Summary

  • XDefiant devs are adding aim-sway penalty to counter jump spamming, but without eliminating jump-shotting entirely.
  • XDefiant set a record as Ubisoft's fastest game to reach 1 million users just 2.5 hours after launch.
  • Hit registration improvements are in the works, along with upcoming features like an one-life bomb mode and killcams.

An XDefiant developer has explained Ubisoft's plans for adding a mechanic that counters jump spamming, A.K.A. Bunny hopping. The unreleased mechanic still allows for jump spamming to be possible in XDefiant, but aims to make it more punishing.

Shortly before this announcement, XDefiant developers also re-confirmed a handful of other features coming to the game, including a one-life bomb mode and killcams. It's unclear when XDefiant will receive its first major update, but the launch of Season 1 is expected to arrive on July 2, so it's safe to expect at least one major update in the next couple of months. However, some fans of Ubisoft's shooter are hoping to receive certain improvements before then.

Former Call of Duty pro player and XDefiant developer Patrick Price, who goes by Aches online, posted a tweet confirming that XDefiant's anti-jump spam mechanic is coming to the game "as soon as possible." Once implemented, players who perform too many jumps or crouches in a row are met with an aim-sway penalty that makes aiming noticeably more difficult. This mechanic was seen in some of XDefiant's early tests when the penalty lasted for a maximum of 1.5 seconds unless the player continued to jump or crouch spam, which made it last longer. However, it may have undergone some adjustments since then.

XDefiant Getting Counter To Jump Shotting Soon

Aches further explained that the aim-sway penalty isn't intended to eliminate jump-shotting altogether, but is only meant to punish those who abuse it. Ubisoft's developers have made it clear that XDefiant is intended to be a skillful game despite the lack of skill-based matchmaking, so it's not surprising that they want mechanics such as jump-shotting to remain viable options, since they only increase the skill gap.

Also, XDefiant devs confirmed that hit registration improvements are in the works, but similar to the aim-sway mechanic, a release window is unknown. Despite early complaints regarding certain aspects of the game and major server issues on launch day, XDefiant seems to be off to a hot start.

In fact, XDefiant's launch broke an Ubisoft record by becoming the company's fastest game to reach one million unique users, doing so in two and a half hours. For comparison, this smashes the milestone reached by EA's Apex Legends, which took about eight hours to reach the same number of unique users. XDefiant went on to reach three million unique users within 48 hours of its launch, painting a promising picture of the FPS game's future.

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XDefiant Tag Page Cover Art
XDefiant
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FPS
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Systems
PC-1 PlayStation-1 Xbox-1
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Released
May 21, 2024
ESRB
T For Teen due to Mild Language, Violence
Developer(s)
Ubisoft San Francisco
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XDefiant is a free-to-play, first-person online arena shooter where you compete in fast-paced clashes. With cross-play available at launch, you will be able to play with friends on a variety of platforms.

Season 1 introduces the Team Rainbow operators of GS-Kommando leveraging their counter-terrorism training to disrupt their enemies. They can deploy electrified barbed wire for area denial, counter incoming enemy devices with their Active Defense System, and dazzle multiple foes with flash charges mounted on their G52-Tactical Shield.

While GS-Kommando operators pride themselves on using non-lethal force whenever possible, they are as capable on the battlefield as any spec ops group.

Customized Loadouts: Choose from a large arsenal of weapons, attachments, and devices to optimize the way you play. Combine any weapon with any faction, and unlock new options as you play to perfect your playstyle.

Factions: Factions are drawn from iconic Ubisoft worlds and represent distinct classes, each with unique abilities and ultras. Choose any character from any faction to assemble your team of six players. Change your faction at any point during play to adapt to your strategy.

Maps, Modes, and Mayhem: Play in a diverse range of 14 maps at launch across several different arena and linear modes including Zone Control, Escort, Occupy, and more. Fight in casual matches or climb the tiers in competitive ranked mode.

Publisher(s)
Ubisoft
Genre(s)
FPS