Home News Ubisoft Sued Over The Crew: You Don't Own Bought Games

Ubisoft Sued Over The Crew: You Don't Own Bought Games

Author : Amelia Update:Apr 11,2025

Ubisoft has firmly stated 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 after Ubisoft 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 all servers have been permanently shut down.

While Ubisoft took steps to develop offline versions for The Crew 2 and The Crew: Motorfest, allowing continued play, no such measures were implemented for the original game.

PlayLast year, two gamers filed a lawsuit against Ubisoft, asserting that they believed they were buying permanent ownership of The Crew rather than a temporary license. The lawsuit likened the situation to purchasing a pinball machine that later becomes unplayable due to missing parts.

According to Polygon, the plaintiffs claimed Ubisoft breached California's False Advertising Law, Unfair Competition Law, and Consumer Legal Remedies Act, along with common law fraud and breach of warranty. They also argued that Ubisoft violated California's gift card laws, which prohibit expiration dates. The plaintiffs presented evidence showing that the activation code for The Crew was valid until 2099, suggesting long-term playability.

Ubisoft's legal team countered these claims, stating that consumers were clearly informed at the time of purchase that they were acquiring a license, not ownership. They highlighted that Xbox and PlayStation packaging explicitly warned, in capital letters, of potential service cancellations with a 30-day notice.

Ubisoft has moved to dismiss the lawsuit, but if unsuccessful, the plaintiffs are seeking a jury trial.

In light of such disputes, digital marketplaces like Steam now display clear warnings that customers are buying a license, not a game. This follows a new law signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom, mandating digital marketplaces to clarify the licensing nature of digital purchases. However, this law does not prevent companies from discontinuing access to content; it simply requires them to inform customers about the licensing terms upfront.

Trending Games More +
1.1 / 718.00M
0.01 / 352.80M
0.036 / 431.31M
2.1 / 994.20M
Latest Games More +
Puzzle | 15.00M
Looking for a fun and addictive bubble-popping adventure to pass the time? Look no further than Bubble Worlds. This engaging game delivers a fresh twist on classic bubble gameplay, where players must strategically use a limited number of bubbles to clear the screen and earn the ultimate prize — the
Puzzle | 19.30M
Pico Park is an exciting cooperative multiplayer action puzzle game that brings 2-8 players together in a heartwarming mission: helping a friend find their lost kitten and pass through customs. The game has quickly become a social media sensation thanks to its charming feline characters and captivat
Puzzle | 30.60M
Sure! Below is the improved and SEO-optimized version of your content, written in fluent English while preserving the original structure, formatting, and placeholders such as [ttpp] and [yyxx]. No additional content or explanations have been added.2048 Kitty Cat Island is an enchanting puzzle game t
Casual | 315.70M
Looking to escape the frustrating confines of the friend zone and explore bold new experiences? Discover the *Breaking The Friend Zone* app, a provocative narrative-driven journey following a young virgin’s intense quest for transformation. Immerse yourself in a world where limits are challenged and
Card | 3.40M
Experience the ultimate thrill of strategic card play with the Treex app, now available on Android devices. Designed as a dynamic trick-taking game, Treex brings together two distinct variations of Trix—Complex and Kingdoms—alongside engaging partnership and duplication features that elevate the gam
Role Playing | 37.90M
Xtreme Boat Racing delivers the ultimate high-octane racing experience for thrill-seekers who live for speed and competition. Say goodbye to traditional tracks and embrace the open water, where every race is a test of skill, reflexes, and precision. Whether you're slicing through waves with the intu