Ubisoft Confirms The Division and The Crew Are Always Online, Believes These Experiences Are Great

Ubisoft confirmed that both Tom Clancy's The Division and The Crew are "always online" games, and mentioned that the publisher feels that these kind of experiences are great.

[WorldGamer]

That's awesome, as long as they use that fact to further enhance the game, I'm okay with it.

Both games look like they will provide some decent innovation for the upcoming gaming cycle.

[Abriael]

Same. I hate always online only when it's just an "In your face" DRM. If it drives features, I'm all for it.

[Testfire]

Yes because we see how always online worked miracles in Sim City. I'll vote with my wallet and not get either.

[Baka-akaB]

People needs to chill . Sim city was a game that could work the same offline . The division and the Crew are clearly thought with online in mind .

Let's not start b*tch*ing about every online game because of some creepy attempts to enforce online on consoles

[DragonKnight]

Just because The Division and The Crew are made with online in mind doesn't mean they HAVE to be always online. Ubisoft clearly learned nothing from their own always online DRM with AC2 on PC, nor the always online of SimCity or Diablo 3.

Always Online is a terrible idea. Always. It is never a good idea because it is never 100% reliable and this "server based calculations" garbage any developer uses to justify it is a load of B.S. lies.

People who support The Division and The Crew and yet complained about Xbox One DRM are hypocrites and should stop gaming because they are the problem with the gaming industry on the gamer end, not the solution.

[Destrania]

That's like saying never play an MMO game. Take your own advice and don't be dumb.

[DragonKnight]

@Destrania: It's most certainly not the same. An MMO is always online because it's a completely multiplayer game with no option for single player play. No single player aspect of any game should have a forced online requirement. Period. Preventing you from playing single player because you're not online or your connection is out is just stupid and wrong.

[sobekflakmonkey]

Well The Division is an MMO RPG shooter....those of which are always online, trying playing guild wars 2 or WoW without an internet connection lol The crew on the other hand should be single player offline, as well as online...doesn't matter though, I don't think anyone is going to buy "The crew" anyways..

[superkidcupid13]

i dnt think thats what they mean by always online...it has nothing to do with drm...its just saying that the game will always change if u were playing online or not...like if u played the game went to work and went home and hopped back on..you will notice a difference from the last time u played....always online doesnt mean drm has to b involved...

[superkidcupid13]

btw if u really think about it...every game u play thats single player is technically always online..unless u dnt hook up ur console to wifi...really think about it....single player might be a offline mode...but that fact that ur console is hooked into the internet makes it always online...

[BISHOP-BRASIL]

I'm pretty sure they said it was possible to play those games offline back in E3... I believe they mean that the game was designed to be played completelly online, hence you may not be able to play it all offline and/or the games benefits if you are always online, not that you'll NEED a connection to play it alone.

[Dee_91]

@Baka-akaB
They confirmed The Crew has a single player mode.I never played a MMO so im not sure if they have single player aspect.But either way its dumb to make a game always online when it has single player available.They think they can just label a game MMO then its okay for it to be always online.If mulitplayer isnt required to progress through the main story it shouldnt be considered a MMO.

Needless to say im not getting either at launch.I will more than likely wait for someone make a hack like they did for sims city and get the pc versions or wait and see exactly what they mean by always online.I hope watch dogs isnt always online.

[redwin]

Lol.. We should bring back a-tracs and cassette tapes. I bet you use your Walkman everyday. Lol

[AngelicIceDiamond]

I already knew this as soon as I saw The division and they explained it as an MMO. and How The Crew is a "Connected world."

"The Division isn't an MMO" Its also a "living world"

Hmmm. Is there a real difference? WOW is always connected and living?

That still has "offline" single play? But your still have to be online?

Sorry sounds like MMO to me.

Destiny is also Always On.

[Cmk0121]

no offline at all, you may play solo and turn of multiplayer elements but you must be connected online to play the game

[titletownrelo]

uh-oh, spaghetti-Os

Not another Sim City D:

[Eldyraen]

@Titletownrelo:

Its more of another Diablo 3 than Sim City but even that isn't quite right.

Sim City for example has always been a singleplayer centric experience which had zero reason for such a drastic change. Diablo 3 however has always had a strong multiplayer following so although online sucked it was better received and sold significantly better. Nearly all blizzard games have bad strong online possibities actually (oldest being exceptions as they actually had some cool games way back when other than the 3 main IPs--pre-Blizzard days had Rock and Roll Racing which I still want a reboot for even if some simple arcade/PSN release).

As long as a game has a strong reason for always online its more acceptable especially for new IPs. IMO existing IPs though need to be left as is as much as possible. Diablo 3 for example would had been just as good for most with it being optional and better in many ways as would had been better received and sold even more.

