When it comes to digital rights management (DRM), Ubisoft is a huge proponent of its usage though, in the past, has had no qualms about lying to consumers concerning its inclusion in a game. So it should come as no surprise that Ubisoft’s racist game Assassin’s Creed Shadows will include Denuvo DRM and mandatory third-party account linking. But what is more surprising, however, is that Assassin’s Creed Shadows’s third-party EULA also requires that PC gamers allow the game to monitor their PC RAM usage.
The odd condition was noticed by 80 Level and brings up the question of why does Ubisoft need to monitor RAM usage for a single player game. Under Section 4 titled “CONSENT TO MONITOR,” the EULA states that,
“When You are using the Product, the Product may monitor Your hardware random access memory (RAM) for unauthorized third party programs prohibited by Section 1 that interact with the Product.“
In other words, this is to see if a gamer is using hacks or cheats while playing the game. But while this would make sense for a multiplayer game, though still highly invasive, it doesn’t make sense for Assassin’s Creed Shadows which is a single player game. While the EULA states that hacks and cheats are forbidden for both multiplayer and single player, demanding to monitor RAM usage is taking things too far.
What is interesting to note is that, when looking at other games which require Denuvo DRM, this condition is nowhere to be found. For example, Hogwarts Legacy utilizes Denuvo and while there is a section labelled “CONSENT TO MONITOR,” there is no requirement stipulating that a PC’s RAM usage must be monitored. Though users do grant WBGames and its affiliates permission to monitor their systems.
The same goes for upcoming action-RPG Monster Hunter Wilds. The game will have Denuvo DRM, but does not require or state that it will monitor RAM usage for a game that is both single player and multiplayer. NBA 2K25’s EULA also makes no mention of monitoring RAM. Even Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, which is laughably in the bargain bin for $3.49 on Steam, it also has Denuvo DRM but doesn’t monitor your RAM usage.
However, Ubisoft’s Skull and Bones pirate game does state that it “may monitor your hardware RAM.” Not surprising since Skull and Bones is a multiplayer game. As for Star Wars Outlaws, which is flopping hard on Steam, it is a single player game that does require it to monitor your RAM usage.
So is the requirement to monitor PC RAM usage a new one for Ubisoft games? It isn’t, since Assassin’s Creed Origins, Odyssey, and Black Flag also monitor your RAM according to their EULAs.
When it comes to Denuvo DRM and third-party account requirements, this is nothing new. Though we recommend that Steam ban third-party accounts from its platform for a number of reasons, it is up to the consumers to pay more attention to what they are agreeing to when purchasing a product. Having been boycotting Ubisoft for 14 years now, we certainly didn’t pay enough attention to how invasive the company has gotten during that time.
Which, to be fair, is not surprising. Third party accounts, alone, are invasive enough. Just look at how games developed or owned by Chinese companies utilize their access when it comes to monitoring gamers and the collection of data. Nevermind the fact that it provides another avenue of access for hackers. In fact, Ubisoft and Tencent recently started getting into bed together since last year with rumors that the Guillemot family might work with Tencent to turn Ubisoft into a private company.
It’s just odd that Ubisoft is monitoring RAM usage for single player games. Unlike multiplayer games, why does it matter and who does it hurt if someone decides to cheat in a single player game? After all, buyers beware if they are foolish enough to purchase cheats and hacks for a single player game from a shady person who could take advantage by getting all of their information.
Speaking of which, when one remembers how Epic Games used their Epic Games Store app to scan users’ PCs without their permission or knowledge, it is hard not to think that Ubisoft might be doing something similar. Or collecting everyone’s data who purchases and plays their games.
While gamers are starting to get tired of third-party account requirements, just look at the outrage over Helldivers 2, there is still a lot more that needs to be addressed and looked into. It is time to find out what exactly Ubisoft is “monitoring” when it comes to RAM usage. And ask yourself, why does a single player game like Assassin’s Creed Shadows need to monitor PC RAM usage?
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