Home News xDefiant, Ubisoft's F2P Shooter, Shutters As Studios Close and Downsize

xDefiant, Ubisoft's F2P Shooter, Shutters As Studios Close and Downsize

Author : Isaac Update:Jan 05,2025

Ubisoft's XDefiant: A Free-to-Play Shooter's Unexpected Demise

xDefiant, Ubisoft's F2P Shooter, Shutters As Studios Close and Downsize

Ubisoft has announced the closure of its free-to-play shooter, XDefiant, with servers scheduled to shut down on June 3, 2025. This decision follows a period of declining player numbers despite an initially promising launch. Let's delve into the details of this surprising announcement and its impact.

The Shutdown Process Begins

The "sunset" process for XDefiant commences December 3, 2024. New players will no longer be able to download, register, or purchase the game or its DLCs. Ubisoft is committed to providing refunds for eligible in-game purchases. Full refunds will be issued for the Ultimate Founders Pack and in-game purchases made since November 3, 2024, with processing expected to take up to eight weeks (refunds should be completed by January 28, 2025). Players who haven't received their refunds by then should contact Ubisoft support. Note that only the Ultimate Founders Pack is eligible for a full refund; the standard and Elite Founders Packs are not.

Reasons Behind the Closure

xDefiant, Ubisoft's F2P Shooter, Shutters As Studios Close and Downsize

According to Ubisoft's Chief Studios and Portfolio Officer, Marie-Sophie Waubert, XDefiant failed to achieve the sustained player base necessary to compete effectively within the highly competitive free-to-play FPS market. Despite the team's efforts and a dedicated fanbase, the game's performance fell short of expectations, making further investment unsustainable.

Impact on the Development Team

xDefiant, Ubisoft's F2P Shooter, Shutters As Studios Close and Downsize

The closure will result in significant changes for the XDefiant development team. Approximately half of the team members will transition to other roles within Ubisoft. However, the San Francisco and Osaka studios will close, and the Sydney studio will downsize, leading to job losses for 143 employees in San Francisco and 134 in Osaka and Sydney combined. This follows previous layoffs in August 2024 across several Ubisoft American studios. Ubisoft has committed to supporting affected employees with severance packages and career assistance.

A Positive Note Despite the Closure

xDefiant, Ubisoft's F2P Shooter, Shutters As Studios Close and Downsize

While the shutdown is undoubtedly disappointing, XDefiant's Executive Producer, Mark Rubin, highlights the positive aspects of the game's community, emphasizing the respectful and open communication between players and developers. Despite reaching 15 million players and initially breaking internal records with 5 million users shortly after launch, the game's long-term profitability proved insufficient to justify continued support. The competitive free-to-play market presented significant challenges.

Season 3 Release and Prior Reports

Despite the shutdown, Season 3 will launch as planned. While details remain scarce, speculation points towards content potentially linked to the Assassin's Creed franchise. However, access to this final season will be limited to players who acquired the game before December 3, 2024. Earlier reports from August 29, 2024, suggested XDefiant's struggles were due to low player counts, a claim initially denied but ultimately proven accurate by the shutdown announcement. The release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 between Seasons 2 and 3 may have also contributed to the game's decline.

xDefiant, Ubisoft's F2P Shooter, Shutters As Studios Close and Downsize

In conclusion, the closure of XDefiant serves as a reminder of the challenges inherent in the free-to-play market, even for established developers like Ubisoft. While the decision is undoubtedly difficult, Ubisoft is focusing on supporting its employees and acknowledging the positive community experience fostered during the game's lifespan.

Latest Games More +
Role Playing | 2.8 GB
Command a group of mercenaries to fight through the stages in the enchanting land of Iria with Sword of Convallaria, a captivating tactical RPG that promises an immersive experience.As the leader of a mercenary group, you'll navigate a world brimming with political intrigue, powerful factions, and t
Role Playing | 1448.00M
Are you ready to immerse yourself in a world of pixelated knights, wielding powerful weapons, and embarking on thrilling adventures? Look no further than One-Punch ManXUnknown Knights! This game invites you to collect and upgrade a wide array of characters, enabling you to forge your ultimate team
Card | 55.10M
Ready to dive into the exhilarating world of casino gaming without leaving your home? Peach Slots is your ticket to an unforgettable online slot experience, packed with a variety of bonuses and massive prizes that are just waiting for you to claim them. With stunning 3D graphics and immersive sounds
Card | 15.20M
Dive into the excitement of hitting the jackpot with Jackpot Slots - Lucky Casino! This app brings the vibrant atmosphere of Vegas to your mobile device with three thrilling game modes: Slots Game, Lucky Wheel, and Lottery Scratchers. Spin the reels, take a spin on the wheel, or scratch off tickets
Board | 26.1 MB
Dive into the timeless game of Checkers, also known as Draughts, Dama, Damas, or Shashki, with Dalmax Checkers. This versatile app lets you explore the classic board game across a wide array of rule variants, ensuring a fresh and engaging experience every time you play.Dalmax Checkers is packed with
Word | 102.0 MB
Our second Sloword application is now available, offering an exciting new way to engage with puzzles. You can access Scanword directly from the first screen by clicking on the image, or navigate to it through the Settings - Other Applications section. For a refreshing change, give this modern altern
Topics More +
Mar 04,2025 A total of 10
More
Feb 27,2025 A total of 10
More
Dec 31,2024 A total of 10
More
Dec 30,2024 A total of 10
More