By Steve Levine
Published: May 22, 2026
Status
Claims Open
Claim Deadline
June 11, 2026
opt-out / objection by July 13, 2026 · final approval hearing November 13, 2026
Settlement Payment
$7 Cash OR $15 Ubisoft Credit
$2 million Settlement Fund · one option per Class Member · payment via digital MasterCard, PayPal, Venmo, or Ubisoft account
Proof Required
Tiered (Cash = Proof / Credit = Attestation)
Cash Option requires proof of purchase · Credit Option requires attestation under penalty of perjury
What Is the Ubisoft The Crew Class Action Settlement About?
Did you buy Ubisoft's racing video game The Crew or any in-game virtual content (including Crew Credits) and lose access when Ubisoft shut down the game's servers in March 2024? You may be eligible for either a $7 cash payment or a $15 Ubisoft store credit from a $2 million class action settlement. The claim deadline is June 11, 2026.The Ubisoft Crew class action lawsuit, captioned Cassell, et al. v. Ubisoft, Inc., Case No. 25CV014305, is pending in the Superior Court of California for the County of Sacramento before the Honorable Jill H. Talley. Named plaintiffs Matthew Cassell, Alan Liu, and Angel Cerrato allege that Ubisoft misled consumers into believing they were buying ownership of The Crew when in fact they were only receiving a limited, revocable license to access the game. Plaintiff Cerrato additionally alleges that the expiration of in-game Crew Credits when Ubisoft shut down its servers violated the federal Electronic Funds Transfer Act, 15 U.S.C. Section 1693.
Ubisoft denies any wrongdoing and is settling the Crew class action without admitting liability. The Court granted preliminary approval of the settlement on April 2, 2026. The official Settlement Website is at crewgamesettlement.com.
30-Second Self-Test: Do I Qualify for the Ubisoft Crew Settlement?
If you can answer yes to either question below, you are likely a Settlement Class Member.• Did you purchase The Crew at any time, on any platform (PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, or Xbox One), either physical disc or digital download?
• Did you purchase any virtual in-game content for The Crew, including downloadable content, expansions, or virtual currency (Crew Credits)?
If yes to either, you are a class member. You are NOT a class member if you only obtained The Crew for free (free trial, game sharing, PlayStation Network or Xbox Live subscription rewards, or any multi-game subscription service). The class covers consumers who actually paid for the game or in-game content.
What Happened to The Crew? The March 2024 Server Shutdown
The Crew was an always-online racing video game developed by Ivory Tower and published by Ubisoft. Released on December 2, 2014 for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and PC, the game featured an open-world United States setting where players could drive cars across a compressed continental U.S. map. The game also had a sequel (The Crew 2, released 2018) and a successor (The Crew Motorfest, released 2023), which are NOT covered by this settlement.March 31, 2024: Ubisoft shut down The Crew's servers. Because the game required a constant online connection to Ubisoft's servers to function, the shutdown made the game permanently unplayable for everyone who had bought it. Players who had paid full price for a physical disc or digital download (typically $40-$60 at launch) could no longer launch the game at all. Players who had purchased in-game Crew Credits for additional cars, customization, or content lost those purchases entirely.
The shutdown sparked widespread consumer protest and contributed to a broader "Stop Killing Games" movement of gamers and consumer advocates pushing for legal protections against game publishers permanently removing access to games consumers have paid for. The Cassell v. Ubisoft case is one of the first major class action lawsuits to test the question of what consumers actually own when they "buy" a digital or online-connected video game.
What Are the Allegations Against Ubisoft?
The Cassell v. Ubisoft complaint raises two main allegations.1. Ownership misrepresentation. Plaintiffs allege that Ubisoft sold The Crew using language like "buy" and "purchase" that led consumers to reasonably believe they were acquiring ownership rights, while in reality the End User License Agreement (EULA) gave Ubisoft the right to revoke access at any time. The original federal complaint alleged violations of California consumer protection statutes, including the Consumers Legal Remedies Act, California's Unfair Competition Law, and California's False Advertising Law, plus common law claims for fraud, fraudulent inducement, fraudulent misrepresentation, breach of express warranty, and breach of implied warranty.
