Ubisoft’s XDefiant Shooter Gets Release Date
Ubisoft’s free-to-play shooter XDefiant, inspired by the Tom Clancy universe, is set to launch on May 21st for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. This game, a blend of Splinter Cell, Ghost Recon, and The Division, was originally known as Tom Clancy’s XDefiant until it faced criticism for deviating from the traditional military themes of the franchise.
After facing multiple delays last year, XDefiant is finally ready for release. The game went through closed Insider tests and open sessions but was held back due to inconsistencies in the gameplay experience. Now, Ubisoft has confirmed the official release date as May 21st at 6pm BST/10am PT, kicking off with a six-week preseason before the first full season of content.
During the preseason, players can engage in five different modes across 14 maps and explore 24 weapons and 44 attachments. Here are the maps that will be available at launch:
- Arena
- Attica Heights
- Dumbo
- Echelon HQ
- Emporium
- Liberty
- Mayday
- Meltdown
- Midway
- Nudleplex
- Pueblito
- Showtime
- Times Square
- Zoo
The preseason also features the five previously announced factions: Libertad (Far Cry), Phantoms (Ghost Recon), Echelon (Splinter Cell), Cleaners (The Division), and Dedsec (Watch Dogs). Players can unlock or purchase the factions. After the preseason, Ubisoft plans to introduce quarterly updates with new seasons, including 90-tier battle passes, every three months. The first year of XDefiant will see the addition of four factions, 12 maps, and 12 weapons.