EXCLUSIVE – Ubisoft’s XDefiant Will be Shutting Down in June 2025

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, the news of XDefiant’s impending shutdown in June 2025 leaves me with a mix of emotions. On one hand, I am saddened to see yet another title bite the dust due to lackluster player numbers and disappointing revenue. On the other hand, I can’t help but feel a sense of déjà vu, as this seems to be a recurring theme in the gaming industry these days.

Several sources have revealed that Ubisoft will be shutting down XDefiant in June 2025.

Today, the topic of the recent news came up during our company-wide gathering. The reason for this decision stems from low player participation and insufficient player investment, as reported by those knowledgeable about the choice to discontinue the game.

It’s understood that layoffs will impact a significant number of employees at the San Francisco studio and supporting studios, with some staff already receiving severance information. Another wave of layoffs will happen in February, with Ubisoft San Francisco closing its doors.

In simpler terms, Season 3 marks the end of all regular seasons for XDefiant. A small team will continue managing the game until June 2025. As for updates regarding refunds for in-game items and purchases, Ubisoft plans to provide more information at a later time.

From the onset following Season 1’s launch, XDefiant found itself in a challenging situation due to low player spending, which forced the team into making budget cuts.

By August 2024, TopMob announced that XDefiant was facing an uncertain future despite boasting high initial player numbers. Tensions within the studio were consistently directed at the leadership team, who failed to acknowledge their role in the project’s flaws, which may have been mitigated with a healthier studio environment, according to sources.

By early April 2024, I shared insights about the studio’s harmful work environment. Although a internal probe wrapped up recently, I was informed that the problems have not been fully addressed and the toxic culture persists to this day.

UPDATE – Mark Rubin has issued a statement that XDefiant is closing down.

As a concerned gamer with an eye for justice, you’re welcome to reach out to me confidentially and securely at [email protected] if you have any insights or information regarding the ongoing issues at Ubisoft. Let’s work together towards a fairer gaming environment!

Read More

2024-12-04 02:47