Anonymous edits have been disabled on the wiki. If you want to contribute please login or create an account.

Warning for game developers: PCGamingWiki staff members will only ever reach out to you using the official press@pcgamingwiki.com mail address.
Be aware of scammers claiming to be representatives or affiliates of PCGamingWiki who promise a PCGW page for a game key.

Difference between revisions of "Watch Dogs"

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
m (updated template usage)
Line 57: Line 57:
  
 
===Skip intro videos===
 
===Skip intro videos===
−
{{Fixbox|1=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Skip intros|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}|fix=
−
{{Fixbox/fix|Skip intros|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}}}
 
 
# Install the [http://www.nexusmods.com/watchdogs/mods/14/? No Intro Mod].
 
# Install the [http://www.nexusmods.com/watchdogs/mods/14/? No Intro Mod].
 
}}
 
}}
Line 125: Line 124:
  
 
===[[Glossary:Field of view (FOV)|Field of view (FOV)]]===
 
===[[Glossary:Field of view (FOV)|Field of view (FOV)]]===
−
{{Fixbox|1=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Flawless Widescreen|ref={{CN|date=November 2016}}|fix=
−
{{Fixbox/fix|Flawless Widescreen|ref={{CN|date=November 2016}}}}
 
 
# Go to {{code|Flawless Widescreen\PluginCache\FWS_Plugins\Modules\WatchDogs\Dependencies\Scripts\}}
 
# Go to {{code|Flawless Widescreen\PluginCache\FWS_Plugins\Modules\WatchDogs\Dependencies\Scripts\}}
 
# Open {{file|WatchDogs.LUA}} with Notepad
 
# Open {{file|WatchDogs.LUA}} with Notepad
Line 183: Line 181:
  
 
===[[Glossary:Mouse acceleration#Mouse smoothing|Mouse smoothing and aim assist]]===
 
===[[Glossary:Mouse acceleration#Mouse smoothing|Mouse smoothing and aim assist]]===
−
{{Fixbox|1=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Disable mouse smoothing and aim assist|ref=<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/watch_dogs/comments/26c0v3/mouse_accelaration_fix/ Reddit - Mouse Acceleration Fix]</ref>|fix=
−
{{Fixbox/fix|Disable mouse smoothing and aim assist|ref=<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/watch_dogs/comments/26c0v3/mouse_accelaration_fix/ Reddit - Mouse Acceleration Fix]</ref>}}
 
 
# Go to the [[#Game data|configuration file location]].
 
# Go to the [[#Game data|configuration file location]].
 
# Open <code>GamerProfile.xml</code> with your text editor of choice.
 
# Open <code>GamerProfile.xml</code> with your text editor of choice.
Line 466: Line 463:
 
==Issues fixed==
 
==Issues fixed==
 
===Worse performance on the latest patch===
 
===Worse performance on the latest patch===
−
{{Fixbox|1=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Remove patch|ref=<ref>[http://www.dsogaming.com/news/report-watch_dogs-pc-update-does-not-resolve-stuttering-users-angry-with-ubisoft/ Watch_Dogs PC Update Does Not Resolve Stuttering, Users Angry With Ubisoft - The Dark Side Of Gaming]</ref>|fix=
−
{{Fixbox/fix|Remove patch|ref=<ref>[http://www.dsogaming.com/news/report-watch_dogs-pc-update-does-not-resolve-stuttering-users-angry-with-ubisoft/ Watch_Dogs PC Update Does Not Resolve Stuttering, Users Angry With Ubisoft - The Dark Side Of Gaming]</ref>}}
 
 
# Disable the automatic Uplay updates, also on Steam if possible.  
 
# Disable the automatic Uplay updates, also on Steam if possible.  
 
# Go to <code>{{p|game}}\data_win64\</code>, then delete <code>patch.dat</code> and <code> patch.fat</code>
 
# Go to <code>{{p|game}}\data_win64\</code>, then delete <code>patch.dat</code> and <code> patch.fat</code>
Line 473: Line 469:
  
 
===Low GPU Usage/low FPS in SLI===
 
===Low GPU Usage/low FPS in SLI===
−
{{Fixbox|1=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Don't use SMAA, use MSAA instead|ref={{cn|date=September 2016}}}}
−
{{Fixbox/fix|Don't use SMAA, use MSAA instead|ref={{cn|date=September 2016}}}}
 
−
}}
 
  
 