Its a fine line but it can add to certain experiences and just hope its worth it in their cases.

[tuglu_pati]

I guess low income customers as well as all the people complaining about always online wont be able to play it.

[Bimkoblerutso]

Yeah, it's a little disheartening. But at the same time, developers have been making MMO's since the dawn of the internet, so a few games that function similarly should not throw up flags on the same level an entire industry push towards always-on DRM does.

[No_Limit]

Xbox1 owners that can activate day one online patch rejoiced.

Xbox1 owners with low income or live in the deserts without internet are sadden by this news.

[Eldyraen]

I don't see the big deal--some games by design require it the same way some dont allow multiplayer.

[rainslacker]

I thought the division was an MMO, so that was understandable, but I guess not. Probably gonna play it because it looks great, but ever-changing world? Wouldn't mind a SP default game myself, but it is what it is I guess.

Not sure about the crew. Thought it had an offline mode, but required net for some features to work. Guess not though.:( Although, in retrospect, the gameplay did look to be multi-player as well.

Thing though is, if people don't want that, they don't have to buy it. I imagine this game delivery technique will become common next gen, just to keep the games off the 2nd hand market, or recoup revenues from it perhaps. Not unlike the MP tacked on, and online passes this gen.

I guess my only real problem with all of it is it gives an expiration date to the game. One day the servers will be shut down, and the game will become unplayable.:( Sad for those that like to go back and play their older games from time to time.

[whoyouwit04]

Oh okay it's fine when 3rd parties force always online on you but when microsoft does it it's the end of the world. That makes perfect since.

[Psychotica]

Well the article says the games are not MMO's and you can play by yourself, that works for me.

[Blackdeath_663]

well if they are not mmo's and you can play by yourself why does it need to be always online? i wonder if there is online pass linked to it because at that stage it is basically exactly what MS set out to do only difference is that only the game is always on not the console

[Livecustoms]

Dont mind it being always on, its when a WHOLE console is always on that is when i get pissedddd !

[Mainsqueeze]

Agree. I really do think that alot of multiplayer experiences can be enhanced with always online but when a console needs to be online for you to play single player games, well that's just unnecessary and limits people that don't want to pay extra money to enjoy a sp experience.

[Thomper]

Eh? What do you mean?

[Dno]

So when the servers go down I cannot play these games? no buy from me unless its like 15 bucks.

[Abriael]

You're probably not gonna buy a lot of games next gen. Not too smart to avoid games due to a preconception.

[Dno]

Yup 2 games out of all the games announced for XB1 and PS4 will for sure cut down on my game time.

don't tell people what to spend money on trust me it won't go over well for you.

[dark-hollow]

Am afraid this will be a trend with third party publishers like online passes.

[Eldyraen]

@dark-hollow:

The fact Ubisoft has said connected and open world games are sort of the focus of this gen for them means always online likely will become acceptable for many third party games outside of themselves. EA is another that is likely to do it as they also have tested Origin access requiring games for PC (with Ubi requiring Ubiplay--just for comparison). Activision going multiplayer only for their "next big thing" is also a possible connection.

I doubt all games will but the fact publishers knew about an online only console existing meant there are probably several games in the works that are designed to function around that very principle we haven't even seen yet. If not "requiring" online at least with many added online functionality outside of basic multiplayer.

Another thing to consider is this: if online only games do take off and then Xbox comes up with an "option" for an "online mode" much like it was built for (perhaps XBL Gold additional feature for wired gamers) its actually likely we could see next gen built on a more online focus than today (similar but likely better than the Xbox One was designed for--they could use the time to find a better balance). I still think MS will enable some sort of infasteucture at some point that gives people an option for some of their original vision--possibly limited to digital purchases though as easier to control (if you buy digital you are already wired and more than likely have the minimum bandwidth requirements).

I'm not some conspiracy theorist but IF publishers do move towards the digital/online (which they clearly are--its really comes down to how much of a move and by who) there might be a market large enough for a "new" approach that is atleast somewhere between today and MS's vision of tomorrow. Personally I'm looking forward to it--when there is a way to institute the good with as little as possible or none of the "bad".

Some sacrifices are necessary though as altruism won't keep them in business.

[loulou]

this will be more and more next gen

[no_more_trolling]

now always on is suddenly cool

[Imalwaysright]

Until we get another SimCity or Diablo debacle. Then people will start hating always on again.

[SilentNegotiator]

Because many Ubisoft fans were already putting up with always online crap.

[sAVAge_bEaST]

No, it's not cool.. it's the individual game though, not system,, so we can CHOOSE, not to by the game.

[Supermax]

All your games will be this way sooner rather than later

[merciless]

The Division is a true next gen title. I will have psn+ and I will have this on release day. Graphic fidelity is a must!

[Adexus]

MMO's are always online!? No way, who would've thought!

