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Ubisoft Ends XDefiant, Shuts Down Studios in June 2025

Dec 4, 2024, 01:24 AM

Ubisoft has announced the discontinuation of its free-to-play first-person shooter game, XDefiant, with servers scheduled to shut down on June 3, 2025. The decision to sunset the game, which was seen as a competitor to Call of Duty, comes after it struggled to find its footing in the market. The closure will impact approximately 277 employees, leading to layoffs and the closure of Ubisoft's production studios in San Francisco and Osaka. Ubisoft has stopped accepting new player registrations, and some players are receiving refunds for their purchases. Despite reaching over 15 million players, XDefiant failed to generate sufficient revenue to justify its continuation. The move reflects broader challenges within the live-service gaming sector, where even games with significant player bases can struggle to become profitable.