Chasing Call of Duty: Why XDefiant Lost Its Audience After a Successful Launch

Contents:

• A good Call of Duty analogue, but lacking ambitions
• XDefiant takes players back to the "good old days", but forgets that it's 2024
• Games-as-a-service should attract and retain new players
• The experiment with free matchmaking seems to have failed
• Unsuccessful development environment
• The developers planned to make XDefiant an eSports discipline. So far it's not working out well

In early September, journalist and insider Tom Henderson reported on the critical state of the shooter XDefiant. Just a few months after its launch, the game has lost almost its entire active audience and is currently in a vulnerable position. Henderson emphasized that if the user base doesn't increase soon, Ubisoft may discontinue support for the project. This raises serious concerns among fans, as XDefiant's continued existence could be at risk.

Stories of failed games-as-a-service are becoming commonplace in the industry. Most recently, we witnessed the failure of Sony's ambitious Concord project. However, XDefiant, unlike other session-based games, launched with impressive results. In just a few days, the shooter attracted over 8 million users and significantly increased Ubisoft's revenue. In its recent financial report, the publisher emphasized XDefiant's success. However, the rapid growth in player numbers was quickly followed by a rapid decline in audience. Many developers are expressing pessimism and doubt the game will be able to compete with Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, which remains one of the leaders in the genre. XDefiant has faced challenges that have led to a rapid decline in its market share. Despite an initial positive response from players, this interest has not translated into sustained success. This may be due to a lack of content, issues with gameplay balancing, and a lack of consistent updates. Developers must focus on improving the gameplay experience to regain the community's trust and build long-term appeal for XDefiant. Improving player interaction, regular updates, and adding new content can significantly contribute to restoring interest in the game. It's important to remember that every aspect of your content matters for its perception and effectiveness. Optimizing your text for search engines plays a key role in increasing your website's visibility. Use keywords that are relevant to the topic to increase your chances of attracting your target audience. At the same time, try to keep the text natural and readable. Ensure that the information is relevant and useful to users. Regularly updating content also helps improve search engine rankings. Don't forget the importance of text structure, which helps users quickly find the information they need.

This text is not an XDefiant postmortem. We do not intend to bury the game prematurely and urge you to take insider information with a grain of salt. The sharp decline in online participation on Twitch, the recent layoffs of part of the XDefiant team, and the anonymous comments from developers in Henderson's article do indicate that the game is facing certain difficulties. This is an important signal, which we address in this article. However, it is worth noting that XDefiant still has enough players to form matches, and several significant updates are planned for the future.

A good Call of Duty analogue, but without ambitions

Since the announcement of XDefiant, the developers have openly acknowledged the influence of Call of Duty. The project features compact maps with three main routes, an emphasis on team battles in a 6v6 format, and dynamic gameplay. The developers, among whom are former Infinity Ward employees and professional eSports athletes, have brought elements familiar to shooter fans to the game. In the early stages of XDefiant's development, the developers also received advice from popular content creators with experience in Call of Duty. Furthermore, according to Insider Gaming, XDefiant studios were constantly making comparisons to CoD and making decisions based on how Call of Duty developers would approach the game.

The project's developers are increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress. The main problem lies in management's desire to copy Call of Duty mechanics instead of creating a unique product. This causes creative frustration for the team and creates technical difficulties, which have become the main reason for the delays. One source noted that the constant desire to imitate CoD and the introduction of nonessential elements regularly disrupts the stability of the current version of the game.

Tom Henderson is a renowned journalist who has established himself in the world of news and analysis. His work covers a wide range of topics, including technology, politics, and culture. Henderson is distinguished by his in-depth analysis and critical approach to reporting, making his articles a valuable resource for readers. Thanks to his experience and professionalism, he has become an authority in his field, attracting the attention of both readers and fellow journalists. His contribution to the news industry remains significant, and his work has the power to influence public opinion.

While this approach may not be considered optimal for fostering a positive atmosphere within the studio, it has significantly contributed to XDefiant becoming a worthy competitor to Call of Duty, particularly in terms of gameplay mechanics. The shooter offers excellent design, giving players ample room for strategic decision-making. The game features well-balanced weapons, allowing users to experiment with different classes. Clear respawn point logic facilitates systematic analysis of battles and anticipation of enemy actions. These qualities are not always found even in the most popular Call of Duty titles, which underlines the uniqueness of XDefiant.

