Multiple sources have revealed that Ubisoft will shut down XDefiant in June 2025.

The news was mentioned in an internal all-hands meeting today. According to sources familiar with the decision to shut down the game, the decision was made due to low player numbers and lack of player spending.

Layoffs are expected to affect a significant number of employees at the San Francisco studio and supporting studios, with some employees having already received severance information. February will see another wave of layoffs as Ubisoft San Francisco and Osaka close their doors. It is estimated that around 170 to 180 people will lose their jobs.

Season 3 will be the last full season of XDefiant, with a remaining team retaining the title until June 2025. According to people familiar with the situation, Ubisoft will inform XDefiant players about refunds for cosmetic items and other purchases at a later date.

XDefiant began its uphill battle shortly after the release of the first season, as the team struggled to cut costs due to a lack of player spending.

In August 2024, Insider Gaming reported that XDefiant was on loan despite initially strong player numbers. Frustrations within the studio were always directed at its leadership, which refused to take responsibility for the project’s shortcomings that could have been avoided with a better studio culture, the people said.

In late March 2024, I reported on the studio’s toxic work culture, and despite an internal investigation that concluded last month, I was told that the issues had been swept under the rug and the problems were still widespread.

UPDATE – Mark Rubin has issued a statement that XDefiant will be closed.

Both current and former Ubisoft employees can contact me securely and anonymously at (email protected) as I continue to investigate the company’s issues.

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