Ubisoft Faces Class Action Lawsuit Over Server Shutdown of “The Crew”

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit has been filed against Ubisoft over its decision to shut down servers for "The Crew," denying players access to the game. The lawsuit claims Ubisoft misled consumers about the server dependency and their ownership rights.

Consumers Affected: Players who purchased "The Crew" game.

Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California

Ubisoft Entertainment is facing a class action lawsuit over its decision to shut down servers for The Crew, a popular racing game, without offering an offline option for consumers. 

Plaintiffs Matthew Cassell and Alan Liu filed the lawsuit in California federal court, claiming that Ubisoft’s actions effectively denied them and other players access to the game they had purchased, resulting in a loss of use and value.

The lawsuit alleges that Ubisoft misled consumers by failing to disclose that the game was dependent on Ubisoft’s server maintenance for access, even for its single-player mode, which would typically not require an internet connection.

Ubisoft Shut Down Servers for "The Crew," Leaving Players Without Access

Released in 2014, The Crew is an arcade-style racing game where players explore a fictionalized version of the United States. The game offers both single-player and multiplayer options, allowing players to complete missions alone, with friends, or with other players in online challenges. 

However, regardless of whether players chose the single-player or multiplayer experience, the game required a continuous internet connection because its core files were hosted on Ubisoft’s servers.

The lawsuit argues that Ubisoft’s reliance on remote servers created an inherent dependency that was not clearly communicated to consumers, leading them to believe they were buying a complete game with full ownership rights. 

Many players purchased physical copies of The Crew, assuming they could play the game offline at their discretion. However, the server-dependent design meant that without Ubisoft’s support, even single-player mode was inaccessible.

Lawsuit Claims Ubisoft Misled Consumers About Server Dependency

In December 2023, Ubisoft announced it would shut down The Crew’s servers on March 31, 2024, which would end all access to the game across all platforms. This decision affected both physical and digital copies, leaving players with no way to access the game’s features. 

Unlike traditional games, where single-player modes typically remain accessible regardless of online services, The Crew could not function without an active server, rendering the game entirely unusable.

Plaintiffs argue that Ubisoft did not make an effort to preserve access for single-player mode, such as through an offline patch that would allow players to continue using their purchased game. They claim this absence of an offline option went against common consumer expectations for game ownership and deprived players of the product they believed they owned.

Ubisoft's Actions Violate Consumer Expectations of Game Ownership

The lawsuit contends that Ubisoft misrepresented The Crew as a full, purchasable game without clearly informing consumers of its server dependency. Plaintiffs argue that Ubisoft’s marketing and packaging suggested players were buying ownership of a game they could use indefinitely. Ubisoft sold physical copies, which reinforced this perception of ownership, even though the game’s functionality relied entirely on Ubisoft’s server support.

The plaintiffs allege that Ubisoft’s decision to shut down servers without providing an alternative effectively removed consumer access to the game they purchased. They claim that had they known of the game’s server dependency, they would have paid less or refrained from purchasing it altogether.

Ubisoft Acknowledges Concerns But Fails to Provide Offline Option for "The Crew"

After the shutdown, Ubisoft acknowledged consumer concerns and stated it would implement offline modes for newer games in The Crew franchise, such as The Crew 2 and The Crew Motorfest. However, no offline option was made available for the original The Crew, which left affected players without any access. 

Plaintiffs claim this response demonstrates Ubisoft’s awareness of the issue, as well as its ability to offer offline solutions, making the lack of an option for The Crew all the more frustrating for consumers.

The lawsuit alleges that Ubisoft’s actions violate California consumer protection laws by failing to clearly disclose The Crew’s reliance on server maintenance. Plaintiffs argue that Ubisoft misrepresented the game’s functionality, causing consumers to expect indefinite access. They seek compensation for affected consumers and a requirement for Ubisoft to be more transparent about server dependencies in future products.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Cassel et al v. Ubisoft Entertainment
• Case Number: 2:24-cv-03058
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California

Plaintiffs' Attorneys

• Neal J. Deckant, Stefan Bogdanovich, and Ines Diaz Villafana (Bursor & Fisher, P.A.)

Were you affected by the server shutdown of 'The Crew'? Share your thoughts on this lawsuit in the comments below.