Ubisoft's free-to-play shooter, XDefiant, is officially closing its servers in June 2025. This announcement follows the game's failure to meet player retention goals. Read on for details on the shutdown and player impact.

XDefiant Server Shutdown: June 2025

The "Sunset" Begins

Ubisoft confirmed the XDefiant server closure on June 3rd, 2025. The shutdown process begins December 3rd, 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 3rd, 2024, will also be issued. Processing may take up to 8 weeks." Refunds are expected by January 28th, 2025. Contact Ubisoft support for assistance after that date. Note that only the Ultimate Founders 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 highly competitive free-to-play market. Despite initial positive signs and a dedicated player base, player acquisition and retention fell short of expectations. The game's performance didn't justify further investment.

Impact on the Development Team

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 significantly downsize, resulting in job losses for 143 employees in San Francisco and a projected 134 in Osaka and Sydney. This follows previous layoffs in August 2024 affecting 45 employees across American studios and 33 in Toronto. Ubisoft is providing severance packages and career assistance.

Reflecting on XDefiant's Journey

Despite a strong initial launch (5 million users shortly after its May 21st, 2024 release and 15 million total players), XDefiant ultimately proved unsustainable. Executive Producer Mark Rubin highlighted the positive player-developer relationship fostered by open communication, but acknowledged the challenges of the free-to-play market and the ultimately difficult decision to cease operations.

Season 3 Release and Subsequent Shutdown

Despite the closure, Season 3 will launch as planned. While details are limited, speculation points towards Assassin's Creed-themed content. However, access will be limited to players who acquired the game before December 3rd, 2024, due to the new player registration freeze.

Early Reports and the Impact of Competition

Insider Gaming reported on August 29th, 2024, citing internal Ubisoft sources, that low player numbers were jeopardizing XDefiant's future. While initially denied, this proved accurate. The release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 between Seasons 2 and 3 likely contributed to the decline in XDefiant's player base.