Ubisoft: Difference between revisions

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One of the most significant consumer protection issues surrounding Ubisoft in recent years relates to the 2014 game ''The Crew''. In late 2023, Ubisoft announced the shutdown of the online services for ''The Crew'', making the game unplayable entirely, even the single-player content.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lyles |first=Taylor |date=14 Dec 2023 |title=The Crew Delisted From All Digital Storefronts, Servers Shut Down Early 2024 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/the-crew-delisted-from-all-digital-storefronts-servers-shut-down-early-2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260222231050/https://www.ign.com/articles/the-crew-delisted-from-all-digital-storefronts-servers-shut-down-early-2024 |archive-date=22 Feb 2026|access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=IGN}}</ref> The decision to decommission the game's servers was controversial, as Ubisoft retroactively altered the terms of sale. Players who had purchased the game, which was initially marketed with certain single-player functionality, found that they could no longer access said single-player features after the servers were shut down.

The decommissioning of ''The Crew'' also sparked a wider debate on the viability of "[[Games as a service|games-as-a-service]]” models, which Ubisoft has heavily invested in.<ref>[https://www.stopkillinggames.com/ Stop Killing Games]</ref> These models often require ongoing internet connectivity to function and rely on servers run by the company. At any time, the company can decide to shut down the servers and the games will no longer be playable, as seen with ''The Crew''.

The decommissioning of ''The Crew'' also sparked a wider debate on the viability of "[[Games as a service|games-as-a-service]]” models, which Ubisoft has heavily invested in.<ref>[https://www.stopkillinggames.com/ Stop Killing Games] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260126200606/https://www.stopkillinggames.com/ Archived])</ref> These models often require ongoing internet connectivity to function and rely on servers run by the company. At any time, the company can decide to shut down the servers and the games will no longer be playable, as seen with ''The Crew''.

Weeks after the shutdown of The Crew, Ubisoft also revoked the licenses for players off the Ubisoft Connect PC app, so the game was no longer downloadable.

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===California class action lawsuit===

Polygon reported on November 11, 2024<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carpenter |first=Nicole |date=11 Nov 2024 |title=Ubisoft sued for shutting down The Crew |url=https://www.polygon.com/gaming/476979/ubisoft-the-crew-shut-down-lawsuit-class-action |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241111185514/https://www.polygon.com/gaming/476979/ubisoft-the-crew-shut-down-lawsuit-class-action/ |archive-date=11 Nov 2024 |access-date=12 Apr 2025 |website=Polygon}}</ref> about two owners of the crew filing a class action lawsuit against Ubisoft on November 04, 2024 alleging violations of unfair competition, false advertising, fraudulent misrepresentation and breach of implied warranty, according to California Law.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 Apr 2024 |title=Crew Lawsuit Via Polygon |url=https://it.scribd.com/document/790913960/Crew-Lawsuit-via-Polygon |url-status=live |access-date=12 Apr 2025 |website=Scribd}}</ref><blockquote>"Imagine you buy a pinball machine, and years later, you enter your den to go play it, only to discover that all the paddles are missing, the pinball and bumpers are gone, and the monitor that proudly displayed your unassailable high score is removed."</blockquote>Ubisoft responded to this lawsuit with a motion to dismiss on February 05, 2025, also reported by Polygon,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carpenter |first=Nicole |date=9 Apr 2025 |title=Ubisoft holds firm in The Crew lawsuit: You don’t own your video games |url=https://www.polygon.com/gaming/555469/ubisoft-holds-firm-in-the-crew-lawsuit-you-dont-own-your-video-games |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260216043820/https://www.polygon.com/gaming/555469/ubisoft-holds-firm-in-the-crew-lawsuit-you-dont-own-your-video-games/ |archive-date=16 Feb 2026|access-date=12 Apr 2025 |website=Polygon}}</ref> arguing that plaintiffs don’t have a case reiterating that fact that you don't own the video game you bought:<blockquote>"The [essence] of the plaintiffs’ complaint is that Ubisoft allegedly misled purchasers of its video game The Crew into believing they were purchasing unfettered ownership rights in the game, rather than a limited license to access the game. But the reality is that consumers received the benefit of their bargain and were explicitly notified, at the time of purchase, that they were purchasing a license."<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 Feb 2025 |title=The Crew lawsuit, Ubisoft response -- via Polygon |url=https://it.scribd.com/document/848030901/The-Crew-lawsuit-Ubisoft-response-via-Polygon |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241112000401/https://www.scribd.com/document/790913960/Crew-Lawsuit-via-Polygon |archive-date=12 Nov 2024 |access-date=12 Apr 2025 |website=Scribd}}</ref></blockquote>On March 18, 2025 plaintiffs amended the complaint with pictures of the physical copy arguing that the in-box Activation Code for The Crew had an expiration date of 2099. Additionally, the game’s in-game currency could be considered a form of gift certificate. In California, a gift certificate is not allowed to expire.

