Why is XDefiant shutting down?
Ubisoft tried something different and it sadly didn't work out
Mark Rubin, executive producer, recently announced that XDefiant will shut down permanently on June 3, 2025. While the game showed promise, its journey has been cut short.
XDefiant is Shutting Down by Summer 2025
As of December 3, 2024, XDefiant stopped allowing new downloads or player registrations. However, current players can keep playing until the servers close in June 2025. To help ease the transition, Ubisoft is offering refunds for anyone who bought the Ultimate Founders Pack or made purchases within the last 30 days of the announcement. The game’s final update will bring Season 3, giving fans a last bit of new content before the shutdown.
The Idea Behind XDefiant
XDefiant launched with the goal of bringing back a simpler time in shooters. It focused on fast-paced, skill-based gameplay without skill-based matchmaking (SBMM), unlike games like MW3. The team wanted to create a game where pure gunplay and teamwork were front and center.
The game had a great start, breaking Ubisoft records by hitting 5 million players faster than any of their other games. Over time, it grew to 15 million players. But even with this strong beginning, the game couldn’t hold onto its audience. Players enjoyed the gameplay but felt the progression system was lacking.
Why XDefiant is Shutting Down
One of the biggest complaints about XDefiant was the lack of meaningful progression. Players wanted features like Prestige Mode or challenges that gave them goals to work toward. Even when mastery camos were added, the grind felt too boring to keep most players interested.
Without strong rewards or reasons to keep coming back, even great gameplay wasn’t enough. Meanwhile, competitors like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 kept players engaged with better progression systems, battle passes, and customization options.
Mark Rubin admitted that launching a free-to-play shooter in today’s market was a tough challenge, especially with big games like COD dominating the space.
“XDefiant was a personal passion for me,” Rubin said. “It had the chance to really shake up the genre, but we just couldn’t keep it going.”
What XDefiant Did Right
Even though the game is shutting down, it did some things that stood out. Its gameplay rewarded raw skill, with no skill-based matchmaking or heavy aim assist to make things easier. For many players, it felt like a throwback to simpler times in shooters.
Communication is Key
One thing XDefiant did well was staying open and honest with its community via Twitter/X and their Dev Letters. The developers kept players in the loop and made communication a priority. This approach earned a lot of respect from fans, even if the game ultimately fell short.
The developers weren't afraid to deliver bad news to the community. Most other developers are too careful with their messaging and would rather stay quiet, creating a void of communication that frustrate the players more than the bad news itself.
Rubin hopes this focus on transparency will inspire other developers to stay connected with their players.
Final Thoughts
XDefiant will be remembered as a game that tried something different but couldn’t quite make it work. It’s a reminder of how competitive the gaming world is and how hard it is to balance great gameplay with features that keep players engaged.
As players enjoy the final months of XDefiant, there’s hope that the lessons learned will help future games succeed. For fans, June 2025 won’t just be the end of a game—it’ll be the end of a bold idea that left its mark, even if only for a little while.
About the author
I’ve cultivated my writing skills and learned to marry my interests by working as a gaming journalist here at Game Champions. This is a perfect way to talk about the things I’ve always loved and share my thoughts with a wider audience.
