In a recent controversial decision, Ubisoft announced that it has stopped online services for many older video games, including the popular racing game ‘The Crew’. The measure, which will come into force from March 31, also implies the closure of the game’s servers and the impossibility of obtaining the game since December last year.
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This action is part of Ubisoft’s broader strategy, which aims to abandon the physical format of games and move to a cloud subscription model.
As a result, starting January 25, ten more games will lose multiplayer functionality, as well as Ubisoft account linking and other online features. Among those affected are games such as ‘Assassin’s Creed II’, ‘Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood’, ‘Ghost Recon Future Soldier’.
The French company defends this decision by arguing that it will allow it to concentrate resources on providing better gaming experiences on newer or more popular games. However, this measure was met with dissatisfaction by the gaming community, who criticized the removal of the possibility of playing games they acquired with a permanent license.
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One of the leading voices of this discontent is Ross Scott, a well-known video game content creator, who has expressed his intention to sue Ubisoft via his YouTube channel ‘Accursed Farms’.
Scott argues that shutting down online services significantly reduces the value of games, even after they are purchased as products rather than services. Moreover, Scott called on other affected players to join his legal case, challenging the terms of Ubisoft’s end user license agreement (EULA), which allows the company to change the terms at any time.
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On the other hand, Ubisoft once again confirmed its commitment to the future of cloud gaming through Subscription Director Philippe Tremblay. TRemblay emphasizes that this transition is a necessity that responds to changes in consumer behavior and the opportunity for players to access games without having to physically purchase them.
With the launch of Ubisoft+ Premium and Ubisoft+ Classic, the company aims to offer wider access to its catalog of games, even if it means a change in the traditional way of “owning” games.
This raises a debate in the industry about player rights and the evolution towards business models based on cloud subscriptions; This may have important consequences for the future and accessibility of video games.
*This content was rewritten with the help of artificial intelligence, based on information published by Europa Press, and reviewed by the journalist and editor.
Source: Exame
I am Bret Jackson, a professional journalist and author for Gadget Onus, where I specialize in writing about the gaming industry. With over 6 years of experience in my field, I have built up an extensive portfolio that ranges from reviews to interviews with top figures within the industry. My work has been featured on various news sites, providing readers with insightful analysis regarding the current state of gaming culture.
