Ubisoft indefinitely delays competitive shooter XDefiant
After previous delays, Ubisoft announced yesterday that it was delaying first-person competitive shooter XDefiant for an indefinite period of time. The game has previously hosted an alpha playtest early this year, followed by a beta this summer – the latter of which garnered particularly positive feedback – but Ubisoft says it still needs more time:
Of course, the Fall and holiday shooter scene is crowded per usual, with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 just around the corner on November 10th, and a new season of Battlefield 2042 releasing this week, which itself has turned a corner in terms of quality since launching in the Fall of 2021. Developers only get one first impression, especially with free-to-play service games, so I understand the need for extra time to get it right. I think an early 2024 launch, particularly January, could give XDefiant the runway it is likely looking for, and perhaps its best foundation for long-term success.
As someone who walked away from the beta impressed by the substantial leap made since the closed alpha test, I was ready to sink my teeth into XDefiant this Fall, but given that marked improvement, I am excited to see what this team can do with a few extra months under its belt.
