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Assassin's Creed 4 updated to 1080p on PS4; drops anchor on PC, Xbox One today
The piratical, bloody adventures of Edward Kenway can now be found on the PC and Xbox One. As we stated in our review, Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag is "a vibrant historical adventure, drawn from bold characters and edge-of-your-seat sailing." It offers a massive variety of things to do, from hunting iguanas with a sword to swinging from one ship to another like Errol Flynn. Obviously, there's quite a bit of high seas assassination as well. Three versions of the game are now available on PC: the Standard Edition, the Gold Edition and the UPlay Gold Edition. That first incarnation includes only the game, while the latter two offer players access to the game's Season Pass and a host of exclusive downloadable content. The Xbox One game only offers two variations, the Standard and Limited Editions, though the latter offers far more booty than any other version of the game. If those extras aren't enough to satisfy your rum-swilling, plank-walking tendencies, McFarlane Toys has revealed plans to launch a 1,000-piece set of Edward Kenway statues. The images on the company's site look stunningly detailed, but you'll have to shell out $295 for that level of craftsmanship. In related news, a patch has just been released for the PlayStation 4 version of Assassin's Creed 4 which allows it to display its already-attractive graphics in full 1080p resolution. Like all PlayStation 4 game updates, this patch will be automatically downloaded to your system.
Assassin's Creed 4 needs a title update to hit 1080p on PS4
Did you pick up Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag with your shiny new console during the PS4 launch yesterday? Noticed anything off about its visuals? According to the Ubiblog, that's because the game currently runs at 900p, and like Call of Duty: Ghosts before it, requires an update before it can output at native 1080p resolution. This update will be available "shortly after release." Assassin's Creed 4 Associate Producer Sylvain Trottier suggests most people won't notice the difference, but the post also notes that, "those who can spot the differences might note that the game would be, in some very subtle ways, slightly less crisp but a tiny bit smoother." Trottier also explained that Black Flag developers have created "a brand-new anti-aliasing technique" that will be available for both the PS4 and Xbox One copies of the game, in an effort to enhance visuals even further. No word if the game will ever output in 1080Arrrr.
You'll never be lost with the Assassin's Creed 4 companion app
Essentially a more fully-featured version of the mapping and game-tracking options already found in Assassin's Creed 4, the game's newly-released companion app is far from mandatory. Still, it's available as a free download on iTunes and Google Play, so it's hard to complain about what might have been.
PSA: Assassin's Creed 4 drops anchor on PS4
Following its current-generation debut on October 29, Assassin's Creed 4 has now officially sailed into a next-generation dock, thanks to the release of its PlayStation 4 incarnation. Described (by publisher Ubisoft) as the "most beautiful chapter of the franchise to date," and by our own 4/5 star review as "a vibrant historical adventure, drawn from bold characters and edge-of-your-seat sailing," the game offer players the chance to live the life of a pirate who spends his time sailing the high seas, inexplicably avoiding scurvy AND chlamydia, and changing the course of history by stabbing jerks in the neck. Helpfully, this can all be accomplished without being tethered to a TV, as the PS4 iteration of Assassin's Creed 4 supports Vita Remote Play right out of the box. Ubisoft has also used this opportunity to explain the game's Season Pass, though all the information presented today can also be found in our report from early October.
'Stiq Tips: Assassin's Creed 4 Black Flag
Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag's brand new open sea and sailing system adds an exciting new element to the franchise's well-established structure, but it can be a bit confusing at first. In Black Flag, there's no lengthy three-hour tutorial to suffer through before you get started, you're just thrown into the world with nothing more than a tattered outfit – and you're not even a real assassin yet! Here's some help to assist in your evolution from rags to riches. One important thing to note right off the bat is that Assassin's Creed IV has built-in online social functions. You'll encounter things like "social chests," "social ships," and more bonuses that pop up when anyone on your friends list finds a similar bonus. By playing online, you'll earn much more cash than you would if you weren't connected to Xbox Live or PSN. You'll also unlock more social events for your friends in turn, so you can pat yourself on the back for that.
Assassin's Creed 4 sets sales for PC starting November 19
Ubisoft has just announced that Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag will be available to purrrrrrrchase on November 19. Ignoring that we just rolled our r's like a cat instead of a pirate, the game will be available for Windows in three different verrrrrrrsions. We can't stop! Standard edition will be available at retail and through digital distribution networks. The Deluxe Edition includes the game, plus "new locations to discover and explore, additional customization items and a new adventure starring Aveline as the main character." There's also the Uplay Deluxe Edition, available through the Ubi store, which includes all the contents from the Deluxe Edition, plus the "Pride of the West Indies" pack. Players who pre-order the game through the Uplay front will also receive 25 percent off the game's season pass. And that be all the information there arrrrrrrrrrre. Nailed it, finally!
