XDefiant fans worry about Ranked as Season 1 hasn’t fixed biggest issue

XDefiant has been a lot of fun since launch, but the preseason is finally over with Season 1 about to begin. There is a lot to anticipate with the game’s first proper chapter, and arguably the biggest addition is Ranked. While this is highly welcomed by the community, many XDefiant fans worry about Ranked seeing as Season 1 doesn’t fix the game’s biggest issue.

With the launch of Season 1, we have a guide to all of the codes available to redeem for rewards. There is a new faction getting introduced, and they are able to nullify headshots with some fans concerned that they are already overpowered. In addition to this new faction, there is an assortment of new weapons, maps, a fresh battle pass, and more.

There is also the addition of Ranked, and some XDefiant fans are worried because the netcode still hasn’t been properly fixed.

XDefiant netcode has fans worried about Ranked

XDefiant fans are worried about Ranked due to continuing issues with the game’s netcode. The Y1S0.4 patch notes “improved how quickly your health reacts when being shot,” but many players still report that the netcode is the biggest issue with the game.

There are several posts with embedded gameplay reporting on how the netcode is still a problem, and fans are concerned that the Season 1 patch notes doesn’t include any improvements to the netcode at all. Reacting to the Season 1 patch notes saying nothing about the netcode, fans on Reddit have expressed concern about Ranked.

S1 patch notes says nothing about netcode being fixed or improve somehow
byu/Astonoth inXDefiant

In the replies on Reddit, there are several comments that echo the sentiment “people are really gonna take ranked mode serious when the netcode is still trash… it’s gonna cause some broken controllers for sure”.

The worry is that “ranked mode is going to be a competition to see which sweat can abuse the busted netcode/hitreg and air strafe around the most”. Many more comments say the “terrible netcode atm means that there is not much point trying, the networking gods have predecided your win or loss”.

Ubisoft has made it clear that fixing the netcode is their biggest priority. In reacting to gameplay footage from a frustrated player back in May, the game’s executive producer, Mark Rubin, declared that fixing the netcode and issues with hit-reg is “our top priority”.

…although that is the case there are two major areas where we can try and improve. As I said we are not dismissing the issues and this is our top priority. One we can find ways to decrease the affect of lost packets on players through optimization and efficiency and….

— Mark Rubin (@PixelsofMark) May 28, 2024

Unfortunately, the issue hasn’t yet been resolved and there’s no mention of any fixes in the Season 1 patch notes. Some fans fear that Ubisoft has “just given up” and that they are incapble of fixing the netcode seeing as the problems weren’t resolved following several betas pre-launch.

While the release date for XDefiant Season 1 is July 2nd, Ranked isn’t scheduled to start until July 3rd. We’re hoping that it will be more fun than frustrating, but the concerns from fans are understandable.

For more XDefiant, a leaker claims we are getting Far Cry and Assassin’s Creed-themed seasons in year 1.