Ubisoft has clarified that purchasing a game only grants players a "limited license to access" rather than complete ownership rights. This statement comes as the company seeks to dismiss a lawsuit filed by two dissatisfied The Crew players after the original racing game's servers were permanently shut down last year.
The 2014 title The Crew is no longer accessible in any form—whether physical, digital, or previously owned copies—with its servers going completely offline by March 2024.
While Ubisoft updated The Crew 2 and The Crew: Motorfest to offer offline playability, no such solution was provided for the original game.
In late 2023, two players sued Ubisoft, claiming they had believed they were "buying permanent ownership" of The Crew rather than a temporary license.
"Imagine purchasing a pinball machine only to later find it stripped of its paddles, ball, and score display," the lawsuit argued, likening the situation to a now-unplayable product.
As reported by Polygon, the plaintiffs accused Ubisoft of violating multiple California consumer protection laws, including statutes against deceptive advertising and unfair business practices. They also cited a potential breach of gift card regulations, noting that The Crew’s activation code was labeled as valid until 2099—which they argued implied long-term access.
Ubisoft strongly disputes these claims, stating that consumers were properly informed. "Plaintiffs mistakenly believed they were acquiring perpetual ownership, when in fact they were purchasing a revocable license—clearly stated at the point of sale," the company's legal team responded.
The publisher emphasized that game packaging prominently warns—in capitalized text—that online services may be discontinued with 30 days' notice.
Ubisoft has moved to dismiss the case. If unsuccessful, the plaintiffs are demanding a jury trial.
This case follows broader industry shifts, with platforms like Steam now explicitly disclosing that purchases grant licenses rather than ownership. These changes stem from a 2022 California law requiring digital marketplaces to clarify the nature of media purchases—though consumers remain vulnerable to content removal regardless.