Next-gen loving pirates circle UK in anticipation of PS4/Assassin's Creed 4 bundle
Come November 29, those in the UK will be able to purchase a PlayStation 4 bundle that includes Assassin's Creed 4 (and nothing else). Though that's great news for citizens of a nation that spent the Age of Discovery actively funding piracy, it's also the sum total of what we know about the bundle. Ubisoft has yet to divulge pricing information for the package, or any word on if these bundles will be available in limited quantities. We have contacted Ubisoft for further clarification.
Assassin's Creed 4 sails by Battlefield 4 in the UK charts
Pirates trumped modern soldiering in gaming's battle of the fours, at least going by this week's UK charts. A huge retail week saw Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag as leader of the pack, ahead of Battlefield 4, in what data gatherer Chart Track called a "fiercely contested battle." That said, Ubisoft's naval adventure did have three more days on EA's blockbuster shooter, arriving in the country on Tuesday rather than Friday. It's also worth mentioning both games fell short of their preceding three-quels' sales, which is in line with both companies' comments about lower current-gen pre-orders in anticipation of next-gen versions. Of course, we'll know more about that in just a few weeks' time. Lower down the order, former chart-topper Batman: Arkham Origins dropped back to fifth, now sitting behind the consistent Grand Theft Auto 5 and FIFA 14. Talking of consistency, the UK's love affair with Football Manager continues after the 2014 edition arrived in sixth, wrestling ahead of WWE 2K14 in seventh.
Murder on Iguana Beach: An Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag Video Review
Though it's already been released on current systems, Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag presents one of our first extensive looks at a game that will also launch alongside the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in November. We've already published our review of Edward Kenway's piratical course across the Caribbean, and followed up with a look at some of the visual enhancements in the PlayStation 4 version. We've tried to combine both in our video review, which we hope isn't too upsetting for lovers of cute, ever-scampering lizards.
Ubisoft cans Uplay Passport for all future games, starting with AC4
Ubisoft's Uplay Passport, a one-time-use code in new games that grants access to online features, will not be included in any future games and is being stripped from Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag. "The Uplay Passport program was initiated as a means of giving customers full access and support for online multiplayer and features, along with exclusive content, bonuses and rewards," Ubisoft writes. "However, games today are blurring the line between offline and online, between what is 'single player' and what is 'multiplayer.' Based on that and on the feedback we received from you, we recognized that Passport is no longer the best approach for ensuring that all our customers have the best possible experience with all facets of our games." Uplay in Black Flag restricted single-player access to the game's fleet management system, Ubisoft confirmed. Ubisoft is eliminating the cost of the Uplay Passport in Black Flag – those without one can download a code for free via Xbox Live or PSN, and those who already bought one can contact regional Ubisoft support for more information.
Assassin's Creed 4 multiplayer event has this weekend 'Under Control'
This weekend kicks off the first in a planned series of multiplayer events for Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag on both PS3 and Xbox 360. Under Control is an event where players partake in matches of Domination, a territory-based capture mode, as one of Assassin's Creed 4's aristocratic characters: the Huntsman, the Puppeteer, the Dandy or the Duelist. Completing individual objectives will earn you a custom in-game profile picture and title, but completing the community objectives established by Ubisoft will net further in-game goods - like special assassin costumes. As this is the first multiplayer event, Ubisoft is soliciting feedback from players. PS3 players who provide praise, complaints or any kind of constructive criticism over on the PlayStation Blog or in this community thread will net some exclusive Assassin's Creed 4 avatars, which Ubisoft will send via code voucher in an XMB message prior to November 23. We've inquired with Ubisoft whether Xbox 360 players will have the same opportunity. The Under Control community event starts sometime tomorrow and lasts throughout the weekend. The full list of community objectives will be located in the events section in-game.
