Another setback for Ubisoft, which has experienced a series of challenges recently: its game XDefiant will unfortunately be discontinued in the coming months. Released in May 2024 following two years of beta testing, XDefiant represents Ubisoft’s latest initiative to enter the multiplayer first-person shooter market, aiming to tap into the remarkable success of Activision’s Call of Duty. The French publisher even hired Mark Rubin, a former prominent producer for the Call of Duty franchise, in an effort to attract players who responded enthusiastically at launch, with over 8 million unique users within just one week. However, technical issues proliferated, and Ubisoft San Francisco’s development teams were unable to meet player expectations, resulting in a swift decline in server usage. Last September, Mark Rubin denied claims of the game’s slow demise, asserting that XDefiant was not failing and acknowledging areas for improvement while promising to address community needs. Despite these assurances, it has been confirmed that XDefiant will cease operations starting June 2025.
A message on the official website highlights the extent of the failure, particularly given that the game faced challenges in generating in-game revenues with cosmetic bonuses that did not attract players. This note, authored by Marie-Sophie de Waubert, Chief Studios and Portfolio Officer, states that the closure of XDefiant will result in the shutdown of two studios: Ubisoft San Francisco and Ubisoft Osaka, affecting 277 employees. Additionally, the Ubisoft Sydney studio, which also contributed to the development of XDefiant, is expected to undergo restructuring, with layoffs anticipated as well.
The cessation of XDefiant has significant implications for the teams involved with its development. While nearly half of the global XDefiant team will be reassigned within Ubisoft, this decision also leads to the closure of our production studios in San Francisco and Osaka, as well as a reduction in activities at our Sydney studio. Specifically, 143 departures are expected in San Francisco, while approximately 134 probable departures will occur in Osaka and Sydney. To those team members departing Ubisoft, I wish to express my sincere appreciation for your work and contributions. Please be assured that we remain committed to supporting you through this transition.
Faced with this sudden closure, Mark Rubin has promised that all Founders Ultimate Packs will be refunded, along with purchases made in the last 30 days.