===Continue button greyed out===
 
===Continue button greyed out===
−
{{Fixbox|1=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Revert to cloud saves|ref=<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/watch_dogs/comments/279owv/i_just_lost_all_of_my_save_data_anyone_know_any/chyqlql Reddit - Lost Savegame Data]</ref>|fix=
−
{{Fixbox/fix|Revert to cloud saves|ref=<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/watch_dogs/comments/279owv/i_just_lost_all_of_my_save_data_anyone_know_any/chyqlql Reddit - Lost Savegame Data]</ref>}}
 
 
# Go to the [[#Game data|save game data location]] and backup the <code>.save</code> files.
 
# Go to the [[#Game data|save game data location]] and backup the <code>.save</code> files.
 
# Launch '''Uplay''', click on the '''Gear icon''' in the upper right corner and go to '''Settings'''.  
 
# Launch '''Uplay''', click on the '''Gear icon''' in the upper right corner and go to '''Settings'''.  
Line 488: Line 481:
  
 
===Low frame rate===
 
===Low frame rate===
−
{{Fixbox|1=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Generic fixes|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}|fix=
−
{{Fixbox/fix|Generic fixes|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}}}
 
 
# Close Uplay after fully loading the game, online play will still be available.
 
# Close Uplay after fully loading the game, online play will still be available.
 
# Set the textures to '''Medium''' and the level of detail to '''High'''.
 
# Set the textures to '''Medium''' and the level of detail to '''High'''.
Line 495: Line 487:
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
{{Fixbox|1=
+
{{Fixbox|description=RAM usage fix (stuttering and high HDD usage fix)|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}|fix=
−
{{Fixbox/fix|RAM usage fix (stuttering and high HDD usage fix)|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}}}
 
 
* Use the {{code|-disablepagefilecheck}} [[Glossary:Command line arguments|parameter]].
 
* Use the {{code|-disablepagefilecheck}} [[Glossary:Command line arguments|parameter]].
 
{{ii}} Parameter most likely works as to not preallocate system's page file and write when needed.
 
{{ii}} Parameter most likely works as to not preallocate system's page file and write when needed.
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
{{Fixbox|1=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Enable Triple Buffering with V-Sync|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}|fix=
−
{{Fixbox/fix|Enable Triple Buffering with V-Sync|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}}}
 
 
# While in-game, press '''Escape''', then go to '''Options''' - '''Display'''.
 
# While in-game, press '''Escape''', then go to '''Options''' - '''Display'''.
 
# Change '''Window Mode''' to '''Borderless''', then press {{key|Enter}}.
 
# Change '''Window Mode''' to '''Borderless''', then press {{key|Enter}}.
Line 511: Line 501:
 
{{--}} Doing such will not fix stuttering issues, the frame rate gain from the latest drivers is relatively minor.
 
{{--}} Doing such will not fix stuttering issues, the frame rate gain from the latest drivers is relatively minor.
  
−
{{Fixbox|1=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Download the latest drivers|ref={{cn|date=September 2016}}}}
−
{{Fixbox/fix|Download the latest drivers|ref={{cn|date=September 2016}}}}
 
−
}}
 
  
 
====Stuttering on 2GB VRAM cards with ultra textures====
 
====Stuttering on 2GB VRAM cards with ultra textures====
  
−
{{Fixbox|1=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Use Maldo textures|ref=<ref>[http://www.dsogaming.com/news/watch_dogs-stutter-fix-2-0-mod-lets-you-enjoy-ultra-textures-on-gpus-with-2gb-vram/]</ref>|fix=
−
{{Fixbox/fix|Use Maldo textures|ref=<ref>[http://www.dsogaming.com/news/watch_dogs-stutter-fix-2-0-mod-lets-you-enjoy-ultra-textures-on-gpus-with-2gb-vram/]</ref>}}
 
 
* MaLDo has combined ultra textures without mipmaps used as high textures.
 
* MaLDo has combined ultra textures without mipmaps used as high textures.
 
* Players with 2 GB of VRAM, set high or medium shadows and reflections.
 
