Ubisoft has announced that preseason for the free-to-play arcade shooter XDefiant is launching on 21 May 2024 for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC through Ubisoft Connect. The action kicks off by offering five different game modes across 14 maps, 24 weapons with 44 attachments, and five playable factions inspired by Ubisoft franchises, each of which brings unique gameplay buffs and abilities to the fighting arena.

In XDefiant, players must choose their faction and loadout, both before the match begins and at any time they wish upon respawning, allowing them to adapt to the evolving fight. Factions offer a choice of two active abilities, as well as one passive buff, and an ultra ability that must be charged up during the match.

Libertad excels at healing support thanks to their BioVida medication; the Cleaners use fire to burn away their enemies; Echelon (Splinter Cell) uses stealth technology to reveal enemy locations and render themselves invisible on enemy maps; the Phantoms use their advanced training and technology to block damage; and DedSec uses their technological expertise to hack enemy gadgets and sic spiderbots on unsuspecting opponents. At launch, DedSec will be locked, as will two of the other faction’s playable characters, but all can be earned by completing in-game missions.

Loadouts in XDefiant consist of a primary and secondary weapon, as well as a grenade. Assault rifles, submachine guns, shotguns, marksman rifles, and sniper rifles all offer different strengths in combat, and players can customize their weapons with a wide range of attachments to fine tune each weapon’s performance, including sights, grips, stocks, magazines, and barrel and muzzle attachments. Using a weapon will earn weapon XP progress towards unlocking new customization options.

Game modes in XDefiant fall into one of two categories: Arena and Linear. Arena-style matches include Domination, where teams fight to control three fixed zones; Occupy, where teams fight to control one zone that periodically moves around the map; and HotShot, where players fight to get the most KOs.

However, in HotShot, points are only granted (or denied) when players collect tags from fallen foes (or allies); furthermore, the player currently holding the most tags becomes the HotShot and is granted a host of speed buffs, but is marked on the map for all to see.

Linear matches, on the other hand, cast players in attacking or defending roles. In Zone Control, the attacking team works to secure five zones in a progression across the map, and the defenders fight to stop them. In Escort, the attacking team must bring a package to its final destination across the map, while the defenders attempt to stymie their progress, and even push the package back.

Check out the trailer below: