“This Upcoming Free Video Game May Challenge Call of Duty’s Dominance” – Release Date Set for May

The road to the release of the XDefiant game was tumultuous. The title has encountered several obstacles, delays caused by various reasons, ranging from certification problems on consoles to inconclusive tests. For months, uncertainty hovered over the launch date of Ubisoft's game, but after various twists and turns, a date has finally been announced! The game will be available from May 21. PC, PS5 and Xbox Series developers who have chosen to focus on the most recent platforms to optimize the gaming experience.

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A complicated development

XDefiant, since its announcement in 2021, has been subject to multiple internal delays according to sources internal to Ubisoft, confirming the words of well-informed insider Tom Henderson. These delays are largely attributed to the high expectations of managers who wanted to compete with titles such as Call of Duty, despite a mixed reception from players.. Developers, for their part, have expressed their frustration with this pressure. Mark Rubin, executive producer of XDefiant, reacted on X by saying that these postponements were not related to feature additions, but to major technical problems encountered by the team. The release of the game had also become a joke within the community as evidenced by the post from this fan:

I thought this day would never come

Technical issues, present since November 2023, have seriously impacted the development process. However, the difficulties go beyond: Insider Gaming highlighted the deplorable working conditions within the team. The managers and the “Lead Team”, described by the developers as “Boys Club”, are accused of maintaining a toxic environment characterized by periods of excessive work and mass departures. Anonymous testimonies denounce unpleasant behavior, a lack of professional ethics, and a feeling of superiority leading to repeated abuses of power.

What’s planned for the launch?

Ultimately, XDefiant will launch with five playable factions, each representing iconic Ubisoft universes like Far Cry, Ghost Recon, Splinter Cell, The Division, and DeadSec from Watch Dogs. In addition to factions, the game will offer 14 maps and five different game modes at launch. During the first year, the game will receive four additional factions, 12 weapons, and 12 additional maps.

The six-week pre-season will allow players to familiarize themselves with the content before the official launch. Subsequently, each season will bring its share of new features, with the regular introduction of new factions, weapons and maps every three months. After Rainbow Six Siege, Ubisoft aims to establish itself again in the competitive field of game-as-a-service FPS, offering players a constantly enriched and renewed experience.