The Crew, Ubisoft’s street racing game that faced an untimely demise in 2024, may be on the verge of a revival. A dedicated group of fans has been working on The Crew Unlimited, a project designed to breathe new life into the game through a custom server emulator. According to recent updates from the newly launched Crew Unlimited website, the emulator is nearing completion, with a launch date set for September 15.
Progress and Challenges
The team behind The Crew Unlimited has announced that the server emulator is now “feature complete.” Their next steps involve rigorous testing and validation of the software before its official release. This comes after the original game became unplayable on April 1, 2024, when Ubisoft took the drastic measure of revoking game licenses shortly after shutting down the servers. This move went beyond simply delisting the game, effectively ensuring that players would lose access entirely.
Project member ChemicalFlood expressed disappointment over Ubisoft’s decision to revoke licenses, especially considering the investment players made in the game. However, he reassured fans that the project could circumvent these restrictions without altering any game files, keeping the revival on track.
Access and Features
The Crew Unlimited will be available for download from the TCU website, but players will need to own a legitimate copy of The Crew to participate. The development team has noted in their FAQ that while they cannot distinguish between legitimate and non-legitimate copies, players must still possess the original game files to join. Currently, the emulator is designed for PC versions, though there are hopes for future console support.
In terms of modding, the project will allow extensive modifications in offline modes, while online play will be limited to cosmetic changes. This approach aims to maintain a balanced and fair environment for all players.
Ubisoft’s Potential Response
A significant question looms over this initiative: how will Ubisoft respond? Historically, fan projects like this often attract legal scrutiny, typically resulting in cease-and-desist letters. However, The Crew Unlimited finds itself in a unique position. Following the backlash against Ubisoft for its handling of The Crew’s shutdown—including a lawsuit and a European Citizen’s Initiative petition that garnered over one million signatures—the company has promised to avoid similar actions with future titles like The Crew 2 and Motorfest. Taking action against The Crew Unlimited could reignite public outrage, a scenario Ubisoft would likely prefer to avoid.
Interestingly, the “Special Thanks” section of The Crew Unlimited website credits Ubisoft “for letting this game happen,” hinting at a potential understanding between the two parties. Inquiries have been made to the team regarding the possibility of a Ubisoft-mandated cease-and-desist, and updates will follow if a response is received.
