Ubisoft is facing a fresh wave of criticism and angry users after updating its End User License Agreement (EULA) to include a clause that demands users destroy or uninstall games once they are taken offline. This move comes as part of a broader shift in the gaming industry one that has players deeply concerned about digital ownership and the longevity of purchased titles.
What’s in the New Ubisoft EULA?
A key point in the updated EULA states that if Ubisoft or its licensors terminate access to a game, the user must "immediately uninstall the product and destroy all copies of the product." The language is strict and sweeping, implying that even physical copies may need to be discarded something that is virtually unenforceable but still raises major red flags about consumer rights.
To make matters more contentious, the EULA also grants Ubisoft the right to terminate access to any game "at any time for any reason." While likely a legal safeguard, this vague wording theoretically gives the publisher the power to release and revoke a game in the same breath, potentially with no recourse for buyers.
Backlash Fueled By Latest Movement Of Stop Killing Games
This controversial EULA update lands amid growing momentum from the Stop Killing Games movement a fan-led petition and campaign calling for publishers to stop delisting and bricking digital games. The movement gained significant attention earlier this year after Ubisoft delisted The Crew, making the game unplayable even for existing owners.
Stop Killing Games has since surpassed 1 million signatures, and the movement's timing couldn’t be more relevant. Ubisoft’s new policy seems to many like a direct contradiction to the movement’s goals, if not a tone-deaf response in the face of mounting industry-wide concerns.
The situation also underscores a growing tension in the industry between physical game collectors and digital platform users. While a physical disc might seem immune to corporate control, EULAs like Ubisoft’s attempt to assert rights over all forms of game access, not just digital downloads. This development could impact future Ubisoft remakes, such as the long-rumored Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag reboot, as well as other upcoming titles under their banner.
Many players have voiced frustration online, arguing that game ownership is being eroded in favor of subscription models and digital control. Some fear that other publishers could follow suit, further normalizing anti-consumer practices across the industry.
This EULA change also arrives during a period of turbulence for Ubisoft. The company has recently seen three former executives convicted in connection to internal misconduct investigations, adding further scrutiny to its current leadership and decision-making.
Whether Ubisoft intended this EULA revision as legal housekeeping or as a quiet defense against player backlash, the result is clear: the trust between publisher and player continues to erode as has been the trend for the last few years.
Ubisoft’s updated EULA raises serious concerns about the future of game preservation and ownership. By requiring players to delete games post-delisting and allowing termination "for any reason," Ubisoft may have ignited a battle it wasn’t prepared for. Especially as movements like Stop Killing Games continue to gain traction. Whether this becomes a new industry norm or a cautionary tale depends on how gamers and competitors respond in the weeks ahead.
Will this change come to pass? That remains to be seen. Stay tuned for more news about it in the coming weeks.