Lawsuit Races Against Ubisoft Over The Crew’s Server Shutdown

In April, Ubisoft pulled the plug on The Crew servers, effectively leaving the game unplayable. This move followed the game’s delisting from digital storefronts in December 2023. Ubisoft explained that The Crew’s shutdown, after nearly a decade, was due to “server infrastructure and licensing constraints,” acknowledging disappointment for fans who still enjoyed it.

However, two California-based players are now taking legal action, claiming Ubisoft misled consumers. They argue that Ubisoft sold The Crew as a game but only provided a temporary license, entirely dependent on Ubisoft’s willingness to maintain the servers. The lawsuit alleges this model left players “renting access,” rather than owning a playable product, stating the physical discs or downloaded files acted only as a key to Ubisoft’s server—which Ubisoft could ultimately choose to deactivate.

The plaintiffs are seeking to turn this into a class action, aiming to secure financial compensation for affected players. They also highlight that Ubisoft preserved offline access to some older titles, like Assassin’s Creed 2 and 3, but made no such provision for The Crew. In response to fan backlash, Ubisoft announced plans in September to add offline modes to newer games in The Crew series, The Crew 2 and The Crew Motorfest, to ensure continued access.

The outcome of this lawsuit could set an important precedent for the gaming industry, challenging the model of selling online-only games without permanent ownership. As games increasingly rely on online servers, companies may need to reconsider their long-term support and transparency around server-based access. For The Crew players, the case underscores the broader issue of digital game ownership and the fine line between purchasing a product and merely renting access.