Watch Dogs set for a surprise comeback in 2024.

There was a time when Ubisoft aimed to establish Watch Dogs as a key franchise alongside heavyweights like Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry. Despite three entries in the series, it never gained the traction they hoped for. Following the lukewarm reception of 2020’s Legion, Watch Dogs has been largely silent. However, that may soon change.

Reports indicate that Ubisoft is gearing up to launch a director’s cut of Legion in the first half of 2027. This revamped version is expected to act as a sort of remake, aiming to breathe new life into the series. While it’s unclear why Ubisoft isn’t opting for a completely new installment, it likely comes down to budget considerations. Revamping an existing title is probably more cost-effective than developing a fresh game from scratch. This approach seems to be a way for Ubisoft to gauge interest for a larger comeback if the director’s cut performs well.

The first two Watch Dogs games had their share of supporters, but Legion faced widespread criticism. Instead of centering on a single protagonist, it allowed players to take control of any NPC, each with unique abilities based on their class. While this concept aimed to expand on the series’ themes of technology and surveillance, it ultimately fell flat. It’s reasonable to expect that Ubisoft will look to address these issues in the director’s cut.

Ubisoft appears to still have a stake in making Watch Dogs a success. An investor recently inquired about the series’ future during a call with CEO Yves Guillemot, who stated that it remains an important brand for the company moving forward. However, he doesn’t foresee the franchise being assigned to any of the company’s creative divisions in the near future.

In addition, there are rumors of a Watch Dogs movie in the works. Principal photography took place in 2024, followed by reshoots in 2025, though a release date has yet to be revealed. The film was initially announced back in 2013.