Ubisoft’s free-to-play first-person shooter, XDefiant, is set to cease operations, with servers scheduled to shut down on June 3, 2025. This decision comes less than a year after the game’s official launch in May 2024. Despite an initial surge of over 10 million players within the first two weeks, XDefiant struggled to maintain its player base, leading Ubisoft to discontinue its development.
Initial Success and Subsequent Decline
Upon its release, XDefiant garnered significant attention, with Ubisoft reporting that the game “outperformed expectations thanks to acquisition and strong average revenue per session day.” However, this momentum waned, and by the fall, concurrent player numbers across all platforms had fallen below 20,000.
Refunds and Server Closure Timeline
Ubisoft has ceased accepting new players as of December 3, 2024. The company plans to shut off servers entirely by June 3, 2025. Players who purchased the Ultimate Founders Pack will receive full refunds, and those who bought virtual currency or downloadable content in the past month will also be refunded.
Impact on Ubisoft Studios and Employees
The shutdown of XDefiant has led to significant job losses, with Ubisoft closing its production studios in San Francisco and Osaka, and downsizing in Sydney. This restructuring affects a total of 277 employees: 143 in San Francisco and 134 across Osaka and Sydney.
Official Statement from Ubisoft
In an internal notice published on Ubisoft’s website, Chief Studios and Portfolio Officer Marie-Sophie de Waubert stated:
“Despite an encouraging start, the team’s passionate work, and a committed fan base, we’ve not been able to attract and retain enough players in the long run to compete at the level we aim for in the very demanding free-to-play FPS market. As a result, the game is too far away from reaching the results required to enable further significant investment, and we are announcing that we will be sunsetting it.”
Community Reactions
The gaming community has expressed disappointment over the shutdown. Many players took to social media to share their experiences and memories of the game. A notable tweet from gaming analyst Paul Tassi highlighted the situation:
“As recently as October, XDefiant director Mark Rubin claimed that circulating rumors were false, and it wasn’t being shut down. Well, it is.”
Conclusion
The closure of XDefiant underscores the challenges faced by free-to-play shooters in a competitive market. While the game showed early promise, sustaining player engagement proved difficult. Ubisoft’s decision reflects a strategic shift to focus resources on more successful ventures within its portfolio.
