After facing internal delays, XDefiant, the highly anticipated shooter dubbed a potential “Call of Duty killer,” is finally showing some signs of a release window. Here’s what we know so far:
XDefiant Release Date
A leaked tweet, reportedly from TxDefiant (now removed) and corroborated by UBI_FraxV2, suggests a release date around May 13th, 2024. This has some scratching their heads, as Mondays are uncommon launch days. It’s possible this points to a launch week commencing on May 13th instead of just the Monday.
However, Ubisoft hasn’t confirmed anything yet. Their latest official statement acknowledges missing the March target but emphasizes ongoing improvements and testing before launch.
Playtest Paves the Way for Launch
Prior to launch, Ubisoft plans a 12-hour global playtest on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. This aims to stress test their servers and gather critical data for a smooth launch.
While no official date is confirmed, TxDefiant (again, unverified) claimed the playtest would occur on April 11th, 2024.
Modes & Maps
There are four confirmed game modes in XDefiant, and each mode has its own set of playable maps. The maps feature a combination of brand-new settings and returning locations from previous Ubisoft titles.
| Game type | Description | Compatible maps |
| Domination | Capture the three zones. Controlling more zones simultaneously scores your team more points per tick. The first team to 750 points wins. | Emporium, Liberty, DUMBO, Echelon HQ, Attica Heights, Mayday, Showtime, Nudleplex, Arena, Pueblito |
| Occupy | Capture the zone and retain it as it changes locations. The first team to 250 points wins. | Emporium, Nudleplex, DUMBO, Mayday, Liberty, Arena, Showtime, Pueblito, Attica Heights, Echelon HQ |
| Escort | Escort or repel a robot-controlled package to the delivery zone within the time limit. Escorting team must win all three rounds to deliver the package. Defending team must run down the clock for one of the three rounds. | Times Square, Meltdown, Midway, Zoo |
| Zone | Attacking team needs to capture zones over three rounds within the time limit while the defending team protects them by running down the clock. The first round has two zones, the second has one, and the third has two. | Times Square, Meltdown, Midway, Zoo |
With a potential playtest on the horizon and a rumored release date, XDefiant‘s launch seems closer than ever. We’ll continue to monitor Ubisoft for official announcements and provide updates as they become available.
