E3 2019: The Ultimate Ubisoft Recap

Ubisoft had its E3 2019 press conference yesterday, and not only did the developers share big news about some of its staple franchises like The Division and Ghost Recon, but we also got confirmation of a third game in the Watch Dogs series and the reveal of two brand new IPs. Though Beyond Good and Evil 2 and Skull & Bones are currently in development, they were both noticeably absent from the conference; and there was also no mention of a new Assassin’s Creed game. Despite this, Ubisoft packed a lot into an hour, so here is everything that was revealed and some things you may have missed during the conference.

Watch Dogs: Legion

The next Watch Dogs title has got to be one of Ubisoft’s most poorly-kept secrets. Fans of the series have been leaking information about the game for a while now, along with the fact that it would be set in London. Even before Ubisoft’s E3 conference yesterday, Amazon UK pre-maturely put up the product page for the game. Oh, well.

Not only is Ubisoft breaking numerical tradition by calling the game Watch Dogs: Legion instead of “Watch Dogs 3”, but there are several major changes in the gameplay mechanics that deviate from what we’ve come to expect of the series. The game features permadeath, so now when your playable character dies, instead of starting from your last check mark or save point, you will actually choose another character in your team inventory- one with their own unique backstories and personalities. According to the game’s creative director, Clint Hocking, every cinematic in the game will change, depending on who you are playing as.

This is a pretty big deal (if not extremely ambitious) considering how both Watch Dogs games have put the focus solely on one, playable character. In the first game, we played as a vigilante named Aiden; in the second, as an experienced hacker named Marcus. Watch Dogs Legion, though, is taking a massive step away from that and giving new meaning to the phrase “play your way”.

Team recruitment is at the foundation of Watch Dogs: Legion. Players will have to build up a Resistance to fight back against an authoritarian regime; and any character across London can be recruited. Another major change to the series came during a moment of combat when the playable character was critically injured and was given the option to “Resist” or “Surrender”.

Release Date: March 6, 2020

Gods and Monsters

This new IP is from the Ubisoft team behind Assassin’s Creed Odyssey…which strongly suggests the game is in good hands! We didn’t see much of Gods and Monsters at all during the conference (which could indicate it’s still early in development), but the general feel of it leans toward a cartoonish and playful design.

Ghost Recon: Breakpoint

Though it was first revealed in May 2018, we got a better look at the tactical shooter Ghost Recon: Breakpoint yesterday at Ubisoft’s conference. Actor Jon Bernthal (The Walking Dead, Punisher) took to the stage to reveal more details about the game, including information about his character Cole D. Walker, who “has his own moral code.”

Release Date: October 4, 2019

Beta: September 5, 2019

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

Ubisoft didn’t spend too much time on Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, except to say the game is getting a Story Creator mode and combat-free Discovery Tour.

The Story Mode is a quest creation tool that allows players to…create their own stories and the stories of others. According to Ubisoft, the “creation tool is based on the quest designer and branching dialogue system used for Assassin’s Creed Odyssey.” The mode is available for free to everyone who has already purchased Assassin’s Creed Odyssey.

The Division 2, Rainbow Six Siege, For Honor, and Brawlhalla

We saw quite a few updates coming to Ubisoft’s existing titles, along with more information about The Division movie, which Ubisoft’s Terry Spier revealed would be coming to Netflix.

Rainbow Six Siege has a new new update called “Phantom Sight”, which adds new operators. The Division 2 is adding three new story episodes, which will take players beyond the confines of Washington D.C. for various main missions. Episodes one, two, and three, will be releasing in July, Fall 2019, and early 2020, respectively; and For Honor highlighted the event, Shadows of the Hitokiri, along with a new game mode called Soul Rush.

Characters from the cartoon Adventure Time are coming to Brawlhalla. The update is available now.

Rainbow Six: Quarantine

“You will risk everything, every time you step into Quarantine.” Those words come from Quarantine’s lead designer, Bio Jade Adam Granger, and they set an intriguing, yet ominous tone for this 3-player tactical shooter. According to the official description, Rainbow Six Quarantine is set several years in the future of the Rainbow Six universe, where the Operators will battle a breed of alien parasites.

Not only will this game test your tactical and survival skills as you face off against a parasite…the game has a three player co-op and zombies. Interested players can register at rainbow6quarantine.com/registerupdates

Release Date: 2020

Mythic Quest

During the conference, actor Rob McElhenney revealed Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet, a comedic television show that highlights game development. McElhenney will serve as the creative director of the show, which will be coming to Apple TV.

UPlay+

UPlay+ is Ubisoft’s new subscription service exclusively for PC users. It will also be available on Stadia in 2020. The subscription offers the earliest available access to new games, but also allows players to enjoy the depth of Ubisoft’s PC catalog.

Uplay+ will be $14.99/month. Free access will start in September 2019 when Uplay+ launches, but the free play is exclusively for those who sign up now.

Be among the first and register at uplay.com.

Roller Champions

Another new IP from Ubisoft. Roller Champions is a PvP sports game that combines the feel of traditional sports games with the fast element of racing. A free demo of the game is available from June 10 to 14.

Release Window (PC): 2020

Just Dance 2020

Is it even a Ubisoft conference if Just Dance isn’t featured? At this point, I’d honestly be a bit concerned if there weren’t pandas on stage dancing to Camila Cabello. The latest entry in this long-running franchise is set to launch in November 2019.