Report: Some Assassin's Creed 4 single-player content gated by Uplay passport
Those that pick up a brand new copy of Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag will notice that the game comes with a Uplay Passport, Ubisoft's version of an online pass. While the passport typically grants access to online sections in the game, in the case of Assassin's Creed 4 it also unlocks small pieces of social content. Game Informer reports that the online pass locks away the game's fleet management system, in which players add vessels they board in the game to their fleet and send the ships out on missions to earn additional money. Players with second-hand copies of the game that don't plunk down $10 for a Uplay Passport are unable to manage their fleet, and since real-life friends are able to provide assistance to fleets, the management system is not an offline-only aspect of the game, even though it falls into the single-player campaign. We've contacted Ubisoft for comment on the game's Passport and will update as we learn more.
Assassin's Creed 4 on PS4: We demand a next-gen shrubbery
As I mentioned in my review of Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag, shrubs are a necessity for stealth, at least while you're on foot in the Caribbean. Since you spend so much time looking at jiggling leaves, then, it's nice to have three-dimensional plants that lift up and glisten as you slither beneath them. The graphical differences between the pirate adventure on current and forthcoming versions (PC, Xbox One and PS4) are minor, especially in Black Flag's massive scope and structure, but I'll cover the most visible ones in case you're splitting hairs over which console has the best corsairs. I have yet to play Assassin's Creed 4 on Xbox One or PC. I completed the entirety of Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag on a PlayStation 4, which brought several expected benefits over current consoles. Assassin's Creed 4 runs at a native resolution of 1080p (1920x1080), Ubisoft says, and also uses high-resolution textures, clearly apparent in the vivid colors of historic Havana, the only city in the game that even approaches opulence. Jagged edges persist on thin objects like ropes and mast lines, which is unfortunate for a game filled with ships. The single-player game runs at an unflinching 30 frames per second, even during some of the more complex naval entanglements (which often led to hectic boarding sequences and fighting), as does the multiplayer portion.
PSN Tuesday: Battlefield 4, Assassin's Creed 4, free Sine Mora
This week's PSN update is headlined by a pair of big games: Battlefield 4 and Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag, both of which can be downloaded on PS3. Castlevania: Lords of Shadow: Mirror of Fate HD is also up for grabs as a $15 download, and PSN users can pre-order the upcoming Assassin's Creed Liberation HD ahead of its January launch. On the PlayStation Plus side, Sine Mora blasts its way onto the Instant Game Collection. In celebration of Halloween, deals have been extended across a bunch of holiday-appropriate games like Dead Space, Doom 3 BFG Edition, The Darkness 2, Bloodrayne Betrayal and more. Finally, Uncharted 3 celebrates its second birthday this week with deals on a slew of in-game skins and weapons.
Ubisoft has no plans to bring Sony-exclusive AC4 DLC to other platforms
Though Sony's PlayStation 4 promotional video may have plainly stated otherwise (pictured), Ubisoft claims it has no intention of bringing the Sony-exclusive Assassin's Creed 4 DLC to other consoles. The addition focuses on Aveline, heroine of Assassin's Creed 3: Liberation, and is said to add an hour of play time to Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag. While it was initially announced as exclusive to the PlayStation 3 and PS4, the aforementioned promotional video stated that the exclusivity agreement between Ubisoft and Sony was only valid for six months. A Eurogamer report today stated Ubisoft had confirmed the DLC would never appear on systems outside of the Sony umbrella. We reached out to Ubisoft for comment, and the company explained that the DLC could potentially reach other platforms in the future, but that currently the publisher had no plans to do so. "I can confirm that at the current stage the PS exclusive DLC isn't planned for Xbox 360/Xbox One," Ubisoft told Joystiq. The key word here is "current." Ubisoft appears to be keeping its options open for the future, while also adhering to the spirit (if not the letter) of its agreement with Sony. This addition may appear on other consoles at some point, or it may not - either way these PR vagueries absolve Ubisoft of having to commit to anything.