XDefiant remains an excellent, fast-paced shooter, as ever. We wrote about its qualities in detail in our extensive review. However, it's worth noting that the game lacks content by modern standards. At launch, only a few modes were available, among which there was no room for classic team deathmatch, and there were only ten maps for 6v6 battles. While this may seem insignificant, the situation is exacerbated by a modest roadmap. The developers stated that three new maps and the same number of guns will be added every three months, which is unimpressive. This is especially noticeable against the backdrop of the announcement of Modern Warfare 3, which introduced a season with six new maps during the same period. XDefiant may attract players with its dynamism, but for long-term appeal, more extensive content is needed.

The steady and slow flow of new content leads to the game losing interest. Even the updates associated with the shooter's new season don't introduce significant changes. This explains why other session-based games employ a different strategy for distributing new content: they introduce the bulk of the content at the beginning of the season, and then add the remaining elements closer to its conclusion. This approach maintains player interest and promotes greater engagement in the gameplay.

XDefiant faces not only a lack of content but also serious problems with its progression system. Players can improve their account level, battle pass, and individual weapons, but character progression has virtually no impact on gameplay. It's simply a number that increases after a few matches. Unlike many other games, where progression unlocks new gear, weapons, and other important gameplay elements, all content is available only through simple quests. These quests take just a few matches to complete. As a result, players can unlock the entire arsenal in a short period of time, reducing the incentive to continue progressing in the game.

The lack of consistent global progression is a characteristic feature of modern games-as-a-service. Creating an infinite amount of content so that players discover something new every hour is impossible. However, developers find ways to create the illusion of constant progression. For example, older Call of Duty games featured a Prestige mode that allowed players to reset their rank after reaching level 55 in exchange for a unique emblem next to their nickname. The XDefiant team also planned to implement a similar mechanic, but nothing of the sort has been implemented yet. Had such a system been implemented from the outset, it could have attracted many traditional Call of Duty fans. Now, however, it seems this opportunity has been missed, as the upcoming Black Ops 6 is expected to bring back classic Prestige, which could appeal to longtime fans of the series. The Battle Pass in XDefiant is rather underwhelming compared to modern standards. The game offers a handful of interesting and unique character and weapon skins. The free version primarily offers minor cosmetic items like emotes. This begs the question: is it worth spending dozens of hours leveling up the pass for such trivialities? The answer to this question remains open.

The Battle Pass is more than just a collection of flashy cosmetics; it's an effective tool for engaging players through exciting challenges and tasks. The rewards offered within the Battle Pass serve as a powerful motivator for players, encouraging them to actively participate in the gameplay and achieve new goals.

Battle Passes attract attention not only for their in-game rewards, but also for the complex interaction they create between user engagement, engaging tasks, and player satisfaction mechanisms. They are not simply a monetization strategy; they promise players a constant stream of new and interesting tasks and content. This creates a dynamic gaming environment that helps increase player interest and retention. Battle passes are becoming a key element in building long-term relationships between players and developers, offering not only material rewards but also the emotional satisfaction of playing.

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Weapon leveling is becoming an important part of the gameplay. At the initial levels, players unlock new attachments with each level-up. Once all attachments are unlocked, the focus shifts to earning weapon camos. Every 50 levels, players gain access to rarer camos. This mechanic, while similar in concept to Call of Duty, doesn't reach the same level of implementation or depth as the original.

In Call of Duty, camos are an important element, with players striving to obtain the ultimate Master Camo. To begin, players must unlock gold camos for each specific weapon. Once all weapons in a given class have gold camos, the opportunity to earn platinum camos becomes available. If a player has dedicated enough time and successfully unlocked platinum camos for all weapon classes, they can move on to earning the Master Camo. This process requires diligence and skill, which makes it a real challenge for dedicated fans of the game.

In Call of Duty, unlocking camos requires completing specific challenges that vary depending on the weapon class. For example, submachine guns require close-range kills, while sniper rifles require headshots. This encourages players to switch up their combat style, and the speed of progress is based on their skill level. In contrast, in XDefiant, where the emphasis is on level grinding, this correlation is less obvious. Players may feel less pressure to adapt to different combat conditions, which impacts the overall gameplay experience.

