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Ubisoft: Difference between revisions

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Added new section: Lawsuit Roofieing (still need a better name for this), and updated The Crew details with further controversy from the shutdown.
→‎Anti-consumer practices: changes some wording, and made edits to the clause waiving section
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Ubisoft Entertainment S.A. is a multinational video game company, known for developing and publishing popular franchises such as ''Assassin's Creed'', ''Far Cry'', and ''Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six''. The company has positioned itself as a leader in the video game industry, referring to itself as a "AAAA" game company. This claim is debatable.
Ubisoft Entertainment S.A. is a multinational video game company, known for developing and publishing popular franchises such as ''Assassin's Creed'', ''Far Cry'', and ''Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six''. The company has positioned itself as a leader in the video game industry, referring to itself as a "AAAA" game company. This claim is debatable.


== Anti-consumer practices ==
== Relevant Incidents ==


=== The Crew shutdown ===
=== The Crew shutdown ===
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Star wars outlaws was released in In August of 2024, with two editions that allowed players to have early access to the game for $110 and $130 respectively, approximately twice the cost of the game on release day<ref>https://www.ign.com/articles/star-wars-outlaws-release-date-special-editions</ref>. Ubisoft then pushed an update just before the full release that caused players on PlayStation 5 who had paid extra for the game as early access to have their save file deleted<ref>https://gamerant.com/star-wars-outlaws-bug-delete-save-data-ps5/</ref>. Although the update was intended to fix a game-breaking bug, upon full release many bugs remained<ref>https://www.geeksandgamers.com/star-wars-outlaws-still-looks-buggy-the-week-of-its-release/</ref>. This behavior also highlights an ongoing pattern in which Ubisoft releases an incomplete game, expects players to buy the game and act as the testers, and then patches the game later.   
Star wars outlaws was released in In August of 2024, with two editions that allowed players to have early access to the game for $110 and $130 respectively, approximately twice the cost of the game on release day<ref>https://www.ign.com/articles/star-wars-outlaws-release-date-special-editions</ref>. Ubisoft then pushed an update just before the full release that caused players on PlayStation 5 who had paid extra for the game as early access to have their save file deleted<ref>https://gamerant.com/star-wars-outlaws-bug-delete-save-data-ps5/</ref>. Although the update was intended to fix a game-breaking bug, upon full release many bugs remained<ref>https://www.geeksandgamers.com/star-wars-outlaws-still-looks-buggy-the-week-of-its-release/</ref>. This behavior also highlights an ongoing pattern in which Ubisoft releases an incomplete game, expects players to buy the game and act as the testers, and then patches the game later.   


