1060°

Watch Dogs Digital Pre-Order Controversy On PS4 Causes A Huge Backlash For Ubisoft

GearNuke: "Users who pre-ordered Watch Dogs digitally on the PS4 might be facing issues with their purchase."

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XiSasukeUchiha3627d ago

Hmm...In the end their always controversy about every new, and game-changing ideas.

OT: Ok Ubisoft way a go on this!

AgentSmithPS43627d ago

<facepalm> Keep up the good work, intentional or not.

thorstein3627d ago

"Can you feel the hate tonight..."

So, now that the naysayers were disproven with their "graphics downgrades" and their other hate... we have this. Likened to the "MLB 14 Controversy" that wasn't a controversy and was solved within hours of the store update.

These anti-hypers just can't get enough.

I wonder why these people game at all. If all any company does is "anger" them, then they really don't understand how to enjoy life.

This game is great!

AndrewLB3627d ago

Umm... the graphics were downgraded from what was shown at E3 2012. And it's CLEARLY downgraded from the PC version. http://youtu.be/b6b_y1mGSxM

That difference in that video is a lot more than a change in resolution to 900p. Everything on the PS4 version looks blurred like they used FXAA, but FXAA doesn't darken brightly illuminated areas as seen towards the end of the video in the alleyway. That's due to using sub-par ambient occlusion and high performance/low quality shadow filtering.

I think part of that may be due to Sony using limited dynamic range in the graphics driver causing the PS4 to output in 16-235 instead of 0-255, because I've seen this effect in every game that's been released.

But of course as we all know the Xbone looks even worse. I'd feel bad for them but they knew what they were buying, so I wont. lol.

It really sucks knowing that another generation of games will be held back by money grubbing console makers. If both consoles had powerful GPU's in them, but cost $599 each... I guarantee they would have sold just as many systems. And everyone would be happier too.

orionone3627d ago

AndrewLB, you can set the output to full 0-255 in the video output options on the PS4.

Neonridr3627d ago

@thorstein - the MLB issue wasn't resolved until about 3pm in the afternoon. The game was supposed to go live at midnight. No excuse for that. Not to mention Sony didn't even acknowledge the issue until 12 hours after the problem.

I thought they would have learned their lesson from these mishaps, clearly not.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3627d ago
mezati993627d ago (Edited 3627d ago )

XiSasukeUchiha strikes again...

SaffronCurse3627d ago

We all secretly love Sasuke.

saladthieves3627d ago

Pretty much.

For some reason his comments just drive people nuts, on the simple precept that his comments, once read, cause a loss in braincells, and more trying to make sense of the words.

Activemessiah3627d ago

@egidem I don't think he does this intentionally.. it just comes naturally to him XD

choujij3627d ago (Edited 3627d ago )

Ah, the UbiShaft.

Licensing issues on release day, for a game that was already delayed half a year. Mind blown.

Volkama3627d ago

I'm no fan of U-Play or any of Ubisoft's DRM efforts, but I don't think this one is their fault?

choujij3627d ago (Edited 3627d ago )

@Volkama

They are the maker's of the game. The responsibility of having the game available on time for those gamers whose pre-order money they took, is their own.

In the real world, if I was contracted to perform your home renovations by May 27, and I failed to meet that deadline because one of the sub-trades I used (be it a plumber, kitchen manufacturer etc.) caused me to be late, it's still my responsibility.

Whatever the licensing issues are (assuming it's that), they were responsible for having it taken care of in time.

christian hour3627d ago

@choujij

This one isn't on ubisoft, and nobodies money ahs been taken out of their accounts. Thats actually the problem, i dont think sony were prepared for the amount of digital pre-orders, whats happening is it's taking a long time to process everyones transaction. The fact peoples money ahsnt been taken yet, is the reason it says we have no license.

Personally, i cancelled my pre order earlier then purchased it from the store again, fixed the problem but i missed out on 2 pre order bonuses.

Volkama3627d ago

Choujij in your example ubisoft would be the contracted tradesman. Sony were the ones paid for the work/product. Or unable to sell that work, per what Christian said.

choujij3627d ago (Edited 3627d ago )

@Christian

How were you able to pre-order the game without paying a deposit?

If it's as simple as a PSN transaction problem, then it would mostly likely affect PS3 users as well.

@Volkama

Perhaps my analogy does not apply to the situation at hand. Sony did/does not pay UbiSoft to make the game. They're contracted for the license of being able to make the game for the PS4 and Sony receives a royalty.

"According to a huge thread on the official Ubisoft support forums, PS4 users, who pre-ordered the game digitally, weren’t able to access the game due to some licensing issue."

