Following a player’s demand for their data from Ubisoft, the company is currently embroiled in a high-value lawsuit due to allegations of mishandling personal information, which infringes upon the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
How Did This Happen?
As a gamer diving into the Stone Age world of Far Cry Primal, I was surprised to learn that a data protection organization called NOYB (“None Of Your Business”) took action against Ubisoft for potentially secretly collecting user data. Apparently, during just 10 minutes of gameplay, my console established a connection with their servers approximately 150 times. This continuous data recording of start and end times, as well as the duration of use, is concerning to them. They argue that this connection is necessary only to confirm ownership of the game, even if I purchased it through Steam. However, NOYB believes this double verification to be excessive and unnecessary.
All In The Fine Print
In summary, under the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), personal data should only be collected if it’s necessary. However, in Ubisoft’s end user license agreement, you consent to third-party analytics tools gathering information about your gameplay and that of other users, plus your product usage data. Additionally, by agreeing to their privacy policy (which is mandatory for playing the game), you’re also permitting Ubisoft to save your login and browser details. As per NOYB, this data collection process isn’t clear-cut, and the online play requirement might be unnecessary. If NOYB wins the lawsuit, Ubisoft could potentially face a fine of 92 million euros.
No Connection, No Games
Games that must be played online, even in single-player modes, are frequently criticized due to their reliance on a continuous internet connection. This means that players may not be able to enjoy the game they’ve purchased during server outages or when connections are poor. This can be especially frustrating when servers are permanently closed, making the game unplayable, as with Ubisoft’s The Crew. Another point of contention is that buyers don’t truly own the game, but rather have permission to play it as long as the servers remain operational. Concerns about data privacy and a lack of offline options are additional issues. This issue becomes more problematic when purchasing single-player games for handheld devices, particularly during travel when internet access may not be available.
Gamers Rise!
As a gamer, I can recall some instances where the gaming community’s collective voice was heard loud and clear: Take “Error 37” for instance, which kept gamers from accessing Diablo 3 upon its initial release. The 2013 version of SimCity was rendered unplayable for days due to server issues. Even Bethesda’s Redfall, despite being a single-player game, demanded an internet connection, sparking widespread criticism. In each case, the uproar from the community eventually led to the introduction of offline modes. However, it seems that single-player games with online prerequisites continue to emerge, as evident in the Steam remake of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater.
How do you feel about constant internet connectivity for services? Does the idea of non-stop availability frustrate you, or is it something you find unimportant?
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2025-04-28 19:09