Gaming News
Check Out Ubisoft’s Upcoming Game Titled “XDefiant.”
XDefiant is a mashup of various Ubisoft properties.
In a few previous stories, I have spoken about a few of Ubisoft’s games. These will be linked at the end of this post. In this post, I will talk about and introduce Ubisofts interesting upcoming shooter game, XDefiant.
What is Ubisoft and what are they known for?
Ubisoft is a leading video game company that was founded in France in 1986. The company has since grown to become a global player in the gaming industry, with studios and offices in over 40 countries. Ubisoft is known for developing and publishing popular video game franchises.
Ubisoft’s games are primarily targeted at a wide range of audiences, from casual gamers to hardcore gamers, with a focus on delivering immersive gameplay experiences. The company’s titles often feature open-world environments, compelling stories, and engaging characters, which are designed to keep players engaged for hours on end.
One of Ubisoft’s core strengths is its ability to produce highly polished games that leverage cutting-edge technology. The company has invested heavily in developing proprietary game engines, such as the Anvil and Snowdrop engines, which are used to power many of its titles.
Ubisoft also collaborates with external technology partners to ensure that its games look and feel as realistic as possible.
In addition to developing and publishing games, Ubisoft also has a strong focus on player engagement and community building.
The company has established a number of online platforms, such as Ubisoft Connect, which allow players to connect with each other, track their progress, and access exclusive content. Ubisoft has also launched its own esports leagues.
Ubisoft is committed to sustainability and has implemented a number of initiatives to reduce its environmental impact.
The company has set ambitious targets to reduce its carbon footprint, eliminate single-use plastics, and promote renewable energy. In 2021, Ubisoft was awarded the Grand Prize at the Green Solutions Awards for its efforts to reduce the environmental impact of its games.
Ubisoft is a highly respected and successful video game company that has built a reputation for delivering high-quality, immersive games that appeal to a wide range of players.
With a focus on cutting-edge technology, community building, and sustainability, Ubisoft is well-positioned to continue to be a major player in the gaming industry for years to come.
Ubisoft is known for producing a variety of successful game franchises, ranging from action-adventure to first-person shooter games. Here are some of the most popular Ubisoft game franchises:
Assassin’s Creed
This is Ubisoft’s flagship franchise, and it has been around since 2007. The series is set in historical periods and follows the journey of an assassin who is fighting for justice and freedom. The game has a massive following, and its popularity has only increased over the years. With over 20 games in the franchise, it is one of the most successful and beloved video game series of all time.
Far Cry
The Far Cry series is known for its open-world exploration, intense gameplay, and memorable villains. The game is set in exotic locations, and players are tasked with surviving in hostile environments. The series has gained popularity for its immersive and open-ended gameplay, with Far Cry 3 and 4 being the most successful entries in the franchise.
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six
The Rainbow Six series is a tactical shooter game that has been around since 1998. The game is known for its realistic depiction of counter-terrorism operations and intense multiplayer gameplay. The series has undergone numerous changes over the years, but its popularity has only increased with the release of Rainbow Six Siege, which has become one of the most popular competitive multiplayer games on the market.
Watch Dogs
The Watch Dogs series is a modern-day action-adventure game that takes place in an open-world version of Chicago. Players control a hacker who can manipulate the city’s infrastructure to complete objectives. The game is known for its unique gameplay mechanics and engaging storyline, which has helped it gain a significant following.
Ubisoft has developed many successful game franchises, with each series offering unique gameplay experiences and memorable characters. These franchises have helped the company establish itself as a leading player in the video game industry and have contributed significantly to its success.
What is XDefiant?
Ubisoft has developed a free-to-play first-person shooter game called XDefiant, which is currently in a closed beta stage. Although the game doesn’t offer anything innovative, it delivers a classic arcade shooter with enjoyable maps.
The game is a mashup of Ubisoft properties, bringing together characters and settings from Tom Clancy’s The Division, Watch Dogs, Far Cry 6, and others. The game does not have a storyline, but the matches are quite fun, and the lack of game lore or shared connections is not a major issue.
XDefiant uses factions, which are essentially different playstyle classes with their own unique passive, active, and ultra abilities. Currently, four factions are available in the closed beta, featuring the Cleaners from The Division, Echelon from Splinter Cell, Phantoms from Ghost Recon, and Libertad from Far Cry 6.
