Ubisoft's 'xDefiant' Shuts Down Amidstudio

Ubisoft has announced the closure of its free-to-play shooter, XDefiant, with servers scheduled to shut down in June 2025. This article details the shutdown and its impact on players.

XDefiant Server Shutdown: June 2025

The "Sunset" Begins

Ubisoft will officially cease XDefiant's operations on June 3, 2025. The shutdown process begins December 3, 2024, preventing new players from accessing the game or purchasing content. Refunds for in-game purchases are underway.

Ubisoft states: "Those who purchased the Ultimate Founders Pack will receive a full refund. Players with VC and DLC purchases since November 3, 2024, will also be fully refunded. Processing may take up to 8 weeks." Refunds are expected by January 28, 2025. Contact Ubisoft for assistance after this date if a refund is not received. Note that only the Ultimate Founder’s Pack is eligible for a refund.

Reasons for XDefiant's Closure

Marie-Sophie Waubert, Ubisoft's Chief Studios and Portfolio Officer, explained that XDefiant failed to achieve the player base needed to thrive in the competitive free-to-play market. Despite initial success and a dedicated fanbase, player retention proved insufficient to justify further investment.

Team Transitions and Studio Closures

Approximately half of XDefiant's team will transition to other roles within Ubisoft. However, the San Francisco and Osaka studios will close, and the Sydney studio will downsize, resulting in significant job losses (143 in San Francisco and 134 anticipated in Osaka and Sydney). This follows previous layoffs in August 2024 affecting other Ubisoft studios. Ubisoft is providing severance and career support to affected employees.

A Positive Reflection

While XDefiant's closure is disappointing, it initially achieved 5 million users shortly after its May 21, 2024 launch, a record for Ubisoft. However, long-term player engagement and profitability fell short of expectations. Executive Producer Mark Rubin highlighted the positive player-developer relationship fostered by open and respectful communication.

Despite the shutdown, Rubin expressed gratitude to the players and their contributions.

Season 3 Release Despite Shutdown

Despite the impending closure, Season 3 will launch as planned. While details are limited, speculation points to content from the Assassin's Creed franchise. The original Season 3 roadmap, mentioning new factions, weapons, maps, and game modes, has been removed from the official website. Access to Season 3 will be limited to players who had already acquired the game before December 3, 2024.

Early Reports of XDefiant's Struggles

Insider Gaming reported on August 29, 2024, that low player numbers were impacting XDefiant. While initially denied, this proved accurate. The release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 between Seasons 2 and 3 likely further impacted XDefiant's player base. Ultimately, Ubisoft determined that continuing development was unsustainable.