* Players with 2 GB of VRAM, set high or medium shadows and reflections.
Line 533: Line 520:
 
===Audio===
 
===Audio===
 
====Voice audio not playing during cutscenes====
 
====Voice audio not playing during cutscenes====
−
{{Fixbox|1=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Instructions|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}|fix=
−
{{Fixbox/fix|Instructions|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}}}
 
 
# Go to the speaker setup screen.
 
# Go to the speaker setup screen.
 
# Set your audio channels to anything below '''7.1 Surround''', then restart your game.
 
# Set your audio channels to anything below '''7.1 Surround''', then restart your game.
Line 541: Line 527:
 
===Gameplay===
 
===Gameplay===
 
====Minimap icons and crosshair dissapearing====
 
====Minimap icons and crosshair dissapearing====
−
{{Fixbox|1=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Instructions|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}|fix=
−
{{Fixbox/fix|Instructions|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}}}
 
 
# Go to the [[#Game data|configuration file location]].
 
# Go to the [[#Game data|configuration file location]].
 
# Delete '''GamerProfile.xml'''.
 
# Delete '''GamerProfile.xml'''.
Line 549: Line 534:
  
 
====Frosting effect====
 
====Frosting effect====
−
{{Fixbox|1=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Disable the MSAA antialiasing and the motion blur effect|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}}}
−
{{Fixbox/fix|Disable the MSAA antialiasing and the motion blur effect|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}}}
 
−
}}
 
  
 
===Multiplayer===
 
===Multiplayer===
 
====Unable to connect and play multiplayer====
 
====Unable to connect and play multiplayer====
−
{{Fixbox|1=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Instructions|ref=<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/watch_dogs/comments/26s6v3/to_those_of_you_that_cant_connect_to_multiplayer Reddit - Multiplayer Fix]</ref>|fix=
−
{{Fixbox/fix|Instructions|ref=<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/watch_dogs/comments/26s6v3/to_those_of_you_that_cant_connect_to_multiplayer Reddit - Multiplayer Fix]</ref>}}
 
 
# Open the Start Menu, type <code>ncpa.cpl</code> and press {{key|Enter}}.
 
# Open the Start Menu, type <code>ncpa.cpl</code> and press {{key|Enter}}.
 
# Right click on any unused adapters and click on '''Disable'''.
 
# Right click on any unused adapters and click on '''Disable'''.
Line 563: Line 545:
  
 
===Frequent Crashes===
 
===Frequent Crashes===
−
{{Fixbox|1=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Increase page file size|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}|fix=
−
{{Fixbox/fix|Increase page file size|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}}}
 
 
* Increase the size of the Windows page file to be as twice as big over your current RAM. See [http://windows.microsoft.com/en-Gb/windows/change-virtual-memory-size#1TC=windows-7 this].
 
* Increase the size of the Windows page file to be as twice as big over your current RAM. See [http://windows.microsoft.com/en-Gb/windows/change-virtual-memory-size#1TC=windows-7 this].
 
* Do so on a drive where the game isn't installed if possible.
 
* Do so on a drive where the game isn't installed if possible.
Line 573: Line 554:
  
 
===Bedbug got killed on Mission "Not a Job for Tyrone" when you begin to hack the house===
 
===Bedbug got killed on Mission "Not a Job for Tyrone" when you begin to hack the house===
−
{{Fixbox|1=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Instructions|ref=<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-F0R1LbvknA</ref><ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cw7t33uhcm0</ref>|fix=
−
{{Fixbox/fix|Instructions|ref=<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-F0R1LbvknA</ref><ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cw7t33uhcm0</ref>}}
 
 
* Before hacking the house, shoot at the wall of Bedbug's house until everyone is screaming and run away.
 
* Before hacking the house, shoot at the wall of Bedbug's house until everyone is screaming and run away.
 
* When everyone has left, start hacking.
 
* When everyone has left, start hacking.

Revision as of 01:21, 23 November 2017

Watch_Dogs
Watch_Dogs cover
Developers
Ubisoft Montreal
Ubisoft Quebec
Ubisoft Bucharest
Ubisoft Reflections
Bad Blood Ubisoft Paris
Bad Blood Ubisoft Annecy
Publishers
Ubisoft
Engines
Disrupt
Release dates
Windows May 27, 2014
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Watch Dogs guide on StrategyWiki
Watch Dogs on Wikipedia
Icon overlay.png
Watch Dogs
Watch Dogs 2014
Watch Dogs 2 2016
Watch Dogs: Legion 2020

General information

PC Report
Steam Community Discussions
Ubisoft Forums - Watch Dogs PC Discussion

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
Icon overlay.png
Windows
Amazon.com
Icon overlay.png
Windows
GamersGate
Icon overlay.png
Windows
Gamesplanet logo.svg
Icon overlay.png
Windows
Incorrect store name. See here for available options.
Icon overlay.png
Windows
Green Man Gaming
Icon overlay.png
Windows
Origin
Origin
Icon overlay.png
Windows
Steam
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Windows
Incorrect store name. See here for available options.
Icon overlay.png
 Incorrect store name. See here for available options.
Windows
All versions require Ubisoft Connect DRM.

