Ubisoft Shuts Down XDefiant and Closes Two Studios After Six Months

The free-to-play shooter failed to retain players, leading to 277 layoffs and a restructuring of Ubisoft's operations.

XDefiant, Ubisoft's free-to-play first-person shooter, will cease operations on June 3, 2025, after failing to sustain its player base.
The game's closure will result in the shutdown of Ubisoft's San Francisco and Osaka studios, along with a reduction in operations at its Sydney site.
A total of 277 employees will be laid off, with 143 in San Francisco and 134 across Osaka and Sydney, while some team members will be transitioned to other roles.
Ubisoft cited XDefiant's inability to compete in the highly competitive free-to-play FPS market despite a promising initial launch with over 15 million players in six months.
The company plans to focus on more profitable projects and continue its commitment to live-service games while addressing broader financial challenges and market pressures.