=== Lawsuit "Roofieing"<!-- May want a better name for this, or at least a better way to spell this abnormal word... --> ===
=== Inclusion of lawsuit waiving clauses in game giveaway license ===
In December of 2014, Ubisoft was giving away free licenses for their title Assassin's Creed Unity, however there was a catch; hidden within the terms<ref>https://www.gamespot.com/articles/assassin-s-creed-unity-free-game-offer-waives-laws/1100-6424381/</ref> for the clickwrap agreement in obtaining the game for free were some lines that in summation stated that the user could not sue Ubisoft. <ref>''You hereby irrevocably and unconditionally RELEASE, WAIVE, AND FOREVER DISCHARGE AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE Ubisoft Entertainment S.A., and each of its past, present and future divisions, parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, predecessors, successors and assigns, together with all of their respective past, present and future employees, officers, shareholders, directors and agents, and those who give recommendations, directions, or instructions or engage in risk evaluation or loss control activities regarding the Campaign (all for the purposes herein referred to as “Released Parties”) FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY TO YOU, your assigns, heirs, and next of kin FOR ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, DEMANDS, CHARGES, LAWSUITS, DEBTS, DEFENSES, ACTIONS OR CAUSES OF ACTION, OBLIGATIONS, DAMAGES, LOSS OF SERVICE, COMPENSATION, PAIN AND SUFFERING, ATTORNEYS’ FEES, AND COST AND EXPENSES OF SUIT, KNOWN OR UNKNOWN, SUSPECTED OR UNSUSPECTED, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THE PURCHASE, ACQUISITION, RENTAL, POSSESSION AND/OR USAGE, AND/OR THE INTENT TO PURCHASE, ACQUIRE, RENT, POSSESS AND/OR USE, THE ASSASSIN’S CREED UNITY VIDEO GAME AND/OR THE ASSASSIN’S CREED UNITY SEASON PASS ON ANY AND ALL PLATFORMS, AND/OR RELATED TO THE CAMPAIGN, WHETHER CAUSED BY THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASED PARTIES OR OTHERWISE.''
In December of 2014, Ubisoft was giving away free licenses for a game<!-- initially this said 'for assassin's creed unity', but from what I can tell from the linked article, it wasn't Unity which was actually given away. also this should mention that it's not like the disney situation - the right to sue was only waived in relation to Assassin's Creed unity and its Season Pass. -->, however there was a catch; the terms<ref>https://www.gamespot.com/articles/assassin-s-creed-unity-free-game-offer-waives-laws/1100-6424381/</ref> for the clickwrap agreement in obtaining the game for free contained a clause stating that the user could not sue Ubisoft in relation to Assassin's Creed Unity or its Season Pass. <ref>''You hereby irrevocably and unconditionally RELEASE, WAIVE, AND FOREVER DISCHARGE AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE Ubisoft Entertainment S.A., and each of its past, present and future divisions, parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, predecessors, successors and assigns, together with all of their respective past, present and future employees, officers, shareholders, directors and agents, and those who give recommendations, directions, or instructions or engage in risk evaluation or loss control activities regarding the Campaign (all for the purposes herein referred to as “Released Parties”) FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY TO YOU, your assigns, heirs, and next of kin FOR ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, DEMANDS, CHARGES, LAWSUITS, DEBTS, DEFENSES, ACTIONS OR CAUSES OF ACTION, OBLIGATIONS, DAMAGES, LOSS OF SERVICE, COMPENSATION, PAIN AND SUFFERING, ATTORNEYS’ FEES, AND COST AND EXPENSES OF SUIT, KNOWN OR UNKNOWN, SUSPECTED OR UNSUSPECTED, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THE PURCHASE, ACQUISITION, RENTAL, POSSESSION AND/OR USAGE, AND/OR THE INTENT TO PURCHASE, ACQUIRE, RENT, POSSESS AND/OR USE, THE ASSASSIN’S CREED UNITY VIDEO GAME AND/OR THE ASSASSIN’S CREED UNITY SEASON PASS ON ANY AND ALL PLATFORMS, AND/OR RELATED TO THE CAMPAIGN, WHETHER CAUSED BY THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASED PARTIES OR OTHERWISE.''


Via http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2014/12/18/your-assassin-s-creed-unity-season-pass-free-game-comes-with-a-legal-catch.aspx
Via http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2014/12/18/your-assassin-s-creed-unity-season-pass-free-game-comes-with-a-legal-catch.aspx


[http://web.archive.org/web/20141222024011/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2014/12/18/your-assassin-s-creed-unity-season-pass-free-game-comes-with-a-legal-catch.aspx Archive]</ref> It is unknown whether or not these terms remain to be valid over a decade later.
[http://web.archive.org/web/20141222024011/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2014/12/18/your-assassin-s-creed-unity-season-pass-free-game-comes-with-a-legal-catch.aspx Archive]</ref>


=== Executive comments ===
=== Executive comments ===

Revision as of 23:41, 15 January 2025

Ubisoft Entertainment S.A. is a multinational video game company, known for developing and publishing popular franchises such as Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six. The company has positioned itself as a leader in the video game industry, referring to itself as a "AAAA" game company. This claim is debatable.

Relevant Incidents

The Crew shutdown

One of the most significant consumer protection issues surrounding Ubisoft in recent years relates to the 2014 game The Crew. In 2022, Ubisoft announced the shutdown of the online services for The Crew, effectively making the game unplayable for many players who relied on its online features.[1] The decision to decommission the game's servers was controversial, as Ubisoft retroactively altered the terms of sale. Players who had purchased the game, which was initially marketed with certain online functionality, found that they could no longer access key features after the servers were shut down.

The decommissioning of The Crew also sparked a wider debate on the viability of "games-as-a-service" models, which Ubisoft has heavily invested in.[2] These models often require ongoing internet connectivity to function and rely on servers run by the company. At any time, the company can decide to shut down the servers and the games will no longer be playable, as seen with The Crew.

Weeks after the shutdown of The Crew, users have also mentioned Ubisoft revoking their licenses[3] off of platforms such as Steam[4] and Ubisoft Connect[5]

Star Wars Outlaws forced update

Star wars outlaws was released in In August of 2024, with two editions that allowed players to have early access to the game for $110 and $130 respectively, approximately twice the cost of the game on release day[6]. Ubisoft then pushed an update just before the full release that caused players on PlayStation 5 who had paid extra for the game as early access to have their save file deleted[7]. Although the update was intended to fix a game-breaking bug, upon full release many bugs remained[8]. This behavior also highlights an ongoing pattern in which Ubisoft releases an incomplete game, expects players to buy the game and act as the testers, and then patches the game later.