DLC and expansion packs

Name Notes
Access Granted Pack
Windows
Bad Blood
Windows
Conspiracy
Windows
Season Pass
Windows

Version differences

Watch Dogs has six special editions, each with varying DLC. Refer to the Uplay Pre-Order Edition Comparison for details.

Essential improvements

Watch Dogs Settings Configuration Tool

Skip intro videos

Skip intros[citation needed]
  1. Install the No Intro Mod.

TheWorse Mod

Restores the E3 2012/2013 visual effects hidden in the configuration files. It uses the built-in patch mechanism that Ubisoft provided and incorporates the version 1.3 patch. It replaces some textures, shaders and a some default configuration in the core files. Some of the effects from E3 have not been properly polished by developers for release, including headlight shadows that may appear bugged at times. Similarly, using the version with MalDo textures, which allows you to use Ultra textures on GPUs with less than 3GB of memory, works removing mipmaps. This will introduce some significant aliasing on distant textures as they will not load the properly optimized versions included in the retail game, cutting down on memory. Also, the field of view is significantly closer with this mod, which might cause discomfort or decreased viewing distance by nature of the effect. So see Field of view (FOV).

Game data

Configuration file location

Template:Game data/row
System Location
Steam Play (Linux) <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/243470/pfx/[Note 1]

Save game data location

Template:Game data/rowTemplate:Game data/row
System Location
Steam Play (Linux) <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/243470/pfx/[Note 1]

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
Origin
Steam Cloud
Ubisoft Connect

Video settings

Video settings.
Video settings.
Advanced video settings.
Advanced video settings.

Template:Video settings

Field of view (FOV)

Flawless Widescreen[citation needed]
  1. Go to Flawless Widescreen\PluginCache\FWS_Plugins\Modules\WatchDogs\Dependencies\Scripts\
  2. Open WatchDogs.LUA with Notepad
  3. Find fFOVMax and change Max to whatever desired.
Horizontal FOV is used. Recommend changing from 110 to 120 for 1080p, 16:9.

Input settings

Template:Input settings

DualShock Button Prompts

This mod adds PlayStation buttons, can be installed with Watch Dogs Mod Installer.

  • The keyboard controls menu.

  • The keyboard rebinding menu.

  • General gameplay menu.

  • The controller menu.

  • The controller controls menu.

Mouse smoothing and aim assist

Disable mouse smoothing and aim assist[1]
  1. Go to the configuration file location.
  2. Open GamerProfile.xml with your text editor of choice.
  3. Find the following lines and set them to these values.
Sensitivity="1"
UseMouseSmooth="-" 
Smoothness="0"
selAimAssist="-"

Notes

This fix will only remove the mouse acceleration from the menus and not while aiming.

Audio settings

Language, subtitles and volume control settings.
Language, subtitles and volume control settings.

Template:Audio settings

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
Brazilian Portuguese
Czech
Danish
Dutch
Finnish
French
German
Hungarian
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Norwegian
Polish
Russian
Spanish
Swedish
Traditional Chinese
Portuguese

Network

Network settings.
Network settings.

Multiplayer types

Type Native Players Notes
LAN play
Online play
8 Drop in and drop out invasion mode for the singleplayer. Freeroam, online decryption, online race.

VR support

3D modes State Notes
Native 3D
Nvidia 3D Vision
See Watch Dogs - DX11 3DMigoto 3D Vision Fix.

Issues fixed

Worse performance on the latest patch

Remove patch[2]
  1. Disable the automatic Uplay updates, also on Steam if possible.
  2. Go to <path-to-game>\data_win64\, then delete patch.dat and patch.fat

Low GPU Usage/low FPS in SLI

Don't use SMAA, use MSAA instead[citation needed]

Continue button greyed out

Revert to cloud saves[3]
  1. Go to the save game data location and backup the .save files.
  2. Launch Uplay, click on the Gear icon in the upper right corner and go to Settings.
  3. Check Enable Cloud Saves.
  4. Start the game. A prompt should announce that the cloud and local saves are not in sync.
  5. Select the cloud save game then play.

