Despite being super optimistic about the XDefiant post-launch content, Ubisoft is seemingly about to shut down the game, leading more than 100 employees back to their homes. Ubisoft’s so-called CoD Killer is accordingly going down, and its dawn is nearer than the next Call of Duty game that it’s never going to kill.
According to Ubisoft, June 3, 2025, is the end line for XDefiant, meaning that the game will probably last for only 3 seasons. This is while Ubisoft had 4 seasons planned for the game prior to this update, and most of the addressed issues with the servers were supposed to be solved by then.
The decision is made because of poor player receptions and lack of money spent in the game, which absolutely makes sense for a free-to-play title to get shut down for these reasons. However, this doesn’t only affect the small player number that actually enjoys this game, but it would also directly damage the Ubisoft San Francisco and Osaka studios as there will be layoffs happening for this matter.
As a result, over 170 employees are about to lose their jobs due to Ubisoft closing the doors of the two mentioned studios. It sounds like a management problem more than anything, most of which probably is because XDefiant was launched before the game was fully ready to reach the public’s hands.
As of right now, you can still hop into the game and enjoy some XDefiant action, but before Ubisoft’s CoD Killer shuts down, there’ll be refund options for the cosmetics and items you’ve purchased in the game. So, if you’re frustrated about losing money to a dead game, you’re supposedly lucky. Also, remember that Ubisoft might have a word or two about this decision in the upcoming weeks, which will impact this story and how the shutdown process will be implemented.