Watch Dogs PS4 & Xbox One: "Identical in Almost Every Way"

[Steven Bogos]

Watch Dogs PS4 & Xbox One: "Identical in Almost Every Way"

Watch Dogs animation director Colin Graham says the two versions are practically the same.

Xbox One users may have been dismayed to learn that an increasing number of cross-platform games run at higher resolutions [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/132275-MGSV-Ground-Zeroes-to-Run-at-1080p-on-PS4-Only-720p-on-Xbox-One] or framerates on the rival PlayStation 4. The fact that all of the gameplay footage we've seen from Ubisoft's Watch Dogs so far is from the PS4 version, has been worrying some that the Xbox One version would again get the shaft in terms of graphics, however, Watch Dogs animation director Colin Graham assures us that this is not the case.

"It really doesn't look different though," Tweeted Graham [https://twitter.com/colinj_graham/statuses/452068438408982528], in response to a fan asking if we would ever see promotional footage of Watch Dogs running on the Xbox One. "The two versions are identical in almost every way," he added.

He did, however, clarify that "On the technical side I cannot say, I just don't know," when asked if the games will have the same resolution and framerate. "I'm an Animator, not an engineer," he admitted, adding "To me they look the same."

So, while it's not quite a 100% confirmation that the Xbox One version of the game won't be scaled back in some way, it's still looking good for Xbox owners.

Watch Dogs has faced a rather lengthy delay from it's initial release date of November, 2013, but it has now been confirmed to be coming include some game systems that they were initially saving for a sequel [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/escapist-news-now/8872-Watch-Dogs-Coming-This-Spring].

Which platform will you be getting Watch Dogs on?

Source: Twitter [https://twitter.com/colinj_graham/statuses/452068438408982528]

Permalink

 

[Phrozenflame500]

"Well they look the same, except for the graphics, they may be different."

This literally doesn't say anything at all.

 

[Covarr]

The fact that all of the gameplay footage we've seen from Ubisoft's Watch Dogs so far has been worrying some that the Xbox One version would again get the shaft in terms of graphics, however, Watch Dogs animation director Colin Graham assures us that this is not the case.

Is there a clause missing in this sentence, or did I just forget how to read? I've read it like six times and I can't understand it, but it's the morning and I'm tired so I have no clue if it's my fault or not.

P.S. Thanks

 

[Elfgore]

I trust this development team about as far as I can throw them at this point. I even am on the "winning" side so to speak and I still think this is bullshit. Give us a straight answer from someone who knows what they are actually talking about. Of course this person is going to say that, it would be bad PR to straight up say "Yep, the PS4 version destroys the Xbox One in graphical power."

 

[Something Amyss]

"Well they look the same, except for the graphics, they may be different."

This literally doesn't say anything at all.

Oh, come on, it's totally going to be identical.

Except for half the frame rate.

And a third of the resolution.

Oh, and some of the textures were replaced.

And the main character is now a stick figure.

 

[BrotherRool]

Their animation director isn't confident he could tell a difference in FPS or resolution?

Anyway small differences in power like this really don't matter. As long as it's not the difference between Xbox 360 Force Unleashed and Wii Force Unleashed, it's fine. I doubt the differences are big enough that one console is going to get more NPCs or physics etc. And differences between consoles start off larger and get smaller as the devs learn to deal with platform quirks.

This isn't true of exclusives which often push the boundaries, but again I doubt it's different enough.

 

[Arawn]

Please repeat after me; It does not matter. Seriously these resolution/fps threads and comments are getting way too frequent. Yes, my PC has better resolution. No, I don't really don't care. As long as the game doesn't look like Day One Incident, character glitch, objects clip, or have horrible voice acting/sound. I'm pretty content when it comes to appearances. What should get more attention is the game's mechanics and overall structure. Will the story be any good? Will the hacking seem natural for the gameplay. Is the combat competent or will it just be a techno version of Assassin's creed? (keep attacking and dodge, I guess since he has a gun, just shoot and run) We should expect more from the next gen games, but graphics should take a back seat to content. I'm tired of paying full price for a 4-5 hour game. (even if that's stretched between two weeks) The only re-playability is in the form of some multiplayer or weak moral choice system (Kill everyone or give some mercy) both of which have little reward other than a trophy. ~.~ None the less if Watch Dogs is crap I'll be abit angry that everyone focused on how it looked rather than how it plays.

