Ubisoft’s ‘The Watch’ Now in Public Alpha on Epic Games Store

Ubisoft’s highly anticipated real-time strategy game, The Watch, blending MOBA elements with strategic gameplay, is now available in public alpha on the Epic Games Store. PC players can download the game as a free-to-play title, with the early release promising intense PvP action and a dynamic, evolving world.

The Watch is a science fiction film set in a post-apocalyptic world where artificial intelligence (AI) has become sentient following a botched military experiment by Watch Corp. This poses a threat to humankind. In order to stop the AI from eradicating civilization, players unite and concentrate on accomplishing global goals. Every goal progresses as a chapter in the story that the game tells, with the voting job serving as the focal point of the first episode. Securing airdrops is a player-driven objective that contributes to the overall community objective. There have already been over a thousand airdrops recorded, and additional data regarding upcoming targets will be released soon.

Before diving into matches, players customize their Equipment, which consists of an Army and Powers. Each player selects five types of Troops, choosing from melee or ranged units. For example, the Sniper unit excels at long-range damage, while Zero is perfect for scouting and melee attacks. Troops come with different energy costs and unique stats, allowing players to strategize and tailor their approach.

Powers play a crucial role during gameplay, providing tactical advantages. Whether calling in Nano Bullets for a devastating attack or using Healing Cells to support troops, Powers can be game-changing. Players can equip up to six abilities, plus one ultimate power called the Glitch.

Competitive Mode and Future Updates

Currently, the game features a Competitive mode, where players engage in 1v1 PvP battles to climb the leaderboard. The match objective is simple: destroy the opponent’s Core, protected by mobile turrets. Players use Energy to replicate units and take control of turret platforms, gaining an advantage as Energy recharges faster over time. After 20 minutes, a powerful Prism appears in the middle of the map, adding an extra layer of strategy as players compete to defeat it for buffs.

Though still in alpha, developers have acknowledged minor matchmaking issues and a lack of tutorial mode, but they plan to address these with future updates. A guide with short videos is currently available to help new players understand the mechanics.

In addition to Social Credits, The Watch offers Shards, a premium currency used for unlocking cosmetics. Players can also complete challenges for a Weekly Box containing rare skins or credits. With every season, a battle pass introduces new rewards, some available for free, while premium content can be unlocked by purchasing the pass.

An exciting Alpha Championship is on the horizon, offering players a chance to win up to $1000 USD. While The Watch does not yet include blockchain features, Ubisoft has hinted that play-to-earn mechanics might be integrated later this year, possibly involving NFTs.