It's a sad day for Watch Dogs Xbox 360 fans, if recent news is confirmed. It appears Ubisoft is skimping on development for the backward port of its much-anticipated title.

The outlook for Watch Dogs is very positive, considering its 800,000 pre-orders to date, and counting. The excitement is exclusive to next-gen ports of the title, though, in the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

The developer is relatively quiet when it comes to the specs of its PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 ports. Comparisons regarding graphics quality and gameplay are unfair, especially between consoles of different generations.

Leaked video footage reveals Ubisoft isn't maximizing the capacity of the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, though. Posts on YouTube show sample (Watch Dogs Xbox 360) gameplay, with graphics downgraded to the default specs of the PlayStation 2.

The graphic detail is comparable to Grand Theft Auto 5, which is understandable for open-world games with interactive environments. There are fewer cars and pedestrians, unlike the PS4 and Xbox One demos depicting bustling Chicago streets and intense car chases.

Evidence of the downgrade is noticeable in distant objects. The PlayStation 2 renders details within close range; lampposts, hydrants, and trees almost pop out of nowhere when players are speeding by in cars or motorcycles.

A sample of the Watch Dogs Xbox 360 gameplay reveals flaws in rendering; trees in the distance magically bud leaves, which is passable but unacceptable considering the console's capabilities (gameranx.com).

Evaluations are based on streamed videos of gameplay, which should be confirmed or discredited when the final version of the game is released. At first glance, the graphics look very similar to GTA 5, smooth around the edges, with great lighting and physics, and enough cars and pedestrians to make the open world believable.

The fact that the Watch Dogs Xbox 360 is being compared to GTA 5 is a bit of disservice, though. Ubisoft has yet to comment on the leaked footage.