Inclusion of lawsuit waiving clauses in game giveaway license

In December of 2014, Ubisoft was giving away free licenses for a game, however there was a catch; the terms[9] for the clickwrap agreement in obtaining the game for free contained a clause stating that the user could not sue Ubisoft in relation to Assassin's Creed Unity or its Season Pass. [10]

Executive comments

Ubisoft's CEO, Yves Guillemot, has repeatedly stated that "games-as-a-service" is the future of the gaming industry[11], and Ubisoft's director of subscriptions Philippe Tremblay said that players should get used to not owning their games.[12] These comments have been met with criticism, particularly when juxtaposed with decisions like the shutdown of The Crew and the introduction of NFT's (Non-fungible tokens) into Ubisoft’s business model.

On January 15, 2024, Ubisoft's director of subscriptions, Philippe Tremblay, was interviewed by gamesindustry.biz. During this interview Tremblay made the following comment on ownership:

"One of the things we saw is that gamers are used to, a little bit like DVD, having and owning their games. That's the consumer shift that needs to happen. They got comfortable not owning their CD collection or DVD collection. That's a transformation that's been a bit slower to happen [in games]. As gamers grow comfortable in that aspect… you don't lose your progress. If you resume your game at another time, your progress file is still there. That's not been deleted. You don't lose what you've built in the game or your engagement with the game. So it's about feeling comfortable with not owning your game[13]."

  1. ↑ https://www.ign.com/articles/the-crew-delisted-from-all-digital-storefronts-servers-shut-down-early-2024
  2. ↑ https://www.stopkillinggames.com/
  3. ↑ https://www.pcgamer.com/games/racing/ubisoft-is-stripping-peoples-licences-for-the-crew-weeks-after-its-shutdown-nearly-squandering-hopes-of-private-servers-and-acting-as-a-stark-reminder-of-how-volatile-digital-ownership-is/
  4. ↑ https://steamcommunity.com/app/646910/discussions/0/6733519464639235465/
  5. ↑ https://www.eurogamer.net/ubisoft-reportedly-revoking-the-crew-from-owners-libraries-following-server-shutdown
  6. ↑ https://www.ign.com/articles/star-wars-outlaws-release-date-special-editions
  7. ↑ https://gamerant.com/star-wars-outlaws-bug-delete-save-data-ps5/
  8. ↑ https://www.geeksandgamers.com/star-wars-outlaws-still-looks-buggy-the-week-of-its-release/
  9. ↑ https://www.gamespot.com/articles/assassin-s-creed-unity-free-game-offer-waives-laws/1100-6424381/
  10. ↑ You hereby irrevocably and unconditionally RELEASE, WAIVE, AND FOREVER DISCHARGE AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE Ubisoft Entertainment S.A., and each of its past, present and future divisions, parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, predecessors, successors and assigns, together with all of their respective past, present and future employees, officers, shareholders, directors and agents, and those who give recommendations, directions, or instructions or engage in risk evaluation or loss control activities regarding the Campaign (all for the purposes herein referred to as “Released Parties”) FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY TO YOU, your assigns, heirs, and next of kin FOR ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, DEMANDS, CHARGES, LAWSUITS, DEBTS, DEFENSES, ACTIONS OR CAUSES OF ACTION, OBLIGATIONS, DAMAGES, LOSS OF SERVICE, COMPENSATION, PAIN AND SUFFERING, ATTORNEYS’ FEES, AND COST AND EXPENSES OF SUIT, KNOWN OR UNKNOWN, SUSPECTED OR UNSUSPECTED, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THE PURCHASE, ACQUISITION, RENTAL, POSSESSION AND/OR USAGE, AND/OR THE INTENT TO PURCHASE, ACQUIRE, RENT, POSSESS AND/OR USE, THE ASSASSIN’S CREED UNITY VIDEO GAME AND/OR THE ASSASSIN’S CREED UNITY SEASON PASS ON ANY AND ALL PLATFORMS, AND/OR RELATED TO THE CAMPAIGN, WHETHER CAUSED BY THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASED PARTIES OR OTHERWISE. Via http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2014/12/18/your-assassin-s-creed-unity-season-pass-free-game-comes-with-a-legal-catch.aspx Archive
  11. ↑ https://kotaku.com/top-video-game-companies-wont-stop-talking-about-games-1795663927
  12. ↑ https://www.ign.com/articles/ubisoft-exec-says-gamers-need-to-get-comfortable-not-owning-their-games-for-subscriptions-to-take-off
  13. ↑ https://www.gamesindustry.biz/the-new-ubisoft-and-getting-gamers-comfortable-with-not-owning-their-games
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