Ubisoft Advises Players to “Destroy” Games After Online Support Concludes

Ubisoft has revised its End User License Agreement (EULA), recently informing gamers of a rather controversial requirement: players must delete and dispose of their games entirely if the title is removed from online support.

As outlined in the updated EULA, Ubisoft reserves broad rights regarding the ongoing support of its games. The clause states: “You and Ubisoft may terminate this EULA at any time, for any reason. Termination by Ubisoft will be effective upon notice to you or termination of your Ubisoft account, or at the time of Ubisoft’s decision to discontinue offering and/or supporting the Product.” This essentially allows Ubisoft to cease support for a game whenever they deem necessary.

Obligation to Destroy and Delete Games Upon Support Termination

Moreover, an additional clause within the EULA mandates that players must “immediately uninstall the Product and destroy all copies of the Product in your possession” if Ubisoft decides to stop providing support for a game. This stipulation underscores the company’s authority to require players to completely eliminate both digital and physical copies of their games should they choose to discontinue online services.

This announcement arrives amid the rise of the “Stop Killing Games” campaign, which aims to protect gamers from the abrupt termination of online games, leaving players unable to enjoy what they purchased. High-profile projects such as Anthem and Concord have already faced such fates, fueling the outrage. The movement has gained significant traction, gathering over a million signatures in support of its cause and receiving endorsements from various influencers.

Interestingly, Ubisoft is not alone in adopting such terms; similar clauses can be found in the EULAs of other gaming giants, including Capcom and Sega, as well as in products like the Oblivion Remaster. This indicates that the practice is a broader industry standard, raising questions about digital ownership and consumer rights in the gaming community.

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