Grinding in Call of Duty is an effective hierarchy, with players of varying levels setting goals based on their ambitions. Some limit themselves to a few gold weapons, others strive for platinum for their favorite assault rifles, and the most dedicated players unlock every available reward. Most players always have a goal that motivates them to return to the game and continue progressing. This creates engaging gameplay and maintains interest over time.

Deep integration with Ubisoft services doesn't improve the situation. XDefiant is not available on Steam and requires the publisher's proprietary launcher. Furthermore, some of the shooter's features are tied to the Ubisoft Connect system. This is a separate application that allows players to earn bonuses for completing weekly challenges. For example, by completing 30 matches in a week, players can earn a token to accelerate weapon XP gain. While this may be a good way to retain an audience, hiding rewards and challenges in a separate app is a bad decision.

Ubisoft Connect challenges are engaging quests that can keep players engaged for several evenings and offer attractive rewards. If these challenges were more prominent in the menu, the game would feel more rich and interesting. Ubisoft has made a controversial choice in trying to boost interest in XDefiant, focusing on attracting users to its ecosystem where they can discover other publisher titles. This decision may raise questions about how effectively it engages the audience with the company's content.

XDefiant faces challenges in both attracting new players and retaining existing ones. Newcomers are disengaged by the game's limited updates and overall derivative nature, while experienced players don't find it compelling long-term goals. The lack of periodic events with unique rewards makes the gameplay monotonous: players are left running and gunning. While this may be interesting in the short term, over time the gameplay doesn't evolve significantly, and new maps are only interesting for a week or two. As a result, there's a natural decline in the number of active users. To improve the situation, it is necessary to implement more frequent updates, develop content and create unique events that will stimulate player interest and maintain their involvement in the game.

XDefiant's technical issues at launch exacerbated the game's situation. Early in the release, the game featured some of its worst netcode, which seriously impacted gameplay. Players frequently died behind cover, and hits on enemies weren't always registered correctly. This created a negative gameplay experience. The situation has improved, but hit registration issues persist. Mark Rubin stated that the development team is working to address these issues, but winning back players who have already experienced disappointment with the game will be difficult. Improving the technical component and fixing netcode are key to restoring player trust in XDefiant.

It's worth noting that many service-based games function successfully without major updates. For example, XDefiant's roadmap borrows heavily from Rainbow Six Siege, where updates are released every three months and include several new weapons, as well as reworks of existing maps, rather than introducing entirely new locations. This confirms that even minimal updates can maintain player interest and ensure stable gameplay.

This is true, but there is an important aspect to consider. Successful games like Siege and others that rarely receive updates usually have a distinct value proposition. These projects are unique and difficult to confuse or compare with other games in the genre. For example, Counter-Strike 2 may not release new maps for a long time. However, if a player enjoys the specific rhythm and gameplay of this game, they are unlikely to switch to anything else. Even if Valorant is similar at first glance, it offers a completely different gaming experience, focusing on the active abilities of characters. This emphasizes the importance of uniqueness and depth of gameplay for audience retention.

XDefiant has a reputation for being a derivative game, which in itself is not a negative aspect. However, players are faced with a choice between XDefiant and Call of Duty. When comparing these two shooters, it becomes obvious that Ubisoft has not carefully developed the development strategy for its project. This shortcoming may affect user interest and their decision about which game to choose.

XDefiant takes players back to the "good old days", but forgets that it's 2024.

Marketers often emphasize that the uniqueness of a product is a key factor in its success. In a highly competitive environment, secondary offers are difficult to highlight and sell effectively. Uniqueness not only attracts the attention of potential customers but also creates value, which contributes to the formation of brand loyalty. Therefore, to achieve sales success, it is important to develop and offer original solutions that will meet the needs of the target audience.

It is important to note the approach based on the principle of "We will do like X, but better". This method leads to the formation of positioning "like X, but better". This allows a product or service to stand out from the competition, emphasizing its advantages and unique qualities. This strategy can significantly strengthen a brand and attract the attention of the target audience, as it involves not only comparing it to existing solutions but also emphasizing improvements and innovations.

While it's tempting to follow the example of others, it's best to avoid this type of positioning. Game quality isn't a unique advantage, and you can't advertise a product by claiming it's "just like water, but better." Furthermore, such claims are difficult to convey to the target audience and, in some cases, may even be prohibited.

