Image source: Ubisoft
Players can breathe a sigh of relief following a rumor over the past weekend which suggested inactive Ubisoft accounts might be deleted, causing permanent loss of digital game libraries. However, that has turned out not to be the case; Ubisoft has since debunked this claim in a statement to IGN, assuring users that their digital game libraries remain intact, regardless of account activity.
Ubisoft Game Deletion Rumors Prove False
The rumors began circulating after a Tweet featuring an email titled “Ubisoft Account Closure Due to Inactivity.” It was shown to inform a recipient that their Ubisoft account had been temporarily suspended and would be permanently closed in 30 days unless the account owner canceled the closure.
The email’s legitimacy was verified by the official Ubisoft Support Twitter account, which restated the provided instructions for canceling pending account closure.
Despite the authenticity of the information, what led to panic among people was the context presented by the original poster, who asserted that “You will lose all your games purchased forever.”
In an email to IGN, Ubisoft clarified its position on account deletions. The company confirmed that it has been deleting inactive accounts in compliance with the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) regarding the permissible duration for storing individual personal data for “many years now.” Ubisoft emphasized that its policies are “aligned with legal requirements and with the standards of the industry” and also serve as a means of fraud prevention.
However, Ubisoft also specified its criteria for account deletion, making it clear that accounts with purchased games associated with them are not subject to deletion. The publisher takes the following factors into account:
- The gaming activity of the account since its creation
- The account’s libraries: accounts that include purchased PC games are not eligible for deletion [emphasis Ubisoft’s]
- The duration of inactivity of the account, meaning the last login to our ecosystem (including from Ubisoft games on Steam and other platforms)
- In practice, as of today, we have never deleted accounts that have been inactive for less than 4 years
- The existence of an active subscription tied to the account.
According to Ubisoft, they send emails like the circulated one to users 30 days before deleting their accounts. If a user attempts to log in during that period, they will receive a notification and a link to reactivate their account upon logging in. For more information on their policy, please visit the official website.
In other Ubisoft news, the publisher is readying the launch of the next Assassin’s Creed game, titled Mirage. The new title is something of a reboot for the series, going back to its stealth roots and taking place in the original Crusader timeline.