Low frame rate

Generic fixes[citation needed]
  1. Close Uplay after fully loading the game, online play will still be available.
  2. Set the textures to Medium and the level of detail to High.
  3. Set GPU Max Buffered Frames to 1.
RAM usage fix (stuttering and high HDD usage fix)[citation needed]
Parameter most likely works as to not preallocate system's page file and write when needed.
Enable Triple Buffering with V-Sync[citation needed]
  1. While in-game, press Escape, then go to Options - Display.
  2. Change Window Mode to Borderless, then press ↵ Enter.
  3. Immediately press Escape four times (Alt-tabbing out of the game will negate this effect)

Performance issues on AMD and Nvidia GPUs

Doing such will not fix stuttering issues, the frame rate gain from the latest drivers is relatively minor.
Download the latest drivers[citation needed]

Stuttering on 2GB VRAM cards with ultra textures

Use Maldo textures[4]
  • MaLDo has combined ultra textures without mipmaps used as high textures.
  • Players with 2 GB of VRAM, set high or medium shadows and reflections.
  • Setting max rendered frames = 2 (or 1) is recommended with this mod.
  • To use Maldo textures with other mod than TheWorse Mod, you can follow this instruction:

https://forums.guru3d.com/threads/kadzait24-watch-dogs-mod-game-files-xml-wip-and-download.390092/page-117#post-4859919 (created on purpouse of kadzait24 mod - textures are in unpacked files in patch\graphics\_textures and textures)

Notes

Setting textures to high (ultra) cause massive stuttering on 4GB RAM configurations.
  • Reflexions set to ultra can give FPS boost.

Audio

Voice audio not playing during cutscenes

Instructions[citation needed]
  1. Go to the speaker setup screen.
  2. Set your audio channels to anything below 7.1 Surround, then restart your game.

Gameplay

Minimap icons and crosshair dissapearing

Instructions[citation needed]
  1. Go to the configuration file location.
  2. Delete GamerProfile.xml.
  3. Disable any on-screen displays such as Fraps, MSI Afterburner, GeForce Experience, etc.

Frosting effect

Disable the MSAA antialiasing and the motion blur effect[citation needed]

Multiplayer

Unable to connect and play multiplayer

Instructions[5]
  1. Open the Start Menu, type ncpa.cpl and press ↵ Enter.
  2. Right click on any unused adapters and click on Disable.
  3. Restart Uplay.

Frequent Crashes

Increase page file size[citation needed]
  • Increase the size of the Windows page file to be as twice as big over your current RAM. See this.
  • Do so on a drive where the game isn't installed if possible.

Notes

Windows uses page file if system is running out of RAM thus increasing amount of RAM in the system is highly recommended.

Bedbug got killed on Mission "Not a Job for Tyrone" when you begin to hack the house

Instructions[6][7]
  • Before hacking the house, shoot at the wall of Bedbug's house until everyone is screaming and run away.
  • When everyone has left, start hacking.

Notes

There is a bug in-game that makes the ground of Bedbug's house disappear so he will fall out of the map during hacking. After shooting at the wall, the ground won't disappear or Bedbug will reposition.

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
Direct3D 11
Shader Model support 5
Executable 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows

Middleware

Middleware Notes
Cutscenes Bink Video

ctOS app

ctOS app is available for Android and iOS.

System requirements

64-bit OS required.
Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) Vista SP2 7 SP1, 8
Processor (CPU) AMD Phenom II X4 940 3.0 GHz
Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400 2.66 GHz		 AMD FX-8350 4.0 GHz
Intel Core i7 3770 3.5 GHz
System memory (RAM) 6 GB 8 GB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 25 GB
Video card (GPU) AMD Radeon HD 5770
Nvidia GeForce GTX 460
1 GB of VRAM
DirectX 11 compatible
Shader model 5.0 support		 AMD Radeon HD 7850
Nvidia GeForce GTX 560 Ti
2 GB of VRAM
Supported Nvidia chipsets: GTX 460 and better, GT 500 series, GT 600 series, GT 700 series.
Supported AMD chipsets: Radeon HD 5850 or better, HD 6000 series, HD 7000 series, R7 and R9 series.
Supports the Intel Iris Pro HD 5200 chipset.

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Notes regarding Steam Play (Linux) data:

References