Ubisoft Shuts Down F2P Shooter xDefiant, Closes Studios

Ubisoft's free-to-play shooter, XDefiant, is officially ending its run. Server shut down is scheduled for June 2025. Read on for details on this announcement and its impact on players.

XDefiant Servers to Shut Down June 2025

The "Sunset" Begins

Ubisoft confirmed the closure of XDefiant's servers on June 3, 2025. The shutdown process begins December 3, 2024, halting new player registration, downloads, and in-game purchases. Refunds for eligible purchases are underway.

Ubisoft states: "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. Processing may take up to 8 weeks."

Refunds are expected by January 28, 2025. Contact Ubisoft for assistance if a refund isn't received by then. Note that only the Ultimate Founders 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 needed to thrive in the competitive free-to-play market. Despite initial success and dedicated fans, player retention proved insufficient to justify continued investment.

Team Transitions and Studio Changes

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 and career support to affected employees.

A Bittersweet Farewell

Despite a strong initial launch (5 million users shortly after its May 21, 2024 release and 15 million players overall), XDefiant ultimately fell short of Ubisoft's financial expectations. Executive Producer Mark Rubin acknowledged the challenges of the free-to-play market and the difficult decision to cease development. However, he highlighted the positive player-developer relationship fostered by open and respectful communication.

Season 3 Still Launching

Despite the closure, Season 3 will proceed as planned. While details are limited, speculation points to Assassin's Creed themed content. The original Season 3 roadmap has been removed from the official website and replaced with the shutdown announcement. Access to Season 3 will be limited to players who acquired the game before December 3, 2024.

Early Reports and the Reality

Insider Gaming reported low player counts as a factor in August 2024, a claim initially denied by Rubin. The subsequent shutdown announcement confirms these earlier reports. The release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 between Seasons 2 and 3 likely impacted XDefiant's player base.