Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Videos
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
    • G+RLS Podcast
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • Home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Videos
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
    • G+RLS Podcast
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Xbox exclusivity explained
  • G+RLS Podcast
  • SDCC 2026 schedule
  • New Games 2026
  • GTA 6 pre-orders
  • Best gaming tech
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Games
  2. FPS Games
  3. XDefiant

XDefiant dev agrees that with no SBMM, if you're not finding "easy enemies" in Ubisoft's shooter, it's because you are the easy enemy

News
By Hirun Cryer
Published 29 May 2024

And there's room for improvement

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

XDefiant gameplay screenshot showing gunfight
(Image credit: Ubisoft)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

An XDefiant producer has agreed with the sentiment that if you never find "easy enemies" in the shooter without skill-based matchmaking, it's a sign that you are the "easy enemy."

The 'SBMM' debate has been raging for a good few years now in shooters like Call of Duty and Battlefield. On one hand, developers argue that it's good for matching up players of equal skill level. On the other hand, streamers and professional players argue that it's bad because it matches them up with players of equal skill level.

XDefiant, Ubisoft's new free-to-play FPS which just launched last week, omits skill-based matchmaking once players are past the 'introductory' phase of the game. Unfortunately, that doesn't work out perfectly for everyone. In a tweet, YouTuber Xclusive Ace argues that if XDefiant players "never find easy enemies," it's because they've "got a lot of room for improvement." XDefiant producer Mark Rubin, quoting the original tweet, apparently agrees with this sentiment.

Latest Videos FromGamesRadar+
Watch full video here:

This! https://t.co/1IhJ0bMVNsMay 25, 2024

Both Rubin and the original tweet are saying this isn't a bad thing in the slightest, because improving your game will feel better in the end. "As you work on improving, the results of that are so much more rewarding because it’s reflected directly in your gameplay performance over time," Xclusive Ace further adds in the original tweet above.

Rubin and the streamer are pointing out that there isn't some nefarious script quietly working in the background to prevent you getting matched up against "easy enemies." If you are struggling like this, it's a sign that you have room to improve, and from the perspective of your opponent's, you are in fact the "easy" enemy player. It's all relative.

You may like
  • Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 reveal trailer screenshot shows a figure wearing a mask with a skull design. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 boss promises transparency over SBMM: "All will be revealed soon"
  • Arc Raiders "Defending yourself is no longer treated the same as starting a fight," Arc Raiders devs say of PvP
  • Arc Raiders raider on blue and red background Arc Raiders makes it official: "Only the PvP fights players choose to initiate" impact aggression

Check out our XDefiant skill rating guide for a full breakdown of how your performance is rated and judged.

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
CATEGORIES
PC Gaming PS5 Xbox Series X Platforms PlayStation Xbox
Hirun Cryer
Hirun Cryer
Social Links Navigation
Freelance Writer

Hirun Cryer is a freelance reporter and writer with Gamesradar+ based out of U.K. After earning a degree in American History specializing in journalism, cinema, literature, and history, he stepped into the games writing world, with a focus on shooters, indie games, and RPGs, and has since been the recipient of the MCV 30 Under 30 award for 2021. In his spare time he freelances with other outlets around the industry, practices Japanese, and enjoys contemporary manga and anime.

Read more
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 reveal trailer screenshot shows a figure wearing a mask with a skull design.
Call of Duty Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 boss promises transparency over SBMM: "All will be revealed soon"
 
 
Arc Raiders
Third Person Shooters "Defending yourself is no longer treated the same as starting a fight," Arc Raiders devs say of PvP
 
 
Arc Raiders raider on blue and red background
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders makes it official: "Only the PvP fights players choose to initiate" impact aggression
 
 
Gustave stands in the foreground wearing beret and striped shirt
RPGs Clair Obscur Expedition 33 head says the volleyball minigame is "easy," then proves it on stage
 
 
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced reveal showcase screenshot shows Edward attacking an enemy.
Assassin's Creed Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced HUD is optional as Ubisoft baked all the information you need into its animations
 
 
Soltari Echelon 4 commander Sheridan Bouchard stands with a handgun raised in Saros
Roguelike Games Don't skip Saros because Housemarque's previous roguelike Returnal is difficult, pleads PlayStation studios lead
 
 
Latest in FPS Games
Halo: Campaign Evolved Master chief shooting towards the camera as a hunter runs up from behind
Halo After playing Halo: Campaign Evolved's prologue, I don't want another Halo remake – it's time for a new game
 
 
Hell Let Loose: Vietnam
FPS Games Hell Let Loose: Vietnam is a highly lethal FPS that is purpose-built to humble Battlefield players
 
 
Halo Campaign Evolved Terminal console
Halo How to find every Terminal in Halo Campaign Evolved
 
 
Halo Campaign Evolved artwork showing Master Chief posing with his assault rifle on the ring
Halo How to play the Halo games in order: chronologically and by release date
 
 
Halo: Campaign Evolved Master Chief standing behind the lifeboat pilot as they approach Halo
Halo Halo Campaign Evolved shows love to Craig, the ugly Halo Infinite brute who became an internet meme
 
 
Halo Campaign Evolved player holding a Skull on the Pillar of Autumn
Halo All Skulls and Terminals in Halo Campaign Evolved The Pillar of Autumn
 
 
Latest in News
Benedict Cumberbatch as Stephen Strange in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
Marvel Movies The Russo brothers are starting to "sweat" over how soon Avengers: Secret Wars starts filming
 
 
Palworld character wincing at sunlight
Survival Games Yes, the Palworld devs see your cursed NSFW mods: "I don't think this is official"
 
 
Blastoise seen in the Pokemon Origins anime series.
Tabletop Gaming Japanese trading card shop is offering a bounty to anyone who can capture its robber "alive"
 
 
Jimothy in Guild Wars 2
MMO Games ArenaNet dev's spouse discovered Jimothy, so it's only right that Guild Wars 2 adds him as a pet
 
 
Mahou Arms character with green eyes and elf ears
Action Games Devs spent 9 years, starting in "my parents' basement," making a Nier Automata-esque action game
 
 
Link as he appears in the final battle of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
The Legend of Zelda After 16 months, Zelda Ocarina of Time expert completes a hitless, randomized run of the game
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Benedict Cumberbatch as Stephen Strange in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
    1
    The Russo brothers are starting to "sweat" over how soon Avengers: Secret Wars starts filming
  2. 2
    Yes, the Palworld devs see your cursed NSFW mods: "I don't think this is official"
  3. 3
    Japanese trading card shop is offering a bounty to anyone who can capture its robber "alive"
  4. 4
    ArenaNet dev's spouse discovered Jimothy, so it's only right that Guild Wars 2 adds him as a pet
  5. 5
    Devs spent 9 years, starting in "my parents' basement," making a Nier Automata-esque action game

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...