Ubisoft's free-to-play shooter XDefiant is gearing up for its second season, introducing new content and addressing player concerns about the game's health.
Season 2, set to launch on September 24, will feature:
- A new Bomb mode, similar to Search and Destroy in other FPS games
- The addition of the Far Cry Highwaymen faction
- Three new weapons and an additional device
- Three new maps
- Private matches (in beta)
- Updated player progression and ranked rewards
Executive Producer Mark Rubin has strongly refuted claims that XDefiant is struggling, stating, The game is absolutely not dying. He acknowledged areas for improvement, particularly in netcode and hit registration, revealing that specialist engineers have been brought in to address these issues.
Despite Rubin's assurances, some industry analysts have expressed skepticism about the game's player retention. Twitch viewership has seen a significant drop since the game's launch, though this may not directly correlate with actual player numbers.
Ubisoft appears committed to XDefiant's long-term success, allocating additional resources to the development team. The company's track record with games like Rainbow Six Siege and For Honor suggests a willingness to support titles through initial growing pains.
As XDefiant enters its second season, the coming months will be crucial in determining whether it can carve out a sustainable niche in the competitive FPS market.