Ubisoft plans to discontinue XDefiant in 2025, impacting almost 300 employees due to layoffs

Ubisoft has declared the termination of its game XDefiant in 2025, which will lead to the shutdown of two development studios and affect nearly 300 employees through layoffs.

In a blog post, Marie-Sophie de Waubert, Ubisoft’s chief studios and portfolio officer, explained that the game failed to achieve the necessary player base to continue its live-service operations.

"The game is too far away from reaching the results required to enable further significant investment," Waubert stated.

As a result, one San Francisco location will be closed, though its business office will stay open. An Osaka office will also shut down, and operations in Sydney will decrease. This will impact 277 workers, who will lose their jobs.

Half of the team associated with XDefiant will be moved to "other roles within Ubisoft." According to Insider Gaming, a minimal staff will maintain operations for the game until its server closure on June 3, 2025.

Though season three is set to continue, as of December 4, new downloads, player sign-ups, and purchases have been halted.

Waubert also mentioned that Ubisoft is planning to "radically evolve [its] mindset for production and business practices" and may conduct "targeted restructuring when necessary."

Last month, Mark Rubin from Ubisoft had denied speculation about a shutdown after the fourth season of the game.

As indicated in recent financial disclosures, Ubisoft is actively implementing a cost-saving strategy through limited hiring, selective restructuring, and reduced external expenditures.