Ubisoft Announces XDefiant Server Shutdown in June 2025
Ubisoft has revealed plans to sunset its free-to-play shooter, XDefiant, with servers officially shutting down on June 3, 2025. The shutdown process begins December 3, 2024, halting new player registrations, downloads, and all in-game purchases. Ubisoft will issue refunds for eligible purchases.
Refund Details:
Full refunds will be provided for Ultimate Founders Packs. Refunds for in-game currency (VC) and DLC purchased since November 3, 2024, are also guaranteed. Processing may take up to eight weeks, with refunds expected by January 28, 2025. Contact Ubisoft support for assistance after this date if a refund is not received. Note that Founder's Packs and Founder's Pack Elite are not eligible for refunds.
Reasons for Shutdown:
Ubisoft's Chief Studios and Portfolio Officer, Marie-Sophie Waubert, cited the game's failure to meet player retention goals in the highly competitive free-to-play FPS market as the primary reason for the shutdown. The game, despite an initial positive reception, fell short of the sustained player base necessary to justify further investment.
Impact on XDefiant Team:
The closure will result in significant restructuring. 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, leading to job losses for 143 employees in San Francisco and an estimated 134 in Osaka and Sydney. This follows previous layoffs in August 2024 across several Ubisoft American studios.
Positive Reflections and Season 3:
Despite the shutdown, XDefiant Executive Producer Mark Rubin expressed gratitude for the community and highlighted the positive interactions between players and developers. Season 3 will still launch as planned, though details remain scarce. Initial plans, as outlined in a now-deleted blog post, suggested new factions, weapons, maps, and game modes, potentially including Assassin's Creed content. However, only players who acquired the game before December 3, 2024, will have access to this final season.
Prior Speculation:
Insider Gaming reported on August 29, 2024, citing internal sources suggesting XDefiant's struggles due to low player numbers. While initially denied, the shutdown announcement confirms these concerns. The release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 between XDefiant's Season 2 and 3 may have further impacted player engagement.
