Since October 17, The Crew 2 players can now enjoy the game solo, without being connected to the Internet. Ubisoft has just activated a hybrid modea new option that allows everyone to choose their experience: online as originally, or offline for more autonomy.
The initiative comes in a sensitive context. The sudden shutdown of The Crew, the first of its name, in March 2024, caused a wave of indignation: the owners of the game could no longer access it, even solo. This closure, combined with the paid nature of the title, had raised an essential question about the right of access to purchased games.
A hybrid mode to preserve long-term access
Ubisoft presents this new mode as a way to give players back control over their experience. According to the publisher, hybrid mode offers the “freedom to choose” between the full multiplayer experience – with rankings, summits and community features – or a simpler, but lasting, single-player version.
“Whether you’re looking to preserve your progress for the future or simply enjoy the freedom of playing offline, Hybrid Mode ensures that The Crew 2 remains accessible for years to come,” explains Ubisoft.
Concretely, players can transfer their online save to a local version, stored on their console or PC, using the “Export to offline save” function. This allows their progress to be frozen, even if the servers go down one day. However, Ubisoft specifies that online and offline backups are separate : any progress made solo will not be reflected in the online data, unless the export is redone manually.
Other limit announced: custom liveries will not be transferred. A necessary compromise, according to Ubisoft, to ensure the technical compatibility of offline mode.
A direct response to criticism and legal action
This shift is not trivial. It follows strong tensions between Ubisoft and its community after the shutdown of The Crew, which had been made inaccessible for all players, despite purchasing the game. At the time, the publisher spoke out to try to put out the fire: “We have heard your concerns regarding access to The Crew games,” Ubisoft said at the time. “Today we want to express our commitment to the future of The Crew 2 and The Crew Motorfest. We can confirm an offline mode to ensure long-lasting access to both titles.”
That’s not all. A legal action has been taken against the publisher after the closure of the first opus. Ubisoft responded firmly to its detractors by recalling an often controversial legal position in the industry: according to the company, the purchase of a game does not confer an absolute right of ownership, but “a limited license to access the game”.
With the addition of this offline mode in The Crew 2, Ubisoft seems to want to turn the page on this controversy. It remains to be seen whether this measure will be enough to regain the confidence of the players.