Summary
Ubisoft’sXDefianthas drawn in 11 million players, according to the publisher’s top executive.XDefiantwas met with mixed reviews and encountered server issues following its full launch on May 21.
Featuring elements of severalpopular Ubisoft IPs likeFar CryandWatch Dogs,XDefiantis a free-to-play arena shooter that pits teams of six against each other in a variety of game modes. The title attracted a million unique players within the first three hours of its release, making it the fastest Ubisoft game to reach the milestone. Ubisoft recently revealed thatXDefiant’s player base has grown exponentially since launching, and the company expects this trend to continue moving forward.
In aninterview posted on the Ubisoft blogon June 27, company CEO Yves Guillemot claimed thatXDefianthas managed to attract 11 million players. He believes that this number will only increase as Ubisoft continues to work on making sure thatXDefiant’s Season 1 update, which is scheduled to go live on July 2, introduces more content to the game. Guillemot had been asked to reveal Ubisoft’s approach to ensuring that its games stand out from the crowd, to which he responded that the company needs to listen closely to its players and make well-informed decisions on where to focus its efforts.
XDefiant Player Base as of June 2024
Further into the interview, Guillemot pointed out that he would love to seeXDefiantdevelop as a serious esports game. The Ubisoft head said that there are no limits to the future of its free-to-play FPS, pointing out that it is currently being handled by a team that listens and communicates with its players. Ubisoft has tried to make another competitive title,Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, which is considered by many to be one of thebest tactical shooters of all time, into a serious esports experience.
UnlikeRainbow Six Siege, a game known for its steep learning curve and high skill floor,XDefiantis much more friendly to beginners. There are essentially onlyfive classes inXDefiant, whileRainbow Six Siegecurrently has 73 unique playable operators after the addition of the reworked recruits, Sentry and Striker, in June’s Operation New Blood update.
ThreeRainbow Six Siegeoperators, namely the GSG 9 members Blitz, Jager, and IQ, will be introduced inXDefiant’s Season 1 update as part of the new GSK faction. This upcoming build will also add three maps, three weapons, and a game mode to the free-to-play title.
XDefiant
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.
