The original The Crew is no longer playable: Ubisoft shut down its servers after 31 March 2024, making the game inaccessible on the platforms covered by its announcement. The shutdown was announced in December 2023 and attributed to server infrastructure and licensing constraints. The Crew 2 is a separate game and now has an offline mode, but it does not restore access to the original.
When did The Crew go offline?
Ubisoft announced on 14 December 2023 that it would remove The Crew and its editions from online stores and shut down the servers after 31 March 2024. The company said owners could continue playing until that date; afterward, the game would no longer be accessible on any of the platforms listed in its notice. Ubisoft’s announcement cited “upcoming server infrastructure and licensing constraints.”
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
The Crew Motorfest | $27.20 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
The Crew 2 (Xbox One) | $16.90 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
The Crew 2 (PS4) | $25.97 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
The Crew 2 - PlayStation 4 | $24.80 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
The Crew Ultimate Edition - Xbox One Ultimate Edition | $26.45 | Buy on Amazon |
Can you still play the original The Crew?
No. The original game depended on Ubisoft’s servers, and their shutdown ended access even for people who had bought it. Removing the game from stores and ending server access were related but distinct parts of the decision: delisting stopped new digital purchases, while the server shutdown made the game inaccessible to existing owners.
Ubisoft’s notice said players who had purchased the game recently could check their store’s refund policy. It did not announce a general refund for every owner.
#1 Best Overall
- Welcome to Motorfest - the ultimate driving experience! Explore the versatile open game world in O'ahu Island in Hawaii and experience fast races, themed events and more!
- With hundreds of legendary vehicles for your collection you have plenty of opportunity to prove your skills and whizz through the streets of Honolulu
- The Motor Party is a constant favorite of automotive culture festivals, where you can test over 600 vehicles alone or with your crew and explore the new gaming world in Hawaii
- Discover the playlists and drive in theme-based promotions that take you to the most fascinating worlds of car culture, such as American muscle cars or Japanese street racing
- Compete in exciting competitions, develop your own style, participate in themed events, collect the most iconic cars, master all the challenges and expand your collection with the legendary vehicles
Does The Crew 2 have an offline mode?
Yes. The Crew 2 is a separate sequel, and Ubisoft released its Hybrid Mode on 16 October 2025. It allows the game to be played offline as well as online. Offline progress is kept in a separate save from online progress, and network-dependent features are unavailable in offline play. Ubisoft lists multiplayer, leaderboards and LIVE Summits among the features that require online play in its Hybrid Mode announcement.
On 22 April 2026, Ubisoft announced further offline features for The Crew 2, including livery editing and the ability to add statistics to the offline save. Those updates apply to the sequel; they do not bring back the original The Crew or change its server status. Details are in Ubisoft’s April 2026 update.
Rank #2
- Online Connection Required
- Push boundaries and take on new experiences in iconic locations.
- Be the champion you want to be. Join four different motorsports families from around the country: street and pro racers, off-road experts, and freestylers.
- The newest iteration in the revolutionary franchise, The Crew 2 captures the thrill of the American motorsports spirit in one of the most exhilarating open worlds ever created.
- There are no menus or loading screens, Seamlessly shift from your favorite cars to boats or even planes with just a push of a button using the Fast Fav feature, and experience the full potential and thrill of Motornation.
What did the European Commission say about the shutdown?
In an answer dated 5 June 2024, the European Commission described the general EU consumer-protection framework for digital content and services. It said consumer law requires transparency about material terms and protects consumers against unfair commercial practices and contract terms, but does not set a specific minimum duration for supplying online video games.
The Commission also noted that Directive 2019/770 provides remedies when digital content or services do not conform to the contract. Depending on the circumstances, remedies can include bringing the content into conformity or, in specified cases, a proportionate price reduction or contract termination. National courts and administrative authorities handle individual disputes, with EU cooperation mechanisms available for cross-border enforcement. The answer was a general explanation of EU law, not a ruling that Ubisoft’s decision was lawful or unlawful. Read the Commission’s answer to Parliamentary Question E-001023/24.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #3
- Be the Champion You Want to Be - Join four different motorsports families from around the country: street and pro racers, off-road experts, and freestylers. They'll hook you up with new rides, and they'll introduce you to their own unique motorsports culture and set of disciplines. Through competitions and chance encounters, find and hone your personal style, collect and customize your dream rides, show them off in your HQ, and make your mark on the entire US motorsports scene
What did Ubisoft say about The Crew’s player base?
In its December 2023 announcement, Ubisoft said The Crew 2 had more than 2 million active players per month and that the The Crew franchise had reached more than 40 million players in the prior year. These were Ubisoft’s figures, not independently audited counts, and the franchise figure refers to the period before the announcement—not a current player total.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How did regulators discuss access to digital games?
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s March 2025 Digital platform services inquiry final report discusses The Crew in a section about consumer access to digital games and licensing. Its account describes the game as online-only and discusses reported licence removals after shutdown; some specific details in that passage are attributed to secondary reporting. The report is relevant context, but it should not be read as an independent ACCC finding on every reported detail.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Buckle up for a new supercharged edition of the best-selling action-driving game, The Crew.
- Choose your side in a game of street racers vs. police enforcers in the brand-new The Crew Calling All Units expansion.
- Complete your collection with an all-in-one package that includes The Crew original game, The Crew Wild Run expansion, The Crew Calling All Units expansion, and Season Pass content.
- Stock your garage with more than 120 licensed vehicles, more than 220 missions, and over 220 tuning specs.
- Never drive alone as you join millions of drivers already online and freely roam the US from coast to coast.
Rank #4
- Jump in the driver seat of exotic cars, bikes, planes, and boats as you dominate the land, air, and sea
- Go where your heart takes you and travel the USA like never before: with a massive open world and No limits
- Seamlessly Switch between vehicles with the fast fav feature, to go from boat to car to plane to motorcycle, without loading screens
- Team up or Ride solo as you enter the exciting motors ports realms of Street racing, pro-racing, off-roading, and Freestyle
- Stay connected as you compete for Street cred, create exhilarating challenges for others, and share your most memorable moments
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
