Ubisoft has just dropped a bunch of new details about the upcoming free-to-play arena shooter XDefiant, including faction details, maps, seasonal content and more.
XDefiant looks to bring together some of the biggest factions found within Ubisoft games, pitting them against each other in a range of game modes and across various locations. At launch, the game will feature five playable factions, including Libertad (Far Cry 6), Phantoms (Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon), Echelon (Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell), Cleaners (Tom Clancy’s The Division) and DedSec (Watch Dogs).
Each faction works as a class, each with its own traits, abilities and ultras that are unique to the group. The Echelon faction utilises stealth, with cloaking tech and night vision allowing them to maneuver through the arena undetected while hunting other players, while the Cleaners use a range of fire-based weaponry to control zones and push enemies the map.
These faction members won’t be going in with just their abilities, of course. At launch, XDefiant will feature 24 unique weapons, including assault rifles, SMGs, LMGs, sniper rifles and sidearms. These weapons will be modifiable with over 40 attachments to fine-tune your killing machines properly.
Matches will be contested in 6v6 battles across various maps and modes. Just like the factions, many of XDefiant’s 14 launch maps will be inspired by locations from within other Ubisoft properties. Pueblito will have players battling it out in a small fishing village in Yara, while the Nudleplex map will see squads making their way through a Silicon Valley-like facility targetted by DedSec.
Modes are split into two categories: Liner and Arena. As the name might suggest, Arena modes provide an open map for players to battle in, with objectives being live in different spots throughout. Domination and Occupy have players claiming and defending points around the map to score points, while Hot Shot tasks players with killing the enemy and collecting their bounty (icon left at their site of death) to net points.
Linear modes are more curated experiences. The objectives will see one team as the attackers and one as the defenders, with the map slowly evolving depending on the attacker’s progress. Escort will see attacking players move a payload towards an end goal, with the defenders looking to halt that progress, while Zone Control challenges the attackers with capturing a point that will force the defending forces to retreat.
XDefiant is a live service game that will feature new content drops in the form of seasons every three months. These seasons will include a new faction, new maps and weapons, a new battle pass and new purchasable cosmetics.
You can watch the XDeiant gameplay overview trailer here:
The Closed Beta for XDefiant is live right now, and you can get access to it by registering HERE or by signing up for and watching partnered Twitch streams in hopes of grabbing a Twitch drop.
XDefiant releases later this year on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC.
Do you like the sound of XDefiant? Will you be playing the beta this weekend? Let us know in the comments or on our social media.
