Ubisoft to End Support for XDefiant, Shuts Down Studios

As a dedicated player of XDefiant, I can’t help but feel a pang of sadness at this turn of events. It feels like losing a beloved friend who, despite its quirks and imperfections, brought endless hours of enjoyment into my life. The game’s unique blend of strategy, skill, and camaraderie was something I looked forward to every day, and I know I’m not alone in this sentiment.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve got some tough news to share: The gaming community rallying around XDefiant is in for a shift, after the word from Executive Producer Mark Rubin about the future of our beloved free-to-play FPS. Fast forward to December 3, 2024, Ubisoft has made it official – they’ll be pulling the plug on XDefiant support. That means no more downloads, new players joining us, and no further in-game purchases.

In simpler terms, Rubin stated that “Free-to-play games are often a marathon, requiring significant time before they can become successful and profitable.” He also mentioned that Ubisoft and the game’s development team were prepared for this long journey, but unfortunately, it became an arduous path they could no longer sustain.

The announcement naturally threw up some questions for those who had previously purchased the game’s Ultimate Founders Pack, though Ubisoft has confirmed that they will be refunded in full. Any players who made purchases in XDefiant within the last 30 days will also be fully refunded.

Greetings to our Valued Players,

A significant announcement: XDEFIANT is entering its final phase – sunsetting!

We extend our heartfelt gratitude for your exceptional backing and unwavering commitment towards XDEFIANT. Unfortunately, we must share that as of today, December 3, 2024, we are initiating the sunset process.
Consequently, fresh downloads, new player registrations, and other related activities will cease. We appreciate your understanding during this transition period.

— XDefiant (@PlayXDefiant) December 3, 2024

Although no further downloads of the game will take place, its servers will continue to operate, ensuring that current players can access and enjoy the game until June 3, 2025. Furthermore, the scheduled release of Season 3 is still on track.

According to VGC, about half of the personnel involved in XDefiant are anticipated to shift to different positions within Ubisoft. Unfortunately, Ubisoft’s production studios in San Francisco and Osaka are set to shut down, while their Sydney office is planning to reduce its size.

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2024-12-04 13:43