Watch Dogs 2's Showd0wn multiplayer mode coming for free

Ubisoft has announced that Watch Dogs 2's Showd0wn, a multiplayer mode originally part of the paid No Compromise DLC for the game, will now be coming to the game for free as part of an update on April 17.

"Pitting two pairs of players against each other, Showd0wn is an endgame challenge for experienced players," Ubisoft explained. Its competitive matches come in three flavors: Steal the HDD; Doomload, a King of the Hill-style match; and Erase/Protect the Servers, a Watch Dogs twist on classic domination matches. Spread out across 15 distinct locations, these modes will flow seamlessly from one to the next, pushing you to bust out every skill you've learned over the course of the game with dynamic hacking, shooting, driving, and puzzle-solving challenges."

"There are two main drivers behind making Showd0wn free for all of our players," said Watch Dogs 2's live producer Kris Young. "The first is that we want everyone to be able to participate and play it. We really wanted to have as many people as possible playing the mode for a better challenge, better matchmaking time and quality, and a healthier, more active community."

"The other is community feedback we've received since we announced the original plans," Young adds. "Our community asked for more multiplayer content, and that's also a reason why we've decided to make Showd0wn accessible for free for all players, while replacing it with more single-player content in No Compromise."

The drone, eKart races, and motocross are getting multiplayer functionality as well, with leaderboards to go with it. Also, "new, randomly appearing "loot truck" events challenge you to hack an armored car while fighting off its reinforcements, and smaller additions - including new clothing items and tweaks such as a quick-swap feature for weapons - are rolled into the update as well."

A paintball gun rounds off the free content, a nonlethal alternative for those who'd rather pain enemies than kill them. "We thought it would be a fun variation on the existing weapons that we had," says Young. "We don't have a lot of nonlethal weapons, just the stun gun and the WTB Stun Launcher, so we wanted to add more. And being able to have the paintball splatters around the world, or on the screen of the people you're shooting with it, fits well with the San Francisco setting, and we're excited to see how players leave their mark on the Bay Area."

As for No Compromise, that will be available on April 18 for PS4, before coming to PC and Xbox One on May 18, with new content including a DedSec Operation, new time trials, an Air Shotfun, and a Taser Sniper Rifle. There's also three new emergency services packs, and new outfits and vehicles to match.

"By adding more weapon options for nonlethal players, we're giving them new tools and strategies they can use to replay favorite missions, push their preferred playstyle even further, and experiment more with the Ghost style," explained Young.

Is multiplayer just the thing that can make Watch Dogs 2 even better?