 

[weirdee]

"I'm an animator" isn't really that great of an excuse here. :/

 

[immortalfrieza]

If this is actually true it means 1 of 3 things:

1. The PS4 version is toned down so that it looks the same as the Xbox One version or

2. The Xbox One version is going to be just as good looking as the PS4 version, but it's going to buckle under the strain, being a poorly preforming P.O.S. filled with bugs and glitches as a result.

3. The developer is not using the next gen tech to the fullest.

All of these are not a good thing.

Snip

^This. The obsession towards graphics while neglecting everything else that the video game industry been on the past decade or so is probably one of if not the biggest problem that this industry has.

 

[Shoggoth2588]

3. The developer is not using the next gen tech to the fullest.

Since it looks like this is going to be on just about everything, I'd say this is the case.

---

So we know the PSXBone4 versions will probably, maybe, look similar-ish but what about the Wii U version? They're still making that right? I'm still hoping to get my copy on that platform otherwise this will be another game that I either wait for the PS3 version to drop in price or wait longer so as to get a cheaper PS4 version.

 

[vagabondwillsmile]

The fact that all of the gameplay footage we've seen from Ubisoft's Watch Dogs so far has been worrying some that the Xbox One version would again get the shaft in terms of graphics, however, Watch Dogs animation director Colin Graham assures us that this is not the case.

Is there a clause missing in this sentence, or did I just forget how to read? I've read it like six times and I can't understand it, but it's the morning and I'm tired so I have no clue if it's my fault or not.

P.S. Thanks

You didn't forget how to read. It's just a messy sentence (I think he started to convey the idea one way and swiched to another). Maybe: "All of the gameplay footage we've seen so far suggests that the Xbox One could yet again get the shaft in terms of graphics. That fact has some gamers worried. However, animation director...". But does the gameplay footage really show that? I don't know. It would be problematic if some gameplay didn't show that. Though, that's my best guess at what he means. I could be wrong.

OT: "It really doesn't look different though." Says the guy on the payrole that really doesn't want to anger potential customers. He especially doesn't want Microsoft on his back.

He really doesn't sound convincing though. Har.

If it turns out that they are identicle, I would wager the reason as being the same as the reason for the lip service coming from Ubisoft. That being, to not anger Microsoft or potential customers. Though, a reason could also be equal limitations in resource allocation, or some such. But I highly doubt equal performance would be because of the two machines operating identically. At any rate, the whole thing just sounds like preemptive damage control. You certainly won't hear them saying the Xbox one version looks "better" than what will be offered on the PS4.

I don't feel likely to purchase it at all, at this point. Sorry, Ubisoft. I'm just not interested in a game tailor made to launch another rapid-release franchise that will get run into the ground. If - after the reviews come out - it seems like this installment can stand alone as its own self-contained story, I will most favorably consider it. But if it ends on a cliff-hanger, or is obviously a tie-in to future installments without its own sense of completion, then no. No, I won't even touch it. I learned my lesson with Shenmue.

 

[sXeth]

If this is actually true it means 1 of 3 things:

1. The PS4 version is toned down so that it looks the same as the Xbox One version or

2. The Xbox One version is going to be just as good looking as the PS4 version, but it's going to buckle under the strain, being a poorly preforming P.O.S. filled with bugs and glitches as a result.

3. The developer is not using the next gen tech to the fullest.

All of these are not a good thing.

Probably a tandem of sorts. Its probably built to Xbone specs, so the PS4 will at best have minor performance edges, as its hardware advantage won't really be used. Being an early gen, non-exclusive, I wouldn't expect anything substantially impressive as "next gen" to come out of the gate.

 

[lawrencein]

The fact that all of the gameplay footage we've seen from Ubisoft's Watch Dogs so far has been worrying some that the Xbox One version would again get the shaft in terms of graphics, however, Watch Dogs animation director Colin Graham assures us that this is not the case.

Is there a clause missing in this sentence, or did I just forget how to read? I've read it like six times and I can't understand it, but it's the morning and I'm tired so I have no clue if it's my fault or not.

P.S. Thanks

You didn't forget how to read. It's just a messy sentence (I think he started to convey the idea one way and swiched to another). Maybe: "All of the gameplay footage we've seen so far suggests that the Xbox One could yet again get the shaft in terms of graphics. That fact has some gamers worried. However, animiation director...". But does the gameplay footage really show that? I don't know. It would be problematic if some gameplay didn't show that. Though, that's my best guess at what he means. I could be wrong.

