Developer Ubisoft is bringing together a selection of its best franchises together in multiplayer FPS xDefiant. There’s truly something for everyone, whether you’re a huge Splinter Cell fan or an unrelenting The Division 2 player. But this is a battle unlike anything you may have seen in Watch Dogs of Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon. If you’re ready to get a taste of Ubisoft’s next project, the xDefiant closed beta will deliver the goods.
The xDefiant closed beta start time will be at 18:00 BST and 10 AM PT on April 13, 2023, according to the official xDefiant blog. However, the game may be down for console players currently as Ubisoft are waiting for a patch to be deployed on PlayStation and Xbox.
However, you’ll need to register your interest in the closed beta, which is vital to guaranteeing access on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC platforms. The game has held numerous xDefiant Insider Sessions via the Ubisoft Connect application, but it is expected that console players will be able to get in on the action this time around. This is reaffirmed by a recent blog post, which details fixes to the Xbox Series X|S version of the game and improvements to crossplay functionality.
If you’re unsure whether xDefiant is for you, then don’t worry. Ubisoft is holding a Twitch livestream when the closed beta goes live, which will see executive producer Mark Rubin appear to field questions about this exciting project. The stream is also a chance to see professional players such as Thomas ‘Zooma’ Paparatto, Ian ‘Crimsix’ Porter, and Doug ‘Censor’ Martin duke it out.
However, if you’re already looking forward to the xDefiant release date, then the beta is already stacked with features to explore. For your grinding and slaying on the battlefield, participating players can get their hands on the following rewards:
- M4A1 ‘Disruption’ Weapon Skin
- Emery ‘Dungaree’ Character Skin
- M870 ‘Cobalt’ Weapon Skin
- Emoji ‘XD’ Style’
- Magnum ‘Black & Bling’ Weapon Skin
- MP7 ‘Graffiti’ Weapon Skin
- MK20 ‘Pelagic’ Weapon Skin
- Quinn ‘Hi-Velocity’ Character Skin
- MVP/Profile/KS ‘Hi-Velocity’ Player Card
- MP5 “TechX” Weapon Skin
Ubisoft confirms that the “Libertad, Echelon, Phantoms, DedSec” factions will feature in the closed beta, though DedSec will be “locked until later in the closed beta.” Additionally, The Division enemies known as the Cleaners can be seen in the beta too.
We’ll be eager to fight it out on the new Splinter Cell-influenced map too, titled Echelon HQ. According to the developer, the map encourages players to “set the way-back machine to ‘Third Echelon’ and take a self-guided tour of Echelon HQ, our new arena-style map! Perfect for spies and those who love to hunt them.”
xDefiant could be an exceptional moment for FPS fans, especially as one of many upcoming PS5 games for this year. While you wait for the beta to go live, we recommend diving into the best PS5 FPS games to get your action fix. The xDefiant closed beta will conclude on April 23, 2023, at 7:00 AM BST and 11:00 PM PT.