[SweatyFlorida]

And yet people still are getting upset. Did this seriously need a confirmation? The trailer they showed literally said "Online Open World RPG" :l

also lol at the people bringing up DRM.

[Dark11]

Well no surprise , both games doesn't have a single player mode , just like destiny and titanfall

let's just hope this doesn't turn into a trend in the video games industry.

[AngelicIceDiamond]

I think Destiny is blending "story" with other players. Titanfall is blending "campaign" with MP.

So I guess from what it sounds like Destiny has a real story behind it and Titanfall doesn't. I'm suddenly more intrigued in Destiny now.

Well, There both Always online. Yeah, this always on stuff will be a trend coming next gen and it will pick up fast.

[Baka-akaB]

It is already an obvious trend . Ea sneaked it with autologging and stats updates in racing and sports games . Stuff you can play offline , wich loses half the interest when not online

[gazgriff2k12]

Always online games are cool, always online console is not. ms have just found that out

[fsfsxii]

Now all of whats left to announce is a season pass and i'll pass on these two games

[Cmk0121]

EVIL EVIL MS and your always online, and your persistent world...WAIT game devs are essentially implementing the always on DRM in game? hahahah, both games are must haves IMO.

[Sideras]

That's fine, been playing MMO's on PC since more than 10 years back. So the concept is nothing new for me.

[Soldierone]

Like I said, its easier to pass up a game with certain features than it is a whole console. Dont like always online, then don't buy it. Fact is, unless these games become the next COD or Rainbow Six Vegas, then they will be forgotten when the next gun game releases.

[MestreRothN4G]

So it won't work, even though there is already confirmed solo play?

Nice, thanks for letting us now before accidentally buying another unplayable game.

[RE_L_MAYER]

Well.....it was a fun trailer ubishnoft-guess im not buying your "online only" games any time soon

[ironfist92]

They're MMOs, theyre SUPPOSED to be online.

[TekoIie]

How about a PC release Ubi for The Division?

[despair]

Pretty much confirming what we knew already. As long as I don't pay monthly sub for the game I'm good.

[Roper316]

so the game data just couldn't update each time you logged in? Why? Was really considering The Division but if I have to keep my system online 24-7 I'll pass just because without fail every winter I lose power & cable for a few days at a time do to downed wires and while I can get electricity from my generator I still don't have cable/internet until the wires get fixed.

[Monkeysmarts]

The games are both online multiplayer games...

[nick309]

Now they force ppl to pay for gold and ps plus. Im not paying for mp ever.

[Monkeysmarts]

Online multiplayer games need to be online? The horror!

[Rivitur]

Yea but they said the Division can be played solo the problem is you have to have gold or plus to even play it... but its Ubi the same guys who started it all with Uplay (Unplayable) this news will piss people off Similar to simCity all over again.

[RE_L_MAYER]

checking in online for playing single player-I don't think so

[coolasj]

This is why the always online thing MS was going for was pointless. If they need it for their game, they'll do it. And that'll be that.

[DarkBlood]

damn i was interested in "The Crew" but afraid im going to have to pass on it now.

[2pacalypsenow]

SO are they playable offline? cuz where i live my comcast internet goes down alot

[Thomper]

Welcome to the future of gaming. You're all gonna have to get used to it...of just get a 360

Maw ha haaaa

[KrisButtar]

These 2 games look amazing and yet I have to pass because of no offline SP/MP. No services offered in my home means those games won't work no matter how hard I try

[DirtyMagician]

Wow waste of time even having to confirm or write this article. We knew they were MMO's in the first place.

[XabiDaChosenOne]

Such a shame, really looking forward to this game, guess Ill get it when its 15 bucks

[InfamousShadow]

well The Division in an MMO so I would think it's always online lol.

[psyxon]

what mmo isn't always online?

[Jakens]

Test Drive Unlimited was one.

[psyxon]

how was that an mmo? lol

[plaZeHD]

So they are gonna pull off another Sim City. Haven't you learned anything?

[AO1JMM]

I'm ok with that

[Belking]

Always on line. These will be great titles on Xbox-one and it's online focus and dedicated servers.

[kupomogli]

Always online with these games doesn't mean there's no single player or you can't play the game offline, it means that like games such as Demon's Souls, Dark Souls, Test Drive Unlimited, etc, if you're logged into PSN or XBL Gold, then you'll have that subtle multiplayer experience where people are around you and they can attack your game, challenge you to a race, send you an invite, whatever.

These games will still be able to be played offline, but the games are developed with every mission being designed for one or more players.

[EPiCDiNGO]

Amazing :) I love the look of The Division It will be a day one buy for me once it is released.

[redwin]

Can you imagine skyrim always online and everyone you meet in the game is a payer w the same level as you or a friend ? Cool. Now that's a game!