Ubisoft’s EULA Update Sparks Backlash Over “Destroy Your Game” Clause

Image credit: Ubisoft/Canva/Grok

Ubisoft is once again under fire, this time for a controversial clause buried in its End User License Agreement (EULA) that directs players to uninstall and “destroy” their games if support is discontinued.

This update, initially spotted by Tech4Gamers, has added fuel to the growing “Stop Killing Games” movement—a campaign focused on protecting consumer rights and preserving digital games after official support ends.

While this clause isn’t exactly new, its rediscovery comes at a time when Ubisoft’s reputation is already on shaky ground. Over the past year, the publisher has struggled with underperforming releases like Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, Star Wars Outlaws, and the eventual shutdown of XDefiant. Though Assassin’s Creed: Shadows found some success, it hasn't been enough to turn things around for the company. Now, the change in EULA has made fans feel even more alienated.

At the core of the controversy is a section in Ubisoft’s EULA titled “Termination,” which states:

“You and Ubisoft (or its licensors) may terminate this EULA, at any time, for any reason... Upon termination for any reason, You must immediately uninstall the Product and destroy all copies of the Product in Your possession.”

That’s a strong legal statement. Essentially, once Ubisoft pulls the plug on a game or your Ubisoft account is terminated, you are contractually obligated to delete every trace of the game—even if you paid for it.

Understandably, this hasn’t gone down well with the community. On Reddit and gaming forums, the backlash has been swift and loud. One highly upvoted comment reads, “I remember when the Ubisoft logo used to get me genuinely excited. Now I avoid it like the plague.” Another user sarcastically suggested that Ubisoft “saw the bad PR Microsoft got last week and decided to top it.” Across the board, players are calling the clause absurd and anti-consumer.

Ubisoft's EULA further notes that the company reserves the right to change, modify, or delete parts of the agreement at its own discretion—“with or, as applicable, without prior notice to you.” Now, it’s up to the user to periodically check the EULA for updates. If you disagree with any changes, your only option is to terminate the agreement and, again, destroy your copy of the game.

This sudden wave of criticism coincides with the rise of the Stop Killing Games initiative, which aims to prevent publishers from rendering paid games unplayable. As per the campaign’s website, over one million supporters have signed an EU petition to challenge the legality of such practices. Notably, the campaign was launched by YouTuber Ross Scott shortly after Ubisoft’s decision to delist The Crew in early 2024—a move that sparked widespread outrage after players were locked out of a game they had purchased.

Interestingly, Ubisoft isn’t alone in using such language. Similar clauses can be found in EULAs for several games across other platforms. According to user Amon274 on Reddit, games like Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Metaphor: ReFantazio, and Oblivion Remastered also contain terms requiring users to destroy copies upon license termination.

While no one is likely to show up at your house to make sure you’ve tossed your Far Cry disc in the trash, the fact that such a clause exists at all is what’s most frustrating for fans. Whether or not it's enforced, it’s a reminder of how fragile digital ownership has become.