Call of Duty players are expressing frustration over the new XDefiant map, Daytona, alleging that it is a copy of Modern Warfare 2’s Santa Sena Border Crossing. The new Escort and Zone Control-specific map in XDefiant is drawing criticism due to its layout, which some claim resembles the disliked Border Crossing map from Call of Duty.

XDefiant’s Struggle to Stand Out

XDefiant has faced comparisons to Call of Duty since its announcement, with some dubbing it the “Call of Duty killer.” Despite not dethroning Call of Duty, Ubisoft’s shooter gained traction by offering features like the absence of skill-based matchmaking in casual playlists—a topic of contention within the FPS community for years.

The Controversy Unfolds

Following the announcement of the new XDefiant map, Call of Duty fans took to social media to mock its resemblance to Santa Sena Border Crossing. With an ex-Call of Duty developer leading XDefiant’s development, the comparisons to Activision’s shooter are not entirely unexpected. Ubisoft has previously taken jabs at Call of Duty and other popular games like Overwatch and Fortnite in promotional materials, and now Call of Duty fans are returning the favor.

Community Reactions

Ubisoft unveiled XDefiant’s Daytona map, which will be available in the Escort and Zone Control game modes, on August 1 at 10 AM PT. Inspired by Ubisoft’s racing franchise, The Crew, the map initially received positive feedback from the XDefiant community. However, Call of Duty players quickly drew parallels between Daytona and Santa Sena Border Crossing, a map heavily criticized for its central area filled with explosive vehicles.

CharlieIntel, a prominent gaming news source, tweeted that XDefiant was “making [its] own version” of Santa Sena Border Crossing. Call of Duty leaker TheGhostOfHope echoed this sentiment, humorously welcoming back the disliked map. Despite the backlash, XDefiant players defended Daytona, arguing that its resemblance to the Modern Warfare 2 map is superficial, primarily due to the game modes it supports.

Examining the Maps

While Daytona and Santa Sena Border Crossing share a similar shape and design, a closer inspection reveals significant differences. Santa Sena Border Crossing is a gritty, straightforward map, whereas Daytona features a vibrant aesthetic with diverse buildings and hiding spots. The distinct visual styles and gameplay elements set Daytona apart, despite surface-level similarities.

Conclusion

The controversy surrounding XDefiant’s Daytona map highlights the ongoing rivalry between the two franchises. While some fans see similarities between Daytona and Santa Sena Border Crossing, others recognize the unique aspects of Ubisoft’s new map. As XDefiant continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how it distinguishes itself in the competitive FPS landscape.

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