When you buy a game, you expect to own it—simple as that. But Ubisoft’s recent decision to pull the plug on The Crew has sparked a much bigger conversation: Do we actually own the games we buy?
In April 2024, Ubisoft officially ended online support for The Crew (2014), making the game completely unplayable—even for those who purchased it. No offline mode. No warning. No refund. Just... gone.
This isn’t just about one racing game. It’s a wake-up call for everyone who buys digital games.
Final Verdict: 3/10 (for the move, not the game itself)
What happend with The Crew ?
The Crew was an always-online racing game released by Ubisoft back in 2014. It had a huge open world, solid gameplay, and a decent fan base. But in early 2024, Ubisoft announced it would shut down all servers—meaning the game would become unplayable forever.
And that’s exactly what happened.
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Purchased the game? Doesn’t matter. It’s unplayable now.
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No way to back it up, mod it, or play offline.
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Players effectively paid for a license that can be revoked at any time.
Digital Ownership: a dangerous illusion
Ubisoft’s move raises serious concerns about digital game ownership. More and more titles are going online-only, but what happens when those servers go down?
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Players have no control over what happens to their purchases.
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No physical disc = No backup.
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This could happen to any live-service or DRM-heavy game.
Community Reaction : Outrage & disappointment
Gamers everywhere voiced frustration and anger across social media, Reddit, and gaming forums. Many feel betrayed, and rightfully so.
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People aren’t just upset about The Crew—they’re scared about the future.
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If Ubisoft can delete The Crew, what stops them from doing it again?
This isn’t a glitch or a delay—it’s a game wiped from existence.
Ubisoft Response
At the time of writing, Ubisoft has made no serious effort to compensate affected players. No refunds. No offline patch. No transparency.
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Silence only makes things worse.
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Trust in Ubisoft is at an all-time low.
Gamers want accountability, not PR buzzwords.
The Whole Picture: What does mean to the industry
This situation goes beyond Ubisoft. Other companies could follow suit if this becomes “normal.”
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Always-online DRM is a time bomb for game preservation.
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Game ownership is becoming a rental system disguised as a purchase.
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Preservation efforts are more important than ever.
If this trend continues, the games we buy today could disappear tomorrow.
Final Opinion
Ubisoft’s decision to shut down The Crew is more than a business move—it’s a slap in the face to loyal players. It shows how fragile digital ownership is in today’s gaming landscape.
Gamers deserve better. We deserve to keep what we pay for.
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