Although a delay into Spring 2014 likely deflated some enthusiasm for Ubisoft's Watch Dogs, the game still ranks pretty high on gamers' most anticipated list. However, when word leaked out that Ubisoft had abandoned the game's trademark, questions arose as to whether Watch Dogs might not have been delayed but scrapped altogether.
Shortly after word broke of the trademark abandonment, though, Ubisoft was quick to say they were victims of fraud, and were still committed to getting Watch Dogs out this year. That sentiment was reinforced earlier today when the US Patent and Trademark Office reinstated the Watch Dogs trademark for Ubisoft.
According to the USPTO's file for Watch Dogs, Ubisoft renewed their trademark in January of this year. Then, on February 1st, an 'Express Request for Abandonment' was filed and signed by Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot. However, as we now know, Guillemot did not sign that request, and so the USPTO has reinstated the Watch Dogs trademark. Crisis averted.
While the Watch Dogs panic was short lived it certainly brought up a few questions regarding the game's appeal and quality, as well as its franchise potential. What we've seen thus far has been intriguing, from the tech-focused mechanics to the game's unique approach to multiplayer, but Watch Dogs still represents a big risk for Ubisoft. That, combined with a delay, brought up some legitimate concerns over whether or not the game would be up to triple-A standards, even if we are very much looking forward to the game.
Secondly, there was talk of whether Watch Dogs would be "one and done." The hope is that Watch Dogs will become another of Ubisoft's flagship franchises like Assassin's Creed, but if they were abandoning the trademark that seemed unlikely.
Thankfully, all is well in the Watch Dogs world…at least for now. There are still rumors that the Wii U version might be scrapped, and we still don't have a firm release date. The game's coming, that much is true; but all else is a mystery.
Did you think, even for a second, that Watch Dogs might be cancelled? How has your anticipation for the game changed since the delay?
Watch Dogs is targeting a Q2 2014 release for the PC, PS3, PS4, Wii U, Xbox 360, and Xbox One.
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Source: USPTO