Ubisoft has updated its End User License Agreement (EULA), introducing controversial new terms that critics argue undermine players’ rights and ownership of purchased games. This comes as the publisher faces heightened scrutiny following recent scandals and growing industry-wide debate over digital game preservation.
A Stricter, More Controlling Agreement
The revised EULA, which applies to all Ubisoft games going forward, contains several clauses that have raised alarms in the gaming community. Chief among them is a provision requiring users to “immediately uninstall the product and destroy all copies of the product” if Ubisoft takes a game offline or terminates the license.
While it’s unclear how Ubisoft could enforce such a clause—particularly with regard to physical media—the language has been criticized as unnecessarily punitive and out of step with consumer expectations. The move coincides with the growing Stop Killing Games movement, a campaign advocating for players’ rights to access games they’ve purchased even after support ends.
Industry Context: Stop Killing Games Gains Momentum
Ubisoft’s EULA update comes amid ongoing backlash over its decision to delist and shut down titles like The Crew, which was one of the sparks for the Stop Killing Games petition. That campaign has now garnered over 1 million signatures, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with the way publishers handle game preservation and ownership in the digital era.
Although there’s no direct evidence that Ubisoft’s updated EULA is a reaction to the movement, the optics have only added to the perception that publishers are ignoring players’ concerns about digital ownership and transparency.
Unfettered Power to Terminate
Another contentious aspect of the new agreement is its language allowing Ubisoft or its licensors to terminate the license “at any time for any reason.” While extreme scenarios are unlikely, critics argue this vague clause gives Ubisoft the legal leeway to revoke access to a game immediately after launch, if it so chooses.
These changes come at a time when many players are already wary of digital-only releases and the erosion of physical media. With players looking forward to rumored remakes like Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, the fear of games being revoked or delisted without recourse casts a shadow over Ubisoft’s future projects.
Growing Distrust in the Industry
For many, Ubisoft’s latest move underscores a growing disconnect between publishers and players. At a time when consumers are calling for greater accountability, transparency, and preservation of games, Ubisoft’s updated EULA appears to double down on restrictive policies that prioritize corporate control over player rights.
Whether the company intended it or not, these changes have fueled further criticism and added momentum to campaigns like Stop Killing Games. As digital distribution continues to dominate, the debate over what it truly means to “own” a game is unlikely to quiet any time soon.