2. Electronic Funds Transfer Act violation on Crew Credits. Plaintiff Cerrato additionally alleges that when Ubisoft shut down its servers, the expiration of in-game virtual currency (Crew Credits) that consumers had paid real money for violated the federal Electronic Funds Transfer Act, 15 U.S.C. Section 1693. The EFTA generally restricts the expiration of consumer funds in electronic financial products.
Ubisoft denies all allegations and is settling without admitting liability. The court has not ruled on the merits of the claims; the settlement is intended to avoid the cost and uncertainty of continued litigation.
What Are the Settlement Benefits? Cash Option vs. Credit Option
Each Settlement Class Member who files a valid Claim Form chooses between two options. You can only pick one, and the choice has trade-offs.| Feature | Cash Option ($7) | Credit Option ($15) |
|---|---|---|
| Amount | $7.00 | $15.00 (more than 2x the Cash Option) |
| Where to use it | Real money via digital MasterCard, PayPal, or Venmo | Ubisoft store only (non-transferable, no cash redemption, no gift cards) |
| Proof of purchase required? | Yes | No (attestation only under penalty of perjury) |
| Ubisoft account needed? | No | Yes (must create one if you do not have one) |
| Can be combined with other coupons? | N/A (it is cash) | No |
| What if you return Ubisoft store items? | N/A | Credit value is deducted from any refund |
| Best for | Consumers who want real money and have receipts | Consumers who plan to buy other Ubisoft games and want a simpler claim |
The Settlement Fund total is $2,000,000. Ubisoft has separately set aside $185,000 for notice and administration costs, up to $800,000 for attorneys' fees, and $15,000 ($5,000 each) for service awards to the three Class Representatives. These additional costs do NOT reduce the per-claim payment amount; class members receive the full $7 or $15 they selected.
Cash or Credit? Which Should I Choose?
The Credit Option is worth more than double the Cash Option, which makes the math interesting. Here is when each option makes sense.Pick the Credit Option ($15) if:
• You plan to buy other Ubisoft games in the next year or two (Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, Rainbow Six Siege, Tom Clancy series, etc.)
• You do not have proof of purchase for The Crew and do not want to dig for it
• You already have a Ubisoft account or do not mind creating one
• You see the simpler attestation-only process as worth the trade-off for roughly 2x the value
Pick the Cash Option ($7) if:
• You want real money, not Ubisoft store credit
• You no longer trust Ubisoft and do not plan to buy any more of their games
• You have your proof of purchase readily available (Steam library, PlayStation purchase history, Xbox purchase history, Ubisoft Connect order history, or original receipt)
• You prefer the principle of receiving compensation in cash rather than store credit from the company you are suing
What Counts as Proof of Purchase for the Cash Option?
The Settlement Administrator can request additional documentation to validate Cash Option claims. Examples of acceptable proof of purchase include:• Original physical receipt from a retailer (GameStop, Best Buy, Walmart, Target, Amazon, etc.) showing The Crew purchase
• Digital purchase confirmation email from Ubisoft Connect, Steam, Epic Games Store, Microsoft Store, PlayStation Store, or any other digital storefront
• Account purchase history screenshot from Ubisoft Connect, Steam, PlayStation Network, Xbox Network, or Epic Games Store showing The Crew in your purchase records
• Photo of the physical game disc, case, or box showing The Crew (less ideal than a receipt but may be accepted)
• Credit card or bank statement excerpt showing the purchase line item (redact other transactions if you prefer)
If you cannot find proof of purchase, the Credit Option is the better path since it requires only an attestation under penalty of perjury.
How to File the Ubisoft Crew Settlement Claim Online or by Mail in 2026
Two filing methods are available, both with the same June 11, 2026 deadline.Method 1: Online (recommended). Visit crewgamesettlement.com. Click "Submit a Claim" and complete the form: enter your contact information, indicate whether you played The Crew with a Ubisoft account, provide your Notice ID if you received one by email, select either the Cash Option or Credit Option, check the verification boxes attesting to your class membership, and electronically sign. Online submissions must be completed by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on June 11, 2026.
Method 2: U.S. Mail. Download the printable Claim Form from the Settlement Website. Complete it with your contact information, payment selection, signature, and any proof of purchase (Cash Option). Mail the completed form to the Settlement Administrator at the address printed on the form. Mailed claims must be postmarked by June 11, 2026.
