After the recent shutdown, former owners of The Crew have accused Ubisoft of taking away their access to the game. Multiple reports have surfaced of players losing access to the game after being removed from their Ubisoft Connect accounts.
Some individuals have shared screenshots showing messages indicating they no longer have access to The Crew. While currently only users who purchased the game through Ubisoft Connect have reported revocation, there is concern that similar actions may be taking place on other platforms.
The situation has sparked controversy due to issues related to game ownership. Despite the game’s servers being offline and unplayable, the removal of digital purchases from paying customers reflects poorly on Ubisoft, particularly given the publisher’s recent contentious statements on game ownership.
Many argue that the discontinued server support does not necessarily mean the game will remain unplayable forever. There exist preservationists dedicated to keeping online-only games functioning beyond the lifespan of their official servers, as seen with the Pretendo Network, which strives to maintain titles such as Super Smash Bros. and Splatoon.
The removal of The Crew prevents buyers from accessing the game’s files, inhibiting preservationists from archiving it and setting up alternative servers. The situation also raises concerns about the authority held by publishers in the ongoing transition to an all-digital future.
Given these developments, it’s understandable why many preservationists are apprehensive about the implications of such actions.
