Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming arena shooter XDefiant, the next multiplayer shooter that aims to challenge Call of Duty’s FPS throne.
A fast-paced arena shooter in the manner of Call of Duty, XDefiant (formerly known as Tom Clancy’s XDefiant) features factions of characters from a wide range of Ubisoft’s series engaging in 6v6 team-based fights over a wide range of levels and game types. It was originally announced in 2021 with the Tom Clancy moniker but was renamed when its scope was widened to include other Ubisoft franchises besides those in the Tom Clancy series.
Ubisoft’s newest attempt to dominate the free-to-play shooter industry is XDefiant, following the failures of games like Hyperscape, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Frontline, and Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Phantoms. The open beta for XDefiant received rave reviews, suggesting that it has a chance to become the next great arena shooter.
XDefiant expected release
Ubisoft has XDefiant listed as “coming soon,” but no specific release date has been announced. We anticipate XDefiant’s release in 2023 given the current level of the game during the beta and the fact that there have been multiple public tests since the game’s unveiling in 2021.
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On the other hand, we can plan for a scenario where the game enters an open beta that is essentially a full release. Fortnite, which was deemed in early access for about three years before shedding the moniker during its 13th season, and Multiversus are two games that have recently popularized this trend.
XDefiant closed beta details
On April 13, the XDefiant closed beta began and will continue through April 24 at 7 am BST / 2 am EDT and Sunday, April 23 at 11 PM PDT. If you watch XDefiant streams on Twitch with drops enabled, you may be eligible for early admission to the beta through the Twitch Drops program or by signing up for the beta on the Ubisoft XDefiant beta website.
There will be five playable sides (six after DedSec is activated) and four game types over fourteen maps accessible during the test. Some of the awards available in the beta, such as Weapon Skins and Character Skins, will be carried over into the final version of XDefiant.
XDefiant platforms
As for platforms, XDefiant’s full release will hit PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, and the Amazon Luna cloud streaming service. Players on PS4, Xbox One, and Amazon Luna will have to wait a while longer since the closed beta is now only available on current-gen consoles and PC. Cross-platform play has been confirmed, so you can team up with your pals no matter which system they use.
XDefiant gameplay
XDefiant is an action-packed arena shooter in the vein of Call of Duty, with each group having its own unique powers inspired by hero shooters like Overwatch and Valorant. The followings are the currently playable factions and the skills they possess:
- Libertad (Far Cry 6) – Medic
- Phantoms (Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Phantoms) – battlefield control
- Echelon (Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell) – stealth and intel
- Cleaners (Tom Clancy’s The Division) – damage and incendiary weapons
- DedSec (Watch Dogs 2) – hacking and deployable items
Although it has not been confirmed, future updates may include more playable factions to the game, such as Rainbow Six, Eden’s Gate cult from Far Cry 5, or even the Rabbids if the developers really want to push the envelope.