Before you file, gather: the Notice ID from your email notice (if you got one), your Ubisoft account email address (Credit Option), your proof of purchase documentation (Cash Option), and your preferred digital payment account information (Cash Option only).
Key Ubisoft Crew Settlement Deadlines
• Court Preliminary Approval: April 2, 2026
• Claim Form deadline: Thursday, June 11, 2026 (online or postmarked by mail)
• Opt-out deadline: Monday, July 13, 2026
• Objection deadline: Monday, July 13, 2026
• Class Counsel fee motion deadline: October 16, 2026
• Final Approval Hearing: Friday, November 13, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. in Department 8A of the Tani Cantil-Sakauye Sacramento County Courthouse, before the Honorable Jill H. Talley (may be postponed; check the official Settlement Website)
The Final Approval Hearing may be postponed to a different date or time without additional separate notice, so class members planning to attend should check the official Settlement Website for the current hearing arrangements.
When Will I Get My Ubisoft Crew Settlement Payment?
Payment timing depends on the Court's final approval and any appeals.• Final Approval Hearing: November 13, 2026
• Settlement becomes final: after the Court enters final approval and any appeal period passes (typically 30 days after the Final Approval Order)
• Payment distribution: typically begins several weeks to several months after the settlement becomes final
• Best case (no appeals): first payments could reach class members in early to mid 2027
• If appeals are filed: distribution can be delayed by 12 to 36 months
Cash Option payments arrive through the digital payment method selected on the Claim Form (digital MasterCard, PayPal, or Venmo). Credit Option payments arrive at the email address associated with the class member's Ubisoft account; if you do not have a Ubisoft account, you must create one to receive the credit.
The Bigger Picture: Stop Killing Games and Digital Ownership
The Cassell v. Ubisoft case sits at the center of one of the most important consumer rights conversations in modern gaming. The fundamental question is this: when a consumer pays full price for a digital video game, what exactly have they bought?For most of gaming history, "buying" a video game meant acquiring a physical copy (cartridge, disc, or download) that worked indefinitely as long as you had compatible hardware. With the shift to online-required and live-service games, publishers retained the legal ability to shut down servers and effectively revoke access to games consumers had paid full retail price for. The Crew is one of the highest-profile examples of this dynamic playing out.
Stop Killing Games is a consumer advocacy movement launched in the aftermath of The Crew shutdown. The movement pushes for legal protections requiring game publishers to either keep purchased games playable indefinitely, or to provide an "end of life" plan that preserves a playable offline version when live service ends. The Cassell case is one of the first U.S. legal tests of whether the "buy" language used in game marketing creates consumer expectations that the law should protect.
The settlement does not resolve the underlying legal question. Ubisoft is settling without admitting liability, and the court has not ruled on whether the EULA-license model violates consumer protection law. But the case has set a precedent for class actions challenging publisher shutdowns of paid games, and similar cases targeting other publishers are likely to follow.
What Happens If I Do Nothing?
If you do nothing, you remain in the Settlement Class but you will not receive either the cash payment or the credit. You will, however, be bound by the settlement's release of claims against Ubisoft for the issues in this lawsuit.Doing nothing means giving up your right to sue Ubisoft or join any other lawsuit against Ubisoft regarding the claims in this case. To preserve your right to sue Ubisoft separately, you would need to formally opt out (exclude yourself) by July 13, 2026.
Filing the Claim Form takes only a few minutes online, and even the Credit Option (which requires no proof of purchase) is worth $15 in Ubisoft store value. The decision to do nothing leaves $7-$15 of settlement value on the table without preserving any legal rights you would not also give up by claiming.
How to Opt Out or Object to the Settlement
Class members who do not want to be bound by the settlement have two alternatives, both with the July 13, 2026 deadline.Opting out (excluding yourself). Opt-out means receiving no settlement benefits but preserving your right to file your own lawsuit against Ubisoft over the Crew claims. Opt-out requests must be in writing, postmarked by July 13, 2026, and mailed to the Settlement Administrator at the address printed on the Settlement Notice. The request must include your full name, address, telephone number, your original personal signature, and a clear statement that you wish to be excluded from the Settlement Class. Only individual exclusion requests are accepted; group or class exclusions are not allowed.
