Yesterday, Sony announced the released date of its PlayStation 4 console (November 15). As a release title for the PS4, the announcement also confirmed the release date of Watch Dogs. The near-future, cyberpunk open-world game appears to be one of the best next-gen launch titles, and Ubisoft is betting on it being a hit. In addition to the game itself, Ubisoft Motion Pictures is already working on a movie adaptation of what is sure to be a new video game franchise.
The studio announced at Gamescom this week that a Watch Dogs movie is being developed in partnership with Sony Pictures, Columbia Pictures, and New Regency. The project will be overseen by Ubisoft Motion Pictures, and will feature video game protagonist Aiden Pearce as a vigilante hacker who gains access to Chicago’s ctOS system. Using his modified smartphone, Pearce is able to control much of the city’s electronic infrastructure, using it to stay a step ahead of the police and other factions.
“Since both Sony and Ubisoft have movie and video game branches, this deal creates exceptional opportunities for us to merge the realms of the story-based cinematic experience with the interaction of the video game,” said Jean-Julien Baronnet, CEO of Ubisoft Motion Pictures. “In addition, Sony Pictures and New Regency have deep production expertise and are letting us maintain a strong creative voice in the film’s development. Together, we’re confident we can deliver a movie that builds upon the excitement that the game is already generating.”
Watch Dogs isn’t the only movie project Ubisoft has going. The publisher is also in production on big-screen versions of its Assassin’s Creed and Splinter Cell properties.
A new trailer for Watch Dogs was also shown during Sony’s press conference. It teases Dedsec, an infamous hacker group that appears to be against Pearce: