[Update: Ubisoft's press site lists Watch Dogs for PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3, with a "to be confirmed" release date. That could just be placeholder platform information, though. While you're pondering it, we've got the first three screenshots for you in the gallery below.]

Watch Dogs was without a doubt the highlight of Ubisoft's show this afternoon, in my opinion. It's set in a speculative future in which the US has become a high-tech nation where cities are run by computers, which are in turn controlled by private companies. They collect data on everything, then they use that data to sell products or influence world views. But everything can be hacked.

The demo starts of with a man known as Aiden Pearce, the game's antihero, trying to gain access to a fundraising event, where his "target" is meant to be. It's night, the weather is crap, and the city looks amazingly detailed. To get through the front door, he jams communications in the general vicinity. The effect is immediate. People, previously chatting away on their phones, start exclaiming about their dropped calls, the bouncer becomes distracted as he can no longer hear from his boss. Pearce uses that opportunity to slip inside, where he meets a contact and gets a pistol.

In the club, the ability to learn information about everyone is showcased. Pearce brings up data on random individuals from their professions, their medical history and even their disposition. He can use that knowledge to influence and manipulate the unwitting guests. Spying on a phone call, he learns that he's been spotted, and his target isn't in the building. He makes his escape in a violent fashion, employing his night stick to take out a bouncer.

Legacy Comments (will be imported soon)

JaHawk2009

So everyone has seen the Watchdogs gameplay, right? Well, remember that QR Code waiter that we hung around on for a few seconds? The dude's head is a rabbithole!

dotconnexion.com

I think Ubi have some sort of ARG planned.

dj-anon

Game of E3

Blake Stone

I can't remember the last time I was blown away by a game like this. I cannot wait.

And I'd be very surprised if this isn't a next-gen title.

Lichtonatus

Posted this under the Ubi recap too (ssorry bout that), but since its not been mentioned here - the waiter at the art gallery in the demo had a QR code for a head (yep, barcode head. Expect him in the next Hellraiser) that leads to the website for said gallery:

dotconnexion.ubi.com

TheNephilym

Easily the best thing I've seen so far. Between this and ACIII, Ubisoft are starting to get on my good side.

Handy

Watch Dogs looks amazing, was kind of hoping it would avoid violence altogether, or at least use it as a last resort, but still amazing.

Also, it’s nice to see Kazuma Kiryu’s tailor is still getting work.

Fraser Brown

@Handy
It's identical. Uncanny.

Alan Argentina

Amazing looking game. Easily the highlight of the convention so far for me.

Xbudz

Durango says hi!

crackedbat

According to this: http://www.gonintendo.com/content/uploads/images/2012_6/ubirel.png Watch Dogs is listed currently for PS3, 360 & PC.

Dreamweaver

Seriously, my jaw dropped from how amazing the game looked;
I can't even chew straight.

S0LID B0SS

This does look pretty awesome indeed. Hopefully it doesn't turn out to be another run-of-the-mill sand boxer.

Elsa

not my kind of game... but it looked really good and it was a pleasant surprise!

Jinx 01

I think the demo had way too much going on to be a 360/PS3 title. I'm guessing it's being developed on a high-end PC so they can port to the PS4/720. Then again, I didn't think they could get The Witcher 2 running on a 360, either, lol.

BrowneyeWinkin

This right here. This is what I want.

GoofierBrute

This is one of those games that can go either way. However, you have piqued my interest Ubisoft.

Scissors

I know it doesn't confirm anything, but I think they were usaing a PS3 controller. I don't see why this couldn't run on current gen hardware.

wanderingpixel

Screw Splinter Cell and Assassin's Creed, THIS is what I call a tactical action game. A group of assassins that use hacking to get to their targets? The part where he hacks the traffic lights, causing a huge multi-car wreck, trapping his target? Brilliant. My body is ready.

Ronin4life

I like how people are saying it stole e3...when e3 hasn't actually started yet...^_^;

Looks amazing, by the way.

@scissors
it had skittles buttons. That was no ps3 controller.

tekbunny

wow, so i am very impressed. i don't say that often, but this looks really intriguing. especially this interesting form of multiplayer they are hinting at...