Objecting. Objection means staying in the class (and remaining eligible for the $7 cash or $15 credit) but asking the Court to reject or modify the settlement. Written objections must be filed with the Court and copies mailed to Class Counsel and Defense Counsel at the addresses printed on the Settlement Notice, all postmarked by July 13, 2026. Objections must include your name, address, phone number, signature (or counsel's signature), facts supporting your class membership, your reasons for objection with supporting evidence, the penalty-of-perjury declaration language specified in the Notice, and any prior objection history for you or your attorney.
Watch Out for Ubisoft Settlement Scams
High-profile gaming class actions attract scams. The Crew shutdown was widely covered in gaming press, so the Cassell settlement is exactly the kind of case scammers use as a hook. A few common-sense rules:• Use the official Settlement Website only: crewgamesettlement.com. Bookmark it. Be cautious of any email or text linking to a "Ubisoft Crew settlement" page from a different domain.
• Never pay a fee. Legitimate class action settlements never require an activation fee, processing fee, or "release fee" to deliver benefits. Anyone asking for payment to process your Crew settlement claim is running a scam.
• Never share your Ubisoft account password or full credit card number with anyone claiming to handle your settlement claim by phone, text, or email. The Settlement Administrator does not need your account password.
• The Credit Option goes to your Ubisoft account email. If you chose the credit but receive an email from a non-Ubisoft domain claiming to deliver your credit, treat it with extreme skepticism.
• Be wary of unrelated "Ubisoft refund" emails. The Settlement Administrator (not Ubisoft itself) handles all communications about this specific settlement.
Other Active Consumer and Gaming Class Action Settlements
Consumer protection and digital product class actions have been increasingly common as more products and services move online. Class membership in one settlement does not affect eligibility for any other unrelated settlement.Other related OCA coverage:
• OCA database of open class action settlements — complete list of active consumer cases
• Latest class action news and updates
• Active class action investigations
• Apple Intelligence iPhone 16 Class Action Settlement — another consumer-tech class action over allegedly misrepresented product capabilities
How Do I Find Class Action Settlements?
Find all the latest class actions you can qualify for by getting notified of new lawsuits as soon as they are open to claims:Claim Form Website: CrewGameSettlement.com
Submit Claim
Frequently Asked Questions About the Ubisoft Crew Settlement
Who qualifies for the Ubisoft The Crew class action settlement?
U.S. consumers who, at any time, purchased Ubisoft's video game The Crew on any platform OR purchased any virtual in-game content (including Crew Credits, downloadable content, or expansions) for The Crew. People who got the game for free (free trials, game sharing, PlayStation Network or Xbox Live subscriptions) do NOT qualify.
How much will I get?
Either $7 cash OR $15 Ubisoft store credit, per your choice on the Claim Form. The Credit Option is worth more than double the Cash Option but can only be used at the Ubisoft store.
Do I need proof of purchase?
Only for the Cash Option ($7). The Credit Option ($15) requires only an attestation of purchase under penalty of perjury, plus a Ubisoft account (or creation of one).
Why is the settlement happening?
Ubisoft shut down The Crew's servers in March 2024, making the game permanently unplayable for everyone who had paid for it. Plaintiffs allege Ubisoft misled consumers into thinking they were buying ownership when they were only getting a revocable license. Plaintiff Cerrato additionally alleged that the expiration of in-game Crew Credits violated the federal Electronic Funds Transfer Act.
What is the claim deadline?
All Claim Forms must be submitted online or postmarked by mail no later than June 11, 2026. The opt-out and objection deadlines are July 13, 2026.
Should I choose Cash or Credit?
Credit Option ($15) if you plan to buy more Ubisoft games or do not have proof of purchase. Cash Option ($7) if you want real money and have your purchase receipts handy.
When will I get paid?
After the November 13, 2026 final approval hearing and any appeal period. Best case: payments arrive in early to mid 2027. Appeals can delay distribution by 12 to 36 months.
Does this settlement cover The Crew 2 or The Crew Motorfest?
No. The settlement covers only the original The Crew (released December 2014) and its DLC, expansions, and virtual currency. The Crew 2 (2018) and The Crew Motorfest (2023) are separate products and are not part of this settlement.
