XDefiant Is Launching Later This Summer, With An Open Beta Starting June 21

XDefiant, Ubisoft's free-to-play FPS that saw more than 1 million players participate in its closed beta test earlier this year, finally has a release window--and it's soon.

As part of Ubisoft's Forward livestream, XDefiant executive producer Mark Rubin confirmed the game will be launching "later this summer." But before that, anyone interested in trying out the game will get the chance to do so as part of an open beta test from June 21-23 to stress test the game's servers and address feedback from the closed beta. The beta will be through Ubisoft Connect on PC, or can be played on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5. XDefiant supports cross-play between platforms and cross-progression between platforms.

XDefiant will launch with 14 maps, five game modes, 24 weapons, 44 weapon attachments, and five factions. Each faction hails from different Ubisoft game franchises, including Splinter Cell's Third Echelon, Watch Dogs' Dedsec, and Ghost Recon's Phantoms. A six-week preseason will kick off the game's launch.

The arcade-style FPS has drawn comparisons to Call of Duty, in part due to Rubin's previous role as an executive producer at Call of Duty-studio Infinity Ward, and it already has a robust year-one content roadmap. Following the preseason, XDefiant is slated to receive a new map every month for 12 months, all inspired by "Ubisoft's amazing worlds." In addition, year one will bring four new "meta-changing" factions and 12 additional weapons.

Rubin said fans may be surprised where the game's first year of content takes them, potentially teasing more crossovers with Ubisoft franchises not currently represented in the game's faction lineup.