The Decision to Close The Crew Servers Raises Legal Issues
Legal Battle Ensues
The decision by Ubisoft to shut down the servers of The Crew, with the closure date set for March 2024, has sparked controversy and a lawsuit alleging that the company deprived players of access to a product for which they paid. The lawsuit, filed by two players from California, accuses Ubisoft of violating consumer protection laws by not disclosing that online gameplay would become inaccessible if the servers were closed.
Challenges of Online-Only Games
The shutting down of servers and removal of the game from digital stores in December 2023 exposes a recurring issue in online-only games: the reliance on servers controlled by the company. Without an offline mode, the experience becomes ephemeral, and the game loses its value when the service is discontinued. Ubisoft has responded by promising to offer offline modes for newer versions like The Crew 2 and The Crew Motorfest to address dissatisfaction and provide longevity to the titles.
Impact on Industry Regulations
The lawsuit emphasizes the importance of more transparent regulations regarding digital content access rights. It may influence future practices in the industry and create a legal precedent on whether consumers have the right to perpetual access to digital products, particularly in online-only games.
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