Ubisoft has clarified that purchasing a game does not grant players "unfettered ownership rights" to it, but rather a "limited license to access the game." This statement was made in response to a lawsuit brought against them by two disgruntled players of The Crew, following Ubisoft's decision to shut down the original racing game in 2023.
As of the end of March 2024, The Crew, released in 2014, is no longer playable in any form—be it physical or digital—even for those who already own it. Ubisoft made efforts to develop offline versions for The Crew 2 and its sequel, The Crew: Motorfest, allowing continued play, but did not extend this courtesy to the original game.
In late 2023, the two gamers filed a lawsuit against Ubisoft, claiming they believed they were purchasing outright ownership of The Crew, rather than just a limited license to use it. They likened their situation to buying a pinball machine, only to find it stripped of essential parts years later.
According to Polygon, the plaintiffs accused Ubisoft of breaching California's False Advertising Law, Unfair Competition Law, and Consumer Legal Remedies Act, along with charges of common law fraud and breach of warranty. They also argued that Ubisoft contravened California's gift card laws, which prohibit expiration dates on gift cards.
The gamers presented evidence showing that the activation code for The Crew was valid until 2099, suggesting to them that the game would remain playable well into the future. However, Ubisoft contested these claims, stating that consumers were clearly informed at the time of purchase that they were buying a license, not outright ownership.
Ubisoft's legal team emphasized that the packaging for Xbox and PlayStation versions of the game included a prominent notice in all capital letters, stating that Ubisoft could terminate access to specific online features with a 30-day notice. Ubisoft has moved to dismiss the case, but if unsuccessful, the plaintiffs are seeking a jury trial.
It's worth noting that digital marketplaces like Steam now feature explicit warnings to customers about purchasing a license, not a game, following a law signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom. This law mandates clearer disclosure about the nature of digital purchases, though it does not prevent companies from discontinuing access to content.
