Ubisoft promises that XDefiant will have ‘no pay-to-win mechanics’

Ubisoft has detailed its “in-game purchase philosophy” for XDefiant, its free-to-play first-person shooter.

After numerous delays, XDefiant will finally be released on Tuesday, and Ubisoft has published a blog post explaining how its monetisation works.

The publisher promises that despite the game’s free-to-play nature, there “are no pay-to-win mechanics” in XDefiant, nothing that while some non-cosmetic content can be bought with real money, it can also be earned through gameplay.

“Any gameplay impacting content that is purchasable is also unlockable through challenges to ensure fair play amongst our community,” it says.

“For example, the DedSec faction in Preseason will be purchasable or unlockable through an in-game challenge by acquiring 700k XP.”

Ubisoft says its key aim with the game is to make sure that players are constantly rewarded through free Battle Pass rewards, in-game daily and weekly challenges, Ubisoft Connect challenges, weapon mastery and community participation rewards.

“Our goal is to be providing amazing customization options that reward all of the matches, victories, and even defeats that you put into the game,” it says. “As you play that one more match, all of your time and energy will work towards unlocking content either through the Battle Pass or challenges.”

XDefiant will go live on May 21, on PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC. The game’s Preseason will start on that date, and will last for six weeks before the first proper season begins.

During Preseason, players will have access to 14 maps, five modes and 24 weapons (including 44 attachments).

It will also feature the previously confirmed five factions from different Ubisoft series – Libertad (Far Cry), Phantoms (Ghost Recon), Echelon (Splinter Cell), Cleaners (The Division) and Dedsec (Watch Dogs). Dedsec will only be available “after unlocking or purchasing”.

Following the Preseason, XDefiant will have a new season every three months, with Year 1’s four seasons each adding one more faction, three new weapons and three new maps. Each season will also have a 90-tier battle pass.