In his book, "Game Marketing," Sergey Galenkin thoroughly examines video game promotion strategies in the modern market. He analyzes the key aspects that help developers and publishers attract attention to their products. The author emphasizes the importance of understanding the target audience and using effective communication channels to achieve maximum success. Galenkin highlights successful examples of marketing campaigns and offers practical recommendations for creating content that will be interesting to players. The book will be a useful resource for anyone looking to gain a deeper understanding of marketing in the gaming industry and improve the effectiveness of their promotional strategies. XDefiant's approach has truly attracted attention. They've taken into account the concerns of dedicated Call of Duty fans who have voiced their complaints over the past few years. Players complain about strict matchmaking that doesn't take into account player skill, the lack of ability to vote on specific maps before a game, and the lack of interesting trilane maps. These issues remain pressing for hardcore players, and developers are striving to provide solutions that meet their needs.

Many older installments of the franchise are effectively unavailable today. Playing Black Ops 2 and other games from the early 2010s has become unsafe due to hackers who have penetrated their code deeply. They can infect the computers of users in the same game lobby. In addition, these games are outdated, which is reflected in old maps, modes, and a lack of updates. In the current environment, such games are unable to offer players a high-quality and safe gaming experience.

XDefiant can be seen not simply as an improved version of Call of Duty, but as a tribute to the classic parts of this franchise that will no longer be returning. At launch, the game evoked a strong sense of nostalgia. It's not burdened with timed events, allowing players to focus on enjoying the gameplay. Freeform matchmaking, which doesn't take skill into account, allows for occasional domination, adding an element of excitement. The introduction of new content is reminiscent of the Call of Duty era of the 2010s, and while such updates are infrequent, they are significant for players.

It's hard not to notice that Ubisoft isn't taking into account why Call of Duty has undergone significant changes over the past decade. In 2009, Call of Duty wasn't just a popular shooter, but one of the few that offered a unique gameplay dynamic. Modern Warfare 2 provided the game with a unique selling point that made it a favorite among players. This game was able to gradually change and even ignore the technical issues that had marred the experience for many gamers for years. Even when interest in the game began to wane, alternatives were virtually nonexistent. Halo 3, Battlefield: Bad Company 2, and Enemy Territory: Quake Wars were completely different projects aimed at different audiences, which emphasized the uniqueness of Call of Duty at the time.

The uniqueness of Modern Warfare 2 turned the game into a cultural phenomenon, the influence of which is still felt today. In particular, the community of MW2 quickscoping enthusiasts united into the FaZe clan. Today, it is a large-scale lifestyle organization that two years ago held an initial public offering (IPO) and was valued by investors at $725 million. FaZe not only continues to develop esports, but also actively influences youth culture, creating content and shaping trends.

The modern video game market is saturated with many projects in various subgenres, and each game strives to attract the attention of players. When developers fail to retain users or create a frustrating gaming experience, players quickly switch to alternative offerings. This explains why even initially successful games like Halo Infinite, Battlefield 2042, and The Finals lose up to 90% of their audience. This isn't due to low game quality, but to the nature of the current gaming industry, where users readily migrate to new titles. Over time, people's ability to focus on one activity diminishes due to an overabundance of content. Rather than fight this trend, the industry must adapt. Flexibility and the ability to change should be the foundation of modern games-as-a-service. Launching projects like the early Call of Duty in the digital age is like offering carrier pigeon services in the world of instant messaging.

Games can rely on their uniqueness, but in most cases, this results in a small but stable player base. For example, Halo Infinite, without active support, consistently boasts a few thousand players on PC. For some studios, this number of users may be acceptable, but large publishers such as Ubisoft and Activision Blizzard are unlikely to be satisfied. It is not surprising that Microsoft decided to pause active development of Halo.

Short-lived revivals of classic Call of Duty titles clearly demonstrate player interest in these games. Console versions periodically receive updates that fix critical bugs and ensure stable connections to matches. These updates generate active discussions in the gaming community, which, in turn, leads to a sharp increase in sales of older games. For example, last year, Black Ops 2 unexpectedly topped the Xbox digital store's top sales charts. However, this excitement quickly fades, often within just a few weeks, and online player numbers return to their low levels. Thus, it can be noted that while updates can occasionally spark interest in classic games, sustaining that interest is difficult.

