Earlier this summer, Ubisoft said its focus would be on creating free-to-play games based on its existing IP. Today, the developer revealed Tom Clancy’s XDefiant, a free-to-play first-person arena shooter within the Tom Clancy universe of games. The developers at Ubisoft explained that the game is currently in early development but is opening up its first beta on August 5 in the US and Canada. Players can sign up for the beta right now on its website.
XDefiant is what Ubisoft is calling “its take on a multiplayer first-person shooter,” though Rainbow Six Siege and Hyperscape would beg to differ. Combining several elements from previous Clancy games like Ghost Recon and Splinter Cell, players can choose from one of four factions. Each faction serves a role in a match.
Wolves from Ghost Recon: Breakpoint represent the Tank class. The Cleaners from The Division are the Assault, Outcasts are Healers, and the Echelon from Splinter Cell are Support. Each faction has two basic abilities and an “Ultra” ability. Ultras are ultimate abilities that a Defiant, the player character, can use that help drive the flow of a match in Tom Clancy’s XDefiant. Glimpses of gameplay look reminiscent of many recent FPS games, specifically Valorant. The developers emphasized the need to make gunplay fun and rewarding while catering to the player to drive innovation for the game.
Free-to-play seems to be the name of the game moving forward for Ubisoft. Its other free-to-play shooter, Hyperscape, has not fared too well since its debut last year. Less than stellar gunplay combined with balancing issues and a general lack of content have marred the battle royale game since fully releasing. The developer also has a free-to-play Assassin’s Creed game, currently called Assassin’s Creed Infinity, in the works but won’t release until 2023 or 2024.
Ubisoft’s approach to AAA game development, combined with its toxic workplace environment, has left more than a little doubt in players. It’s a far cry from the company’s position after releasing Far Cry 3 and Assassin’s Creed Black Flag. Hopefully, XDefiant is Ubisoft’s step in the right direction in fixing its ongoing issues and make better, fun games.
Source: YouTube/Ubisoft North America
