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Ubisoft’sXDefiantmade a strong entry into the scene in May 2024. It hit one million players in just two hours and went on to get 15 million players in total. So why now has it been announced that the game will be discontinued in July 17, 2025?
Executive producer Mark Rubin revealed on June 09, 2025, that the game would no longer be updated or supported. While existing players can access the game until June 26, 2025, the company has stopped downloads and in-game purchases.
XdefiantProbably Had the Most Potential of All the New Live Service Titles of 2024
The journey ofXDefiantbegan with high expectations. Launched in May 2024, it broke records as Ubisoft’s fastest-growing free-to-play title. The game was marketed as a nostalgic return to “old-school” shooter mechanics, especially with the decision to be free to play and not have skill-based matchmaking.
Hello XDefiant Fans,I am unfortunately here today to announce that XDefiant will be shutting down.Starting today (June 09, 2025), 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, the game’s executive producer, shared a heartfelt message acknowledging the passion of both the development team and the player base. He described the game as a labor of love and highlighted its achievements despite the odds. However, it is strange because he was also the one who said there wereno plans of shutting down.
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The free-to-play model is notoriously challenging, requiring consistent updates, strong community engagement, and enough revenue to justify long-term investment. According to astatementby Chief Studios and Portfolio Officer Marie-Sophie de Waubert, player retention and revenue fell short of expectations.
Correction/Update: Cuts expected to be closer to 277, not 177.Ubisoft SF production studio closing; Ubisoft SF business office remaining open
The impact of the game shutting down extends beyond players. Ubisoft announced the closure of its San Francisco and Osaka studios and a significant downsizing of its Sydney production site. Nearly 300 employees face layoffs, with roughly half ofXDefiant’s development team transitioning to other roles within the company.
Now We’ll Never Know What Could’ve Been
Despite its short lifespan,XDefiantmade a lasting impression on the people who did play it. Fans praised the game’s maps and mechanics comparing it to classicCall of Dutytitles. One fan even noted that they believed the game was going to find its footing in the upcoming season.
Gutted. I feel like the game was about to find its footing with Season 3 too. Assassin’s Creed themed season was going to be sick.I haven’t had this much fun on a shooter since Black Ops 3-4 era Call of Duty and have put nearly 400 hours into the game. The maps are phenomenal…pic.twitter.com/3krxAFQScU
The announcement of the game’s cancellation has gotten people talking about what could have been. A lot of people think that an earlier release date or availability on platforms like Steam might have improved its chances.
Therise and fall of live-service titleshave become increasingly common. Only this year we’ve seen huge live service flops likeSuicide Squad: Kill The Justice LeagueandConcord.
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While it ultimately fell short, the game leaves behind valuable lessons for the company and the gaming industry at large. Rubin highlighted the importance of open communication between developers and players, which became a defining aspect of the game’s development.
This “player-first” approach is something he hopes will leave a positive mark on future projects. Ubisoft still has stakes live-service genre and it should apply the lessons from this to its other titles likeRainbow Six.
Would you have liked to see more ofXDefiant? Let us know in the comments!
Daniel Royte
Gaming Writer
Articles Published :1370
As part of the FandomWire team, Daniel has followed the hero-shooter genre closely with a focus on titles like VALORANT, Apex Legends, and Marvel Rivals. You can also find him providing insight on the latest AAA titles from Elden Ring to GTA 6 and exploring the world of gacha games like Genshin Impact and Wuthering Waves. With more than 1,000 articles under his belt, you’ll need to look no further for a unique insight into every situation.If he’s not looking for the latest video game news, you’ll find him cheering on Ferrari in the race tracks of Formula 1 or at the theatres for the latest MCU releases.