Polygon reported on November 11, 2024<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carpenter |first=Nicole |date=11 Nov 2024 |title=Ubisoft sued for shutting down The Crew |url=https://www.polygon.com/gaming/476979/ubisoft-the-crew-shut-down-lawsuit-class-action |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241111185514/https://www.polygon.com/gaming/476979/ubisoft-the-crew-shut-down-lawsuit-class-action/ |archive-date=11 Nov 2024 |access-date=12 Apr 2025 |website=Polygon}}</ref> about two owners of the crew filing a class action lawsuit against Ubisoft on November 04, 2024 alleging violations of unfair competition, false advertising, fraudulent misrepresentation and breach of implied warranty, according to California Law.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 Apr 2024 |title=Crew Lawsuit Via Polygon |url=https://it.scribd.com/document/790913960/Crew-Lawsuit-via-Polygon |url-status=live |access-date=12 Apr 2025 |website=Scribd |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250708204412/https://it.scribd.com/document/790913960/Crew-Lawsuit-via-Polygon |archive-date=8 Jul 2025}}</ref><blockquote>"Imagine you buy a pinball machine, and years later, you enter your den to go play it, only to discover that all the paddles are missing, the pinball and bumpers are gone, and the monitor that proudly displayed your unassailable high score is removed."</blockquote>Ubisoft responded to this lawsuit with a motion to dismiss on February 05, 2025, also reported by Polygon,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carpenter |first=Nicole |date=9 Apr 2025 |title=Ubisoft holds firm in The Crew lawsuit: You don’t own your video games |url=https://www.polygon.com/gaming/555469/ubisoft-holds-firm-in-the-crew-lawsuit-you-dont-own-your-video-games |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260216043820/https://www.polygon.com/gaming/555469/ubisoft-holds-firm-in-the-crew-lawsuit-you-dont-own-your-video-games/ |archive-date=16 Feb 2026|access-date=12 Apr 2025 |website=Polygon}}</ref> arguing that plaintiffs don’t have a case reiterating that fact that you don't own the video game you bought:<blockquote>"The [essence] of the plaintiffs’ complaint is that Ubisoft allegedly misled purchasers of its video game The Crew into believing they were purchasing unfettered ownership rights in the game, rather than a limited license to access the game. But the reality is that consumers received the benefit of their bargain and were explicitly notified, at the time of purchase, that they were purchasing a license."<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 Feb 2025 |title=The Crew lawsuit, Ubisoft response -- via Polygon |url=https://it.scribd.com/document/848030901/The-Crew-lawsuit-Ubisoft-response-via-Polygon |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241112000401/https://www.scribd.com/document/790913960/Crew-Lawsuit-via-Polygon |archive-date=12 Nov 2024 |access-date=12 Apr 2025 |website=Scribd}}</ref></blockquote>On March 18, 2025 plaintiffs amended the complaint with pictures of the physical copy arguing that the in-box Activation Code for The Crew had an expiration date of 2099. Additionally, the game’s in-game currency could be considered a form of gift certificate. In California, a gift certificate is not allowed to expire.

