Summary
Watch Dogs: Legionis currently experiencing a bit of a boost since being added to Microsoft’s ever-popular subscription service, Xbox Game Pass. Having been released in late 2020,Watch Dogs: Legionwas part of Ubisoft’s triple-threat of big open-world releases in the same Fall 2020 window alongsideAssassin’s Creed ValhallaandImmortals Fenix Rising. Despite implementing the never-before-seen “play as anyone” feature, in which players were able to recruit and play as quite literally any NPC in the London-set game world,Watch Dogs: Legionunfortunately didn’t do well critically or commercially.
Almost a year ago, rumors began to crop up aboutUbisoft potentially shelving theWatch Dogsfranchise, as neither of the three entries up to that point succeeded in garnering as much praise or fanfare as some of the French publisher’s other massive series, such asAssassin’s CreedorFar Cry. While this has yet to be officially acknowledged by Ubisoft, the rumors disappointed many fans of the open-world hacker franchise, as it’s easy to see Ubisoft moving on from it. Still, there remains some gamers who’d undoubtedly be excited to seeWatch Dogsmake a return.
Watch Dogs Legion Gets Big Xbox Game Pass Boost
While it’s surely nice for fans of the series to seeWatch Dogstopping Game Pass charts and garnering attention in the gaming world, this newfound buzz surrounding the game is unlikely to get Ubisoft to reconsider its rumored shelving of the franchise and green-light a fourth game. Ubisoft is currently in the midst of a crisis, pending the commercial success and critical reception ofAssassin’s Creed Shadowslater in March. The outcome of the massive feudal Japan-setAssassin’s Creedtitle could help decide the fate of Ubisoft, which, up to this point, has reportedly been exploring options such as selling off some of its IPs or considering a buyout from Chinese conglomerate Tencent. It’s safe to say that Ubisoft has its hands full at the moment, and it seems unlikely that Ubisoft would makeWatch Dogsa priority now of all times.
It’s unknown how longWatch Dog: Legionwill remain available as part of Xbox Game Pass, but big AAA titles usually last around a year on the service, so interested gamers should have enough time to dive in. It’ll be interesting to see how longWatch Dogs: Legioncan stay atop the Game Pass charts withSouth of MidnightandClair Obscur: Expedition 33right around the corner in April.
