The Crew
News, coverage and analysis tracking The Crew across the outlets.
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Sony’s Lawyers Argue Digital Game Buyers Already Know They’re Only Getting a License
Sony's lawyers are arguing in court that consumers understand they are purchasing a license, not ownership, for digital PlayStation games. This defense comes as part of a lawsuit challenging the company's disclosure practices regarding digital goods and the impending end of PlayStation disc production in 2028, which could impact the second-hand market.
CyberLeek, Explained: Inside the GTA 6 Leaks, the Manifesto and the Memecoin Votes
An individual or group known as CyberLeek has been publishing alleged unfinished footage and details from Grand Theft Auto VI, accompanied by a manifesto advocating for consumer rights regarding digital preorders and game preservation. The group has also launched a memecoin, $CYBERLEEK, which is used for community voting on which leaked content to release next. While Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive have taken action to remove the leaked material, the origin and authenticity of the leaks remain unverified, with possibilities of AI generation or playable build access being discussed.
GTA 6 footage once again appears to leak online, this time because of a group that wants games like The Crew to have offline modes and the end of digital preorders
Footage and screenshots allegedly from Grand Theft Auto 6 have leaked online, reportedly by a group named Cyberleek. The group is demanding an end to digital preorders, the preservation of single-player games for offline play, and has targeted publishers like Take-Two Interactive. The leaked content includes brief gameplay clips and what appears to be the full in-game map of Leonida.
Stop Killing Games might never win according to expert: "Are consumer rights being violated? Well, they already…
An expert from Flux Digital Policy suggests the Stop Killing Games movement may not achieve its goals due to legal and industry standards. Celia Pontin argues that existing terms of service already govern situations like the shutdown of The Crew, and that current legislation makes it difficult to force publishers to maintain access to games indefinitely. While acknowledging the passion behind the movement, she highlights a mismatch between public desires and legal/technological realities.
What if Stop Killing Games win? Anthem, SpaceCraft and Warframe devs on the "massive undertaking" of reverse engineering an always-online game
The article discusses the challenges and importance of game preservation for live service titles, using Warframe as a primary example. It explores the difficulties of reverse engineering always-online games and the efforts of groups like Stop Killing Games to advocate for offline modes and legal requirements for game longevity. Experts like Scott McGregor and Mark Darrah weigh in on the technical and financial hurdles, while the piece also touches on the potential impact of such regulations on the future development of live service games.
'The company has turned its back on us': Black Flag Resynced developers at Ubisoft Barcelona are being laid off instead of celebrating the series' latest hit
Despite the success of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, which sold two million copies and broke series player records on Steam, Ubisoft is laying off 51 developers at its Barcelona studio. This decision has led to frustration among employees and a three-day strike called by the Spanish union La Confederación General del Trabajo, protesting the company's 'strategic shift' and perceived betrayal of its dedicated staff.
Minecraft, Call Of Duty Community Servers Are “Illegal,” Claims ESA Rep
An Entertainment Software Association (ESA) representative claimed that private community servers for Minecraft and Call of Duty are illegal and constitute piracy. Jennifer Gibbons, the ESA's vice president of state government affairs, argued that these servers are not affiliated with Microsoft and do not adhere to the same safety standards as official servers. The 'Stop Killing Games' movement has vowed to continue advocating for game preservation and the legality of community servers in future legislation.
The ESA is up to its tired old tricks in helping to block a California games preservation bill
The Electronic Software Association (ESA) is reportedly lobbying against California's AB 1921, the Protect Our Games Act, which aims to preserve online games. The ESA is accused of using misleading claims to deter lawmakers, including calling private servers for games like Minecraft and Call of Duty illegal. Despite the bill failing to pass committee, the 'Stop Killing Games' initiative plans to continue advocating for game preservation.
Ubisoft co-founder Claude Guillemot has died in a plane crash
Ubisoft co-founder Claude Guillemot has died at the age of 69 in a plane crash. He was also the chairman of Guillemot Corp, which owns the accessories brand Thrustmaster. The article also touches on the European Commission's response to the 'Stop Killing Games' petition, agreeing to facilitate an industry code of conduct for managing the end-of-life for video games.
‘Stop Destroying Videogames’ – European Commission Responds to Initiative Supported by Over A Million Supporters
The European Commission has responded to the 'Stop Destroying Videogames' initiative, stating it cannot legally compel publishers to keep games playable indefinitely. While not proposing new legislation, the Commission will initiate industry discussions by the end of 2026 to draft a code of conduct for game end-of-life management and will raise awareness of existing consumer rights.
