XDefiant: Release date & time, Preseason content, platforms, more
UbisoftXDefiant’s full launch has finally been set, bringing Ubisoft’s fresh FPS to players across the globe. Here’s all you need to know, including the XDefiant release date, platforms, launch times, and more.
Ubisoft have been working on XDefiant for years and are finally ready to launch the exciting arena shooter.
If you’re excited about getting your hands on XDefiant, here’s everything you need to know about Ubisoft’s FPS, including the release date, platforms, and more.
- XDefiant release date
- XDefiant launch times in all regions
- XDefiant Preseason: Content & date
- Will XDefiant have Ranked Play mode at launch?
- XDefiant platforms
- XDefiant release delays explained
- Is XDefiant free to play?
- XDefiant gameplay
- XDefiant trailers
XDefiant release date
Ubisoft confirmed XDefiant will launch on May 21, 2024, bringing an end to the long-running saga with an official release date.
This follows the last Server Test Session which the devs utilized to tweak the arena shooter and get it ready for the long-awaited global launch.
XDefiant launch times in all regions
Ubisoft have confirmed the official launch times for each region when XDefiant arrives on May 21, check them out below:
| Region | Launch time |
|---|---|
| US and Canada | 1 PM ET |
| South America | 2 PM BRT |
| Europe | 7 PM CEST |
| Oceania and Asia | 3 AM AET (May 22) |
Players also have the option to preload the game early so they can hop into the action right away come launch day. This goes live at the same times on May 16 and 17 (AET) in all regions.
XDefiant Preseason: Content & start date
XDefiant players will be able to jump into Preseason content which will be available on May 21, 2024, at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET / 6 PM BST. Preseason will last 6 weeks before going into the game’s seasonal cadence.
Here’s all the content included in the XDefiant Preseason, as confirmed by the Ubisoft blog:
Factions
- Echelon
- Phantoms
- Cleaners
- Libertad
- Dedsec (after unlocking or purchasing)
Maps
- Arena
- Attica Heights
- Dumbo
- Echelon HQ
- Emporium
- Liberty
- Mayday
- Meltdown
- Midway
- Nudleplex
- Pueblito
- Showtime
- Times Square
- Zoo
Modes
- Domination
- Hot Shot
- Occupy
- Escort
- Zone Control
Will XDefiant have Ranked Play mode at launch?
XDefiant won’t feature a fully-fledged Ranked Play mode at launch, but the devs will include a Ranked Mode Practice Playlist, allowing players to “battle it out in 4v4 competitive matches.”
The playlist will include 4v4 versions of Domination, Occupy, Escort, and Zone Control.
XDefiant platforms
XDefiant will launch on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Those on the previous generation of consoles will have to wait, as the devs confirmed that they are working on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions of the game, and they will come out after launch.
Here are all the confirmed platforms on which XDefiant will be available.
- PC (via Ubisoft Connect)
- Xbox Series X|S
- PlayStation 5
XDefiant release delays explained
The first major delay for XDefiant was announced back in September 2023, when Mark Rubin addressed the community’s concerns and explained the development process revealing the game could be released from late September to early October 2023.
However, on October 9, after the Public Test Session, XDefiant would be delayed again given “game experience inconsistencies” preventing the expected launch in October 2023. This was followed by yet another delay announced in December 2023, where Mark Rubin shared that despite “progressing really well,” the devs still had a lot of work in key aspects of the game to allow players to enjoy the experience.
Finally, the latest delay came on March 29, 2024, with the XDefiant dev team sharing the news in an X post, after revealing that they would be aiming for a March 2024 release date.
Is XDefiant free to play?
Yes, XDefiant is a free-to-play game. This means whenever the shooter is live, you can download and play it for free.
XDefiant gameplay
XDefiant focuses its gameplay on players using different Factions that include specific traits and abilities to defeat their opponents. These Factions and their abilities are all inspired by Ubisoft titles such as Far Cry and Splinter Cell.
Make sure you check out our guide on all of the XDefiant Factions if you’re interested in more information on this.
The arcade and fast-paced nature of XDefiant’s gameplay will likely be popular among players who enjoy Call of Duty’s style of play. Ubisoft also stated in the reveal video that gun gameplay will be their main focus and that it will be the most important factor in winning and losing.
On multiple occasions, the devs have said that they’re making XDefiant closer to the legacy CoD titles than the newer ones, with the game not featuring SBMM and Ubisoft hinting at a potential classic Prestige system.
XDefiant trailers
The reveal video gave players a first look at what they can expect when they jump into the new game and a rundown of various aspects by a couple of the game’s developers including Mark Rubin, who worked as an Infinity Ward dev in Call of Duty.
XDefiant – Gameplay Trailer
XDefiant – Deep Dive Trailer
That’s all you need to know about XDefiant. For more about Ubisoft’s FPS, make sure you also check out some of our other guides:
Best controller settings for XDefiant | Best guns in XDefiant | Best XDefiant PC settings | Best AK-47 loadout for XDefiant | XDefiant Year 1 roadmap: New weapons, maps, Factions, more | Best M4A1 loadout in XDefiant
