Hacking the Hackers: Mastering Watch Dogs' One-on-One Multiplayer

One of the most fascinating things about Watch Dogs is that, in the midst of carrying on your own solo adventure in the streets of this virtual Chicago, your game can be invaded by other human players. “Watch Dogs” includes more traditional multiplayer modes, of course: racing, for example, and the capture-the-flag-esque Decryption mode. It even has a competitive mode in which players on a tablet can pursue players in the console game.

But it’s the Hacking and Tailing modes that can intrude into the main campaign, infusing the solo experience with the thrill of a cat-and-mouse game versus real human opponents. So let’s take a look at some ways to send your opponents slinking away with their tails between their legs.

Hacking: Defense

Since this is likely to be your introduction to “Watch Dogs'” world of online espionage, it’s a good place to start. You’ll begin with a notice that you’re being hacked, followed by a highlighted circle on your minimap showing an area where the hacker is hiding. Your job is to profile him or her with the facial-recognition software on your phone before the hack is completed. Periodically, the circle will shrink, narrowing the possible area the hacker could be hiding in. You can’t run, and you can’t hide; you have to find the intruder before the hack is completed, or they’ll make off with your data… and a chunk of your online Notoriety Points.

Step One is to do a quick lap around the area, looking for anything that seems obviously out of the ordinary: a smashed-up car in the middle of the street, a running pedestrian, a rooftop observer, that sort of thing. Chances are, the intruder won’t be so clumsy as to call much attention to him- or herself, but it’s worth a look just in case. Look carefully at parked cars and behind cover; your opponent may hope to simply get overlooked as you frantically hunt the intruder.

Assuming that’s unsuccessful, it’s time for a little more creative thinking. If you’re in an area that’s dense with cameras, hacking those can give you a broader view of the area, allowing you to profile multiple targets more quickly. Smart intruders will do their best to blend in with Chicago’s civilians, so you’ll need a way to differentiate between human and non-player character. Our suggestion: mayhem. Start blowing stuff up, and the civilians will start fleeing the area. Watch for anyone who behaves differently. That’s probably your target.

Once you manage to profile your opponent, you’re only halfway done: Now you need to take out the intruder. It helps if you’ve already readied an AK or other powerful weapon with decent range. And, in case the intruder makes a run for it, it’s a good idea to have a car in mind for pursuit. Remember: Intruders can’t kill you, but you can surekill them.

Hacking: Offense

Things get a little more interesting on the other side of the equation. Once you accept the contract, you have five minutes to reach the …read more