===L'UFC-Que Choisir (France) Lawsuit===

[[L'UFC-Que Choisir]] ('''Union Fédérale des Consommateurs''') is a French consumer rights organization with a history of action against Twitter<ref>{{Cite web |author=BEUC The EUropean Consumer Organization |date=2018-08-08 |title=UFC-Que Choisir gets hundreds of terms removed from Twitter's policy |url=https://www.beuc.eu/beuc-network/member-news/ufc-que-choisir-gets-hundreds-terms-removed-twitters-policy |url-status=live |access-date=2026-04-09 |website=BEUC The EUropean Consumer Organization}}</ref> (now [[X Corp]]) and [[Google]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lebeau-Marianna |first=Denise |last2=Balducci |first2=Alexandre |date=23 June 2020 |title=Google LLC loses appeal against French Data Protection Authority decision before France highest administrative Court. |url=https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=b4a20fa8-8c06-4e9e-adaf-e5ba6b621464 |access-date=9 April 2026 |website=Lexology}}</ref> On March 31st, 2026, they filed a lawsuit in the Tribunal Court of Créteil, a major civil court in France, against Ubisoft for their termination of ''The Crew''. They claim that:

<blockquote>Cette décision unilatérale [la termination de ''The Crew''] a rendu le jeu totalement inutilisable, privant les consommateurs de tout usage d’un jeu qu’ils avaient pourtant acheté, sans jamais avoir été informés d’une quelconque « date de péremption '''».'''<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |author=L'UFC-Que Choisir |date=31 Mar 2026 |title=L’UFC-Que Choisir assigne Ubisoft en justice suite à la fermeture du jeu The Crew |url=https://www.quechoisir.org/action-ufc-que-choisir-jeux-video-l-ufc-que-choisir-assigne-ubisoft-en-justice-suite-a-la-fermeture-du-jeu-the-crew-n175318/ |access-date=9 Apr 2026 |work=Que Choisir |pages=1}}</ref></blockquote>

'''(translated)'''

<blockquote>This unilateral decision [to cancel ''The Crew''] rendered the game totally unusable, depriving consumers of all usage of a game which they had at one point purchased, without ever having given notice of any "date of expiration".</blockquote>The lawsuit acknowledges that users signed license agreements with publishers giving them the right to revoke game access at their discretion, but argues that such terms and conditions—allowing for the revocation of access to games after purchase—are "abusive" and "trompeuse" (abusive and deceptive) and presented in misleading fashion.<ref name=":0" /> It further argues that publishers should not have the right to: (1) deny users' '''right of ownership''' to purchased games; (2) revoke access to a game without guarantees of continued alternative means of access; (3) make any games contingent upon online services interruptible by publishers at any time; (4) prevent refund of monies credited (purchased?) by users to their Ubisoft electronic wallets.<ref name=":0" />

L'UFC-Que Choisir notes that it was inspired to pursue its lawsuit by the [[Stop Killing Games]] movement.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Trouvé |first=Pierre |date=March 31, 2026 |title=L’UFC-Que choisir poursuit en justice l’éditeur de jeux vidéo Ubisoft |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/pixels/article/2026/03/31/ufc-que-choisir-poursuit-en-justice-l-editeur-de-jeux-video-ubisoft_6675623_4408996.html |access-date=April 9, 2026 |work=Le Monde |location=France |pages=1}}</ref>

===GDPR Complaint===

On April 24 2025, noyb (a European non-profit organization for digital rights) filed a [[GDPR]] complaint to the Austrian data protection authority (DSB) against Ubisoft for forcing its customers to connect to the internet every time a single player game is launched, thereby collecting data on gaming behaviour. This collection of data is alleged to be an infringement of Article 6(1) of the GDPR.

Noyb's official statement:<ref name="gdpr-complaint">Like to play alone? Ubisoft is still watching you! (2025, April 28). noyb.eu. https://noyb.eu/en/play-alone-ubisoft-still-watching-you</ref>

Noyb's official statement:<ref name="gdpr-complaint">Like to play alone? Ubisoft is still watching you! (2025, April 28). noyb.eu. https://noyb.eu/en/play-alone-ubisoft-still-watching-you ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260221065822/https://noyb.eu/en/play-alone-ubisoft-still-watching-you Archived])</ref>

