Every article tag can be clicked to get a list of all articles in that category. Every article tag also has an RSS feed! You can customize an RSS feed too!
We do often include affiliate links to earn us some pennies. See more here.

Ubisoft hiring Linux developer talent for XDefiant

By - | Views: 34,823

XDefiant is an upcoming free-to-play, first-person arena shooter from Ubisoft and it seems they need a bit more Linux talent. In an advert on their careers website there's one noted for "Linux Systems Engineer - XDefiant", with the option to work remotely too.

The placement reads:

We are looking for a highly talented, motivated, and experienced person to work with us on XDefiant, a new multiplatform online multiplayer action game based in our San Francisco studio. XDefiant is a free-to-play, fast-paced arena shooter that combines intense gunplay with personalized loadouts and specialized factions, as teams of gunfighters battle for domination.

You’ll be working to extend and improve our game’s services running on Linux. You’ll be adding functionality and features, improving performance, and improving the Snowdrop engine’s support for Linux. As we all know, Linux is an extremely stable and performance-oriented OS, and you’ll be able to make XDefiant really shine there. You will work on a small, collaboration-oriented team where you will have the opportunity to contribute in meaningful ways.

You’ll also be part of the diverse Ubisoft San Francisco team. We embrace a variety of work situations based on what is best for the team, and we welcome people working in our SF office, remotely within the continental US, or some combination of the two. We put a priority on supporting our team members and what makes them happiest and most productive.

What you'll be doing:

  • Expand and improve the Snowdrop engine’s presence on Linux.
  • Optimize engine and game code.
  • Debug and refactor systems as needed to take the best advantage of Linux.
  • Work with the rest of the engineering staff to help them expand their cross-platform mindset.
  • Coordinate with other developers to ensure smooth roll out of new features.
  • Create and maintain technical design documents and best practices.

Could be a good one to try for some of our more experienced readers perhaps. Who knows, maybe it will even result in getting it working on Steam Deck and Linux desktop.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Tags: Jobs, Misc, Ubisoft
23 Likes
About the author -
author picture
I am the owner of GamingOnLinux. After discovering Linux back in the days of Mandrake in 2003, I constantly came back to check on the progress of Linux until Ubuntu appeared on the scene and it helped me to really love it. You can reach me easily by emailing GamingOnLinux directly. Find me on Mastodon.
See more from me
26 comments
Page: 1/3»
  Go to:

Linas Apr 15, 2023
View PC info
  • Supporter Plus
I thought this would be just for the Linux servers, which a lot of companies use internally. But the wording might suggest that it is also for the game itself. In that case it is very interesting.

What could be the reason behind it though? Getting on board with the Steam Deck / Steam Console? Some other Linux platform they have on mind?
CatKiller Apr 15, 2023
View PC info
  • Supporter Plus
It's a pretty terrible name, and Ubisoft have historically been not good to work for, but this
QuoteWork with the rest of the engineering staff to help them expand their cross-platform mindset
is how all developers should be thinking.
1xok Apr 15, 2023
I suspect it's more about the server component there. Whether EA, Epic, Ubi or whoever, the servers all run on Linux, of course.

But maybe I'm wrong and Ubi will actually offer some support for Linux clients in the future. That would be super great.


Last edited by 1xok on 15 April 2023 at 11:17 am UTC
Ponda Apr 15, 2023
While I thought it's just for the server as well, after careful read I'm not so sure anymore. They specifically mention working to "expand and improve the Snowdrop engine’s presence on Linux".
Eike Apr 15, 2023
View PC info
  • Supporter Plus
Quoting: CatKillerIt's a pretty terrible name, and Ubisoft have historically been not good to work for, but this
QuoteWork with the rest of the engineering staff to help them expand their cross-platform mindset
is how all developers should be thinking.

"Be the person who pesters all those developers with Linux." :D
Tuxee Apr 15, 2023
Quoting: Guest
Quoting: CatKillerIt's a pretty terrible name, and Ubisoft have historically been not good to work for, but this
QuoteWork with the rest of the engineering staff to help them expand their cross-platform mindset
is how all developers should be thinking.

Yeah too bad "cross-platform" in this context is PC-Playstation-Xbox... where PC means, of course, Windows.
The job is 100% for the server.

Then why would the need to
QuoteExpand and improve the Snowdrop engine’s presence on Linux"

The job is (a) 100% for the client.
Salvatos Apr 15, 2023
Sure, "our game’s services running on Linux" could have been server stuff, and "improving the Snowdrop engine’s support for Linux" could have just been making the devs' tools work better on Linux machines, regardless of the playable platform. But "Linux is an extremely stable and performance-oriented OS, and you’ll be able to make XDefiant really shine there" seems very unambiguous about running the actual game on Linux.

To me, it even sounds like they want to make it run especially well on Linux (i.e. compared to Windows and/or consoles). It could be that they want to push it hard on Steam Deck. Or maybe they're aiming for optimal performance on cloud platforms (Amazon was hiring Proton/Wine devs back in 2021 for Luna, right?).


Last edited by Salvatos on 15 April 2023 at 4:32 pm UTC
whizse Apr 15, 2023
View PC info
  • Supporter
Hey! You missed one important bulletin from the ad:

  • Work with the rest of the engineering staff and help them convince management to remove Ubisoft Connect
Purple Library Guy Apr 15, 2023
But, but . . . ! This can't be real, I have it on good authority that the existence of Proton means no game studio will ever again be interested in native Linux development!
Eike Apr 15, 2023
View PC info
  • Supporter Plus
Quoting: Purple Library GuyBut, but . . . ! This can't be real, I have it on good authority that the existence of Proton means no game studio will ever again be interested in native Linux development!

I thought similar things - just that it will not actually happen. Let's wait and see. :)

PS: I will link this post when I'm right!


Last edited by Eike on 15 April 2023 at 5:12 pm UTC
While you're here, please consider supporting GamingOnLinux on:

Reward Tiers: Patreon. Plain Donations: PayPal.

This ensures all of our main content remains totally free for everyone! Patreon supporters can also remove all adverts and sponsors! Supporting us helps bring good, fresh content. Without your continued support, we simply could not continue!

You can find even more ways to support us on this dedicated page any time. If you already are, thank you!
Login / Register


Or login with...
Sign in with Steam Sign in with Google
Social logins require cookies to stay logged in.