Tom Clancy’s XDefiant: Release date, closed test, gameplay, and more

Earlier today, Ubisoft revealed the newest multiplayer title added to its lineup of competitive games, Tom Clancy’s XDefiant.

Developed by Ubisoft San Francisco, the game is a new take on the Tom Clancy’s franchise. While it keeps the first-person view, it adds a whole new echelon of action and fast-paced gunplay that’s reminiscent of Call of Duty or Apex Legends.  

XDefiant is marketed as a “fast-paced arena shooter that combines intense gunplay with personalized loadouts and specialized factions.” The factions are like Agents in Valorant or Heroes in Overwatch, as they carry specific abilities and traits to help them on the battlefield. 

The game will be free-to-play for all major systems, excluding the Switch and Stadia. Fans can keep reading below for a more in-depth look at XDefiant. 

XDefiant gameplay, loadouts and factions

The reveal trailer for XDefiant showcased a wide variety of gameplay. However, the devs narrating the trailer honed in on two aspects for the shooter: gunplay and Factions. 

The gunplay seems to be an integral part of XDefiant, as the devs stressed how realistic shooting and interacting with the weapons feel. Also, the weapons in the game will look authentic along with the attachments that are able to be equipped. There will be a solid amount of weapons among different classes at XDefiant’s launch, but Ubisoft will continue to add to the arsenal as time goes on.

Players are able to make personalized loadouts with any weapon no matter their Faction. While some weapons are suited better to specific Factions, players will have free reign over what they use in-game. However, players can always swap loadouts mid-game to accommodate "changing battlefields". Attachments will presumably be unlocked as players level up a specific weapon. 

Speaking about Factions, there are four that will grace XDefiant when it launches. Those Factions are seen below along with their main trait. 

• Wolves - Tank 

• Cleaners - Assault

• Echelon - Support

• Outcasts - Healers

Each Faction comes with abilities, traits and an Ultra that make use of the Faction’s role on the battlefield. The abilities and traits complement the playstyle that’s intended to be used when using a specific Faction. According to the devs, if a Faction is used correctly, they can “swing the momentum of a single match.” 

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Finally, the gameplay of XDefiant sees two teams of six fight on “iconic locations” from around the globe. There’s no word on how many maps the game will see but there were a few showcased in the trailer. Game modes like Domination, Escort and more will make their way into the shooter as well. 

XDefiant closed test and release date

The launch of XDefiant doesn’t have a set release date as of yet. However, there is a date for a closed test, which will allow users who’ve signed up to enjoy the game.

The date for the first test is 5th August. This test will only welcome PC players and will only accept sign-ups from the US and Canada to start. Players can sign-up through XDefiant’s website. 

Ubisoft stated there will be more tests in the future but no dates or details were given. Players can view the FAQ on the website for all of the details. 

Once the closed test starts, emails will go out to players who’ve been accepted. If you’re one of the lucky few, you can download XDefiant from the Ubisoft Connect client.

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That’s all of the information on XDefiant for now but more information should be released in the weeks leading up to the first closed test.