Ubisoft Revokes Access to Online Game The Crew

On April 1, Ubisoft shut down the servers for its online-only racing game The Crew, effectively making the game unplayable. However, some users report that Ubisoft went a step further and revoked their licenses to access the game on Ubisoft Connect, despite having purchased the game previously.

• The Crew is an online-only racing game, so it cannot be played without the servers being active.
• Some users claim that Ubisoft's actions amount to theft, as they paid for the game but can no longer access it.
• Ubisoft offered refunds for recent purchases of The Crew, but most players did not qualify for this.

The Issue of Digital Ownership in Online Games

The incident highlights the lack of true ownership over digital goods, including online games. Despite paying for these products, users are bound by the terms of service, which often state that they do not actually own the game.

• Ubisoft's director of subscriptions, Philippe Tremblay, stated that players will become "comfortable with not owning" their games.
• This raises concerns about the ability of publishers to revoke access to purchased games at any time.
• Some users had planned to set up private servers to continue playing The Crew, but this is no longer possible due to the license revocation.

The Future of Online Games and Subscription Models

As the gaming industry moves towards more online and subscription-based models, the issue of digital ownership becomes increasingly relevant. Users may need to adapt to the idea of not truly owning their games, even after making a purchase.

• The Crew 2 and The Crew Motorfest, newer titles in the series, are still operational and not affected by the license revocation.
• Publishers may continue to delist and remove access to older online games as they age and become less profitable to maintain.
• Subscription services like Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus may become more prevalent, further shifting the paradigm away from traditional game ownership.

Implications for the Gaming Industry

The controversy surrounding The Crew highlights the need for greater transparency and consumer protection in the gaming industry regarding digital ownership and license terms.

• Clear communication is essential from publishers when servers for online games are shut down or access is revoked.
• Consumers may demand more robust refund policies or the ability to continue playing offline or on private servers after server shutdowns.
• Regulatory bodies or consumer advocacy groups may need to address the issue of digital ownership and consumer rights in the gaming industry.