Official Settlement Notice
Sources
• Official Settlement Website: CrewGameSettlement.com• Cassell, et al. v. Ubisoft, Inc., Case No. 25CV014305, Superior Court of California for the County of Sacramento, Hon. Jill H. Talley presiding
• Long-Form Notice of Proposed Class Action Settlement
• Preliminary Approval Order (April 2, 2026)
• Class Representatives: Matthew Cassell, Alan Liu, Angel Cerrato
• Class Counsel: Bursor & Fisher, P.A. (Neal J. Deckant, Stefan Bogdanovich, Ines Diaz Villafana)
• Ubisoft's Counsel: Paul Hastings, LLP (Steven M. Marenberg, Ryan P. Phair, Carter C. Simpson)
• Original federal case: Cassell et al. v. Ubisoft Entertainment S.A., et al., Case No. 2:24-cv-03058, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California (filed November 4, 2024)
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Regulation E (Electronic Funds Transfer Act)
Filing Class Action Settlement Claims
Please submit only truthful information through the Settlement Website. False or fraudulent submissions can be rejected and may lead to penalties. The official Settlement Website (crewgamesettlement.com) is the authoritative source for benefit amounts, deadlines, and payment instructions. If you are not sure whether you qualify, contact the Settlement Administrator through the Settlement Website. OpenClassActions.com is a consumer news site and is not the Settlement Administrator or a law firm, and we do not process or decide claims.
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Submit Claim| Ubisoft Crew Settlement Snapshot | |
| Status | Open — Claims Open Now (preliminary approval April 2, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Settlement Fund | $2,000,000 (separate funds for administration, attorneys' fees, and service awards) |
| Per-Member Payment | $7 cash OR $15 Ubisoft store credit (one option per Class Member) |
| Cash Option Payment Methods | Digital MasterCard, PayPal, or Venmo |
| Credit Option Restrictions | Ubisoft store only; non-transferable; cannot combine with other coupons; no cash or gift card redemption; credit value deducted from any returned/canceled item refunds |
| Claim Deadline | Thursday, June 11, 2026 (online or postmarked by mail) |
| Opt-Out Deadline | Monday, July 13, 2026 |
| Objection Deadline | Monday, July 13, 2026 |
| Final Approval Hearing | Friday, November 13, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. in Department 8A, Tani Cantil-Sakauye Sacramento County Courthouse, Sacramento, California |
| Preliminary Approval | April 2, 2026 |
| Who Is Eligible | U.S. consumers who purchased The Crew on any platform OR purchased virtual in-game content (Crew Credits, DLC, expansions) at any time |
| Who Is NOT Eligible | Consumers who only received The Crew for free (free trials, game sharing, PSN/Xbox Live subscription rewards, multi-game subscriptions) |
| Proof Required to File? | Cash Option = YES (proof of purchase) · Credit Option = NO (attestation under penalty of perjury) |
| Case Title | Cassell, et al. v. Ubisoft, Inc. |
| State Case Number | Case No. 25CV014305 |
| Court | Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento |
| Judge | Hon. Jill H. Talley (Department 8A) |
| Class Representatives | Matthew Cassell, Alan Liu, Angel Cerrato |
| Class Counsel | Bursor & Fisher, P.A. (Neal J. Deckant, Stefan Bogdanovich, Ines Diaz Villafana) |
| Ubisoft's Counsel | Paul Hastings, LLP (Steven M. Marenberg, Ryan P. Phair, Carter C. Simpson) |
| Service Award | $5,000 each to the three Class Representatives ($15,000 total) |
| Attorneys' Fees Cap | Up to $800,000 (paid by Ubisoft separately, not from the Settlement Fund) |
| Administration Costs | $185,000 (paid by Ubisoft separately, not from the Settlement Fund) |
| Game Release Date | December 2, 2014 (PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC) |
| Server Shutdown | March 31, 2024 (game became permanently unplayable) |
| Allegations | (1) Ubisoft misled consumers into believing they owned The Crew when they only had a limited license; (2) expiration of in-game Crew Credits violated the federal Electronic Funds Transfer Act |
| Original Federal Case | Cassell v. Ubisoft Entertainment S.A., Case No. 2:24-cv-03058, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California (filed November 4, 2024) |
| Category | Consumer Rights / Digital Ownership / Gaming / Video Game / Live Service Shutdown |
| Broader Context | Part of the "Stop Killing Games" consumer rights movement around game preservation and digital ownership |
| Official Website | Crew Game Settlement |