Ubisoft Shuts Down F2P Shooter 'xDefiant' amid Studio Closures

Ubisoft has announced the closure of its free-to-play shooter, XDefiant, with servers shutting 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 DLC. Ubisoft is issuing refunds for in-game purchases.

"Players who purchased the Ultimate Founders Pack will receive a full refund. Refunds for VC and DLC purchases made since November 3, 2024, will also be processed. Please allow up to 8 weeks for processing. Refunds should be completed by January 28, 2025. Contact Ubisoft support for assistance after this date." Note that only the Ultimate Founders Pack is eligible for a refund.

Reasons Behind the Closure

Marie-Sophie Waubert, Ubisoft's Chief Studios and Portfolio Officer, attributed the shutdown to XDefiant's inability to sustain itself in the competitive free-to-play market. Despite initial success and a dedicated fanbase, player acquisition and 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 significantly downsize, resulting in job losses for 143 employees in San Francisco and 134 in Osaka and Sydney. This follows previous layoffs in August 2024 affecting other Ubisoft studios. Ubisoft is providing severance packages and career assistance to affected employees.

A Positive Reflection

Despite initially exceeding 5 million users and reaching 15 million players overall, XDefiant's performance ultimately fell short of Ubisoft's expectations for profitability in the free-to-play landscape. Executive Producer Mark Rubin highlighted the positive player-developer interactions fostered during the game's lifespan.

"Thank you to our players for your incredible support and passion. It's been a privilege."

Season 3 Release Despite Shutdown

Season 3 will launch as planned, though details remain limited. While previous plans hinted at Assassin's Creed content, access will be restricted to players who acquired the game before December 3, 2024. An earlier blog post detailing Season 3's content has been removed.

Early Reports of XDefiant's Struggles

Insider Gaming reported on August 29, 2024, citing low player numbers as a factor in XDefiant's potential closure. While initially denied, this proved accurate. The release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 between Seasons 2 and 3 may have further impacted XDefiant's player base.