The shutdown of open-world racing game The Crew continues to cause problems for Ubisoft, as two California gamers have filed a lawsuit against the company.
In December 2023, Ubisoft delisted The Crew from digital stores and completely shut off its servers in April 2024, rendering the game unplayable even for those with physical copies. This move has sparked outrage among players and led to legal action.
Matthew Cassell and Alan Liu filed a lawsuit in federal court on November 4, alleging that Ubisoft misled consumers by selling what was essentially a "limited license" rather than a permanent game. The plaintiffs argue that Ubisoft's actions amount to deception, as players believed they were purchasing a game they could own and play indefinitely.
The lawsuit seeks class action status, potentially allowing other affected Crew players to join. The plaintiffs are pursuing monetary relief and damages for those impacted by the server shutdown.
The legal complaint draws a vivid analogy, comparing the situation to buying a pinball machine only to have the manufacturer later remove essential components, rendering it unplayable. This comparison highlights the frustration felt by many gamers who invested in The Crew, only to lose access to the game entirely.
The controversy surrounding The Crew's shutdown has fueled a broader movement against the practice of companies terminating online games after purchase. In Europe, a group is gathering signatures to push EU lawmakers to address this issue.
California has recently passed a law requiring publishers and storefronts to clearly state that digital game purchases are actually licenses that can potentially be revoked in the future.
In response to the backlash, Ubisoft announced plans in September to develop offline modes for The Crew 2 and Motorfest, allowing continued play after server shutdowns. However, the plaintiffs argue that this does not address the issues with the original Crew game and maintain that Ubisoft has violated California consumer protection laws.
As the lawsuit progresses, it may set a precedent for how game companies handle the termination of online services for purchased games in the future.