14 DAY TRIAL // Ubisoft believes that second screen experiences delivered by companion applications are a core part of the next generation of gaming, and it has even set up a special division that focuses on these projects, namely Ubisoft Quebec.
Companion applications have become more and more numerous in recent years, as developers want to keep players engaged in their experiences even when they're not at home, playing on the PC or on consoles.
Ubisoft has not one, but four different upcoming games with companion applications, in the form of Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag, Watch Dogs, The Division, and The Crew.
All the second screen experiences are currently in development at Ubisoft's Quebec division, even if the actual games are being made by other teams or other groups of teams.
According to Ubisoft Quebec Manager Director Nicolas Rioux, the companion app is set to become a standard part of any next-gen game, as players want to be connected even when they're outside their homes.
"Some features and gameplay in these apps can provide you with a standalone experience," Rioux told GI. "We believe in the benefits of connecting mobile players with console players in the same universe. It's really where we innovate, with this new generation of mobile applications connected with the console experience.
"We always mention second-screen, but we need to have in mind that for a lot of people, the games on tablets will be their first screen. The way we see it, it really gives the players the choice and opportunity to have a great experience when you want, where you want, at the time you want, on the device you want. For us it's a great feature, it's a must-have for the new generation of consoles."
What's more, Rioux emphasizes that a second screen experience won't take away from the core one, as it's not mandatory to use the companion apps to access different things.
"You don't need either the tablet or console part to have a full experience," he added. "For the person playing on the tablet, maybe for him that game is more accessible. Honestly, we give the players new opportunities. It's not a big issue for console players to play the tablet version to have a more complete experience."
Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag and Watch Dogs are set to appear this year, while The Division and The Crew will launch in 2014.