XDefiant devs respond to fans upset shutdown – “we threw everything and the kitchen sink”

XDefiant devs respond to fans upset shutdown – “we threw everything and the kitchen sink”

As a long-time gamer, I’ve seen my fair share of games come and go. XDefiant was one that caught my attention initially due to its promise of a fresh take on the arena shooter genre. However, like a phoenix that rises only to fall again, XDefiant’s journey seems destined for the history books.

XDefiant aimed to challenge Call of Duty by introducing a unique arena-style shooter with streamlined mechanics that fans had long hoped for within Activision’s shooter franchise. However, after an initial spike in popularity, the appeal for Ubisoft’s free-to-play game waned significantly, eventually leading to its closure.

Prior to shutting down, Ubisoft launched the last update for XDefiant, jam-packed with fresh weapons, maps, and Factions. Following the release of the patch details, developers disclosed they included all they could think of (and even the kitchen sink) in this update, which includes content that was intended for upcoming seasonal updates.

XDefiant devs put everything into final update

On December 18, Ubisoft presented their Season 3.0+ update, where players can now choose between the Assassins faction, allowing for one-hit melee eliminations, or the Wolves Faction, which employs drone technology to gain an advantage during matches.

As I hopped onto the game just moments before the servers shut down for the night, it felt like a victory. “They’re calling this season a game-changer prematurely,” said one of my fellow gamers. But from where I stand, this update has already earned its stamp of approval.

As a gamer, I’d put it like this: “I’ve given my all, even tossing in the kitchen sink, in this latest update for you folks at XDefiant.

Regrettably, despite Ubisoft San Francisco’s valiant attempts, XDefiant couldn’t sustain its existence. The servers are set to shut down in June 2025, offering players ample opportunity to enjoy all that the Season 3.0+ update has to offer before they close.

Could XDefiant have survived?

Despite each update for XDefiant introducing fresh content, the recurring netcode issues and missing its initial release window when interest in rival shooters was at its peak proved to be the decisive factors for the game. XDefiant had a prime opportunity to excel within the first-person shooter niche, but unfortunately, it fell short of expectations.

Despite the game having potential to endure the sudden dip in player numbers, given that developers were producing content for a relatively small group of players, it wouldn’t be financially viable for Ubisoft to keep backing the project. For now, you have several more months to savor the game before it permanently shuts down.

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2024-12-19 14:40