Games-as-a-service must attract and retain new players

Activision is well aware of current trends in the gaming market, which allows modern Call of Duty games to quickly adapt to new trends and effectively implement elements of successful games-as-a-service. The company's financial reports confirm this, highlighting the key success factors of their projects. Typically, the emphasis is on unique settings and innovative solutions, which makes the games more appealing to a wider audience.

The World War II setting did not resonate with our audience, and we were unable to implement the level of innovation into the game that we planned.

The Activision Blizzard financial report for 2021 presents key metrics and results reflecting the company's growth and development. This year, Activision Blizzard continued to strengthen its position in the video game market, increasing revenue and expanding its audience. The company's game sales continued to grow, contributing to a significant increase in profits.

In 2021, Activision Blizzard introduced new titles and updates to popular franchises, attracting the attention of both new and existing players. The success of games like Call of Duty and World of Warcraft played a significant role in strengthening the company's financial performance.

Furthermore, Activision Blizzard is actively developing mobile gaming and esports, opening up new growth opportunities. Strategic decisions and investments in technology have enabled the company to adapt to market changes and meet player needs.

Thus, Activision Blizzard's 2021 financial report demonstrates the company's successful development, innovative approaches, and strategic planning, which in turn creates a positive outlook for future results.

Despite the persistent stereotype of Call of Duty as a series of similar games, it is worth examining its projects from a different perspective. They clearly demonstrate the application of the MAYA business principle: maximum innovation while maintaining brand recognition. In each new game, the developers transport players from one historical period to another, constantly introducing updated mechanics, such as partial destructibility of the environment and omnimomentum. Additionally, each installment in the series offers at least one new game mode, adding variety and excitement to the franchise. This allows Call of Duty to remain relevant and attract both existing and new players.

Many of these gaming innovations are unique solutions used in only one game. However, they allow the product to be presented as a fresh new product, capable of giving new emotions to players initially interested in dynamic arcade shooters on compact maps. This is the basis of the genre, which has remained unchanged for many years and even decades. Such elements not only attract attention, but also create a unique gaming experience that can win the hearts of fans and attract new players.

At first glance, XDefiant may not seem bright and memorable enough. What will interest the average player? An average setting that is difficult to describe in words? Or mechanics that look bland in trailers and only reveal their true essence during gameplay? To attract audiences, XDefiant needs to offer more than just mundane elements. Interesting gameplay features and depth of interaction can make this game more appealing to players.

Service elements in Call of Duty play a key role in player retention and return through seasonal updates. We've already discussed skillful content distribution, but it's not the only aspect. The series effectively exploits players' fear of missing out by regularly offering unique events. For example, players can earn a certain amount of experience over a certain period. Completing these objectives earns players small but rewarding rewards, and completing all the requirements results in a unique weapon skin. This creates an additional incentive for players to continue participating in the game and keep an eye on new updates.

Every month, games introduce unique modes that are available for only a few weeks. After that, they disappear from the rotation. While they could be left in the game, this would remove the sense of exclusivity and could lead to an overabundance of options, making it difficult for players to choose. In XDefiant, with its seven modes, including various variations of team deathmatch, there is no risk of encountering this effect yet.

Comparing the amount of content in Call of Duty with any other game is not entirely fair. Several large studios with powerful quality departments are behind the franchise's development. This is precisely what creates additional difficulties for competitors. Consider how many similar projects have appeared over the past decade. Only Titanfall comes to mind, but even it is significantly different in concept. Directly competing with Call of Duty is virtually impossible. Activision Blizzard's production power allows it to release large-scale games annually that combine three key elements: a high-budget story mode, rich multiplayer, and additional modes like Zombies in Black Ops or co-op missions in Modern Warfare. XDefiant faced a daunting task, and so far, its results leave much to be desired. The developers deserve praise for their original approach to updates. Each major update is a collaboration with one of Ubisoft's well-known franchises. In the first season, it was Rainbow Six, and in the second, Far Cry. This approach allows not only to refresh the game's visual style but also to borrow elements from other series, giving XDefiant new mechanics and features. This makes the game more diverse and interesting for players, but there are still many aspects that require improvement.

It is unknown whether this approach will work in the long term. It will be interesting to see whether fans of the Assassin's Creed series will try an arcade competitive shooter just because of the appearance of Ezio or Altair skins. Only time will tell. Such crossovers can attract the attention of players, but their success depends on the quality of the content and the overall perception of the game.

