As we get a flat denial of a downgrade from an Ubi representative, we have a new video showing side by side the improvements in Watch Dogs after it goes through the now controversial patch from modder TheWorse.
First off, let's look at Ubi's statement. It comes, in particular, from Ubisoft Beleux PR manager Tessa Vilyn, who stands firm in her previous statements about the issue. She was linked to the Reddit about the issue as well but gave no response.
@Beeelow i recall replying saying that the game was not downgraded, i still stick to that yes.
— Tessa Vilyn (@UbiTessa) June 16, 2014
The video isn’t very long, and the two appear almost identical, but there is a part in the very middle of it where the differences are very clear. Note that the left half is the game as it appears without mods, while the right half is the same game with TheWorse’s patch.
In that midpoint, Aiden walks in the way of a moving car, and that car happens to have its lights on in the middle of the night. The right half renders the shadows missing in the left half. You may also notice more details on the paved road, in the form of more numerous, dissipated cracks behind Aiden’s feet.
This is only a fraction of improvements promised in TheWorse’s patch, which also includes light bloom, civilian density, etc. While the graphics aren’t significantly improved here, it’s clear that there were some missing graphical effects that were added in now.
We remain vigilant and will keep you up to date if and when Ubi gives a definitive statement clearing up this issue once and for all.