Ubisoft rules out immediate return for Watch Dogs franchise

If you have been waiting for the next chapter in the hacking-focused Watch Dogs series, it looks like you are going to be waiting a while longer. Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot recently addressed the status of the franchise during an annual meeting with investors, confirming that a new entry in the series is not currently in development.

The state of the series

Despite the franchise remaining a significant part of Ubisoft’s portfolio, Guillemot noted that the series is not currently being handled by one of the company’s internal ‘creative houses.’ The last major release in the series was Watch Dogs: Legion, which arrived back in 2020. Since then, the brand has remained largely dormant in the gaming space, even as Ubisoft continues to focus heavily on its heavy hitters like the Assassin’s Creed series.

While Guillemot mentioned that the brand might be ‘remade’ in the future, industry observers suggest this may be a translation nuance regarding how the series could be revived or reintroduced by a different team down the line. Currently, there is no active development pipeline for a new title, marking a significant shift from the series’ peak between 2014 and 2020.

Restructuring and future priorities

This update comes during a period of major internal shifts at Ubisoft. Following a strategic ‘major reset’ earlier this year, the company has moved toward an autonomous ‘creative house’ structure to streamline development. This initiative has included significant cost-cutting measures, such as the cancellation of several projects and the closure of studios, as the company pivots resources toward its most stable franchises like Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry.

Why it matters

For players who enjoyed the unique open-world hacking mechanics of the series, this news effectively shelves one of Ubisoft’s most distinct modern IPs for the foreseeable future. With no new game in production, fans shouldn’t hold their breath for a surprise sequel anytime soon.

While the series is currently paused in the gaming world, it is worth noting that a Watch Dogs film is currently in production. This indicates that while the games are on hiatus, Ubisoft still views the IP as a valuable property for its wider entertainment strategy. For now, players looking for their next open-world fix will have to look toward Ubisoft’s other active pipelines, as the studio prioritizes its current restructuring goals over reviving the Watch Dogs series.