<blockquote>Complaint filed in Austria. noyb has therefore filed a GDPR complaint with the Austrian data protection authority (DSB). We request the DSB to declare that Ubisoft infringed Article 6(1) GDPR with its processing of personal data without a valid legal basis. In addition, we request that Ubisoft deletes all personal information by the complainant that has been processed without a valid legal basis – and that the company ceases further unlawful processing. Last but not least, we suggest that the data protection authority impose an administrative fine. Based on Ubisoft’s turnover of more than € 2 billion, the data protection authority could issue a fine of up to € 92 million.(“Like to Play Alone? Ubisoft Is Still Watching You!,” 2025)</blockquote>

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The EULA is effective from the earlier of the date You purchase, download or use the Product, until terminated according to its terms. You and UBISOFT (or its licensor) may terminate this EULA, at any time, for any reason. Termination by UBISOFT will be effective upon (a) notice to You or (b) termination of Your UBISOFT Account (if any) or (c) at the time of UBISOFT’s decision to discontinue offering and/or supporting the Product. This EULA will terminate automatically if You fail to comply with any of the terms and conditions of this EULA. Upon termination for any reason, You must immediately uninstall the Product and destroy all copies of the Product in Your possession.</blockquote>

~~===The Crew shutdown===~~

Ubisoft officially delisted ''The Crew'' from all digital storefronts on '''December 14, 2023''', citing [https://www.ubisoft.com/en-ca/game/the-crew/the-crew-2/news-updates/3u0la29yUBGBzYlwKp5QMZ/an-update-on-the-crew “upcoming server infrastructure and licensing constraints.”] They announced that the game, released in 2014 and requiring constant online connectivity even for solo play, would become unplayable after its servers shut down on '''March 31, 2024'''. Following that shutdown, Ubisoft went a step further: players who owned the game on Ubisoft Connect found that their license had been revoked. The game was moved to an “Inactive Games” library section, became impossible to redownload, and even if launched from local files, only operated in a limited “demo” mode.

===Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora update disables co-op collectibles===

