Ubisoft is shutting down its free-to-play shooter, XDefiant, with servers ceasing operation in June 2025. This announcement follows a period of declining player numbers and ultimately, the game's failure to meet profitability targets.

XDefiant Server Shutdown: June 2025

The Sunset Process Begins

Ubisoft will begin the shutdown process on December 3, 2024. This means no new players can download, register, or purchase the game or its DLCs after this date. Refunds are being issued for eligible purchases.

Ubisoft states: “For those who purchased the Ultimate Founders Pack, you will receive a full refund. Additionally, players who have made VC and DLC purchases since November 3rd, 2024, will also be fully refunded. Please note that processing these refunds will take up to 8 weeks.”

Refunds are expected by January 28, 2025. Contact Ubisoft for assistance if you haven't received your refund by then. Note that only the Ultimate Founder’s Pack is eligible for a full refund.

Why the Shutdown?

Marie-Sophie Waubert, Ubisoft's Chief Studios and Portfolio Officer, explained that XDefiant failed to achieve the player base and sustained engagement necessary to thrive in the competitive free-to-play market. The game fell short of the performance metrics required to justify further investment.

Impact on the XDefiant Team

Approximately half of the XDefiant 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 various Ubisoft studios. Ubisoft is providing severance packages and career assistance to affected employees.

A Positive Reflection Despite the Shutdown

Despite initially exceeding 5 million users shortly after its May 21, 2024 release and reaching 15 million players overall, XDefiant ultimately couldn't maintain the player base needed for long-term success. Executive Producer Mark Rubin acknowledged the challenges of the free-to-play market and expressed gratitude for the community's engagement and positive interactions with the development team. He highlighted the unique, respectful communication between players and developers as a positive aspect of the XDefiant experience.

Season 3 Launch Despite Shutdown

Season 3 of XDefiant will launch as planned, although details are limited. Speculation points towards content from the Assassin's Creed franchise. However, access will be restricted to players who acquired the game before December 3, 2024, aligning with the sunset process. The initial Season 3 roadmap blog post has been removed and replaced with the shutdown announcement.

Early Reports of XDefiant's Struggles

Insider Gaming reported on August 29, 2024, citing internal Ubisoft sources, that XDefiant was struggling due to low player counts. While this was initially denied, the shutdown announcement confirms these concerns. The release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 between Seasons 2 and 3 is speculated to have further impacted XDefiant's player base.