Ubisoft wants to be very clear that XDefiant won't have any pay-to-win elements, pinkie promise: 'We know this is an important topic'

XDefiant — Key art for XDefiant featuring character operatives from Ubisoft factions.
(Image credit: Ubisoft)

XDefiant had previously announced that it will not be using skill-based matchmaking to group players in casual queues, and  is now out to convince players that it won't allow any pay-to-win features to intrude on the upcoming FPS game. 

XDefiant releases tomorrow, and Ubisoft has a new blog post explaining the decision not to include any pay-to-win routes in the game: "Any gameplay impacting content that is purchasable is also unlockable through challenges to ensure fair play amongst our community." XDefiant will have its version of battle passes, but clearly, these will be focused on cosmetics. The game offers the usual: character skins, weapon skins, MVP player animations, player cards, and emoji packs.

"Our goal is to provide amazing customization options that reward all of the matches, victories, and even defeats that you put into the game," Ubisoft says. "As you play that one more match, all of your time and energy will work towards unlocking content either through the Battle Pass or challenges."

Locking customisations behind a paywall is pretty standard practice for many games, with FPS games seemingly especially keen on the model. It's not always plain sailing: Overwatch 2 was in hot water on release due to its pricy skin bundles, which many players called greedy, but at least in that case they don't actually help you win games. There have, however, been a few occasions when purchasable items can give players a helping hand. Warzone players have previously gotten up in arms about a paid Doom bundle, which included the Super Shotgun, which was too strong for its own good (let's be honest, though: that kinda rocks).

It's these mishaps that Ubisoft is wary of, and being so explicit about the lack of pay-to-win in XDefiant is undoubtedly playing to the gallery—there's no better way to piss off players than the perception games are conferring advantages on those with deeper pockets. "We know this is an important topic," Ubisoft says. "A topic that demands reflection and evaluation. As XDefiant progresses, we will be listening to your feedback, as well as player surveys and in-game player data, and constantly evaluating to make sure we are providing fair and engaging customization options." 

TOPICS
Elie Gould
News Writer

Elie is a news writer with an unhealthy love of horror games—even though their greatest fear is being chased. When they're not screaming or hiding, there's a good chance you'll find them testing their metal in metroidvanias or just admiring their Pokemon TCG collection. Elie has previously worked at TechRadar Gaming as a staff writer and studied at JOMEC in International Journalism and Documentaries – spending their free time filming short docs about Smash Bros. or any indie game that crossed their path.

Read more
rainbow six siege sledge
After holding out for 10 years, Rainbow Six Siege is finally going free-to-play (kind of)
marvel rivals
Competitive shooters are at a crucial crossroads in 2025: 'sweaty' teamplay vs. casual fun
Rainbow Six Siege year 9 season 2 key art - two Rainbow Six Siege operators facing each other
'Siege 2 was never on the table': Rainbow Six Siege X director explains why the 10-year-old FPS doesn't need a sequel
midnight murder club
'The point is to be generous': This $20 FPS releasing next month is trying something new—giving away a full version of the game
Helldivers 2 Discord header image - four Helldivers celebrating side by side on a large rock
Helldivers 2 and Marvel Rivals convinced me: Battle passes should never expire
Masked game leader standing on a balcony
I was wrong—Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 players are still finding fault with the Squid Game skins despite them looking cool
Latest in FPS
Warhammer 40,000: Darktide Ogryn
Warhammer 40,000: Darktide adds a psychic horde murderzone mode and makes Ogryns even smashier
Starfield's companion robot giving a thumbs-up
Former Bethesda dev who quit Starfield to go solo says it's 'much less stressful as an indie' without daily meetings or 'office politics': it's 'very refreshing to just care about the game'
A crew of prospectors in Wildgate, featuring a robot, a rabbit man, and a small aquatic creature in a combination mech/aquarium.
Blizzard co-founder Mike Morhaime's new company is putting Sea of Thieves-style shenanigans in space with a new crew-based shooter
Team Fortress Spy being shocked
An FPS studio pulled its game from Steam after it got caught linking to malware disguised as a demo, but the dev insists it was actually the victim of a labyrinthine conspiracy
Neighbors Suburban Warfare screenshot a child aims a slingshot at a man from across a cul-de-sac.
A beta of backyard FPS Neighbors: Suburban Warfare is out now, and the balance discussion is hysterical: nerf trash can lids and children
Fragpunk
Somebody finally figured out casual Counter-Strike
Latest in News
PC Gamer magazine issue 408 Doom: The Dark Ages
PC Gamer magazine's new issue is on sale now: Doom: The Dark Ages
A gigantic terracotta sentinel made of living armor
Total War: Warhammer 3's army of Cathay has broken containment and is making its way to tabletop Warhammer at last
Two brightly colored stormtroopers dressed like Run-DMC stand in front of PAX Australia's WELCOME HOME banner.
Tickets for PAX Australia 2025 are on sale now
An Enshrouded player in a recreation of Erebor from The Lord of the Rings
Kings under the Mountain! 33 Enshrouded players spent 10,000 hours to recreate this iconic location from The Lord of the Rings
A mech awakens.
Mecha Break developer is considering unlocking all mechs following open beta feedback
Lara Croft Unified Art
Tomb Raider developer Crystal Dynamics lays off 17 employees 'to better align our current business needs and the studio's future success'