Ubisoft’s controversial decision to remove The Crew from owners’ libraries and revoke their user licenses has stirred up a storm among fans of the open-world racer. The game, which had its servers shut down at the end of March, was also delisted from digital storefronts last December after almost a decade of gameplay. Players were shocked to find that not only were the multiplayer elements inaccessible, but all single-player content had also become unavailable due to the game’s always-online nature.
Despite hopes of the game living on through private servers, Ubisoft’s move to revoke owners’ licenses earlier this week has left fans disheartened and frustrated. The Crew was reportedly moved out of Ubisoft Connect libraries and labeled as “inactive games,” with a message stating, “You no longer have access to this game.” This drastic action by Ubisoft has sparked outrage among the gaming community, with comments on social media platforms condemning the decision as “abhorrent behavior” and “ruthless.” The creation of the Stop Killing Games initiative by YouTuber Ross Scott aims to challenge the trend of purchased games becoming unplayable, in response to incidents like these.
In response to the backlash, Ubisoft defended its decision citing server infrastructure and licensing constraints as the primary reasons for discontinuing The Crew. While players are left disappointed and disillusioned by the sudden removal of the game from their libraries, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the precarious nature of digital ownership in the gaming industry. The controversy surrounding The Crew highlights the growing need for ethical considerations and legal protections to ensure that players’ investments in digital games are safeguarded against unforeseen circumstances.
