XDefiant to Shut Down in 2025 as Ubisoft Closes San Francisco and Osaka Studios

Ubisoft has announced that XDefiant, its free-to-play shooter, will officially shut down in 2025, just six months after its release. The company cited challenges in retaining players in the competitive FPS market as the primary reason for the game’s closure. This decision has also led to the closure of Ubisoft’s San Francisco and Osaka studios, affecting approximately 277 employees globally.

Starting December 3, 2024, new downloads, player registrations, and purchases for XDefiant have been disabled. However, the game’s servers will remain active until June 3, 2025, allowing players to access Season 3 content, which will still be released as planned.

Chief Studios Officer Marie-Sophie de Waubert addressed the situation, saying, “Despite the team’s passionate work and a committed fan base, we’ve not been able to attract and retain enough players in the long run.”

Studios Closed, Jobs Lost

The game’s shutdown has led to significant layoffs at Ubisoft’s San Francisco and Osaka studios, as well as reductions in staff at the Sydney office. While exact numbers vary, a report by Insider Gaming suggest that around 170–180 employees from the two closed studios will lose their jobs. Game File’s Stephen Totilo also confirmed in a tweet that half of the XDefiant team will transition to other projects within the company.

Mark Rubin, the game’s executive producer, shared his disappointment with the closure: “This isn’t the outcome we envisioned, but I want to personally thank everyone who supported us throughout this journey. Your passion and feedback were invaluable, and we’re deeply grateful.” Rubin also confirmed that refunds would be provided for recent purchases and the Ultimate Founders Pack, with refunds processed automatically within 8 weeks.

Hello XDefiant Fans,

I am unfortunately here today to announce that XDefiant will be shutting down.

Starting today (December 3, 2024), new downloads and player registrations will no longer be available. We will still release our Season 3 content in the near future (exact date…

— Mark Rubin (@PixelsofMark) December 3, 2024

A Short but Eventful Journey

Initially celebrated for its potential to rival Call of Duty, XDefiant quickly faced challenges, from gameplay concerns to difficulties in player retention. The game initially boasted over 15 million players but struggled to sustain momentum after Season 1.

This closure follows similar struggles faced by other live-service games, including Ubisoft’s Concord. As Ubisoft refocuses its efforts on successful live-service titles, the company has stated its commitment to learning from the XDefiant experience.

Players who accessed the game prior to December 3, 2024, can continue enjoying the full range of in-game features until the servers are shut down. For more information on refunds and the sunsetting process, visit the official XDefiant FAQ.

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