Ubisoft Announces Shutdown of XDefiant, its Free-to-Play Shooter

Ubisoft has confirmed the closure of its free-to-play shooter, XDefiant, with servers scheduled to shut down on June 3, 2025. The decision follows a period of declining player numbers, despite an initially promising launch. The "sunset" process begins December 3, 2024, halting new player registrations, downloads, and in-game purchases.

Refunds and the "Sunset" Process

Ubisoft will provide full refunds for Ultimate Founders Pack purchases. Refunds for in-game currency (VC) and DLC purchased since November 3, 2024, will also be issued. These refunds are expected to be processed within eight weeks, with a target completion date of 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 refund; standard and elite Founder's Packs are not.

Reasons Behind the Closure

Marie-Sophie Waubert, Ubisoft's Chief Studios and Portfolio Officer, attributed the shutdown to XDefiant's failure to achieve sustainable player numbers in the competitive free-to-play market. Despite initial success and a dedicated fanbase, the game couldn't maintain sufficient player engagement to justify continued investment.

Impact on Ubisoft Studios and Employees

The closure will result in the closure of Ubisoft's San Francisco and Osaka studios, and a significant downsizing of its Sydney studio. Approximately half of the XDefiant development team will transition to other roles within Ubisoft, while the remaining team members will be affected by these studio closures. This follows previous layoffs in August 2024 across several Ubisoft studios in the US. Ubisoft has committed to supporting affected employees through severance packages and career assistance programs.

A Positive Reflection Despite Closure

While the shutdown is disappointing, XDefiant's Executive Producer, Mark Rubin, highlighted the positive aspects of the game's development, particularly the strong and respectful relationship fostered between the developers and the community. Despite reaching 15 million players and initially breaking internal user records, the game's long-term viability within the free-to-play market proved unsustainable.

Season 3 Launch and Prior Reports

Despite the shutdown announcement, Season 3 will still launch as planned. While details remain scarce, speculation points towards Assassin's Creed-themed content. This contrasts with an earlier report from Insider Gaming in August 2024 suggesting the game's imminent closure due to low player numbers, a claim that was initially denied by Rubin. The release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 between XDefiant's Season 2 and 3 is believed to have further impacted player retention.

In conclusion, the closure of XDefiant marks a significant event for Ubisoft, highlighting the challenges of sustaining a free-to-play title in a fiercely competitive market. While the decision is undoubtedly difficult, Ubisoft has committed to supporting its affected employees and providing refunds to players.