In competitive first-person shooter games, the player’s skill matters the most. Usually, games like Call of Duty, Battlefield, and other similar FPS games offer players a Skill-Based Matchmaking (SBMM) that puts similarly skilled players against each other. This makes every game feel competitive, and no one is an easy target.
However, Ubisoft’s latest FPS game, XDefiant, has sparked debates among the community and divided opinions when they removed SBMM. The game’s producer, Mark Rubin, defended the decision, asking players to work on their skills and not rely on matchmaking.
Ubisoft’s Approach with XDefiant: Removing SBMM
XDefiant was released recently (May 21st) and offers unique gameplay featuring playable characters from other Ubisoft projects. During the introductory phase (for the first new matches), new players are given the opportunity to match with SBMM intact, which helps them adjust to the game’s pace and learn the maps.
However, after the first few matches, SBMM is removed, and new players are randomly matched. The main issue with this strategy is newcomers can now find themselves put into matches against seasoned veterans, which will most likely result in a loss. This system is put in to encourage the new players to learn the basics and not be reliant on matchmaking, even though it can overwhelm them at first.
On the other hand, for veteran players, the absence of SBMM can make the matches more fun and less competitive. For them, the lack of SBMM is a throwback to the days of challenge and unforgiving gameplay offered in Dark Souls and Elden Ring, where they needed to learn the mechanics to overcome the challenges.
This sentiment was also shown by the Producer Mark Rubin, who, in response to a tweet by @TheXclusiveAce, agrees that if players are getting easily killed, they need to grind more and become better players. This shows the unique aspect of gaming culture where overcoming harsh learning curves and relentless difficulty has becomes a badge of honor.
Balancing Engagement and Accessibility in Modern Gaming
For newcomers, who are hoping for a more normal/easier introduction to XDefiant, the complete lack of SBMM can be really harsh. The learning curve is not a smooth slope but a vertical wall as they will find themselves facing off against opponents who have countless more hours than them. However, after putting in some time and hard work, the value of victory or just a better performance in matches is indescribable.
Many people are arguing that without SBMM, the game has a risk of discouraging a large number of potential players. They are suggesting that developers at Ubisoft should find a balance between fun yet challenging matches for veterans while also providing a more accessible path for newcomers to learn and improve.
In the end, XDefiant‘s decision to not include SBMM shows their commitment to prioritizing player engagement over structured matchmaking. One thing is certain: the debate between players about SBMM is far from over, but Ubisoft is standing firm on its decision.
