Ubisoft’s legal team recently made a statement regarding a common assumption held by many gamers: that purchasing a game means owning it indefinitely. In a move to dismiss a class action lawsuit brought against them in California, Ubisoft’s lawyers argued that the backlash from consumers was largely driven by the company’s decision to discontinue The Crew, which got shuttered in 2024, a decade after its launch. This decision rendered the game unplayable, as it relied on constant online connectivity.
In their dismissal motion, Ubisoft’s attorneys detailed how consumers were dissatisfied with the game’s retirement, despite a clear notification on the product’s packaging. The plaintiffs of the lawsuit, representing a broad group of customers across the nation, cited several legal grievances, including breaches of California’s False Advertising Law, Unfair Competition Law, and Consumer Legal Remedies Act, along with allegations of common law fraud and warranty breaches. This information was reported by Polygon.
As the legal proceedings continue, the plaintiffs have responded with an amended complaint. This time, they focus on the issue of unspent in-game currency, arguing that Ubisoft may have violated state laws requiring gift cards to remain valid indefinitely. The core of this argument hinges on whether in-game currency can be considered akin to traditional gift cards.
