XDefiant Appeals to Anti-SBMM Fans with New Matchmaking

Ubisoft's upcoming release, XDefiant, is shaking up the first-person shooter genre by directly appealing to players dissatisfied with Call of Duty's matchmaking system. XDefiant, a free-to-play shooter, is set to launch on May 21 and aims to provide an alternative to skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) systems, which have been a contentious issue among gamers who want to engage in more casual play.

Targeting the "anti-SBMM crowd," Ubisoft has detailed their matchmaking approach in a blog post, emphasizing that casual playlists in XDefiant will be fun-focused and not utilize SBMM. They believe this will allow for a more relaxed gaming experience. Instead of matching players based on skill, the game will prioritize connection quality, similar ping levels, and will consider factors such as party size, region, input device, and platform to ensure more enjoyable matches.

Ranked play, which is set to be released after the game launches, will incorporate a rank-level structure and will take skill into account for matchmaking, in addition to latency and region. The game is starting with a preseason phase of six weeks before moving into a season structure, with each season lasting three months. XDefiant will include five factions, five game modes, 14 maps, and a wide range of weapons and attachments at launch.

XDefiant's matchmaking system does not use skill-based matchmaking in its casual playlists, focusing instead on low latency and quality connections. Ranked play will include SBMM but will prioritize similar skill levels only after the official launch phase, ensuring casual gamers can enjoy less competitive and more fun gameplay.

As an extra note, XDefiant is not the first hero shooter out there, but its commitment to bypassing SBMM in its casual playlists might provide a unique niche, setting it apart in a crowded market. It is another attempt by Ubisoft to innovate within the world of competitive shooters, and given Ubisoft's track record with games like Rainbow Six Siege, there is potential for XDefiant to carve out its own dedicated fanbase.