Tag: EULA

  • Ubisoft Faces Backlash for EULA Requiring Game Deletion

    Ubisoft Faces Backlash for EULA Requiring Game Deletion

    Key Takeaways

    1. Ubisoft updated its End User License Agreement (EULA) to require players to “uninstall” and “destroy” games if support for them ends.
    2. The change has sparked significant backlash from gamers, particularly on platforms like Reddit.
    3. The revised EULA places the responsibility on users to stay informed about changes, allowing Ubisoft to terminate the agreement for various reasons.
    4. Ubisoft is experiencing financial difficulties, reporting a loss of €159 million for fiscal year 2024-2025, amid declining popularity and unsuccessful game releases.
    5. The new policy coincides with the “Stop Killing Games” movement, which aims to prevent publishers from shutting down online-only games without adequate support.

    Ubisoft has found itself in hot water once again after revising its End User License Agreement (EULA), adding a clause that has stirred up a lot of talk in the gaming community. The updated EULA indicates that players are required to “uninstall” and “destroy” their games if support for a particular title ceases.

    Gamers React

    This has led to a significant amount of backlash on various platforms, especially on Reddit, where users have reacted quite angrily to the recent changes in the EULA. Many see this update as a possible response to the Stop Killing Games movement, which has been gaining traction.

    The new EULA can be found on Ubisoft’s official site. It places the responsibility on users to stay informed about any modifications:

    “You and UBISOFT (or its licensors) may terminate this EULA at any time, for any reason. Termination by UBISOFT will be effective upon (a) notice to You or (b) termination of Your UBISOFT Account (if any) or (c) at the time of UBISOFT’s decision to discontinue offering and/or supporting the Product.

    This EULA will terminate automatically if You fail to comply with any of the terms and conditions of this EULA. Upon termination for any reason, You must immediately uninstall the Product and destroy all copies of the Product in Your possession.”

    Changes Noticed

    These revised terms have not gone unnoticed by gamers, who are increasingly vocal about their dissatisfaction with Ubisoft’s choices. Over the past five years, the company’s popularity and market share have taken a hit, leading Ubisoft to forge a partnership with Tencent. For the fiscal year 2024-2025, Ubisoft reported losses of €159 million ($177.9 million), marking a 20.5% decline in net bookings, totaling around $2 billion.

    Many gamers and industry analysts see this update as a miscalculation, especially in light of a string of lackluster titles like Skull and Bones, XDefiant, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, Avatar Frontiers of Pandora, and Assassin’s Creed: Shadows.

    The Road Ahead

    Additionally, this new policy comes at a time when the “Stop Killing Games” initiative has gathered 1,266,069 signatures towards its goal of 1,000,000. The movement’s objective is to stop publishers like Ubisoft from shutting down online-only games without providing any end-of-life support, similar to what happened with the original Crew.

    Ubisoft is still facing significant financial challenges and a tarnished public image, and the latest changes to the EULA appear to widen the gap between the company and the gaming community. While Ubisoft stands its ground, the strong backlash indicates that many gamers might be seeking other options.

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  • Nintendo can brick consoles for unauthorized use per new agreement

    Nintendo can brick consoles for unauthorized use per new agreement

    Key Takeaways

    1. Nintendo’s updated user agreement clarifies that users only have a license to use their Nintendo Account Services, not ownership.
    2. The new terms impose strict restrictions against actions like copying, modifying, or circumventing Nintendo services.
    3. Violating these rules could result in serious consequences, including the possibility of Nintendo bricking the user’s console.
    4. The UK agreement is less detailed but also prohibits unauthorized actions regarding Digital Products, with similar consequences for non-compliance.
    5. Nintendo’s privacy policy has been revised to allow recording of video and voice chats for safety and security purposes.

    Nintendo is stepping up its fight against piracy and emulation, as shown by the recent changes in the user agreement. The new terms clarify that users do not actually own their Nintendo Account Services; they merely obtain a license to use them. This means that interfering with these services could result in serious consequences, including the possibility of Nintendo bricking your console if you use the services in ways that are not allowed.

    Updated Agreement Notification

    The modifications to the US Nintendo Account User Agreement were communicated through an email to account holders, providing a link to the updated policy. These changes are set to take effect in May 2025, which means they should be active by now. One significant update is the explanation that Nintendo services are licensed rather than owned, imposing certain restrictions and guidelines that must be adhered to.

    Licensing Terms

    In the License section, it is stated that according to the EULA (End User License Agreement), users must not publish, copy, modify, reverse engineer, bypass, tamper with, or circumvent any functions or protections of the Nintendo Account Services. There are also additional clauses, and a complete list can be seen in the screenshot below. If users do not follow these rules, Nintendo has the authority to make the account or the console “permanently unusable” or bricked.

    UK Agreement Update

    The update to the UK EULA is not as detailed, specifying, “In particular, without NOE’s written consent, you must neither lease nor rent Digital Products nor sublicense, publish, copy, modify, adapt, translate, reverse engineer, decompile or disassemble any portion of Digital Products other than as expressly permitted by applicable law.” Non-compliance could lead to the Digital product becoming unusable.

    Nintendo has also recently revised its privacy policy concerning the Switch 2 and GameChat. If users agree, Nintendo may record video and voice chats saved on the console. The company claims this is to create a safe and secure environment for certain services.

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