The latest report from Stream Hatchet reveals that XDefiant, Ubisoft’s new game, is capturing the attention of viewers of other popular first-person shooters, such as Overwatch 2 and Call of Duty. A recent analysis shows that 52.6% of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 viewers also tune in to XDefiant, while a third of Overwatch 2 viewers do the same. This audience overlap suggests that XDefiant is managing to attract fans thanks to its similar gameplay and focus on class abilities.
This audience crossover indicates a strong attraction to similar game mechanics.
XDefiant has been praised for its focus on team objectives rather than killstreaks, and its continuous progression system is a plus against Call of Duty’s annual release strategy. Ubisoft’s game incorporates mechanics such as sliding, similar to Treyarch’s Call of Duty titles, which has helped attract players. The classes in XDefiant add a tactical element that resembles the hero abilities in Overwatch 2, which has also caught the attention of viewers.
Despite XDefiant’s growing popularity, the report suggests that the game is likely to occupy its own niche rather than overtake Call of Duty. Its arcade style appeals to a specific audience, while more hardcore players might still prefer Call of Duty’s more methodical gameplay and perk system. XDefiant’s ability to maintain player interest in the long term remains to be seen, although its focus on continuous progression and mixing of playstyles from other popular titles are aspects that could ensure it stays on the market.
If Ubisoft can capitalize on its game catalog and keep players interested, XDefiant could establish itself as a solid contender in the FPS genre. The evolution of its audience and its performance on streaming platforms will be key factors for its future success.
