XDefiant PS5

Ubisoft has confirmed its online FPS XDefiant will be shutting down and isn't accepting any new players with immediate effect. Anyone who played the game before today (3rd December 2024) will continue to receive access until 3rd June 2025, at which point the servers will be taken offline. A third season of content will still launch for those still active in the game, though no content will be purchasable anymore in the in-game store.

In a message to the XDefiant community from executive producer Mark Rubin, it's said: "Free-to-play, in particular, is a long journey. Many free-to-play games take a long time to find their footing and become profitable. It’s a long journey that Ubisoft and the teams working on the game were prepared to make until very recently. But unfortunately, the journey became too much to sensibly continue."

The publisher is offering refunds to players who bought the Ultimate Founders Pack, and other bundles like the Gold Pack and Starter Pack DLC. Those who bought virtual currency packs will also get their money back. Refunds will be processed through the PS Store for PS5 players, and more information can be found here. There won't be any offline mode of XDefiant available once the servers are taken down, so the game will cease to exist.

It's reported that as a result of the shutdown, Ubisoft San Fransisco and Ubisoft Osaka will be closed. Up to 277 people will lose their jobs, and half of the current XDefiant team will move to work on other projects.

While the online game got off to a decent enough start, there have been multiple reports over the last few months of suggestions XDefiant will be taken offline. That's now become a reality. "We understand that this news may come as a disappointment, and we deeply appreciate the time and passion you have invested in our community," the Ubisoft post said.

[source ubisoft.com]