The gaming industry's long-standing debate over digital ownership has intensified as Ubisoft defends itself against a lawsuit filed by disgruntled players. The controversy centers around the company's decision to shut down servers for its 2014 racing game The Crew, rendering the title completely unplayable despite some players having purchased physical copies.
The Lawsuit Against Ubisoft
Two California gamers initiated legal action against Ubisoft after the company permanently shut down The Crew servers in March 2024, making the game entirely unplayable. The plaintiffs argue they purchased the game under the impression they were buying permanent ownership rights, not a temporary license. In their colorful analogy, they compared the situation to buying a pinball machine, only to have the manufacturer later remove all the essential components, leaving behind an empty shell.
The Crew servers were permanently shut down in March 2024, making the game completely unplayable
Ubisoft's Legal Defense
In its motion to dismiss the case, Ubisoft has taken a firm stance that consumers never truly owned the games they purchased. The company insists players were explicitly notified, at the time of purchase, that they were purchasing a license rather than gaining unfettered ownership rights to the game. Ubisoft's lawyers highlighted that the physical packaging for Xbox and PlayStation versions contained clear and conspicuous notice that the company could cancel access to online features with 30 days' prior notice.
The Crux of the Dispute
At the heart of this legal battle is the nature of digital ownership. The plaintiffs claim they were misled by Ubisoft, believing they had purchased permanent access to The Crew. They provided evidence showing the game's activation code displayed an expiration date of 2099, which they interpreted as a promise the game would remain playable until then. The lawsuit alleges violations of California's False Advertising Law, Unfair Competition Law, and Consumer Legal Remedies Act, among other claims.
The plaintiffs provided evidence showing the game's activation code had an expiration date of 2099
Different Treatment for Different Titles
What has particularly frustrated players is Ubisoft's inconsistent approach to game preservation. Following player backlash, the company created offline versions of The Crew 2 and The Crew: Motorfest, allowing players to continue enjoying these titles even after server shutdowns. However, no such accommodation was made for the original The Crew, which was completely deactivated in March 2024.
Ubisoft created offline versions of The Crew 2 and The Crew: Motorfest, but not for the original The Crew
Industry-Wide Implications
This case highlights broader concerns about digital ownership in gaming. Recently, Valve's Steam platform began explicitly warning customers that they are purchasing licenses rather than games outright. This change came after California Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation requiring digital marketplaces to clearly inform customers about the true nature of their purchases. However, this law doesn't prevent companies from eventually removing access to content—it merely requires transparency about the terms.
What Happens Next
Ubisoft has filed a motion to dismiss the case, arguing that players received the benefit of their bargain by enjoying the game for years before its shutdown. If the motion fails and the lawsuit proceeds, the plaintiffs have demanded a jury trial. The outcome could potentially set important precedents for consumer rights in digital media ownership, affecting how game companies handle end-of-life procedures for online-dependent titles in the future.