Ubisoft Reportedly Halts Development on Watch Dogs Franchise Amidst Major Restructuring
Industry reports indicate that Ubisoft has ceased active development on its Watch Dogs franchise. This news emerges as the company undergoes a significant corporate restructuring, marked by project cancellations, studio closures, and a strategic shift in development focus, coinciding with a substantial decline in its share price.
Watch Dogs Franchise Reportedly Discontinued
According to industry insider Tom Henderson, speaking on the Insider Gaming podcast, the Watch Dogs franchise is no longer actively being developed and is considered "completely dead." Henderson clarified that a rumored project, "Watch Dogs Coterie," is an unsubstantiated fan concept.
"The Watch Dogs franchise is no longer actively being developed and is considered 'completely dead'."
Developers who worked on the most recent installment, Watch Dogs Legion, reportedly believed the game required additional development time. Following its release, the team transitioned to another long-term project, which was subsequently canceled, though this project was not a Watch Dogs title. Ubisoft has yet to issue an official public statement regarding the status of the series.
Franchise Performance and Development History
The Watch Dogs series launched impressively, with its initial title achieving over 4 million sales in its first week. The first sequel, released in 2016, recorded 10 million lifetime unit sales.
Watch Dogs Legion, launched in 2020, featured a unique "play-as-anyone" mechanic set in a near-future London. However, the game received mixed reviews, with criticisms frequently citing repetitive missions. It sold under 3 million lifetime units, failing to achieve Ubisoft's long-term player engagement objectives. Despite internal employee affinity for the franchise, Henderson noted that Ubisoft had historically shown reluctance to fully commit to the series.
The Watch Dogs games are set in fictional modern cities where a central operating system, ctOS, controls major infrastructure. Protagonists in the series are hackers who utilize their mobile devices to access personal data and manipulate environmental elements.
Broader Ubisoft Restructuring and Financial Impact
Ubisoft has been undergoing a significant corporate restructuring process. This has led to the cancellation of multiple projects, including the "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time" remake. The restructuring also involved the closure of two studios, Ubisoft Halifax and Ubisoft Stockholm, with other studios experiencing lesser impacts. The company has publicly stated a strategic shift towards open-world adventures and live service experiences, alongside increased investments in generative AI.
Following these announcements, Ubisoft's share price declined by nearly 40%, marking its sharpest single-day decrease and reaching its lowest level since 2011.
Related Developments: Watch Dogs Film Adaptation
Despite the reported halt in game development, a film adaptation of the Watch Dogs franchise was filmed in mid-2024. Produced by New Regency, the movie stars Tom Blyth and Sophie Wilde. A release date for the film has not yet been announced.