XDefiant was built as a competitive shooter that would one day play host to a vibrant esport scene. It’s a free-to-play first-person shooter that boasts all the elements of a competitive ecosystem, including a range of character types and roles, objective-based game modes, and a clear skill gap and meta. However, the groundwork for a competitive landscape is yet to be laid.
That could be set to change. Recently, dataminers uncovered an array of information from XDefiant’s files, including things like a Free-For-All mode and anime-themed weapon skins. They also found something that could suggest an esports scene is coming one step closer.
Laying the Foundation
I caught up with Ubisoft’s Neale Maker at the BLAST R6 Manchester Major in May and he explained that XDefiant’s esports scene will likely start to surface in ‘Year Two’ of the game. He was adamant that it is in the pipeline, but various elements have to be added to the game to accommodate it.
According to dataminers, one of those core elements is on the way.
It was recently discovered that custom games and spectator modes are in development for XDefiant as we speak. On Twitter, TxLim_ circulated information related to a series of elements found in the game’s code:
- Countdowns
- Kicking/moving players
- Custom competitive rulesets
- Game mode modifiers
With the introduction of custom games and a spectator system, XDefiant comes increasingly closer to being one of the next best esports games. All that’s now needed is a one-life mode like Search and Destroy, and the game is ready to go.
For more Insider Gaming Esports, check out the news that more Esports World Cup champions have been crowned
Grant has been gaming for 30+ years and in the industry for 10+. You'll probably find him playing a post-apocalyptic game or an extraction shooter somewhere.
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