XDefiant has encountered a stumbling block on its journey to market, requiring an unexpected delay. Previously touted for a summer release, the upcoming multiplayer shooter now teeters on the precipice of a possible October debut, as its developers wrestle with certain compliance challenges that have presented themselves during the certification process with console makers.
Mark Rubin, the executive producer of XDefiant, shed light on the matter in a recent update, revealing the reason for its denial.
According to him, the hiccup is not about the gameplay or the quality of the game itself. Instead, it’s about “compliance bugs” – system-related issues that game consoles expect developers to address. For example, ensuring it tracks trophies and achievements properly, and that in-game statuses align with users’ friend lists.
Check out this blog post that just went up! Hopefully, this is all clear. There is a lot of detail here that you wouldn't normally see. https://t.co/xgarBOKjeP
— Mark Rubin (@PixelsofMark) September 11, 2023
Compliance, in this context, is not directly about the quality or content of the gameplay. It pertains to specific rules and criteria set by platform holders, such as Sony and Microsoft. An example from popular culture would be how Kendrick Lamar’s “A.D.H.D” was censored in the Xbox version of GTA V simply because it mentioned the word “PlayStation” in its lyrics. This nuanced difference between game quality and compliance is important, as it underscores that this delay doesn’t necessarily indicate problems with XDefiant’s playability.
However, compliance remains crucial. It’s the final form of quality assurance a game receives before an in-development game gets a green light for release. A failure at this stage isn’t just a minor setback; it’s costly and could be caused by myriad of issues, including anything from minor nuances to major issues. In the gaming industry, these checks and re-checks are standard, though they’re rarely brought to light in such a public manner. While it’s commonplace for many games to experience a denial of certification, they often remain tight-lipped about it to avoid potential negative optics.
Rubin’s transparent communication on the situation is somewhat of an outlier. Through his disclosures, we gain insight into the intricate dance of gaming development, the symbiotic relationship between developers and platform holders, and the challenges they jointly navigate.
Originally announced in 2021 under the banner of Tom Clancy’s XDefiant, the game garnered attention for its blending of different factions from renowned Ubisoft franchises such as Splinter Cell, Ghost Recon, and The Division. The game’s DNA was further enriched in 2022 when Ubisoft opted to drop the Tom Clancy moniker and introduced additional factions from a broader spectrum of its intellectual properties, such as Far Cry.
Mark Rubin, the helmsman of this project, isn’t a stranger to the FPS genre. With over a decade of experience from the Call of Duty franchise, Rubin brings significant expertise to the table. His dedication to the game and its community is evident. Even in the face of delay and unexpected obstacles, he expresses gratitude to those journeying with the XDefiant team and anticipates the moment they can share the game with the world.
The roller-coaster trajectory of XDefiant, from its unveiling to its current pause before launch, serves as a reminder of the multifaceted challenges involved in game development. While there might be murmurs of discontent or impatience, it’s essential to recognize the hard work and dedication developers pour into ensuring the game not only meets but exceeds expectations.
If nothing else, the situation with XDefiant underscores that the world of game development is intricate, layered, and often unpredictable. It also highlights the importance of clear communication, with Rubin setting a precedent for transparently sharing setbacks and challenges.
As the XDefiant team gears up for another certification submission, eager fans and avid gamers can only hope that the wait will soon be over.
Speaking of Ubisoft, the French publisher is all-in on the Assassin’s Creed franchise, with Assassin’s Creed: Mirage now leading the way, with Skull & Bones delayed yet again and a sequel to Immortals Fenyx Rising now canceled. However, it does have other games coming out, with Star Wars: Outlaws and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora set to hit the market within the next year.
