“This has been the reverse of every FPS game I’ve ever played”: Ubisoft’s XDefiant Needs a Hotfix Now as it Continues to Ignore One Issue Plaguing the Game, and It’s Not the Netcode

Ubisoft is not winning any points with players for this odd game mechanic in XDefiant.

Xdefiant Gameplay

SUMMARY

  • XDefiant has a mechanic where friendly players block movement while enemies can phase through them.
  • This feature has led to many issues, including blocked escape routes and obstructed sniping positions.
  • Players are questioning Ubisoft's design choice and are calling for a change to this mechanic.
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XDefiant is doing fairly well for a new shooter, having crossed one million players just 24 hours after its launch. It’s garnered a significant player base and positive feedback since then, but it hasn’t been without issues.

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One of the biggest issues is an odd gameplay mechanic that a Redditor couldn’t resist discussing. It turns out they’re not the only ones troubled by this issue.

This XDefiant Feature Is Ruining the Game for Some

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An in-game screenshot of XDefiant from Ubisoft.
An in-game screenshot of XDefiant from Ubisoft.
An in-game screenshot of XDefiant from Ubisoft.
An in-game screenshot of XDefiant from Ubisoft.
An in-game screenshot of XDefiant from Ubisoft.

Under a post with a heated title, one player had much to say about a game mechanic feeling more anti-player than otherwise.

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OP ranted about being obstructed by friendly players while enemies seemingly phase through them. This doesn’t seem to be an issue with the XDefiant netcode, but an intentional feature of the game.

Imagine this: you’re low on health after a tough fighmusteed to escape through a vent. Just as you’re about to escape, a teammate is blocking your path, leaving you vulnerable to enemy fire.

One of my BIGGEST gripes, Friendly collide and Enemies pass through. 
byu/xevedaw413456 inXDefiant

Conversely, you might encounter an enemy and, as you prepare to shoot, they pass through you like a ghost and shoot you from behind. This strange mechanic has left many players frustrated and confused. Why include such a feature in this type of game?

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Essentially, they want it so that all players collide or pass through each other. The current setup is, in their words, “the reverse of every FPS game I have ever played.

Players Question Ubisoft’s Intention Behind This Feature

An in-game screenshot of XDefiant from Ubisoft.
Players can’t believe the XDefiant developers would intentionally make this a feature. | Credit: Ubisoft

It feels like players are at the end of their line with this game, after the recent complaints about jump spamming and now this.

One reply pointed out that friendly players can also accidentally block your shots and shared several examples where they lined up a perfect snipe only for a friendly to step into the line of fire.

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byu/xevedaw413456 from discussion
inXDefiant

Another user agreed and was in complete disbelief that games from ten years ago had better mechanics than what you’ll encounter in XDefiant today.

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byu/xevedaw413456 from discussion
inXDefiant

One comment mentioned no other game employs a mechanic like this one, calling it a poor design choice that should be changed. They questioned the developers’ intention, which seems to be a common theme in the thread.

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byu/xevedaw413456 from discussion
inXDefiant

While the game has shown a lot of potential, issues like the friendly collision and jump spamming aren’t fan favorites. They’re not small issues that can be brushed under the rug either, and an XDefiant patch to solve it might be necessary.

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While it’s something that separates the game from other FPS titles, according to player sentiment, it’s not necessarily a good thing.

What do you think about this issue? Should it be addressed, or is it fine as it is? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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Written by Vibha Hegde

Articles Published: 442

Vibha is an avid gamer that has been in the content writing space for over three years. With a Bachelors in Computer Applications, Vibha chooses to explore their passion for pop culture and gaming. When not hunkered over a controller trying to beat the Demon of Hatred in Sekiro, you can find Vibha relaxing to jazz during a digital painting session.