The only way I can get this sentence to make sense is if there is something omitted from the middle like "The fact that all of the gameplay footage we've seen from Ubisoft's Watch Dogs so far is from the Playstation 4 version has been worrying some that the Xbox One version would again get the shaft in terms of graphics, however, Watch Dogs animation director Colin Graham assures us that this is not the case."

 

[FPLOON]

I'm SO getting the Wi-U version... and no one's going to persuade me otherwise! /not sarcasm

OT: *laughing* I'm sorry... but, come on! Do we really have to give two shits if, for some "strange" reason, both the X1 and P4 versions don't look the same graphically, let alone have the same FPS and resolution specs? Call me "old fashion", but shouldn't we be wondering if the gameplay and/or story live up to moderate expectations, at least?

-Snip that needs to be read firsthand-

This user gets it!

 

[Aaron Sylvester]

Please repeat after me; It does not matter. Seriously these resolution/fps threads and comments are getting way too frequent. Yes, my PC has better resolution. No, I don't really don't care. As long as the game doesn't look like Day One Incident, character glitch, objects clip, or have horrible voice acting/sound. I'm pretty content when it comes to appearances. What should get more attention is the game's mechanics and overall structure. Will the story be any good? Will the hacking seem natural for the gameplay. Is the combat competent or will it just be a techno version of Assassin's creed? (keep attacking and dodge, I guess since he has a gun, just shoot and run) We should expect more from the next gen games, but graphics should take a back seat to content. I'm tired of paying full price for a 4-5 hour game. (even if that's stretched between two weeks) The only re-playability is in the form of some multiplayer or weak moral choice system (Kill everyone or give some mercy) both of which have little reward other than a trophy. ~.~ None the less if Watch Dogs is crap I'll be abit angry that everyone focused on how it looked rather than how it plays.

-Snip that needs to be read firsthand-

This user gets it!

Snip

^This. The obsession towards graphics while neglecting everything else that the video game industry been on the past decade or so is probably one of if not the biggest problem that this industry has.

You're probably tired of getting replies in your inbox of people agreeing to this, but +1

This has nothing to do with obsession over graphics.

This is about comparing XBone vs PS4 as platforms, and justifying why XBone should cost more than a PS4 while delivering slightly worse graphics/framerate. Everything else is obviously going to be 100% identical on PS4 and XBox (story, characters, gameplay, etc) so the ONLY difference left will be graphics and resolution. And those differences should absolutely be highlighted, especially if we're talking 30fps vs 60fps.

Again, this isn't just about raw graphics/visuals because obviously PC would win that every time. Most people know that gameplay, story, aesthetics, structure are all the most important things to a game.
But this is about comparing the two consoles that are going head-to-head with each other. No matter how slight the differences, those differences will be highlighted because this is a matter of competition and comparison between two platforms that were destined to be at war against each other since the beginning. People want the most for their money.

Also whoever thinks fps doesn't matter...sigh.

 

[james.sponge]

What's the deal with graphics and resolutions for god's sake, during previous generation xbone was obviously the weaker system yet no one complained about that, now it's a big issue all of a sudden. The game will be identical on all systems, same gameplay, same missions, same story.

Obviously PC version will be vastly superior in terms of graphics but that is not an issue here!

 

[Aaron Sylvester]

The game will be identical on all systems, same gameplay, same missions, same story.

But this is about resolution and framerate. Can you back this up with technical details? Because Graham sounded fairly clueless, it "felt the same" to HIM so that's simply his opinion. It's in his best interests to maximize sales on all platforms possible.

 

[008Zulu_v1legacy]

I am almost looking forward to this game. For PC anyway. Provided you don't need Uplay for single player. And how many glitches and bugs are present upon release.

 

[james.sponge]

The game will be identical on all systems, same gameplay, same missions, same story.

But this is about resolution and framerate. Can you back this up with technical details? Because Graham sounded fairly clueless, it "felt the same" to HIM so that's simply his opinion. It's in his best interests to maximize sales on all platforms possible.

I totally forgot to add that everything will be identical except for framerate I think they can sell that "immerse yourself in an incredible world of Watch Dogs in stunning 30 frames per second, available only on xbox one!"