Unless I am misunderstanding the article, that can pertain to a number of things that fall under "licensing".

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 3627d ago
D3ATH_DRIV3R_7773627d ago

I just don't understand you, i just don't.

OT why is it causing controversy because ppl bought it off the ps store? omfg!

adorie3627d ago (Edited 3627d ago )

People usually pre-order a game to have it on release day, and, or have a guaranteed copy.

In this case, it could be both, but also factor in people buying it because they don't want to go into a store and hassle with the physical aspect of the buying process.

It doesn't matter who's fault it is, the problem here is that the whole purpose of pre-ordering digitally was defeated and needs to be fixed so that this doesn't happen again.

Sony needs to work closer with publishers so this doesn't happen again, in the future.

Gamer19823627d ago

People should have just bought one the Full HD gaming machine (also known as PC). Saves all these issues from happening. Enjoying the game at 1080p 60fps on my PC on high (same graphical fidelity as PS4).

Criti-Choco3626d ago

except that there are still UPlay issues for the pc version, and several other issues from what I hear.

Syntax-Error3627d ago

Isn't this to be expected from heavy traffic. How many people rushed to download this game after months of a gaming drought. This game is going to sell extremely well. This also shows why having a hard copy is still necessary even though digital purchasing is available

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 3626d ago
incendy353627d ago

My digital experience with PSN on PS4 has been very mixed. No issues with Second Son but both MLB The Show and Transistor gave me problems to get downloaded and installed. Seems like they are going backwards.

AgentSmithPS43627d ago

I'm still annoyed that I can't pause big downloads, my internets can't handle it if I'm MP gaming at the same time...

djplonker3627d ago

Playing mp on my ps4 stops the download have a look mid-mp match and it shouldnt be downloading!

DarkZane3627d ago

Transistor was not gonna be released at midnight even for those who preordered.

incendy353627d ago

My issue with Transistor was not availability, but rather it failed the first 3 times I tried to download it which was very annoying.

DLConspiracy3627d ago

It seems whenever I try to mention the quality of XBL over PSN online infrastructure my claims get shot down as a "fanboy". Their are good qualities in each but PSN is just not there yet.

Regardless, it seems to be getting fixed. Hopefully with all of Sony's sales for ps4 we will start to see a change...

Immorals3627d ago (Edited 3627d ago )

Ever since ps+ has been been consistently 'loaning' decent games, it's been seen as the better service.

Personally I think , if you ignore that, XBox live is still far ahead.

Silly gameAr3627d ago (Edited 3627d ago )

Can you blame them Your comment sounds pretty fanboyish....

DLConspiracy3627d ago (Edited 3627d ago )

@Silly gameAr

If you say so. I kind of thought owning both was a step in the opposite direction. Turns out experience has no merit in these comments. I suggest trying it out for yourself and then get back to me. Unless you prefer assumptions. :)

GW2123626d ago

I'm a PS4 guy but I'll agree that XBL is still the better service. Sony is getting there but it just doesn't seem as fluid if that makes any sense.

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HeavenlySnipes3627d ago

Had no problems with Transistor, however, I purchased it from my laptop and had my PS4 download it on its own

On the linked article this comment:

"I managed to solve it by going to the SOnyEntertainment website and just download from there, I had it preordered but I was able to put it in my cart and "rebuy" it for 0.00 bucks and did the option to download directly to my PS4 and it worked, hope that helps some of you guys."

Implies that buying a game from the online store from a CPU and pressing "download to PS4/PS3" probably ensures nothing will go wrong I guess

GeraltofRivia3627d ago

i thought console gaming was flawless? i am in shock!

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 3626d ago
Sm00thNinja3627d ago

PSn has been down for me almost 24 hrs maybe that's the issue?

Sm00thNinja3627d ago

Yea I've had a server maintenance notification since yesterday evening. My FF14 itch needs to be scratched

mr2333627d ago (Edited 3627d ago )

Just before seeing this I entered my code for pre-order content and received an error. I don't know if it will let me re-enter it when the system is fixed. Time will tell. Geez.

ZodTheRipper3627d ago

My experience with 5+ years of PSN is that nothing is ever lost, it just takes a bit when there are server issues or maintenance. Just be patient.

matrixman923627d ago

my download is just so damn slow for some reason. My ps4 is getting 20 mb/s speed. I left my download on over night and its not even halfway done

DevilishSix3627d ago

This is exactly why MS took so much flak for an always online system with the X1 reveal. We are years maybe a decade away from having the infrastructure and speed to have download only and always online with the consistent stability necessary.