Season 2 of XDefiant is a vibrant update inspired by the New Dawn expansion for Far Cry 5. The shift from a darker aesthetic to a brighter, less serious style may have a positive impact on the game's overall experience. This season will also introduce a new faction with a unique mechanic: with every kill made in a single life, the player receives an increase in their rate of fire and weapon reload speed. This innovation will add dynamics to the gameplay and allow players to experiment with different tactics.

The experiment with free matchmaking seems to have failed

The matchmaking system is a key element of audience retention in XDefiant, which contributes to its success. One of the most discussed features of this shooter from Ubisoft is the lack of a strict matchmaking system (SBMM), which has caused discontent among Call of Duty veterans since 2019. Without going into details, it is worth noting that SBMM is designed to match players with opponents of a similar skill level, which seems reasonable at first glance. However, in practice, as implemented by Activision Blizzard, this system creates many problems, including long waits for matches, lobby breaks after matches, and the inability for players to assess their skill level. The closed system prevents players from understanding how they compare to others, which ultimately negatively impacts their gaming experience.

Experienced gamers suffer the most from the current matchmaking system. After particularly successful matches, they inevitably find themselves in difficult lobbies, making the entire gameplay feel manipulated. After several losses, the algorithm detects player frustration and intentionally places them against weaker opponents. This has led to a demand in the Call of Duty community for a return to the matchmaking of the "good old days." Players are seeking more balanced and fair games where their skills play a decisive role, not a system that manipulates results.

XDefiant has abandoned the rigid skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) system and implemented a traditional method in which players are paired based on optimal network connections. This solution has proven successful in the short term, as skilled players have the opportunity to dominate most matches while enjoying an atmosphere reminiscent of the best moments from the original Modern Warfare and Black Ops. This approach creates a more balanced gaming environment where everyone can show off their skills and enjoy the game.

Free matchmaking can cause a snowball effect over time. Weaker players experience frequent losses, which reduces their interest in matches. Limited content and a lack of motivation make the game less appealing, leading many players to abandon the project altogether. This poses a risk to the gaming community, as a decrease in activity among less experienced players can lead to a decrease in the overall player base and a worsening gaming experience for everyone. XDefiant features a significant gap between newcomers and experienced players, which exacerbates the gameplay. An advanced movement system allows players to maneuver and jump during firefights, while a high time-to-kill and a well-designed respawn mechanism allow for predicting enemy spawns. These features create a noticeable skill gap between players, making it difficult for newcomers to compete with more experienced opponents. As a result, over time, the active player pool becomes dominated by professionals, which can negatively impact the recruitment of new players and the overall gaming experience.

Situations like the one in the screenshot above often arise in games with a free matchmaking system. In this case, I encountered three streamers on the same team in XDefiant. While it's not a bad thing to occasionally encounter strong players, the problem is that if a game doesn't appeal to casual players, these moments become more frequent. Professionals enjoy their dominance, while less experienced opponents become frustrated and eventually leave the game. To retain the casual audience, developers should pay attention to match balance and create a more engaging gaming experience for everyone.

With each passing day, newcomers are finding it increasingly difficult to adapt to XDefiant. This problem is exacerbated by a negative feedback loop, which in turn led to the introduction of a strict matchmaking system (SBMM) in Call of Duty. XDefiant Executive Producer Mark Rubin expressed his opinion on this situation even before the game's release, noting that free matchmaking shouldn't be a problem. He asks, "Did this problem exist in CoD 4, MW2, and other older games?" This approach is puzzling and highlights an important point: older Call of Duty games were able to use free matchmaking because they were released in the late 2000s, when alternatives were few. Beginners might experience setbacks until they start to experience initial success, which helps them progress.

In 2024, the slightest frustration can turn off the average player, easily leading to switching to other games offering a more comfortable experience. An example of this is the shooter Splitgate, which initially attracted hundreds of thousands of players thanks to its unique combination of Halo and Portal mechanics. However, as experienced players mastered the complex portal mechanics, newcomers encountered difficulties. They not only had difficulty shooting opponents but also lost the ability to understand where they were being fired from. This underscores the importance of creating an accessible gaming experience that takes into account the skill level of all players.

