root around in. Episode 2 will release in autumn and features the Pentagon as well as a second 8-player raid. Episode 3 finally returns to New York.
A Netflix-produced «The Division» movie featuring Jake Gyllenhaal was also announced. Unfortunately there was no trailer to see.
«Gods & Monsters»
«Assassin’s Creed Odyssey» meets «Zelda: Breath of the Wild». This is probably the best way to describe the first teaser for Ubisoft's new role-playing game. The game will come out on 25/2/2020.
«Tom Clancy’s Elite Squad»
A new «Splinter Cell» was not announced, but Sam Fisher is included in the new mobile game «Tom Clancy's Elite Squad».
«Adventure Time» meets «Brawlhalla»
«Brawlhalla» is one of the most popular multiplayer fighting games out there. From now on you can also play the characters from the hit TV series «Adventure Time».
«Mythic Quest»
«Mythic Quest» is a TV series about a creative director of a fictional MMO. The series will be produced for Apple's new streaming service.
New classes for «Rainbow Six Siege»
Warden and Nokk are the two newest operators coming to the successful multiplayer tactical shooter. They're part of the «Phantom Sight» expansion.
«Just Dance 2020»
The party dance game will be released on 5/11 for PS4, Xbox One, Stadia, PC and Wii. Jep, you read that right.
The streaming service Uplay+
Ubisoft's game streaming service was already leaked, but now we got the first real details on it. Uplay+ costs $15 a month and provides access to over 100 games. The service will launch in September on PC. Finally, the service will also be available for subscription via Google Stadia in 2020. A console version was not mentioned.
Being the game and gadget geek that I am, working at digitec and Galaxus makes me feel like a kid in a candy shop – but it does take its toll on my wallet. I enjoy tinkering with my PC in Tim Taylor fashion and talking about games on my podcast http://www.onemorelevel.ch. To satisfy my need for speed, I get on my full suspension mountain bike and set out to find some nice trails. My thirst for culture is quenched by deep conversations over a couple of cold ones at the mostly frustrating games of FC Winterthur.