Ubisoft’s live service shooter, XDefiant, has been the subject of rumors regarding a possible shutdown. However, Executive Producer Mark Rubin has come forward to address these rumors and confirm that there are no plans to shut down the game after season 4.
Rubin emphasized that the team is already planning content for the game’s second year, showing a commitment to improving the player experience and adding more content for the upcoming seasons. He acknowledged that the game has seen lower player numbers due to minimal marketing efforts but assured that this approach is intentional. The team is focused on enhancing the game before ramping up marketing efforts to attract new players and bring back those who have left.
The timing of these rumors coincides with a challenging period for Ubisoft, as the company faces scrutiny over the performance of its products. Following the underwhelming sales of Star Wars Outlaws, Ubisoft’s share price has dropped to a ten-year low. The company has adjusted its financial targets, initiated an operational review, and postponed the release of Assasin’s Creed Shadows to 2025.
Speculation has also arisen about Ubisoft potentially going private, with discussions of a Tencent and Guillemot Brothers buyout. Despite these setbacks, XDefiant has been positioned as a success for Ubisoft, garnering 11 million players within a month of its launch and receiving positive reception in the company’s financial reports.
Looking ahead, Ubisoft’s upcoming financial results for the first half of the fiscal year will be disclosed on October 30. The company continues to navigate challenges in the gaming industry while striving to maintain the success of XDefiant and deliver engaging content to its player base.
