GameSpot may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and from purchases through links.

Watch Dogs 2 Game Director Confirms Non-Lethal Playthroughs

All of the open world, none of the murder.

13 Comments

In a recent interview with GameSpot, Watch Dogs 2 game director Danny Belanger confirmed that players will be able to complete the game’s story campaign without killing anyone.

When asked if Watch Dogs 2 supports fully non-lethal playthroughs, Belanger responded: "Absolutely. One of our goals is to support non-lethal. We’re trying to do more than that, but right now what I can say is, definitely non-lethal is possible. And it’s actually one of the values we want to push in this game."

Please use a html5 video capable browser to watch videos.
This video has an invalid file format.
00:00:00
Sorry, but you can't access this content!
Please enter your date of birth to view this video

By clicking 'enter', you agree to GameSpot's
Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Now Playing: Watch Dogs 2: Marcus Character Introduction Trailer - E3 2016

Belanger later elaborated on his statement that the team is "trying to do more," affirming the team’s commitment to accommodating non-lethal approaches: "It might be difficult depending on some set piece missions or things like that, but being non-lethal for sure. We will support that. That’s the mandate we were giving to the team."

Though Watch Dogs 2 is an open-world game that allows players to equip a variety of firearms, it also includes a taser pistol, hacking abilities that stun enemies, and other tools that should support non-lethal play. During his recent hands-on time with the game, GameSpot editor Scott Butterworth never fired a single bullet.

More and more action games have supported non-lethal playstyles in recent years, including Metal Gear Solid V, Dishonored, and Deus Ex: Human Revolution. Human Revolution was widely maligned for its boss battle--which forced players into combat scenarios regardless of how they chose to play the rest of the game--so hopefully Watch Dogs 2 can avoid similar pitfalls when it launches later this year.

Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com

Join the conversation
There are 13 comments about this story
13 Comments  RefreshSorted By 
GameSpot has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to toxic conduct in comments. Any abusive, racist, sexist, threatening, bullying, vulgar, and otherwise objectionable behavior will result in moderation and/or account termination. Please keep your discussion civil.

Avatar image for UrbanMessiah
UrbanMessiah

812

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

Edited By UrbanMessiah

I've never understood why people want non lethal methods in video games. I mean, I'm not knocking the choice for a peaceful (of sorts) approach to conflict against NPCs, but the end result is the same; the enemy is incapacitated. I suppose the only difference is a possible pool of blood, but still, same end result.

Is it a morality thing? Do people fill better about themselves because they imagine the NPC they knocked out will get to wake up later and go home to their families instead of the NPCs grieving spouse standing over their grave?

Upvote • 
Avatar image for SkytheWiz1
SkytheWiz1

2618

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 4

User Lists: 0

@UrbanMessiah: I think it's two-fold - you've got people who look at it from the role-playing aspect (like you're coming from) and you've got people who find it more challenging than using guns. It's not just about no one dying - by saying that you can go through non-lethally, it usually suggests that you can stealth your way through it.

I'm somewhere in the middle, I admit, but I also don't care if it's a clean "do not kill anyone" playthrough - I just like having the option and knowing that I can approach the game violently or stealthily get through without killing anyone.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for UrbanMessiah
UrbanMessiah

812

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

@SkytheWiz1: OK, that makes sense, I suppose...

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Flyin11
Flyin11

27

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Flyin11

Hmmm....Thinking of passing then.....Quite disappointed by this....The action and stuff in the first one was much better than hitting someone over the head or on the body and knocking them out with a yo yo...Metal Gear had stealth but it also had guns too...gave you a choice...No choice in here...a bit disappointed by this....I guess it's another way for gaming companies to give into what the world wants them to do....People are the problem...whether it's mental or not...the guns don't make the violence...people do.....mostly people that are already messed up. Makes me feel like I'm playing a kiddy game....Was thinking they might still have the option somewhere but I guess not...Can't even pick up a enemies weapon??

Upvote • 
Avatar image for butterworth
butterworth

472

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

Edited By butterworth

@Flyin11: "Though Watch Dogs 2 is an open-world game that allows players to equip a variety of firearms..."

4 • 
Avatar image for UrbanMessiah
UrbanMessiah

812

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

@butterworth: I think they glossed over that part...

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Attitude2000
Attitude2000

4781

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 10

User Lists: 0

Another way to approach gameplay is always interesting, but the NRA won't like this.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for SkytheWiz1
SkytheWiz1

2618

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 4

User Lists: 0

Well, of course. You know how hard (and brutal) it'd have to be to kill someone with a cue ball?

Upvote • 
Avatar image for hystavito
hystavito

4755

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@SkytheWiz1: :)

Upvote • 
Avatar image for helldragonzer
helldragonzer

158

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 8

User Lists: 0

MGS always had a stealth mode, you could go the whole game without killing only the bosses, and if you really mind killing a boss then you are playing the wrong kind of game.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for RogerioFM
RogerioFM

10534

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

The last game was horrible, but this one, well, at lest they're trying to address some issues with the past one, I"m still skeptic. But I'll give it the benefit of the doubt.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for senorbusyman
senorbusyman

1067

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 33

User Lists: 0

dont care. only care for Ghost Recon, For Honor, South Park & Steep

Upvote • 
Avatar image for ps3gamer1234
ps3gamer1234

1539

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

Until the player runs over a guy walking on the sidewalk.

Upvote •