It’s not just Ubisoft drawing gamer outrage for EULAs that require games to be uninstalled if servers go offline—Capcom, SEGA, Bethesda, and many other major publishers use similar clauses.

The Stop Killing Games initiative has cast a spotlight on a problem that has quietly plagued gaming for years: publishers can shut down servers and make games completely unusable, leaving buyers with nothing to show for their purchase. This is possible because users accept EULAs (End User License Agreements) that let publishers terminate access at any time—because players don’t actually own their games, but only license them. This realization is prompting more and more gamers to scrutinize the fine print of digital game contracts, with Ubisoft’s EULA now in the crosshairs for a particularly controversial clause that’s really just standard industry practice.

The Ubisoft EULA Requirement

As the Stop Killing Games movement spreads, players are becoming increasingly curious about what exactly they’re agreeing to when they accept EULAs. Some have combed through Ubisoft’s agreement and found, as Reddit’s TwoBestFriendsPlay pointed out, a long-standing clause that obligates customers to destroy and uninstall games if the French publisher pulls the plug.

“This EULA is effective from the date you purchase, download, or use the Product until terminated in accordance with its terms, whichever occurs first. You and UBISOFT (or its licensors) may terminate this EULA at any time for any reason. Termination by UBISOFT will be effective (a) upon notice to you, (b) upon termination of your UBISOFT account (if any), or (c) upon UBISOFT’s decision to discontinue offering or supporting the Product. This EULA will terminate automatically if you breach any of its terms and conditions. Upon termination, for any reason, you must immediately uninstall the Product and destroy all copies in your possession.”

Of course, Ubisoft isn’t going to come to your house to make sure you’ve burned your games, but the community’s anger has only grown over the idea that what we buy can be taken away at any time. It’s encouraging to see gamers stand up and legally challenge these measures, but this uninstall-and-destroy clause isn’t unique to Ubisoft—other industry giants do it too.

This Clause Isn’t Unique to Ubisoft: It’s Industry Standard

The TwoBestFriendsPlay Reddit post was quickly filled with jokes and criticism, but many users noted that this provision is more common than people think. Amon274 reviewed multiple EULAs and found that Behaviour Interactive, Capcom, SEGA, and Bethesda all include similar terms. “It’s absurdly common, and it makes sense if you realize these are licensed products—licenses always grant limited use and define what happens when the contract ends. The problem is we let companies treat game purchases as licenses, not sales,” added ThatOneAnnoyingUser.

This isn’t the first time the gaming community has targeted a big company over EULA terms: recently, Gearbox Software, 2K Games, and Take-Two faced backlash for EULA clauses about game data collection. Many players called it “spyware,” causing brand damage and review bombing—later debunked by modders, but still visible in Steam reviews.

Ultimately, it doesn’t matter if Ubisoft’s infamous EULA clause has been around for months or years—the community is now much more aware and skeptical of these long, legal documents, and this movement has fueled the Stop Killing Games campaign. With over a million signatures, the community initiative may soon reach the European Parliament, opening the door for the games industry to finally respect consumer rights and focus less on sales and more on the player experience.

Source: 3djuegos