Ah yes, “Companion Apps”. Publishers and studios have been kicking around this next-gen buzz phrase for a while now, but what do they actually mean for gameplay? Are they worth your time and attention?
What they essentially aim for is a heightened sense of connectivity between the games you play and the mobile devices that are almost always within reach. Their features and uses vary from game to game, though all are intended to create a sort of synergistic bond to enhance your in-game experience.
At first the concept may sound counter-intuitive. After all, if I’m playing a game, whether it be offline or in multiplayer, I won’t want to take my eyes off the action. If developers can’t display all of the relevant in-game information on the screen, then they need to simplify matters, not coax players into balancing their tablet against their TV.
However, it soon becomes clear that companion apps tend to offer something more supplementary than essential, Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag’s companion app being a prime example.
After signing in with Uplay, the app immediately gives you a spread of information which is synced to your in-game progress, including maps, stats, and a portable Animus database.
The first thing many will notice is the live map. Boot up the app, connect to a console and an enlarged map will appear on your device, tracking your position as you explore the Caribbean. Despite the slight lag, it’s actually rather helpful, allowing players to see beyond the game’s mini-map without diving into menus. If you’re the sort who likes to hunt for collectables then this definitely speeds up the process.
Treasure Maps are also synced to the companion app. You’ll come across these while playing Black Flag, looting them off cadavers strewn across some of the game’s more remote areas. The idea, as with any treasure map, is that they lead to riches or, in Black Flag’s case, some pretty sweet ship upgrades.
Normally you’d have to access the maps via a menu or equip them in the secondary weapon slot. Though the latter method works just fine the companion is still one step ahead. By using a mobile or tablet you can have the relevant map in place as you scour hotspots for booty. That’s the core purpose of the companion: to speed up in-game processes that could otherwise start to grind.
The same can be said of its last and perhaps most important feature. Like Brotherhood, Revelations, and Assassin’s Creed III, Black Flag harbours a simulation/management mini-game. Whenever in the Jackdaw’s cabin you can access Kenway’s Fleet, issuing them orders to take and trade goods with colonies. It’s a brilliant way of getting some extra cash and provides a much-needed incentive to plunder ships on the high seas.
The problem with Kenway’s Fleet is that it’s bound to a selection of menus with no real sense of interactivity, much like the trading simulation in Liberation. Time spent sifting through options on a list could be better invested exploring or completing side missions.
Though you still have to wade through the same menus, the companion app lets you do it away from the main game, whether you’re on the bus, in class, at work, or waiting for the kettle to boil. As long as you have an internet connection, your data will carry straight over to Black Flag the next time you boot up the game.
Despite some initial scepticism, I found the companion app to be intuitive and a real enhancement to the Black Flag experience. Though primarily used to display information more conveniently, it was the Fleet connectivity that ultimately sold me.
If Ubisoft can pull off a similar trick with its other upcoming titles and their companion apps, we’re in for a real treat. However, most exciting is the prospect of next year’s Assassin’s Creed (let’s not kid ourselves, it’s definitely happening.) Behind the scenes, Ubi has been developing an AC social network, if you will, dubbed “Initiates”. It’s basically a hub that stores your progress throughout the entire Assassin’s Creed franchise. Covering everything from kill to unlocks and minutes spent, it’s all there.
Furthermore, Initiates has a network of “Missions” which are basically a secondary layer of trophies/achievements. They reward players with XP for their Initiates profile and even dish up exclusive rewards which can be redeemed in-game.
It’s a brilliant scheme albeit one that can only be accessed via a PC or laptop. If Ubisoft were to connect Initiates with a definitive Assassin’s Creed companion app, then we’d be looking at a real winner.
CarBoyCam
I’d make use of this app if Uplay actually let me link Black Flag/PSN with my Uplay account. Always fails from the main menu so I can’t do anything with the app. Apparently it’s because Ubisoft are too lazy and require you to have less than 100 friends…
3shirts
The app was a real surprise to me. Not just what it is and does but how WELL it does it. I actually prefer playing Kenway’s Fleet on my phone and tablet than on the console and the fact you can do it anywhere is fantastic.
I find the documents and database stuff interesting but I’m not gonna sit and read that on my PS4 when I could be sailing the oceans and murdering Templars. On the toilet on the other hand…
cam the man
I mainly use the app for the live map, which is very useful when trying to hide or escape from pirate hunters.
jontheking
The app is great but I only realised you had to download a specific app for it rather than being able to use the ps vita as a second screen for it after 20 minutes of faffing around with it. I was a little dissapointed it wouldn’t just work with the ps vita.
bunimomike
Thanks for this. I’ve ignored any sort of app that accompanies a game… so far. This, however, changes things a bit and I’ll endeavour to read about the apps that come with games I like from now on. Hopefully they’ll always get a mention in the review articles so we all know to keep our eyes peeled even if there isn’t a separate review for said app. :-)
MadBoJangles
Access the fleet on the go you say? Sold!!
Downloading now :D
tactical20
Really? I thought it was pretty useless, as doesn’t do anything you can’t already do in game. Treasure maps for example, you’re still gonna need to bring up the world map to see the co-ordinates anyway. And it’s not exactly a chore pressing the touch pad once.
Suppose if you were really that fussed, you could access Kenway’s Fleet from the bus. But in all honesty, it’s clearly just a marketing tool to get more people with phones/tablets aware of AC4.
3shirts
I don’t agree. A lot of the Kenway’s fleet tasks take many hours (three days is the longest I think I’ve seen) so being able to check in on it and launch new missions from work is great. It means I have a nice steady source of income for the ship upgrades and it’s quite a fun little management game.
I applaud it for not doing anything you can’t do in the game, that is what they did with that awful GTA-V app and it pissed a lot of people off.
It improves my opinion of the developer but I don’t see how it markets to anyone who doesn’t already have AC4. Why would you download it if you didn’t?
Esrei
This app is great, but I still prefer the NFS:Rivals one as it’s not just a map, it can directly affect every players experience (including yourself) in real-time, on their PS4/X1.
3shirts
Um, not meaning to sound rude but did you read the article. The AC4 is way more than a map, in fact the main use for me is Kenway’s Fleet.
djdustb
This is a great app, don’t get me wrong it could do with a tweak or two but what couldn’t. The biggest use I had was setting my flight out and battling so that the money and reward was waiting for me in-game and I didn’t have to waste PS4 time sorting out my fleet. it would be nice if you could help your friends ships from the app but you can’t have everything I guess.
three_leg_jake
No Windows Phone 8 version…
Eldur
There’s a reason for that…
:P
3shirts
… of anything