... hype?

FunWithExplosives

Semen, semen everywhere.

Radox Redux

This will probably be my Game of E3. It looked freaking spectacular. I'm kind of hoping it isn't next gen though, the graphics were amazing, but not so amazing that it's worth another console. The cynic in me suspects it is though. Probably Unreal 4.

ricochetguro

I wonder if you can prevent the woman in the car from being shot if you use the traffic lights trick? It's hard to tell how much was pre-scripted but this looked quite good. Definitely on my to watch list now. Ubisoft seems to give big budgets to new ideas more often than the other big companies.

Script

To be fair, most games seemed to be running on a PC. Like Far Cry 3 and EA's Crysis 3. I'm pretty sure those graphics and smooth FPS weren't from the console versions.

zombiedsz

i will be following this game yessssss

Rammstein

OMFG SO GOOD! GAME OF THE SHOW! WATCH DOGS!

fetusmilk

i will be watching this game like a dog

Jinx 01

I'm thinking Unreal Engine 4 and a high-end PC with a usb controller. The only current-gen game that comes close to this is The Witcher 2. And even the PC version of TW2 probably falls short of this. It's somewhere between TW2 and the Samaritan demo imo.

Also, the number of ai characters and the lack of loading suggest next-gen.

MuddBstrd

This E3, Ubisoft has demonstrated they are doing a fantastic job of getting their teams to talk to teach other. Splinter Cell and Assassin's Creed seem to be implementing similar technology, and now Watch Dogs looks to be advancing some of the HUD and crowd technology from the AC series.

Very excited to see where this game is going!

psycho terror2

i'll be shocked and very impressed if this game comes out on 360 or PS3 looking that good.

i thought this would be next gen console material for sure. i guess if this was the PC version then okay the visuals are great, but perhaps not so mind blowing.

oh and as for my general impression? GTA meets Deus Ex... yeah, i'm in.

Sonintega

This looks fantastic. It's too bad that they're saddling this badass of a game with such a generic title, especially since there's already an Adjective Dogs GTA-esque game releasing this year.

AceFlibble

All aboard the hypetrain!

Srsly, it looks great, but this level of crazy hype right away is going to end up disappointing a lot of people. You can already tell this is going to be one of those games were 90% of players have made their mind up before they've played it and will rip into any reviewer who doesn't give it a 10/10 (while of course a small contingent will rip on any reviewer who does give it a good score). I mean, you can practically smell the 500-comment review posts.

Looks awesome. Just, y'know, let's all take a deep breath. Breathe in... breathe out... breathe in...... breathe out...

The Silent Protagonist

Very interested.

Jinx 01

@AceFlibble:
This game definitely has me in the mood for a wee bit of the old in-out in-out.

Cornelius Klein

I like it cause it has gta features :)

Stardog

Finally something new from E3 that looks interesting.

Unfortunately the CQC takes control from you and you have to sit and watch stupid animations playing. Typical Ubisoft.

Humpty Dance

Hyperventilate, I will. HYPE I MUST! Nuff Said.

Mr Andy Dixon

This looks EXCELLENT.

The Nakedest

If this turns out to be a next gen title, then I am excited. If this is what they can do right out of the gate, I can only get erect at what they can do later.

deathmetalpizza

unbefuckinlievable

FunWithExplosives

@Mr Andy Dixon

Raukue

@Script-br
Even though on both those games they showed a PS3 controller being used as well as PS3 button icons on the screen?

Batthink

Following AceFlibble's advice. It looks awesome and has massive potential.

Please don't drop the ball on this one, Ubisoft.

LiquidBear

I am not easily impressed. I will say that this did impress me.

burningsoup

OMG GTA AND ASSASSIN'S CREED HAD A BABY

^90% of the comments on the livestream.

Dynamic Sheep

This game looks so bad ass!

The Amazing Shenazin

I bet you this is what the future will be like

Script

@Raukue
I use a PS3 controller to play some games on my PC, all you have to do is download a driver.

mslang

I'm always excited when a Western game blows me away, seeing that I'm mostly on the Eastern side. Can't wait :D

Supernature

This truly looks amazing !