Summary
- XDefiant's first update fixes the recently reported hit registration issues, making for a better moment to moment experience.
- The patch also reactivates the Practice Zone game mode, though Ubisoft warns it still may have a few strange behaviors.
- With big plans for the future, XDefiant brings together factions from various Ubisoft titles, offering a free-to-play, fast-paced team-based gameplay.
Ubisoft's online shooter XDefiant receives its first update, addressing numerous issues within the game as well as bringing back the Practice Zone game mode, though players may want to be wary before jumping in to try it out. It's been a longer road than most likely expected for Ubisoft's Tom Clancy universe-inspired shooter. With mounting pressure to be a "Call of Duty Killer" due to its fast-paced arena-style gameplay, XDefiant suffered multiple delays along the road to release.
However, that patience has now paid off for fans as the free-to-play shooter is now available and so far, it has become a big hit for Ubisoft. Thanks to ditching controversial features like skill-based matchmaking, bring free to play, and simplifying aspects like the weapon customization options, XDefiant has managed to earn some serious praise, including from some big steamers like Nickmercs. Launch is clearly just the beginning for XDefiant, as Ubisoft continues to make adjustments and add more content to the game to help keep it fresh, with the first major patch now available for all players to download.
Nickmercs Praises XDefiant Feature
Streamer Nickmercs shares his love for one particular aspect of XDefiant, which has attempted to recreate the best aspects of older FPS titles.
While XDefiant slowly approaches its Season 1 launch, the game is currently in its preseason, allowing fans to play and earn rewards. Ubisoft has also released the first update for the game since it launched, making further improvements to the experience, including tweaking the netcode and fixing the highly reported hit registration issues XDefiant players were seeing, so that damage will now be accurately displayed as expected on enemy players. In addition, players will now no longer drop their device at their feet while respawning after attempting to use it when getting killed during the animation.
However, for many players, the biggest piece of this update is the reactivation of XDefiant's Training Zone game mode. While the mode has been largely disabled during XDefiant's preseason period, players can now finish off associated challenges linked to the game mode. However, even though the mode has returned, it may not be the smoothest gameplay experience yet as Ubisoft warned in the patch notes that it is possible that some players may run into issues and weird behaviors while using it. In fact, the patch notes specifically mentioned that some players originally were loaded into a zone outside of the game world and that the behavior is (probably) fixed.
While XDefiant brings together multiple factions across the entire Ubisoft Tom Clancy universe, it's clear that the developers have big plans for the game going forward. During the preseason period, players can unlock the DedSec faction from the Watch_Dogs franchise simply by playing and earning XP, joining the Phantoms from Rainbow Six, The Division's Cleaners enemy group, Eschelon from Splinter Cell, and the Libertad last seen in Far Cry 6. With Ubisoft Forward and Summer Games Fest set for June, it's highly likely that the team will have more to share on the near-term future of XDefiant.
XDefiant Update 1 Patch Notes
Game Modes
- Sometimes players loading into the Practice Zone would spawn outside the world, in a hellscape, and now they (probably) will not.
Devices
- Fixed an issue where if the player died during the device deployment animation, their next deployed device would drop at their feet rather than be thrown as intended.
Netcode
- That issue where you'd get hitmarkers on an enemy as they killed you, but their health bar still appeared full to you? The health bar display was wrong - you did damage them. Should be fixed now.
Localization
- Fixed an issue where end-of-match UI text would display with the wrong orientation in Arabic.
Miscellaneous
- We've turned the Practice Zone back on but it's possible weird things could still happen.
- Fixed an issue that was causing low framerates with some AMD GPUs.
XDefiant
- Released
- May 21, 2024
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Mild Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft San Francisco
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
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- FPS
