Ubisoft has announced an indefinite delay for its upcoming shooter, XDefiant, citing issues uncovered during the latest round of testing. This announcement comes after a series of delays for the free-to-play shooter, which initially aimed for a Summer 2023 launch but has since missed that target. Despite the delays, XDefiant has generated considerable excitement and positivity among fans who have had the opportunity to play it during beta sessions, with many likening it to a Ubisoft-themed take on classic Call of Duty arena shooters.
Directed and executive-produced by former Call of Duty developer Mark Rubin, XDefiant draws inspiration from various Tom Clancy franchises, blending them into a fast-paced online shooter. While anticipation has been high, the game has faced multiple delays and challenges, which become more complex as Activision gears up for the launch of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.
In a statement from the official XDefiant account on X, the development team confirmed that issues uncovered during the latest Public Test Server session necessitate further development time. While specific details about the issues were not disclosed, the announcement revealed that XDefiant is now subject to an indefinite delay, with updates to be provided as the game nears launch. The message concludes by expressing gratitude to fans for their ongoing support and feedback, which has played a crucial role in refining and improving the overall gaming experience.
Mark Rubin also commented on the delay, extending thanks to the testers for their invaluable feedback. He acknowledged that the team had identified certain issues that require additional time to address before the game is ready for a global launch. One example cited was a problem where some testers felt the movement and sliding mechanics were off, despite no intentional changes. Upon investigation, developers discovered frame spikes interrupting the sliding mechanic, underscoring the significance of fan feedback.
Following the initial miss of the late summer release window, most fans appear to agree that further postponement is a prudent course of action, not just to enhance the game but also to navigate a crowded release window. Prior to this delay announcement, there had been rumors that XDefiant’s new release date might coincide with Season 6 of Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 and its planned seasonal events like “The Haunting.” However, the upcoming launch of Modern Warfare 3 a few weeks later adds further complexity to the competitive arena shooter landscape.
