Today, June 3, marks a somber moment for XDefiant enthusiasts as Ubisoft permanently pulls the plug on its servers. Following multiple successful beta tests in 2023, Ubisoft officially launched XDefiant in May 2024. Despite early networking issues, the game quickly gained traction, with some fans hailing it as a potential 'Call of Duty killer.' However, in a surprising turn of events, Ubisoft announced in December 2024 that XDefiant would be discontinued.

Just one month post-launch, XDefiant shattered records by becoming Ubisoft's fastest title to hit one million unique players. CEO Yves Guillemot revealed that the game attracted 11 million players in its first month, with expectations high for continued growth via Season 1. Unfortunately, player numbers began declining sharply by August 2024, sparking rumors about the game's uncertain future. While executive producer Mark Rubin denied these claims, Ubisoft confirmed in December 2024 that XDefiant would cease operations in June 2025.

Six months after Ubisoft's shutdown announcement, the inevitable has arrived. On June 3, XDefiant's servers will be taken offline permanently, though the exact timing remains undisclosed. Players hoping for a final session should log in while they still can. Unlike some games that transition to offline modes, Ubisoft has clarified that XDefiant will become entirely unplayable after today. On a positive note, all eligible DLC refunds for purchases made after November 3, 2024, have reportedly been processed.

Despite its impending closure, Ubisoft rolled out a substantial Season 3 update for XDefiant in December 2024. This final update packed in content originally planned for two seasons, introducing three new factions—including one inspired by Assassin's Creed and another by Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon—alongside 13 new maps.

While Ubisoft continues to thrive with titles like Assassin's Creed Shadows and Rainbow Six Siege, the company reported significant financial losses (€159 million) for fiscal year 2024-2025, partly attributed to underperformers like Star Wars Outlaws and XDefiant. Nevertheless, rumors about a new The Crew installment and a potential Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag remake offer hope for fans.

XDefiant's brief lifespan was marked by meteoric success and abrupt decline. Its innovative faction-based gameplay and rapid player adoption showcased potential, but ultimately, it couldn't sustain momentum. As the servers go dark, the game joins the ranks of short-lived but memorable online shooters.