Are you dreading skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) online multiplayer shooters? If so, XDefiant might just be the solution for your woes, as the devs have confirmed that XDefiant will not feature SBMM in “normal” playlists.
This was revealed by Executive Producer Mark Rubin over on Twitter/X where it’s confirmed that newbie players will have SBMM in their own “Welcome Playlist,” and in Ranked mode, it will feature ranked-based matchmaking (which is perfectly logical). But for those playing casually, your standard playlist won’t feature SBMM!
No SBMM in normal playlists.
– We will have a Welcome Playlist for players under level 25 that will have SBMM but all of the other playlists won't have SBMM.
– Ranked will have ranked-based matchmakingLet me know if that makes sense. If not I can go into it further.
— Mark Rubin (@PixelsofMark) January 3, 2024
In case you can’t see the tweet reply, Rubin states:
- No SBMM in normal playlists.
- Ubisoft will have a Welcome Playlist for players under level 25 that will have SBMM but all of the other playlists won’t have SBMM.
- Ranked will have ranked-based matchmaking
The good thing about this Welcome Playist is, it’s entirely optional according to Rubin.
Will the welcome playlist be optional for people who don’t need it? I absolutely LOVE this game and a big pull for me is no SBMM, so I’m hoping I don’t have to use it, but I completely understand its purpose. Regardless, so excited to be playing soon!
— jake farm (@jakefarm120431) January 6, 2024
In addition to SBMM, Rubin also confirmed that they are still designing the game’s Prestige system. While they do it to be similar to Call of Duty, they are also looking at having yearly prestiges given XDefiant won’t be seeing annual releases, and they are targeting to support the game for years.
We're designing that system as we speak. We want to have the classic prestige system but we also recognize that while games like CoD you get a new set of prestiges every year (ala new game) and we are a game designed to last for years so looking at possibly yearly prestiges.
— Mark Rubin (@PixelsofMark) January 3, 2024
While Rubin originally mentioned how new playtests are planned (including console players this time), it seems that’s not set in stone yet, as the developer states they are looking into it and will let players know once they have more concrete to share.
We'll let you know soon when we have set everything in stone.
— Mark Rubin (@PixelsofMark) January 3, 2024
Of course, given Rubin mentioned how we should be expecting XDefiant news in the coming weeks, it does sound like they are prepping the game for release soon. I honestly wouldn’t be shocked to hear a release date announcement within the month alongside a new playtest session (sort of like a final testing phase bit on all platforms before launhing). Once we know more, we’ll be sure to let our readers know.
XDefiant is set to launch soon on the PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC, with the PS4 and Xbox One versions set to be released at a later time.
More XDefiant Reading: