In 2014, Ubisoft released The Crew, an open-world racing game that required players to always be online to play. The game was successful, leading to the release of two sequels. However, in December 2023, Ubisoft removed The Crew from digital stores and shut down the game’s servers in April 2024. This move rendered the game unplayable, even for those who had purchased physical copies.
Two gamers from California, Matthew Cassell and Alan Liu, were unhappy with this decision and filed a lawsuit against Ubisoft on November 4. They claim that Ubisoft deceived consumers by selling them a game when, in reality, they were only getting a limited license to play. The lawsuit also points out that the single-player portion of The Crew could not be played offline, adding to the frustration of players.
Cassell and Liu are seeking class action status for the lawsuit, allowing other affected players to join. They are requesting monetary relief and damages for those impacted by the server shutdown. The lawsuit uses an analogy of buying a pinball machine, only to have the manufacturer come in years later and remove essential parts, rendering the game unplayable.
The decision to shut down The Crew’s servers sparked outrage online and prompted a movement to address the issue of companies making online games unplayable after purchase. In the United States, a new law in California aims to hold publishers accountable for clarifying that purchasing a game online only grants a license, not ownership.
Interestingly, Ubisoft announced plans to add offline modes to The Crew 2 and Crew: Motorfest, allowing players to continue enjoying the games even after the servers are taken offline. However, the lawsuit argues that this does not address the issue with the original Crew game and accuses Ubisoft of violating consumer protection laws in California.
The legal battle between the two gamers and Ubisoft highlights the ongoing debate surrounding always-online games and the rights of consumers when companies decide to shut down servers. It serves as a reminder for players to be aware of the terms and conditions when purchasing games online and the potential risks of losing access to a game in the future.