European Commission aims to facilitate code of conduct for managing "end of life" for games following Stop Killing Games petition
The European Commission will facilitate a discussion between the games industry and consumers to create a code of conduct for managing the end-of-life for video games, following a petition signed by 1.3 million people. While unable to legally mandate game preservation due to intellectual property rights, the EC will raise awareness of existing EU consumer laws that provide remedies for digital content and services no longer available as contracted.
Stop Killing Games suffers setback following European Parliamentary hearing - but all is not lost
The European Commission has decided not to propose new legislation for online game preservation, stating that existing EU copyright and consumer laws provide sufficient safeguards. This ruling is a setback for the Stop Killing Games movement, which had petitioned for a legal framework to prevent games from becoming unplayable when online services are shut down. While the Commission will encourage an industry code of conduct and greater transparency, it will not mandate game companies to keep titles playable indefinitely.
EU rules against Stop Killing Games, but after 2 years of campaigning founder insists change is coming: "Our position almost seems too good to be true"
The EU Commission has decided against recommending new legislation to prevent publishers from revoking access to online-only games, a setback for the Stop Killing Games campaign. Despite this, campaign founder Ross Scott remains optimistic, stating that they have secured support within the EU Parliament to amend the Digital Fairness Act and pass legislation independently of the Commission's decision. The Commission will instead convene industry and consumer representatives to draft a code of conduct for managing the end-of-life for video games.
EU Commission to 'engage with the industry' over Stop Killing Games initiative
The European Commission will engage with the video game industry and consumers by the end of 2026 to address the issue of publishers disabling games. This follows a European Citizens' Initiative, 'Stop Killing Games,' which advocates for players to retain access to purchased titles. The Commission is exploring industry codes of conduct and leveraging existing consumer protection laws to incentivize longer game lifespans, citing Ubisoft's delisting and shutdown of The Crew as a key example.
Ubisoft closes another 2 studios, lays off hundreds more employees
Ubisoft is closing studios in Winnipeg and Belgrade and laying off approximately 380 employees as part of a cost-reduction strategy. The Ubisoft Barcelona studio will shift its focus exclusively to the Rainbow Six franchise, while other studios undergo restructuring into five creative houses. This follows departures of several high-level creatives and ongoing investment in artificial intelligence.
"The timing is impossible to ignore": Stop Killing Games says Ubisoft attended "invitation-only" meeting with EU Commission ahead of response to campaign sparked by The Crew shutdown, but it "was not invited"
The Stop Killing Games movement alleges that Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot attended an "invitation-only" meeting with the European Commission shortly before the commission's planned response to their European Citizens' Initiative. The movement, which advocates against games being taken offline after purchase, was not invited to this meeting. This comes after Ubisoft shut down The Crew, a decision that has led to legal action and scrutiny from consumer authorities.
Game Preservation Matters: Why Classic Games Are Disappearing | TAG
A significant portion of classic video games, estimated at 87% released before 2010, are no longer commercially available due to delisting and lack of preservation efforts. The US Copyright Office's denial of a petition for remote access for researchers highlights a systemic issue, with the industry lobbying group ESA actively opposing preservation. Organizations like the Video Game History Foundation and GOG are working to combat this cultural catastrophe, advocating for legal reform and offering DRM-free options.
'This Policy Doesn't Reflect How Games Actually Work Today': Stop Killing Games Gets Big Win, But the Fight Is Far from Over
The consumer movement Stop Killing Games has achieved a significant victory as the California State Assembly passed the 'Protect Our Games' act, which aims to prevent publishers from permanently disabling games by shutting down servers. The bill proposes requiring publishers to provide advance notice of server closures and ensure playable single-player modes indefinitely for commercially available titles. However, the Entertainment Software Association argues the proposal is not feasible and could hinder the development of new games and technology.
The Stop Killing Games movement hits another major milestone as a game preservation bill passes California State…
The California State Assembly has passed the Protect Our Games Act (AB 1921), a bill aimed at improving game preservation. The legislation requires companies to provide 60 days' notice before shutting down online servers, offer ways for players to continue playing post-support, or issue refunds. This move by Stop Killing Games marks a significant milestone in the ongoing effort to ensure digital games remain accessible.
Stop Killing Games consumer protection bill passes floor vote in California
The California State Assembly has passed the Protect Our Games Act (AB 1921), a bill aimed at protecting consumer rights and ensuring game preservation. The legislation, motivated by incidents like Ubisoft's shutdown of The Crew, would require publishers to provide offline access or refunds when server-dependent games are discontinued. The bill now moves to the California State Senate, facing opposition from industry groups like Video Games Europe and the ESA who argue it could increase development costs and stifle innovation.
