Ubisoft's XDefiant will not include controversial Skill-Based Matchmaking found in Call of Duty
Ubisoft has confirmed that its upcoming free-to-play shooter, XDefiant, will not feature skill-based matchmaking in unranked modes, favoring a more traditional ping-based system.
The details:
SBMM has been a contentious topic in online communities in recent years, particularly among Call of Duty players. The matchmaking system uses a player's recent performances to try to match them up with others of similar skill, which often results in frustratingly difficult lobbies until a player begins to struggle, putting them in an endless cycle. Some, including Activision, argue that this is required to keep games balanced, while others claim it weakens the casual experience.
Ubisoft has now announced that XDefiant will not include SBMM, instead matching players based on their connections and team size to create a "fun and varied game experience in the long term." The publisher claims that SBMM creates "repetitive" games that are "just as stressful and matched as ranked." However, teams will still be balanced for a fair game, but only after all players are in the lobby.
Despite numerous delays, COD fans have been eagerly anticipating XDefiant, as many of its design decisions directly address complaints about modern COD entries. This includes issues with movement mechanics, time-to-kill, and now matchmaking, with the game's executive producer Mark Rubin providing updates on its progress on X.
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