Free matchmaking remains relevant. It is possible to find an optimal solution that will separate weaker players from the majority. If XDefiant implements a ranking system with more flexible parameters than Call of Duty, it could increase interest in the game. However, the question arises: how will a dedicated audience react, who are negative about the very idea of ​​a ranking system?

Poor Development Environment

XDefiant faces numerous issues that require rapid resolution. However, it is unclear whether the developers will be able to significantly speed up the bug-fixing process. The main reason is that the team failed to take into account the key principle of LiveOps—creating an agile development environment capable of quickly responding to player feedback. Effective feedback management can significantly improve the quality of the game and strengthen its market position.

After a game launches, it's important to focus on constant iteration, which is a key aspect of LiveOps. Creating frequent, small updates to improve the game allows you to adapt to player feedback and behavioral analysis. While this may seem obvious, many teams working on AAA games still invest heavily in trying to create the perfect product from the start. This approach can hinder subsequent iterations, as it doesn't initially consider the possibility of improvement. To iterate effectively, you need to design the game with the possibility of further improvement in mind.

Christine Cox is the Head of LiveOps Operations at Xbox Game Studios. In this role, she is responsible for the strategic management and optimization of processes related to the support and development of games on the Xbox platform. Cox plays a key role in ensuring high-quality player interactions and creating a sustainable ecosystem for gaming projects. Under her leadership, the LiveOps team focuses on improving the user experience, implementing updates, and organizing events aimed at attracting and retaining players. Christine's experience in the video game industry and her leadership skills contribute to the successful development of Xbox Game Studios and its increased competitiveness in the market. XDefiant requires expanded content, improved progression mechanics, the introduction of seasonal events and new game modes, and possibly a light form of matchmaking (SBMM). However, even simple quality-of-life (QoL) improvements require significant time from developers. Mark Rubin noted that the Snowdrop engine, the company's chosen engine, is not entirely suitable for creating first-person shooters, which complicates the process of developing and implementing new features. Optimizing gameplay and regular content updates are key to retaining player interest and increasing the overall appeal of XDefiant. We have an engine developed for massively multiplayer online games (MMOs). As a result, to create the first-person shooter (FPS) infrastructure, we had to develop everything from scratch. Even games like Call of Duty started with the ID Tech shooter engine, and Apex Legends uses a similar approach. However, we are creating completely new technology on an engine originally designed for other genres. This allows us to introduce unique elements and mechanics into the gameplay, making our project truly original and innovative.

Mark Rubin is the executive producer of XDefiant. In his role, he is responsible for the creation and development of the project, as well as coordinating the team's work. Rubin is actively involved in shaping the gameplay and implementing ideas aimed at improving the player experience. His experience in the video game industry allows him to effectively manage the project and achieve high results. XDefiant is a dynamic first-person shooter that combines elements of various gaming universes, making it unique and appealing to a wide audience. Mark Rubin's involvement in this project confirms his importance and professionalism in the field of game development.

The developers devote significant time not only to implementing new features but also to fixing unexpected bugs. The first season of the game was faced with many problems. The network code quality deteriorated, frame rates on consoles began to drop unexpectedly below 60 frames per second, and some gameplay mechanics stopped working. XDefiant only returned to a stable state several weeks later.

This is just the beginning. The game must not only constantly evolve, but also adapt to the innovations of its main competitor, Call of Duty. Each new part of the series is a complete product, which gives the developers the opportunity to radically change the game mechanics in accordance with the preferences of users. This constant updating and improvement makes the game more attractive to players and helps it remain competitive in the market.

In Black Ops 6, expected to be released at the end of October, the movement system has been completely revamped. Players can now move in any direction, not limited to forward only. This innovation also applies to maneuvers such as jumping, sliding and diving, which can be performed regardless of the direction of movement. The developers have likely put a lot of effort into reworking the movement mechanics to provide a more dynamic and exciting gameplay experience. The new movement system opens up new tactical possibilities and improves player interaction with the game world.

If the game mechanics become popular and resonate with the target audience after the shooter's release, XDefiant will need to adapt to competitors' offerings. It's doubtful the developers will be able to quickly implement similar mechanics into the game at the required level of quality, given the current approach to adding new features.