Volkama3627d ago (Edited 3627d ago )

But he has a 20mb/s connection. What he is describing points squarely to a problem with Sony's infrastructure, not the year 2014 as a whole.

We all know the PS4 has been a huge success. Maybe Sony didn't anticipate the numbers, and it'll just take a little time for them to catch up to the demands.

More immediately, that demand will probably settle within a day or two. Not ideal, but not a disaster either.

HugoDrax3627d ago (Edited 3627d ago )

The difference is Microsoft is one of the largest computer/software corporations in the world. They have an amazing online infrastructure, thus why all of my XB1 saved files are stored on the cloud. Yet every time I turn on my PS4, I have notifications stating that my (Second Son, Stick It To the man data could not be saved. Because the same file was saved from another PS4. What the hell, unless the notifications are referring to me playing remote play on my vita? Anyhow it's annoying, and I'm not sure why the notifications are there as I only have 1 PS4 console.

This is also why I will always be skeptical of PSNOW :-/. If Sony can't get the minor things in order, how will their online infrastructure function for an online streaming service? Although, I never encounter any problems when I download majority of my VITA games digitally though...

Admiratio3627d ago

@HugoDrax do you perhaps have a non-static IP address? One in which you obtain a new IP every time you connect to the internet or use a hotspot of any kind? If any of these are a yes, then it's possible PSN is seeing your PS4 from a different location each time you login or the system saves data to the cloud.

~Just a thought

DevilishSix3627d ago

So what if he has 20/mb speed, I have 50/mb speed with an extreme gaming router and still have connection issues on a regular basis. Lots of things effect it from customer to provider to source (psn or xbl) alot can effect the stability and reliability.

I still stand by my statement, we are years away from having the proper infrastructure in place for always online consoles.

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Gemmol3627d ago

This why I like that Nintendo use flash memory for Wii U, people complain its small, but games on the Wii au download much faster then anything Sony in my house. This is what I do to have fast speeds, I disconnect my hard drive fRom the Wii U then I download the game to the Wii U system, then I connect the hard drive back to the Wii U and transfer the game to the Hard drive, all of this take way less time then downloading one game on ps3/ps4.....i would of love if Xbox one and ps4 use flash memory so I can transfer the files to the hard drive it would of saved so much time, but I bet I get disagrees for wanting faster downloads

805Junior8053627d ago

Because there aren't potentially x amount of million people trying to download it at the same time.

Volkama3627d ago

For what you say to make any sense the write speed of the drive would have to be slower than your connection. It isn't, so save yourself some hassle and just download straight to the drive.

Gemmol3627d ago

Stop making excuses why wouldn't flash memory be better, why you think they cost so much

Ripsta7th3627d ago

HugoDrax- I fell you. Everyday I turn my ps4 on I get these notifications from BF4 so every time I go into a match I have to set up my kits and vehicle stuff all over . its annoying as hell

Clown_Syndr0me3627d ago

I have 100mb internet, all the correct ports forwarded etc, yet my PS4 still only has 35-40mb download.
Its on their end.

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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.

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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.

RaidenBlack1008d 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.

LucasRuinedChildhood1008d ago (Edited 1008d 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.

HankHill1008d 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.

obidanshinobi1008d 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.

LamerTamer1008d 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.

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gantarat1008d ago

assassin's creed 1 should get a remake.

ExBee1008d 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?

RaidenBlack1008d 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.

BlaqMagiq11008d ago

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

Profchaos1008d 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.

BlaqMagiq11008d ago

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

chicken_in_the_corn1008d ago

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

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smolinsk1008d ago (Edited 1008d ago )

Absolutely, this watch dogs legion was terrible boring.

Profchaos1008d ago (Edited 1008d 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_toad1008d 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.

LamerTamer1008d 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.

TheSinsibleOne1008d 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.

LamerTamer1008d 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.

TheEnigma3131008d ago

Remake the PoP series from xbox/ps2/gc era

RaidenBlack1008d ago

They are remaking Sands of Time.

TheEnigma3131008d ago

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

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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."

vallencer1073d ago

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

Pridefall1073d ago

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

mikefizzled11072d ago

The mystery that is En Fore Gee

neutralgamer19921073d ago

Give us driver San Francisco remastered

IGiveHugs2NakedWomen1073d ago

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

Gameseeker_Frampt1072d 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.

WeAreLegion1073d ago

Best driving mechanics ever made. Nothing has come close.

Gardenia1073d 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.

ApocalypseShadow1073d 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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