With more and more games now allowing crossplay and different input methods in multiplayer, some might not want to be matched up against keyboard & mouse gamers if they’re using a controller. While XDefiant’s matchmaking algorithm has been confirmed to match players with the same input method (ie. controller vs. controller), there’s still the question of pings.

Of course, in almost any multiplayer game, ping is king, and it’s the same for XDefiant. But what if you’re playing in an area/country that can’t find a suitable ping for you? Well, the devs have confirmed that they’ve set it up in a way that if the game really can’t find good ping games, it will mix input matchmaking into the equation as well.

• Related Reading: XDefiant Isn’t a Call of Duty Killer, Nor Does it Need to Be

This was mentioned by XDefiant Producer Mark Rubin, who also commented on a few other things regarding the game.

Agreed. What we’ve done is set some numbers such that if we really can’t find good ping games then it will mix input MM. These are numbers we can tweak. We’ll do our best to make sure everyone is having the best experience possible. Also, you can choose to turn off input MM.

— Mark Rubin (@PixelsofMark) July 17, 2023

Rubin also confirmed that we’ll be seeing camo challenges for weapons and other free content to grind for that’s not paid.

Yes, even though we are a free-to-play game and rely on microtransactions, we want to always have cool free content to grind for.

— Mark Rubin (@PixelsofMark) July 16, 2023

Speaking of paid, Rubin also mentioned that only cosmetics will be behind a paywall (Battle Pass, etc.) and that Factions and other gameplay-related stuff can be grinded by players.

Weapons are on the free track of the BP. So just need to grind for them. Factions can be bought or grinded without paying. Basically no gameplay behind pay wall. Just cosmetics.

— Mark Rubin (@PixelsofMark) July 9, 2023

Rubin also commented on the possiblity of a Theater Mode coming to the game as well. While it’s not planned at the moment, he is a “fan” of the idea, and could be something they implement in the future.

I wish. A theater mode is a big deal work-wise and we have to do a few other tasks before we could even get into that but I’m a fan of the idea so maybe in the future.

— Mark Rubin (@PixelsofMark) July 13, 2023

Finally, Rubin has also expressed the idea of a fully customizable HUD for the game, though that won’t be available at launch, it’s something that’s not ruled out from happening (which would be awesome if it comes to fruition).

Definitely, not something we can do for launch but at some point post-launch I actually want to add a fully customizable HUD so you can move elements around and possibly resize as well. A lot of work so we’ll see when it can be done.

— Mark Rubin (@PixelsofMark) July 13, 2023

As a multiplayer shooter fan, these all sound great. Hopefully, the devs can push through their plans once the game launches. As for a release date, there is still no release date set outside of “summer,” but only for the PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC, as Ubisoft has confirmed that the PS4 and Xbox One versions will launch at a later date.