Awful XDefiant player counts decimate new playlist days after shutdown rumours

The month of October has been a turbulent time for XDefiant, Ubisoft’s free-to-play arena shooter aiming to capitalise on more traditional gameplay mechanics. Following a positive reception at launch, the developer has attempted to rekindle interest in the form of the Stellar Strike event.

Despite executive producer Mark Rubin dismissing shutdown rumours after four seasons, some players that have turned their attention to other games have decided to give XDefiant a second chance with the Air and Space playlist showcasing a brand-new map. Unfortunately, it appears that a new map and a wealth of cosmetics hasn’t done the trick, with the game’s low player count hindering the matchmaking process before a match has even started.

XDefiant Stellar Strike event is struggling

Typically, a brand-new map sees players flock into the action in a bid to master a new layout and gain the upper hand over the opposition. Instead, players are reporting that “something feels off” with the Limited Time playlist as fans struggle to assemble two full squads to do battle.

After playing ten matches on the Air and Space map, one fan reveals none of them featured a full lobby with some even featuring team balances as low as three against two. Far from ideal if you’re looking for some fast-paced action. Another adds: “Something is off with matchmaking. Having trouble across the board.”

It’s not just the Air and Space playlist where XDefiant’s low player count is causing problems. One player reports “two lobbies out of 15” Team Deathmatch lobbies managed to reach maximum capacity. Rubin’s statement revealed the game was in a “good place,” but lobbies struggling to fill isn’t a promising sign.

While Ubisoft is still working on more support for its live-service game, it does appear that player counts are dwindling. True Achievements reveals the XDefiant Xbox player count alone has dropped a staggering 94% since the game launched in May 2024. The player count of most games is bound to decline over time but rival shooters such as Apex Legends have managed to keep their players coming back for more.

A reversal of fortune?

By all accounts, the declining player count isn’t a good sign for the future of XDefiant. However, Ubisoft remains determined to reverse its fortunes. There are still plans in place for more post-launch content including new factions, weapons, maps, and game modes to keep the demand for new content under control.

That combined with anticipated improvements to the game’s netcode to improve hit registration could mark a turning point for the game once branded the “Call of Duty killer.”

For more on XDefiant, take a look at the reason why XDefiant was built from the ground up using an MMO engine. If you’re after the best weapons, why not check out the best MDR build for mid-range action?