The game feels best when each team has a mixture of factions, but in many matches, players choose the medic route with Libertad or Echelon for stealth. Healers are overpowered right now, and the game would benefit from implementing a limit to prevent teams from stacking up on just one or two powerful factions.
Ubisoft is taking action to balance the abilities, and one of Libertad’s overpowered healing abilities has already been temporarily disabled to make adjustments.
XDefiant has two types of modes: arena and linear. Arena offers the typical 6v6 shooter experience with familiar modes of Domination and Occupy, while linear modes are attacking- and defending-style objectives played on larger maps. Tactical use of faction abilities can be more important for scoring a win in these modes.
Additionally, a competitive Ranked Play mode is scheduled to be available later in the closed beta. Although all of the game types are enjoyable, the two linear modes of Escort and Zone Control are played out in just one round, so it’s a toss-up if you’ll get the offense or defense side of the match.
This keeps matches feeling brisk, but there is a lopsided nature to each contest, where your victory or loss can be attributed in part to the sheer random luck of whether you’re defending or attacking.
XDefiant offers a solid variety of scenery, with 14 maps in this closed beta, including four large maps for linear modes and ten standard maps. Most of them consist of a traditional three-lane map design, keeping the pace of the matches feeling full of action and less on the cluttered and campy side.
Additionally, the maps are well-designed, and XDefiant knows how to have some fun with vibrant locations. There is a zoo setting, a funky tech campus, an indoor arena, and a colorful theme park setting with an arcade and a haunted house.
XDefiant offers weapon progression, loadout customization, and camos to unlock. The UI is simplistic, and gun customization is straightforward, allowing players to add attachments to their weapons quickly and get into a match without an overwhelming CoD-style Gunsmith system.
XDefiant even has map voting and red dots on the minimap, classic elements that Call of Duty’s multiplayer has been criticized for removing over the last few years.
Some of the developers working on XDefiant are former CoD pro players and developers, and leaning into these simple core features that players want could potentially open an avenue of success for the game.
The time-to-kill in XDefiant feels really fast and on par with what players would get in a game like Call of Duty. The movement and gunplay feel fluid, allowing the fast-paced action of sliding while shooting, bunny-hopping around corners, and such.
The only thing missing is the ability to go prone, which can be an odd adjustment, especially for those who favor going prone behind cover while capturing a Domination point.
The game has the potential to attract players from different backgrounds who may not have played Ubisoft titles before. However, it remains to be seen how successful XDefiant will be in the long run.
One area where XDefiant does stand out is in its monetization strategy. While the game is free-to-play, it does offer cosmetic items and a battle pass that unlocks additional rewards.
However, the game does not have any pay-to-win elements, which is a refreshing change from other free-to-play shooters that often rely on monetization to drive revenue. This approach could help build a strong player base and community, as players feel that their skill is what matters most in the game.
Final Words
Ubisoft’s XDefiant is a solid entry in the free-to-play first-person shooter market.
While it doesn’t offer anything groundbreaking or innovative, it does deliver a classic arcade shooter experience with enjoyable maps and a diverse selection of factions to choose from.
The game’s monetization strategy also shows promise, as it avoids any pay-to-win elements that may turn off potential players.
However, balancing issues with certain faction abilities and the lopsided nature of some game modes could be potential areas of concern for the game’s long-term success.
Only time will tell how XDefiant fares in the highly competitive shooter market, but for now, it’s a fun and enjoyable experience for fans of the genre.
If you enjoy my posts and would like to stay updated on the latest gaming-related news, technology advancements, design trends, and social media insights, I invite you to follow my profile.
I will continue to share my thoughts and insights on a wide range of topics in the world of entertainment and technology.
With that being said, thank you for reading my post, and have a good one.
Here are a few of my previous posts relating to Ubisoft:
About Me
I write articles in my field covering gaming, film-making, social media, and design. I am also a YouTuber. Thank you for subscribing to my account to get notifications when I post on Medium. I also created a new website to share my content for free and promote stories of writers contributing to my publications on Medium. Let’s connect on Twitter and LinkedIn.
I own two publications on Medium. One for video gamers and another for YouTubers and Podcasters. I also support Illumination Integrated Publications as a volunteer editor and participate in collaborative activities in the Slack Workspace. Writer applications for my publications can be sent via this weblink. Please add your Medium ID.
If you are new to Medium, you may join via my referral link. You may also consider being a Vocal+ member to monetize your content. I write for both platforms and repurpose my content to reach a larger audience. Here is more information about Vocal Media.
This post includes my Medium and Vocal Media referral links.
