Console Compliance Bugs Cause Delay in Release of XDefiant

Greetings, XDefiant Fans! Today, we have an exciting update for you, and it’s a substantial one. We understand that many of you are eagerly awaiting a specific launch date, and we want to provide further insight into why we haven’t announced one just yet. Transparency is key, so get ready for a flood of information! Let’s dive in.

The submission process is a crucial phase in game development. It involves delivering the game to the first parties, such as Sony and XBOX, for thorough testing to ensure it functions seamlessly on their platforms. Before reaching this stage, we conduct extensive self-testing with our internal QA/Compliance teams to identify any potential issues that may arise during the submission process.

Once we address all the tasks necessary for submission, which typically takes around 2-3 weeks, we proceed to prepare and validate a Candidate Master (CM) version of the game. This CM version is considered the final iteration that will undergo rigorous QA and Compliance testing by multiple Ubisoft teams over the course of a week. If the game successfully passes these tests, it moves on to the first parties for certification.

The first parties then take approximately a week to provide their final report on the submission, granting either a Pass or Not Pass verdict along with a list of required fixes for the next submission. It’s important to note that during this submission process, Ubisoft’s QC team meticulously examines the build for functionality bugs, while another team focuses on compliance bugs specific to each platform (PC, Sony, and Xbox).

Functionality bugs pertain to whether gameplay features operate as intended. These bugs are primarily our responsibility to identify and resolve, unless they impede the first parties’ testing process. Compliance bugs, on the other hand, relate to meeting the systems and overall experience expectations set by the first parties for games on their platforms. Examples include ensuring proper tracking of trophies and accurate updates to friends’ lists with game status.

Once we receive a Pass from all the first parties, we are ready to ship the game. However, we still require approximately 1-2 weeks before the official launch, depending on the Pass date. If, unfortunately, we do not receive a Pass, we must allocate around a month to address the identified issues and repeat the submission process outlined above.

Now, where do we stand in this process? In late July, we initiated the submission process, and by mid-August, we received our first results, which unfortunately resulted in a Not Pass. This outcome revealed that we had more compliance-related work ahead than initially anticipated. Had we received a Pass, we could have aimed for an end-of-August release. However, since that wasn’t the case, we have spent the past 3-4 weeks diligently resolving these issues and preparing for another submission.

Currently, we are in the CM prep phase of this process and hope to submit to the first parties in less than two weeks. If this submission successfully passes without any complications, we could potentially see a release date in mid-to-end of September. However, there is a possibility of receiving a conditional Pass, which would require us to implement some final fixes through a Day 1 patch to ensure compliance. In such a scenario, our release date would be pushed to early/mid-October.

Now, you might be wondering why we haven’t provided a firm release date yet. If we were following traditional game release practices, we would have set a date well in advance with ample buffer time to confidently announce it. However, XDefiant isn’t your typical game, and we’ve chosen a different path. Allowing millions of people to play an unfinished game and exposing its flaws isn’t the norm. These were genuine tests, not mere marketing events.

So, when it comes to the question of when we will release XDefiant, the honest answer is “as soon as we can.” We remain committed to our promise of transparency and actively listening to our players’ feedback. In fact, we’ve already incorporated player requests into the game’s development, such as the addition of Map Voting and an upcoming S&D-like mode. XDefiant is your game, and we want to ensure it reflects your desires.

We appreciate your time in reading through this extensive update. We acknowledge the journey we’ve embarked on together and express our gratitude to every single person who has joined us along the way. We are eagerly anticipating the moment when we can share our passion and love for XDefiant with all of you. See you soon in the game!

Mark Rubin

XDefiant Executive Producer

Background Information

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About Sony: Sony Corporation, a global conglomerate for its diverse range of innovative consumer electronics and entertainment products, has also made significant strides in the realm of computer products. Leveraging its expertise in engineering and technology, Sony has introduced laptops, tablets, and accessories that blend sleek design with robust performance. These computer products bear the hallmark of Sony's commitment to quality and innovation, catering to both casual users and professionals seeking powerful computing solutions. With a history of pushing technological boundaries, Sony's computer products showcase its dedication to creating devices that seamlessly integrate into modern lifestyle

  

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About Ubisoft: Ubisoft is a important video game company that was founded in 1986 in France by the Guillemot brothers: Christian, Claude, Gérard, Michel, and Yves. The company is known for developing and publishing a wide range of popular video game franchises, including Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, Rainbow Six, and Watch Dogs. Ubisoft is recognized for its commitment to delivering immersive and engaging gaming experiences across multiple platforms, from consoles and PCs to mobile devices.