XDefiant
News, coverage and analysis tracking XDefiant across the outlets.
XDefiant’s Phoenix Protocol: Ubisoft’s Bold F2P-to-Premium ResurrectionUbisoft is relaunching its tactical shooter XDefiant as a premium title on April 20, 2026, after a year-long overhaul. The game will be priced at $67.67, marking a significant shift from its original free-to-play model. This move is seen as a bold experiment in the current gaming market, potentially influencing future shooter development if successful.
Red Storm Entertainment Was Working on 10 Games Before Development Team Was Laid Off – RumorUbisoft's Red Storm Entertainment reportedly had 10 games in development before its development team was laid off, with projects ranging from support for live-service titles like Brawlhalla and Rainbow Six Siege to unannounced concepts. The studio has been refocused to support the Snowdrop Engine and serve as a global IT team following the layoffs, which affected 105 employees.
IOI Partners disowns MindsEye, Krafton collabs with arms dealer, and more cuts at Ubisoft - Patch Notes #44Several major gaming companies faced significant news this past fortnight. IOI Partners disowned the game MindsEye, Krafton announced a $1 billion partnership with a defense firm while simultaneously losing a lawsuit, and Ubisoft underwent restructuring leading to layoffs and the closure of Red Storm Entertainment's game development. Additionally, unionized game workers are petitioning for immigrant protections, Pokemon Pokopia achieved strong sales, and Nvidia's DLSS 5 technology faced backlash from developers.
Ubisoft continues with its cost-cutting program as it cuts 100+ jobs and ends game development at its Tom Clancy studio…Ubisoft has laid off 105 employees and ceased game development at its Tom Clancy studio, Red Storm Entertainment, as part of ongoing cost-cutting measures. The studio will now focus on Ubisoft's Snowdrop engine and IT support. This marks the third round of layoffs at Red Storm in three years, following similar cuts at other Ubisoft studios.
Ubisoft Laying Off 100+ Staff and Ending Game Development at Ghost Recon Studio Red Storm Entertainment - IGNUbisoft has laid off over 100 employees at Red Storm Entertainment, a studio known for its work on Tom Clancy titles like Ghost Recon and Rainbow Six. The company is also ending game development at the studio, which will now focus on technical work. This is the latest in a series of cost-cutting measures and layoffs across Ubisoft, which has also recently canceled multiple games and closed other studios.- Red Storm Entertainment Suffers 105 Layoffs, Turned Into Support Studio – RumorRed Storm Entertainment has reportedly undergone 105 layoffs and has been transitioned into a support studio for Ubisoft's Snowdrop Engine and IT operations. The studio, known for its work on the Rainbow Six and Ghost Recon series, will no longer develop its own games. This move is likely part of Ubisoft's broader restructuring efforts.
Ubisoft’s XDefiant Will Shut Down in June 2025Ubisoft has announced that their free-to-play first-person shooter XDefiant will be shut down on June 3, 2025. The game, which launched in May 2024, struggled to compete with established titles like Call of Duty and will not receive further content updates beyond the upcoming Season 3. Players who made in-game purchases will receive refunds.
XDefiant Season 01 Is Here! - The Game FanaticsUbisoft has launched Season 1 for its free-to-play first-person shooter, XDefiant. The update introduces a new battle pass, maps, weapons, cosmetics, and game modes. XDefiant is available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X, with purchases limited to cosmetics and boosters.