XDefiant Reportedly Started Life as a New Splinter Cell Project at Ubisoft
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
According to a new Bloomberg report, Ubisoft's short-lived shooter XDefiant originally began development as a new Splinter Cell game before corporate live-service demands forced a complete pivot.
A new report reveals that Ubisoft initially planned to bring back a dormant stealth classic before shifting direction entirely. According to a Bloomberg feature on AdHoc Studio, the developers behind the workplace superhero comedy game Dispatch, XDefiant actually began its development cycle as a brand new entry in the Splinter Cell franchise. Key studio leaders Nick Herman, Dennis Lenart, and Pierre Shorette joined Ubisoft in 2017 after departing Telltale Games, stepping into the company with high hopes of revitalizing the beloved tactical series for a modern audience.
However, corporate strategy shifted rapidly as Ubisoft leaned heavily into live service games across its entire publishing portfolio. The developers explained that the traditional Splinter Cell formula did not easily fit into the live service mold that upper management was demanding at the time. Over a lengthy and complex development process, the stealth project morphed into XDefiant, a free to play arena shooter designed to capture the fast paced energy of the modern competitive market.
While XDefiant launched to mixed reviews and ultimately shut down its servers earlier this year, this behind the scenes look highlights the constant pressure studios face to chase prevailing market trends. For players who have spent years waiting for Sam Fisher to make a proper return, knowing that a fresh entry was once in motion only adds to the bittersweet history of Ubisoft's recent catalog. You can read the original reporting over at IGN South Africa.
Source: IGN South Africa
Tags: Ubisoft, XDefiant, Splinter Cell, Industry News, Gaming
Original article: IGN South Africa