Ubisoft is sued over The Crew server shutdown

Ubisoft is facing a lawsuit over its recent decision to shut down the servers of The Crew, leaving players unable to access the game they believed they owned. Two Californian gamers have filed a class action lawsuit, arguing that the server shutdown has rendered their purchased physical copies of the game useless.

The lawsuit, filed on November 4, 2024, alleges that Ubisoft misled players about the nature of their ownership. The Crew, a racing game released in December 2014, became unplayable after Ubisoft shut down its servers due to “server infrastructure and licensing constraints.” The plaintiffs argue they were led to believe they were purchasing the game outright, when in reality, they were only licensing access. They compare this to buying a pinball machine, only to find it has been gutted without their permission. Despite Ubisoft offering refunds to recent buyers, many long-time players were left with no compensation.

The lawsuit, filed on November 4, 2024, alleges that Ubisoft misled players about the nature of their ownership (Image credit) Is Ubisoft close to liquidation?

The lawsuit against Ubisoft over The Crew is the latest in a series of challenges for the gaming giant. Some industry analysts are speculating whether Ubisoft’s recent financial and reputational setbacks could signal more profound problems within the company. While there’s no confirmed indication that Ubisoft is nearing liquidation, the growing dissatisfaction among gamers, coupled with class action lawsuits, raises questions about its stability and future direction.

The core issue at the center of this lawsuit is the difference between purchasing a game and licensing it. The lawsuit alleges that Ubisoft falsely represented that The Crew’s files on physical disks provided full ownership, when in fact, these disks merely acted as keys to access the game’s online servers. The shutdown left players who purchased physical copies with no offline mode, effectively rendering their games useless. Unlike other games, such as Knockout City, which patched in an offline version after server closures, Ubisoft did not offer a similar solution for The Crew.

The lawsuit calls for monetary damages for affected players and seeks court approval to convert it into a class action, allowing other players to join. The plaintiffs argue that, had they known their access could be revoked, they would not have purchased the game at the same price. This lawsuit aligns with broader efforts, such as the Stop Killing Games movement, which campaigns to ensure that games remain playable even after official servers are turned off.

The core issue at the center of this lawsuit is the difference between purchasing a game and licensing it (Image credit)

As the gaming industry continues to shift towards digital and online-first models, the ownership versus licensing debate remains a significant concern for players. The controversy around Ubisoft’s handling of The Crew‘s shutdown has prompted some legislative changes in California, requiring companies to clarify when players are only buying a license. However, this law stops short of preventing companies from rendering games unplayable, highlighting the ongoing struggle between consumer expectations and corporate policies in digital media.

Waiting for a statement

Ubisoft has declined to comment on the lawsuit. The outcome of this case could have lasting effects on how digital games are sold and the responsibilities of companies to their customers, especially when games are tied to online services that can be shut down without notice.