@@ Line 15: / Line 15: @@
 One of the most significant consumer protection issues surrounding Ubisoft in recent years relates to the 2014 game ''The Crew''. In late 2023, Ubisoft announced the shutdown of the online services for ''The Crew'', making the game unplayable entirely, even the single-player content.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lyles |first=Taylor |date=14 Dec 2023 |title=The Crew Delisted From All Digital Storefronts, Servers Shut Down Early 2024 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/the-crew-delisted-from-all-digital-storefronts-servers-shut-down-early-2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260222231050/https://www.ign.com/articles/the-crew-delisted-from-all-digital-storefronts-servers-shut-down-early-2024 |archive-date=22 Feb 2026|access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=IGN}}</ref> The decision to decommission the game's servers was controversial, as Ubisoft retroactively altered the terms of sale. Players who had purchased the game, which was initially marketed with certain single-player functionality, found that they could no longer access said single-player features after the servers were shut down.
-The decommissioning of ''The Crew'' also sparked a wider debate on the viability of "[[Games as a service|games-as-a-service]]” models, which Ubisoft has heavily invested in.<ref>[https://www.stopkillinggames.com/ Stop Killing Games]</ref> These models often require ongoing internet connectivity to function and rely on servers run by the company. At any time, the company can decide to shut down the servers and the games will no longer be playable, as seen with ''The Crew''.
+The decommissioning of ''The Crew'' also sparked a wider debate on the viability of "[[Games as a service|games-as-a-service]]” models, which Ubisoft has heavily invested in.<ref>[https://www.stopkillinggames.com/ Stop Killing Games] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260126200606/https://www.stopkillinggames.com/ Archived])</ref> These models often require ongoing internet connectivity to function and rely on servers run by the company. At any time, the company can decide to shut down the servers and the games will no longer be playable, as seen with ''The Crew''.
 Weeks after the shutdown of The Crew, Ubisoft also revoked the licenses for players off the Ubisoft Connect PC app, so the game was no longer downloadable.
@@ Line 38: / Line 38: @@
 ===California class action lawsuit===
-Polygon reported on November 11, 2024<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carpenter |first=Nicole |date=11 Nov 2024 |title=Ubisoft sued for shutting down The Crew |url=https://www.polygon.com/gaming/476979/ubisoft-the-crew-shut-down-lawsuit-class-action |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241111185514/https://www.polygon.com/gaming/476979/ubisoft-the-crew-shut-down-lawsuit-class-action/ |archive-date=11 Nov 2024 |access-date=12 Apr 2025 |website=Polygon}}</ref> about two owners of the crew filing a class action lawsuit against Ubisoft  on November 04, 2024 alleging violations of unfair competition, false advertising, fraudulent misrepresentation and breach of implied warranty, according to California Law.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 Apr 2024 |title=Crew Lawsuit Via Polygon |url=https://it.scribd.com/document/790913960/Crew-Lawsuit-via-Polygon |url-status=live |access-date=12 Apr 2025 |website=Scribd}}</ref><blockquote>"Imagine you buy a pinball machine, and years later, you enter your den to go play it, only to discover that all the paddles are missing, the pinball and bumpers are gone, and the monitor that proudly displayed your unassailable high score is removed."</blockquote>Ubisoft responded to this lawsuit with a motion to dismiss on February 05, 2025, also reported by Polygon,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carpenter |first=Nicole |date=9 Apr 2025 |title=Ubisoft holds firm in The Crew lawsuit: You don’t own your video games |url=https://www.polygon.com/gaming/555469/ubisoft-holds-firm-in-the-crew-lawsuit-you-dont-own-your-video-games |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260216043820/https://www.polygon.com/gaming/555469/ubisoft-holds-firm-in-the-crew-lawsuit-you-dont-own-your-video-games/ |archive-date=16 Feb 2026|access-date=12 Apr 2025 |website=Polygon}}</ref> arguing that plaintiffs don’t have a case reiterating that fact that you don't own the video game you bought:<blockquote>"The [essence] of the plaintiffs’ complaint is that Ubisoft allegedly misled purchasers of its video game The Crew into believing they were purchasing unfettered ownership rights in the game, rather than a limited license to access the game. But the reality is that consumers received the benefit of their bargain and were explicitly notified, at the time of purchase, that they were purchasing a license."<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 Feb 2025 |title=The Crew lawsuit, Ubisoft response -- via Polygon |url=https://it.scribd.com/document/848030901/The-Crew-lawsuit-Ubisoft-response-via-Polygon |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241112000401/https://www.scribd.com/document/790913960/Crew-Lawsuit-via-Polygon |archive-date=12 Nov 2024 |access-date=12 Apr 2025 |website=Scribd}}</ref></blockquote>On March 18, 2025 plaintiffs  amended the complaint with pictures of the physical copy arguing that the in-box Activation Code for The Crew had an expiration date of 2099. Additionally, the game’s in-game currency could be considered a form of gift certificate. In California, a gift certificate is not allowed to expire.<!-- could not find copy of court document, only the polygon report -->
