Watch Dogs: Legion has received a renewed wave of attention since its recent addition to Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass subscription service.  Originally released in late 2020 alongside Assassin's Creed Valhalla and Immortals Fenix Rising, Legion struggled to achieve the same level of success, both critically and commercially, despite its innovative "play as anyone" mechanic.  This feature allowed players to recruit and control virtually any NPC within the game's rendition of London.

Rumors of Ubisoft potentially shelving the Watch Dogs franchise emerged nearly a year ago, fueled by the series' underperformance compared to the publisher's flagship titles like Assassin's Creed and Far Cry. While Ubisoft has yet to officially confirm these rumors, they've understandably caused concern among fans of the open-world hacker series.

The game's arrival on Game Pass has brought a significant increase in players.  While precise figures remain undisclosed, reports indicate Watch Dogs: Legion has climbed to the top of the Game Pass Standard most-played list and secured a spot at number three on the Game Pass Ultimate list, trailing only Obsidian Entertainment's Avowed and Madden NFL 25.  Game Pass subscribers can also take advantage of a 20% discount should they wish to purchase the game outright.

This renewed interest in Watch Dogs: Legion is a welcome sight for fans, but it's unlikely to sway Ubisoft's rumored decision regarding the franchise's future.  The publisher is currently facing challenges and awaiting the market's response to Assassin's Creed Shadows, set for release later this year. The success of this highly anticipated title could significantly impact Ubisoft's future trajectory, which has reportedly included exploring options like selling off IPs or entertaining a buyout from Tencent. Given these circumstances, it's unlikely Watch Dogs will be a priority for the company in the near future.

The duration of Watch Dogs: Legion's availability on Game Pass remains uncertain. AAA titles typically stay on the service for around a year, providing ample opportunity for interested players to experience the game.  It will be interesting to see how long Legion can maintain its position on the Game Pass charts with upcoming releases like South of Midnight and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 on the horizon.