Ubisoft Drops Tom Clancy Name from XDefiant

Ubisoft is dropping the Tom Clancy name from their upcoming free-to-play multiplayer arena shooter XDefiant. The game, which currently features maps and customizable characters from three Tom Clancy franchises – Ghost Recon, Splinter Cell, and The Division – will keep those characteristics despite the new shortened name.

Why remove Tom Clancy from the game’s name?

Ubisoft has now decided they will be adding more factions to the game, this time from outside of the Tom Clancy universe. While these factions were not detailed today, they will be introduced to players through the next round of closed testing due to take place imminently. As such, the team has decided to remove the Tom Clancy branding from the game’s name and shorten it to XDefiant.

The decision to remove Tom Clancy from the game’s name doesn’t appear to be a recent one. In a blog revealing the results of the first closed testing of XDefiant back in September, the team mentioned they would be addressing player feedback on the Tom Clancy branding, amongst other things. Many were unhappy with the association with Tom Clancy despite the game feeling completely unlike any Tom Clancy game that had gone before it. It seems like that feedback may have been taken to heart.

The next round of closed testing will only take place on PC. Ubisoft started to send out invites to the tests today, March 15. Those interested in taking part can sign up at the game’s website. Future closed testing will take place on other platforms, including consoles.

In other news, EA will not be holding an EA Play Live event this summer. Instead, they will be revealing more about their upcoming titles when the time is right for each of them individually. Elsewhere, console stock shortages have meant that the Xbox Series X|S consoles have outsold the PlayStation 5 in Europe for the first time since they launched in 2020.