After XDefiant's release, it became clear that the bunny hop mechanic was too powerful. Players could not only jump while aiming, but also simultaneously change direction, making it significantly more difficult to hit such enemies. The developers took player feedback into account and decided to nerf this ability. Implementing the adjustments took several weeks. Now, after several consecutive jumps, the player's crosshair begins to move erratically from side to side. While this solution is effective in terms of game balance, its visual and mechanical execution raises questions and can be perceived as a bug.

The developers planned to make XDefiant an esports discipline. So far, it's not working out so well.

Before the game's release, the developers actively sought the opinions of competitive gamers and emphasized their intentions to adapt XDefiant to the esports scene. A few weeks before the official release, Ubisoft held a large tournament with the participation of several teams and professional commentators, which was a testament to their serious approach to creating a competitive environment for players.

The event was aimed at fans of the professional Call of Duty scene. Teams consisted of both former and current professional players, and commentary was provided by commentators known to CoD fans. This approach helped create an atmosphere close to real tournaments, which particularly attracted the attention of fans of the game.

The team began promoting XDefiant as an esports discipline in advance to attract the attention of an audience passionate about competitive gaming. The competitive spirit attracts players willing to invest time in learning the game and its mechanics. In this context, "whales" - players who spend significant funds on in-game purchases - play an important role. It is this group of gamers that can ensure financial stability and a return on investment for the game's development and promotion, making the team's strategy justified and promising.

The developers have rushed to attract the attention of a hardcore audience. Organizing a one-time event is only the first step, while creating a full-fledged ecosystem requires much more effort. For XDefiant to become an esports discipline, it is necessary to form organizations interested in developing and supporting teams, as well as discovering and promoting new talent. Creating a sustainable infrastructure, including tournaments, leagues, and platforms for interacting with players, will be key to successfully promoting the game in esports.

Successful monetization requires a stable audience, sponsors, and other sources of income. In games with a professional scene, such as Call of Duty, selling merchandise from popular teams is becoming an effective way to earn money. Players can purchase special bundles, including unique weapon camos and character skins in the colors of their favorite teams. At the same time, a portion of the proceeds from each sale goes directly to the organization, which contributes to its financial stability and development.

XDefiant currently has no similar offerings on the market, making it difficult to attract players. The game attracts primarily Call of Duty fans, as the gameplay mechanics are similar. Last year, XDefiant even became the subject of jokes among professional Call of Duty players. Some mocked their competitors with phrases like "Get ready to join XDefiant," while others seriously wondered when the first full pro season would begin. This indicates that XDefiant is attracting the attention of the community, but to successfully grow, it needs to develop its unique content and compete with established brands.

A full-fledged pro league is not expected to launch anytime soon. Low online viewership and general disinterest among the general audience are unlikely to attract advertisers, either for organizations or for Ubisoft itself. The publisher is unlikely to fund a potential league from its own resources. This creates serious obstacles to the development of esports and the need to attract investment to create a sustainable ecosystem. Without significant interest from viewers and partners, a full-fledged launch of the pro league remains in question.

XDefiant is still not ready for serious competition. The game suffers from netcode issues, making online battles difficult. It also lacks a bomb-planting mode, an essential element for shooters in this genre. This mode is expected to be added towards the end of Season 2. Furthermore, there's uncertainty about XDefiant's balancing suitability for esports, raising questions about its competitiveness.

Some factions in the game have ambiguous advantages, which significantly impacts gameplay balance. For example, Ghost Recon's Phantoms have 20 more health than other factions. This creates the risk that the professionals who have defined the meta will use the same strategies, leading to monotony and a decrease in the entertainment value of matches. This situation could negatively impact the development of the professional scene in the long term, as variety and dynamics are key factors in maintaining interest in esports.

XDefiant is in a difficult situation. The developers have set ambitious goals, but their execution leaves much to be desired. In their desire to emulate Call of Duty, they seem to be losing sight of the important aspects that have made CoD relevant over the years. Game mechanics that help maintain player interest are being ignored, which could negatively impact XDefiant's perception in the gaming community.

XDefiant is not necessarily on the verge of closure. The launch of a live-service game marks a new stage in its development. With proper management and the elimination of flaws, the project has every chance of restoring its reputation as a high-quality Call of Duty alternative. This will benefit both XDefiant players and Call of Duty fans: having a worthy alternative can stimulate the improvement and accelerated development of CoD itself.