Screenshots
Watch trailer on Steam ↗DEFECT
emptyvessel · Published by emptyvessel · Official site ↗
Content notice: DEFECT is a Immersive Objective Shooter so the game includes and features guns/weapons, shooting of characters/players, violence and blood/gore as it is part of the main gameplay experience.
Last updated 27 Sept 2026
DEFECT is a CYBERPUNK SWAT SIM set in a destructible dystopian world. Play in Single-player, Co-op, or against others in 4v4v4v4 PvP.
Lead your squad through a crumbling dystopian city in DEFECT, an intense action experience where every mission tests your tactical skills. Join missions solo or with friends in co-op and competitive modes.
About this game
REVEL IN THE ANARCHY OF A CITY ON THE BRINK
DEFECT is a cyberpunk, SWAT sim set in the last city of mankind, where THE SYSTEM, an authoritarian AI, rules with inhuman logic. Choose from a collection of dangerous factions—The System’s own policing force, Rogue Police Elements, or a host of gangs vying for power—Play in Single-player for a deeper offline experience, or play with friends in PvP or PvE Co-op. Compete to achieve objectives like smuggling guns, assassinating targets, or arresting suspects. Suit up with state of the art weaponry and technology to give you the edge you need to live another day.
CONTROL VS CHAOS
Fight as the feared forces crushing humanity beneath the boot of the law or the gang factions killing anyone on the path between them and full control of the city.
UNDER THE SYSTEM
Explore the decaying sectors where The System’s grip fractures and chaos seeps in. Play offline in a challenging, Single-Player mode, or join forces in a dedicated PvE Co-op mode built for tactical coordination.
DYNAMIC ACTION
Face off against rival squads in PvP. Fight in tense and tactical matches as a member of a four-person squad, as you attempt to fend off other teams eager to claim every credit and reward for their own. Every match has multiple objectives that can change dynamically over the course of a deployment.
PREPARE FOR ANARCHY
Come together with your squad to gear up and collect what you need in your squad vehicle or gang hangout to be ready for anything the battle throws at you. While in the fight, keep an keen eye out for pickups that can change the course of the match. You never know what you'll find.
System Requirements
Will my PC run this? →Minimum
- Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
- OS: Windows 10/11 (64-bit versions)
- Processor: Intel Core i5-8400 @ 2.80GHz or AMD Ryzen 5 1600
- Memory: 16 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA RTX 2060 6GB equivalent or better
- DirectX: Version 12
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Additional Notes: SSD recommended
Recommended
- Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
- OS: Windows 10/11 (64-bit versions)
- Processor: Intel Core i7-9700K @ 3.60GHz or AMD Ryzen 7 2700X
- Memory: 16 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA RTX 3070 8GB equivalent or better
- DirectX: Version 12
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Additional Notes: SSD recommended
Supported Languages
*languages with full audio support
Latest news
AnnouncementsOfficial
BEHIND THE SYSTEM WITH GAME DIRECTOR EMANUEL PALALIC
We sat down with Emanuel Palalic, the creative force and Game Director leading the charge for emptyvessel and the architect behind the chaos in DEFECT. Emanuel isn't just building a game, he’s crafting a visceral, high-fidelity experience that challenges the status quo of the genre and breaks the mold.Dive deep into his journey, exploring the philosophy that drives his vision and the relentless passion for world-building that defines DEFECT. Don’t Get Left in the static.WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW NOW.Read full article on Community Announcements (emptyvessel)AnnouncementsOfficial
BEHIND THE SYSTEM WITH ART DIRECTOR ALEX PALMA
Every piece of art he has developed has lead to this role.Art Director Alex Palma talks about how he's assisting in building the world of #DEFECT from the ground up, illustrating the visuals for weapons, environments, characters and much more.Watch the full interview now:Read full article on Community Announcements (emptyvessel)AnnouncementsOfficial
THE FUTURE OF DEFECT
Today, we have two pieces of information to share:First, we're committed to the single player experience in DEFECT and wanted to share a small teaser about the story:You play a System Control Officer who has been marked deficient by The System, a godlike artificial intelligence that governs the world.Second, we’re also excited to share that we’ve partnered with NCSOFT to help us us build a strong foundation for DEFECT's single player.Enjoy a new look at our world and we look forward to sharing more about DEFECT’s single-player mode in the future.And as always, thank you for all the support! Watch the Story Teaser Trailer now:Read full article on Community Announcements (emptyvessel)AnnouncementsOfficial
BEHIND THE SYSTEM WITH THE LEGEND MICK GORDON
What does innovation sound like? We talked to composer and sound designer Mick Gordon about the process of his craft, pushing the limits of music technology and how he’s is defining the sound of #DEFECT.Watch the full interview now:Read full article on Community Announcements (emptyvessel)Press Coverage
Former id Software artist argues performance and optimization are 'as much of an art problem' as a tech one: 'Killzone 2 looks incredible today. FEAR looks incredible today'
I recently sat down with Defect game director and former id Software artist, Emanuel Palalic, as well as composer Mick Gordon to discuss the upcoming cyberpunk FPS. One topic I wanted to get their thoughts on was optimization: Defect looks like a heavy game, but has surprisingly lenient specs—RTX 2060 minimum—and no mandatory ray tracing like we're starting to see in some games... Read more.Read full article on PC Gamer (Ted Litchfield)