+Polygon reported on November 11, 2024<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carpenter |first=Nicole |date=11 Nov 2024 |title=Ubisoft sued for shutting down The Crew |url=https://www.polygon.com/gaming/476979/ubisoft-the-crew-shut-down-lawsuit-class-action |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241111185514/https://www.polygon.com/gaming/476979/ubisoft-the-crew-shut-down-lawsuit-class-action/ |archive-date=11 Nov 2024 |access-date=12 Apr 2025 |website=Polygon}}</ref> about two owners of the crew filing a class action lawsuit against Ubisoft  on November 04, 2024 alleging violations of unfair competition, false advertising, fraudulent misrepresentation and breach of implied warranty, according to California Law.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 Apr 2024 |title=Crew Lawsuit Via Polygon |url=https://it.scribd.com/document/790913960/Crew-Lawsuit-via-Polygon |url-status=live |access-date=12 Apr 2025 |website=Scribd |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250708204412/https://it.scribd.com/document/790913960/Crew-Lawsuit-via-Polygon |archive-date=8 Jul 2025}}</ref><blockquote>"Imagine you buy a pinball machine, and years later, you enter your den to go play it, only to discover that all the paddles are missing, the pinball and bumpers are gone, and the monitor that proudly displayed your unassailable high score is removed."</blockquote>Ubisoft responded to this lawsuit with a motion to dismiss on February 05, 2025, also reported by Polygon,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carpenter |first=Nicole |date=9 Apr 2025 |title=Ubisoft holds firm in The Crew lawsuit: You don’t own your video games |url=https://www.polygon.com/gaming/555469/ubisoft-holds-firm-in-the-crew-lawsuit-you-dont-own-your-video-games |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260216043820/https://www.polygon.com/gaming/555469/ubisoft-holds-firm-in-the-crew-lawsuit-you-dont-own-your-video-games/ |archive-date=16 Feb 2026|access-date=12 Apr 2025 |website=Polygon}}</ref> arguing that plaintiffs don’t have a case reiterating that fact that you don't own the video game you bought:<blockquote>"The [essence] of the plaintiffs’ complaint is that Ubisoft allegedly misled purchasers of its video game The Crew into believing they were purchasing unfettered ownership rights in the game, rather than a limited license to access the game. But the reality is that consumers received the benefit of their bargain and were explicitly notified, at the time of purchase, that they were purchasing a license."<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 Feb 2025 |title=The Crew lawsuit, Ubisoft response -- via Polygon |url=https://it.scribd.com/document/848030901/The-Crew-lawsuit-Ubisoft-response-via-Polygon |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241112000401/https://www.scribd.com/document/790913960/Crew-Lawsuit-via-Polygon |archive-date=12 Nov 2024 |access-date=12 Apr 2025 |website=Scribd}}</ref></blockquote>On March 18, 2025 plaintiffs  amended the complaint with pictures of the physical copy arguing that the in-box Activation Code for The Crew had an expiration date of 2099. Additionally, the game’s in-game currency could be considered a form of gift certificate. In California, a gift certificate is not allowed to expire.<!-- could not find copy of court document, only the polygon report -->
+===L'UFC-Que Choisir (France) Lawsuit===
+[[L'UFC-Que Choisir]] ('''Union Fédérale des Consommateurs''') is a French consumer rights organization with a history of action against Twitter<ref>{{Cite web |author=BEUC The EUropean Consumer Organization |date=2018-08-08 |title=UFC-Que Choisir gets hundreds of terms removed from Twitter's policy |url=https://www.beuc.eu/beuc-network/member-news/ufc-que-choisir-gets-hundreds-terms-removed-twitters-policy |url-status=live |access-date=2026-04-09 |website=BEUC The EUropean Consumer Organization}}</ref> (now [[X Corp]]) and [[Google]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lebeau-Marianna |first=Denise |last2=Balducci |first2=Alexandre |date=23 June 2020 |title=Google LLC loses appeal against French Data Protection Authority decision before France highest administrative Court. |url=https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=b4a20fa8-8c06-4e9e-adaf-e5ba6b621464 |access-date=9 April 2026 |website=Lexology}}</ref> On March 31st, 2026, they filed a lawsuit in the Tribunal Court of Créteil, a major civil court in France, against Ubisoft for their termination of ''The Crew''. They claim that:
+<blockquote>Cette décision unilatérale [la termination de ''The Crew''] a rendu le jeu totalement inutilisable, privant les consommateurs de tout usage d’un jeu qu’ils avaient pourtant acheté, sans jamais avoir été informés d’une quelconque « date de péremption '''».'''<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |author=L'UFC-Que Choisir |date=31 Mar 2026 |title=L’UFC-Que Choisir assigne Ubisoft en justice suite à la fermeture du jeu The Crew |url=https://www.quechoisir.org/action-ufc-que-choisir-jeux-video-l-ufc-que-choisir-assigne-ubisoft-en-justice-suite-a-la-fermeture-du-jeu-the-crew-n175318/ |access-date=9 Apr 2026 |work=Que Choisir |pages=1}}</ref></blockquote>