Metareview: Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag
Assassin's Creed 4, according to our review, will have "you leap between the roles of assassin, pirate and one-time whaler wracked with guilt." But we aren't the only fish in the sea, let's see what others thought. Gamespot (90/100): "A story that keeps you invested throughout the whole thing. If there was ever any question that Assassin's Creed needed something ambitious to get the series back on track, Black Flag is that game and then some." Edge (90/100): "We never felt like we had enough gold to buy everything we wanted, which seems engineered to push you out to sea to do what pirates do best: raid other ships. You peer through your spyglass to see what cargo they are carrying, then decide whether to engage in naval combat. The choice can be a fraught one. " Game Informer (83/100): "Black Flag is ultimately better than Assassin's Creed 3. Some elements seem crafted directly in response to criticisms about the previous game. You get to the piracy rather quickly, without the need for several hours of tutorial missions." Polygon (75/100): "For all of its mechanical improvements; for the wonder I felt as I sailed the ocean, with orca, dolphins, even great whites breaking the surface to my port side as I outran a royal trade armada; for the excellent performances and character moments throughout ... it felt disjointed." VideoGamer (70/100): "There's only so many times, however, that you can tolerate the poorly-defined stealth and terrible AI. Eavesdropping returns, and is as poor as before, and most missions devolve into 'follow the man, kill the man' repetition. "
Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag PS4 review: Avast, conspiracy ahead
Here are just some of the things you can do in Assassin's Creed 4: climb a tower, hunt a whale, hide in a haystack, steer a ship in a storm, stick a sword through a man's eye socket, shoot an iguana, stab a shark, stand atop a church balcony and sprinkle coins onto the people below, regardless of their beliefs. But you can't just crouch when you want to, which seems a bit odd for a game that spins around sneaking, subterfuge and poking holes in the heads of a secret war between assassins and templars. The struggle for supremacy intersects with old-fashioned analogue piracy in Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag, which lets you sail across the massive caribbean, swim in its perfectly turquoise waters and make any treasure your own. Not having a squat button in the middle of a meticulous recreation of Havana is the ultimate first-world, 18th century problem. You do, however, bend your knees and lower your stance automatically as soon as you enter a bush, and the good news is these stealth shrubs are everywhere. Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag is a more honestly designed game than the last, appearing cognizant of where it needs to lay down some rug-shrubs to cover up the seams between – how many systems is it now? There's sword-fighting, pickpocketing, free-running, air assassinating, diving, sailing, eavesdropping, harpooning; all slave to another massive, richly rendered slice of history. And it's all the better for designers understanding the monster they've created.
Nvidia Shield update adds Console Mode, improved PC streaming
The Nvidia Shield just became a much more attractive gaming device, thanks to a new, "massive" update. Most notably, the update enables the Shield's "Console Mode," which allows players to link a Bluetooth controller to the Shield to play games on the nearest television, much like traditional gaming machines. Nvidia would obviously prefer you use the official Shield controller to play games in Console Mode, but given the ubiquity of Bluetooth it should now be possible to connect a wide range of controllers to the Shield (including Sony's DualShock 3). Alongside Console Mode, Nvidia also improved Android support in the Shield. "Hundreds" of Android games are now playable on Nvidia's machine, and the company even went to the trouble of designing a utility dubbed "Gamepad Mapper" which allows for use of traditional controllers in Android games originally designed for a touchscreen interface. Streaming games from a PC to the Shield has also been improved, with "50 of the best PC games" now supported. To further tempt users, Nvidia has also unveiled a promotion in which those who purchase "select GeForce GTX graphics cards" alongside a Shield will receive a $100 discount on the computer/console hybrid as well as free PC copies of Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag, Batman: Arkham Origins and Splinter Cell: Blacklist. Full details on this promotion and this morning's update are available on the Shield website.
New Nintendo eShop releases: Assassin's Creed 4, Sonic, Phoenix Wright, Batman
Yar, thar be plenty of AAA releases on the Nintendo eShop this week. The Wii U picks up Batman: Arkham Origins tomorrow, and both Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag and Sonic: Lost World on Tuesday, October 29. Meanwhile, Phoenix Wright makes his 3DS debut today with the eShop exclusive Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Dual Destinies. The Dark Knight and the Blue Blur also stop by the 3DS, with Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate swooping in tomorrow and Sonic: Lost World dropping on Tuesday. Joining Phoenix and Sonic will be the WayForward developed Regular Show: Mordecai & Rigby in 8-Bit Land.
Watch Dogs, Assassin's Creed IV bonus content exclusive to Sony for 6 months
The PlayStation 3 and PS4 incarnations of Watch Dogs and Assassin's Creed 4 will both feature exclusive downloadable content additions - but only for six months. That time limit is stated plainly in the above PlayStation 4 ad. At the 1:19 mark, the ad trumpets "60 minutes of exclusive gameplay" only found in PlayStation 4 version of Assassin's Creed IV, but as the footnote explains this exclusivity is valid for six months. A similar scene focused on Watch Dogs plays out seconds later. As Shacknews points out, this isn't necessarily a guarantee that these DLC packs will find their way to Microsoft- and Nintendo-branded consoles. Ubisoft could ignore other platforms once the exclusivity agreement ends, though that makes little financial sense if Assassin's Creed IV and Watch Dogs are the big hits Ubisoft intends them to be.
