Becoming Powerful in Watch Dogs

Ubisoft's latest Watch Dogs video feature has arrived, and with it, we've interviewed the game's senior producer for more information on the game.

We've seen a lot of Watch Dogs already - a lot of it. First revealed at E3 2012, Ubisoft's 'next big thing' has captured the attention of many gamers, but at this point it seems as though we've all seen what we need to know. We just want to play it now.

That might be the case, but Ubisoft's latest trailer/video feature briefly detailed a bit of the upgrade system that applies to lead character Aiden Pearce. With that in mind, we tracked down Senior Producer Dominic Guay via e-mail for a bit more context and detail on how Pearce's abilities and worldly influence can grow.

First, check out the video...

And now let's get on with the (brief!) interview...

 

IGN: Dominic, let’s talk about the upgrade system, first and foremost. From a high level, what is the upgrade system? Where will players access it? What can be upgraded? How extensive is this system?

Guay: Directly through Aiden's smartphone, players are able to access his skill tree, his tech tree. Through it, they can choose to customize how Aiden grows in his abilities. This covers his ability to hack the city, but also his abilities to drive, shoot and combine his various skills on the fly. Players can also even invest into Aiden’s focus ability which allows him to combine hacks with physical action.

As players execute various missions, contracts or activities within the game, they will acquire experience points, level up, and spend points to upgrade these abilities. Certain major feats will also allow them to directly gain some skill points.

IGN: Speaking of XP and points, how does Watch Dogs measure its XP system? Are there any branching paths within the upgrade system, and do you get locked into any specific upgrade paths?

Guay: Aiden's skills grow from performing missions, contracts and relevant activities. Feats of hacking primarily, but also of combat or driving will be recognized. Players can potentially unlock all possible skills if they perform enough of those, so they are never locked out of certain abilities. This said, as players perform some major steps to control the systems of our virtual Chicago, they will have more options.

Aiden starts with many skills and, as he explores the city, he will find new ways of using those skills. He will also be able to find equipment, or craft items, that will allow him to approach challenges in different ways.

IGN: Up until this point, I wondered why there would be a need to hack individuals unless they were relevant to the story. Is accessing the information of random strangers the primary way Aiden gains experience or access to new abilities?

Guay:  It is one of many ways Aiden can gain experience. Players can acquire various rewards from hacking into citizens. We've already shown how [players] might find a lead into an interesting event occurring within the city, or car registration information they can trade for car on demand services or even bank account information they can exploit for profit if they choose to do so. Ultimately, I find that just eavesdropping into the city conversations, into citizens’ private lives, is a reason in itself.

IGN: We’ve seen several Ubisoft games tie world exploration with specific tasks (Eagle Points in Assassin’s Creed, Towers in Far Cry 3), but bridging actual ability and access to your world is something a bit different. Are these required hacking elements as simple as climbing a tower or are they more extensive tasks?

Guay: As we researched hacking we realized that it was just as much, if not more, about getting access to physical places and devices than about exploiting software or hardware vulnerabilities. Hooking up physically to a network, entering secured buildings and social engineering are a big part of hacking. And Aiden is very good at those things: he's in the field, he’s street smart.

As Aiden invests into further system hacks, he can also extend his reach within the city. Also, as Aiden infiltrates and hacks into ctOS secured server centers, or as he hooks up into major communication towers or relays, he will be able to extend his reach over the city, be even more aware of the events happening and the information flowing. This is something the player is free to do whenever he feels like it. As Aiden becomes more powerful in controlling the city, he also becomes more powerful and efficient in tackling those various areas or challenges.