Ubisoft, the renowned French publisher, is currently entangled in a legal dispute, arguing that purchasing a game doesn’t necessarily mean players own it. This debate has been sparked by a class action lawsuit filed in California, where players expressed their displeasure over Ubisoft’s decision to pull the plug on “The Crew.” Released in 2014, this game was shut down in 2024, a decade after its debut, and due to its requirement for an online connection, it’s now rendered entirely unusable.
In their defense, Ubisoft’s legal team filed a motion to dismiss the case, noting that consumers’ frustration stemmed from Ubisoft’s decision to retire the game, which they claim was communicated in advance on the product’s packaging. The lawsuit, brought forward on behalf of a proposed class of gamers across the nation, asserts eight claims, which include breaches of California’s False Advertising Law, Unfair Competition Law, and Consumer Legal Remedies Act. They also allege common law fraud and violation of warranty terms, according to a report by Polygon.
In response to Ubisoft’s motion, the plaintiffs have revised their complaint. They now assert that since players were left with unspent in-game currency when “The Crew” was retired, Ubisoft could be in breach of state laws that mandate the perpetual validity of gift cards. The crux of this argument hinges on whether in-game currency can be equated to gift cards within the context of the law.
