Ubisoft has dropped a bombshell for fans of The Crew, announcing that sales of its popular online racing game will cease across all platforms, and it will become unplayable after March 31, 2024. The decision, explained by Ubisoft as a response to impending server infrastructure and licensing limitations, has stirred disappointment among players still immersed in the game’s world.
In a statement, Ubisoft acknowledged the disappointment, emphasizing the difficulty of decommissioning a game, especially their first one. The company reassured the community that it remains committed to delivering the best action-driving gameplay experience, highlighting ongoing support for The Crew 2 and the recently launched The Crew Motorfest.
The move, however, sheds light on a larger issue in the gaming industry, where server-dependent games transform into mere memories when developers decide to pull the plug. Despite The Crew featuring a singleplayer campaign, the loss of online functionality raises questions about the nature of game ownership, challenging the perception that it should not be treated as an extended rental.
Currently, The Crew has a modest player base, with only 31 players on Steam at the moment. While some may argue about the relevance of playing a decade-old racing game, the underlying issue speaks to the broader principles of game ownership and accessibility.
Ubisoft expressed gratitude to the community, citing The Crew 1 as the foundation for defining the franchise’s key pillars. These include a social open world, an RPG progression system linked to vehicles and player actions, and ensuring activities are available at any time of day. With over 40 million players in the franchise last year, Ubisoft acknowledged the pivotal role players have played in their success.
The servers for The Crew will be taken offline on April 1, 2024, marking the point at which the game will become unplayable. Ubisoft has offered a lifeline for those who recently purchased the game, allowing them to apply for a refund through their respective storefronts, with the definition of “recent” left to individual store policies.
The announcement serves as a reminder of the evolving landscape of online gaming and the delicate balance between preserving gaming experiences and the practicalities of server maintenance and licensing constraints.
