Ubisoft has clarified that purchasing a game does not grant players "unfettered ownership rights," but rather a "limited license to access the game." This statement was made in response to a lawsuit filed by two players of The Crew, following the company's decision to shut down the original racing game in 2023.
As of the end of March 2024, The Crew is no longer playable in any form, whether physical or digital, and even pre-owned copies cannot be used. Ubisoft has taken steps to ensure continued playability by creating offline versions for The Crew 2 and its sequel, The Crew: Motorfest, but did not extend this effort to the original game.
At the end of last year, two gamers initiated legal action against Ubisoft, asserting that they believed they were purchasing ownership of The Crew rather than merely a limited license. Their lawsuit likened the situation to buying a pinball machine, only to find it stripped of essential components years later.
According to Polygon, the plaintiffs accused Ubisoft of violating several California laws, including the False Advertising Law, Unfair Competition Law, and Consumer Legal Remedies Act, alongside claims of common law fraud and breach of warranty. They also pointed out that the game's activation code, valid until 2099, suggested long-term playability.
In response, Ubisoft's legal team argued that consumers were fully aware at the time of purchase that they were acquiring a license, not ownership. They emphasized that both Xbox and PlayStation packaging included a clear notice about potential cancellation of online features with 30 days' notice.
Ubisoft has moved to dismiss the case, but should the lawsuit proceed, the plaintiffs are seeking a jury trial. Meanwhile, digital marketplaces like Steam have started to explicitly inform customers that they are buying a license, not a game, in line with a new law signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom. This law mandates transparency about the nature of digital purchases but does not prevent companies from discontinuing access to content.
