For a while now, Ubisoft has required players to have Ubisoft accounts to access its games like Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry. However, the recent attention on its policy regarding inactive accounts has stirred up some controversy, especially for those who have made purchases through their Ubisoft accounts.

Recently, a Twitter user shared a screenshot of an email they received from Ubisoft, notifying them that their account had been temporarily suspended due to inactivity. They were given a 30-day window to prevent the closure, after which they would lose access to their entire Ubisoft library, including purchased games.

In response to the tweet, Ubisoft Support reiterated the 30-day notice period and encouraged affected users to follow the link in the email to prevent their account from being closed. However, if an account closure does occur due to inactivity and the user misses the email, they won’t be able to access any games they’ve purchased.

This policy has sparked criticism from players who believe that once they’ve bought a game, they should be able to access it at any time, whether digitally or physically. Digital purchases are often considered as a “license” rather than outright ownership, making it easier for access to be restricted.

While Ubisoft may be required to close inactive accounts under data protection laws like GDPR, questions arise about whether this should impact purchased games. Ubisoft’s terms and conditions state that an account must be inactive for six months before suspension and notification of closure. However, there have been reports contradicting this, claiming Ubisoft doesn’t delete inactive accounts that have been inactive for less than four years.

As a result, Ubisoft is facing significant backlash over its inactive account policy, especially amid concerns about game preservation and the decline of physical media. Players with Ubisoft accounts tied to purchases may want to log in and reset the inactivity counter to avoid losing access to their games.