Ubisoft's F2P Shooter Defiant Discontinued Amidst Closures and Layoffs

Ubisoft has announced the closure of its free-to-play shooter, XDefiant, with servers slated to shut 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 operations on June 3, 2025. The shutdown process commences December 3, 2024, preventing new players from accessing the game or purchasing DLC. Ubisoft is committed to refunding 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 issued. Please allow up to 8 weeks for processing; refunds should be completed by January 28, 2025. Contact Ubisoft support if you haven't received your refund by then." Note that only the Ultimate Founder's Pack is eligible for a refund.

Reasons Behind the Closure

Marie-Sophie Waubert, Ubisoft's Chief Studios and Portfolio Officer, attributed the closure to XDefiant's inability to sustain itself within the competitive free-to-play market. Despite initial success and a dedicated player base, player acquisition and retention proved insufficient to justify continued 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 downsize, resulting in significant job losses. This follows previous layoffs in August 2024 across various Ubisoft American studios. Ubisoft is providing severance packages and career assistance to affected employees.

A Bittersweet Farewell

Despite a strong initial launch (5 million users in a short period, with 15 million total players), XDefiant ultimately failed to meet Ubisoft's financial expectations. While initially successful, the free-to-play model proved challenging to sustain long-term profitability. Executive Producer Mark Rubin expressed gratitude to the players and highlighted the positive community interactions fostered by the game.

Season 3 Release Despite Shutdown

Despite the closure, Season 3 will launch as planned, although specifics remain limited. Speculation points to Assassin's Creed-themed content. However, access will be limited to players who acquired the game before December 3, 2024. A previous blog post detailing Season 3's roadmap has been removed.

Early Reports and Market Competition

Insider Gaming reported on August 29, 2024, that low player numbers were contributing to XDefiant's struggles. While initially denied, the shutdown announcement confirms these concerns. The release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 likely further impacted XDefiant's player base. Ultimately, Ubisoft decided to discontinue the game despite the upcoming Season 3.