+'''(translated)'''
+<blockquote>This unilateral decision [to cancel ''The Crew''] rendered the game totally unusable, depriving consumers of all usage of a game which they had at one point purchased, without ever having given notice of any "date of expiration".</blockquote>The lawsuit acknowledges that users signed license agreements with publishers giving them the right to revoke game access at their discretion, but argues that such terms and conditions—allowing for the revocation of access to games after purchase—are "abusive" and "trompeuse" (abusive and deceptive) and presented in misleading fashion.<ref name=":0" /> It further argues that publishers should not have the right to: (1) deny users' '''right of ownership''' to purchased games; (2) revoke access to a game without guarantees of continued alternative means of access; (3) make any games contingent upon online services interruptible by publishers at any time; (4) prevent refund of monies credited (purchased?) by users to their Ubisoft electronic wallets.<ref name=":0" />
+L'UFC-Que Choisir notes that it was inspired to pursue its lawsuit by the [[Stop Killing Games]] movement.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Trouvé |first=Pierre |date=March 31, 2026 |title=L’UFC-Que choisir poursuit en justice l’éditeur de jeux vidéo Ubisoft |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/pixels/article/2026/03/31/ufc-que-choisir-poursuit-en-justice-l-editeur-de-jeux-video-ubisoft_6675623_4408996.html |access-date=April 9, 2026 |work=Le Monde |location=France |pages=1}}</ref><!-- I will search for a copy of the actual legal filing. -->
 ===GDPR Complaint===
 On April 24 2025, noyb (a European non-profit organization for digital rights) filed a [[GDPR]] complaint to the Austrian data protection authority (DSB) against Ubisoft for forcing its customers to connect to the internet every time a single player game is launched, thereby collecting data on gaming behaviour. This collection of data is alleged to be an infringement of Article 6(1) of the GDPR.
-Noyb's official statement:<ref name="gdpr-complaint">Like to play alone? Ubisoft is still watching you! (2025, April 28). noyb.eu. https://noyb.eu/en/play-alone-ubisoft-still-watching-you</ref>
+Noyb's official statement:<ref name="gdpr-complaint">Like to play alone? Ubisoft is still watching you! (2025, April 28). noyb.eu. https://noyb.eu/en/play-alone-ubisoft-still-watching-you ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260221065822/https://noyb.eu/en/play-alone-ubisoft-still-watching-you Archived])</ref>
 <blockquote>Complaint filed in Austria. noyb has therefore filed a GDPR complaint with the Austrian data protection authority (DSB). We request the DSB to declare that Ubisoft infringed Article 6(1) GDPR with its processing of personal data without a valid legal basis. In addition, we request that Ubisoft deletes all personal information by the complainant that has been processed without a valid legal basis – and that the company ceases further unlawful processing. Last but not least, we suggest that the data protection authority impose an administrative fine. Based on Ubisoft’s turnover of more than € 2 billion, the data protection authority could issue a fine of up to € 92 million.(“Like to Play Alone? Ubisoft Is Still Watching You!,” 2025)</blockquote>
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 The EULA is effective from the earlier of the date You purchase, download or use the Product, until terminated according to its terms. You and UBISOFT (or its licensor) may terminate this EULA, at any time, for any reason. Termination by UBISOFT will be effective upon (a) notice to You or (b) termination of Your UBISOFT Account (if any) or (c) at the time of UBISOFT’s decision to discontinue offering and/or supporting the Product. This EULA will terminate automatically if You fail to comply with any of the terms and conditions of this EULA. Upon termination for any reason, You must immediately uninstall the Product and destroy all copies of the Product in Your possession.</blockquote>
-===The Crew shutdown===
-Ubisoft officially delisted ''The Crew'' from all digital storefronts on '''December 14, 2023''', citing [https://www.ubisoft.com/en-ca/game/the-crew/the-crew-2/news-updates/3u0la29yUBGBzYlwKp5QMZ/an-update-on-the-crew “upcoming server infrastructure and licensing constraints.”] They announced that the game, released in 2014 and requiring constant online connectivity even for solo play, would become unplayable after its servers shut down on '''March 31, 2024'''. Following that shutdown, Ubisoft went a step further: players who owned the game on Ubisoft Connect found that their license had been revoked. The game was moved to an “Inactive Games” library section, became impossible to redownload, and even if launched from local files, only operated in a limited “demo” mode.
 ===Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora update disables co-op collectibles===